Profile
Year of Call:
2020Overview
With over 17 years’ experience in planning, environment, compulsory acquisition and energy law, first as Senior Associate at what is now a global firm and more recently as Senior Legal Counsel and Acting General Counsel at Energy Queensland, Tim is a client-focused barrister adept in providing user friendly and strategic advice to reach commercial and practical solutions.
As a solicitor, he advised and litigated: town planning cases for residential, retail and commercial developers, landowners, government agencies, and private clients, covering a diverse spectrum of development projects (ranging from golf courses to mosques); planning and environmental enforcement cases; compulsory acquisition disputes before the Land Court; cultural heritage and native title matters; and annual valuation appeals.
Combining a unique understanding of corporate decision making with flexibility and versatility across the development and energy industries, Tim’s experience also extends to general property disputes, national and state energy law, health and safety cases (in particular those affecting the energy and resources sector), and overlapping administrative law matters.
Tim was formerly a Vice-President of the Queensland Environmental Law Association and served on the Queensland Law Society’s Planning and Environment Committee for many years.
Experience
As Senior Legal Counsel with Energy Queensland:
> Advising Energy Queensland in relation to environmental compliance and in relation to planning and environmental enforcement matters.
> Appearing for Energy Queensland companies in Planning and Environment Court appeals.
> Advising Energy Queensland on transition to Planning Act 2016 and various other planning and environment legislative reforms.
> Acting for Energy Queensland in compulsory acquisition and resources litigation before the Land Court.
> Advising Energy Queensland in relation to cultural heritage and native title matters.
> Advising Energy Queensland in relation to national and state energy and resources laws.
> Advising Energy Queensland in relation to health and safety matters and in relation to electrical and work health and safety and enforcement mattes.
> Acting for Energy Queensland in relation to litigation concerning property damage and personal injuries.
> Acting for Energy Queensland in enforcement action by the Queensland Competition Authority.
> Acting for Energy Queensland in Fair Work Commission and advising as to employment matters.
Advising Energy Queensland in relation to property matters.
As a Senior Associate with Norton Rose Fulbright:
> Adviser and litigator in the full range of planning, environment and compulsory acquisition matters, including matters in the Planning and Environment Court, Land Court, Magistrates Court and appellate courts.
> Lead solicitor for Bunnings in Woodman McDonald Hardware Pty Ltd v Mackay Regional Council [2013] QPEC 21 and Meiklejohn v Sunshine Coast Regional Council & Anor [2010] 22.
> Led a very large litigation team to obtain planning approval for the Cannon Hill Community Links Golf Course and Residential development (a 125Ha development site) through Planning and Environment Court and Court of Appeal litigation and alternative dispute resolution (Krajniw v Brisbane City Council & Ors [2008] QPEC 048 and Krajniw v Brisbane City Council & Ors [2009] QCA 076).
> The primary appeal involved issues in relation to town planning, noise, visual amenity, bushfire risk, flora and fauna, aquatic ecology, acid sulphate soils, water quality and hydraulics.
> Led the litigation team for a local government in refusal and submitter appeals in relation to a mosque. The appeal involved issues in the areas of town planning, noise and traffic engineering.
> Trouble-shooting adviser and representative for state electricity company in intractable compulsory acquisition disputes, including litigation in the Land Court.
> Lead contact for major institutional developers – providing development and litigation strategies and undertaking litigation.
> Advisor and litigator for local governments in relation to planning and environment matters.
> Drafted and negotiated infrastructure agreement for 900Ha residential development for major institutional developer
> Advised and litigated for state electricity company, institutional developer and other clients in relation to annual valuations.
Recommendations
Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Profession
2022 – Recommended Leading Counsel for Planning & Environment (Queensland)
Member
Queensland Bar Assocation
LawRight
Career
2020 Barrister
2019 Senior Legal Counsel Energy Queensland
2012 Legal Counsel – Planning, Environment and Property, Energy Queensland (incorporating Ergon Energy, Energex and Yurika)
2008 Senior Associate Norton Rose Fulbright (then Deacons)
2005 Solicitor Norton Rose Fulbright (then Deacons)
Education
Bachelor of Law (Hons) - Griffith University
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Policy and Economy – Griffith University
