Profile

An overview and examples of John’s experience, both as barrister and solicitor, include:

Environment

John assists the most significant multi-national and national companies as well as government bodies on sensitive environmental concerns surrounding their commercial projects.

As counsel:

› Acting for a quarry operator in relation to a Planning & Environment Court proceeding involving an allegation that a proposed extractive industry use on a disused mine would have unacceptable environmental impacts.

› Acting for a local authority in relation to Planning & Environment Court proceedings in relation to an application for enforcement orders regarding air and noise nuisance arising from the maintenance operations at a commercial marina. The matter settled after two days of the hearing.

› Acting for an international gas company in relation to an environmental prosecution arising out of an uncontrolled release from an oil pipeline.

› Acting and advising a property developer on approvals strategy in relation to a controlled action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

As solicitor:

› Advising a transnational utility company on environmental approvals associated with a CSG associated water recycling plant in the Surat Basin.

› Advising the world’s largest commercial explosives provider in relation to environmental issues associated with its Chemicals Complex.

› Advising a state electricity operator in relation to all environmental, planning and cultural heritage approvals required for numerous major high voltage power line projects.

› Acting for mining companies, property developers, service station operators and manufacturers in relation to environmental incident management, including environmental prosecution and enforcement proceedings.

› Advising resource companies in relation to environmental approvals required for new projects and proposed expansions of existing mine sites including associated infrastructure.

Planning

Having worked with numerous commercial companies across a number of sectors and local and State government agencies, John is able to review matters from all angles to better inform clients regarding their infrastructure, commercial, resources, entertainment and residential projects.

As counsel:

› Acting as junior counsel (led by Bain QC) for the successful local authority in the landmark Planning & Environment Court decision of Ashvan Investment Unit Trust v Brisbane City Council & Ors [2019] QPEC 16.

› Acting in a matter concerning whether the circumstances warranted a decision to convert non-trunk infrastructure, which was the subject of conditions, to trunk infrastructure.

› Acting in a matter concerning the refusal of a masterplanned community of 12,000 persons on a greenfield site outside the urban designation under the relvant planning scheme.

› Acting in a matter concerning an objector appeal against the approval of a solar farm.

› Acting in a matter concerning refusal of a proposed 114 place child care centre.

› Acting in a matter involving appeals related to competing local shopping centre proposals.

› Acting in several appeals (including to the Court of Appeal) related to proposed service stations and convenience shops.

› Acting in a mater concerning the refusal of the demolition of a heritage structure.

› Acting in numerous matters involving appeals regarding multiple dwellings.

› Acting in numerous matters involving appeals regarding proposed subdivision of land.

› Acting in numerous matters involving disputed extensions of currency periods for existing development approvals.

› Acting in numerous matters involving contested and uncontested applications for minor changes to development applications and approvals.

As solicitor:

› Advising one of Australia’s largest commercial real estate companies in relation to the ongoing development of a community project which comprises 28 stages and over 1,000 lots.

› Advising a property developer on a AUD 1.2 billion development on a former railway yard comprising 1,100 units and houses as well as a commercial precinct.

› Advising a state body in relation to town planning, environmental and heritage issues associated with the redevelopment of a major hospital.

› Worked with a major resources, manufacturing and distribution organisation on all its environmental and planning approvals required for its 40 year quarry project which involved clearing native vegetation, State and Federal koala habitat approvals and clearances, water quality, traffic and infrastructure contribution issues.

› Advising a state Government entity on all town planning and environmental issues associated with the AUD 603 million sale of Forestry assets.

› Advising a multinational construction, property and infrastructure company in relation to a successful Planning and Environment Court action to defend a Council decision to refuse a regional shopping centre proposal.

› Advising on all planning approvals for a golf course, resort and residential development including the conduct of two successful Planning and Environment Court appeals.

Energy & Resources

Over his career John has worked alongside many major companies concerning energy and resources projects. He is therefore well positioned to navigate all related approvals from a practical and commercial point of view.

As counsel:

› Retained as junior counsel (led by Clothier QC) for the applicant in Burnett & Ors: Hannigan & Associates & Ors (Land Court : MRA/EPA 398-15 to 405-15). The matter involved a Land Court hearing in relation to objections to mining leases and environmental authorities for the Moorlands Project, an open cut coal mining project. The matter was resolved after mediation.

As solicitor:

› Providing advice on environmental approvals for the Adani Coal Mine.

› Advising on approvals strategy for the Ensham Mine expansion project.

› Acting for an applicant in relation to Land Court objection hearings for the expansion of the Ebenezer Mine.

› Advising a global coal company on the environmental aspects of its acquisition of a national coal company.

› Acting for bidder for the Australian coal assets of Rio Tinto.

› Advising a leading oil and gas producer on project approvals required for an AUD 18 billion Liquefied Natural Gas project.

› Advising a leading national energy company in relation to environmental and water issues associated with the development of its coal seam gas assets.

› Advising a leading national energy company in relation to development approvals required for its proposed gas fired power station.

› Advising an international oil and gas company on issues associated with national hydraulic fracturing operations.