Environment & Planning
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : Australia
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+61 2 9225 5000About
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills
Herbert Smith Freehills’ EP&C team remains a highly regarded and influential practice. The team works with public and private sector clients to deliver the most significant energy and resources, mining infrastructure and urban development projects in Australia. We have a proven record of providing innovative and commercially astute solutions across a range of industries for major issues arising in the environment and planning field. Committed to innovation, we continue to develop new product offerings, pricing models, and methods of delivering legal advice.
The team is led by four of the best, technically excellent practitioners in Australia and maintains an incredibly busy practice that supports more than 25 lawyers. In addition, the team draw on the resources of the broader firm, including disputes, to provide additional support on investigations, litigation and transactions.
We help our clients respond to, and influence, the fast-evolving regulatory landscape on environment, climate, energy transition and ESG issues, including acting in litigation and advising clients on market disclosures and steps to operationalise decisions. We provide strategic environment and planning advice for Australia’s largest corporate real estate and M&A transactions.
Chambers Review
The Herbert Smith Freehills team is noted for its national reach and integration of strategic advice from all relevant practice areas to address environmental and planning issues arising throughout the life-cycles of the largest and most complex projects. The law firm is well known for its comprehensive land access and approvals service, supporting both public and private sector projects. The team possesses specialised expertise with regard to environmental impact assessments of mining projects and the specific regulatory considerations affecting developments in the renewables sector. The firm leverages a market-leading dispute resolution practice to assist clients with contentious planning and environmental mandates.
Work Highlights
- Herbert Smith Freehills advised Marinus Link on an impact assessment, planning and environmental approvals, land assembly, and Aboriginal cultural heritage and native title for the Marinus Link project.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"HSF has excellent knowledge of how the Government is applying law and policy in practice and it provides pragmatic, responsive and fit for purpose advice."
"HSF has excellent knowledge of how the Government is applying law and policy in practice and it provides pragmatic, responsive and fit for purpose advice."
Notable Practitioners
Peter Briggs is based in Sydney and regularly assists clients with environmental and planning issues relating to energy projects and other major developments, handling both advisory and contentious mandates.
"Peter is extremely knowledgeable, considered a great asset to our company and always willing to jump in quickly to help."
Kathryn Pacey is well regarded in Brisbane for her work acting for major infrastructure players on all environment and planning aspects of major projects, as well as for assisting clients with environmental issues arising from M&A transactions.
"Kathryn provides very good service that is timely, cost efficient and relevant."
"No question that is too small, she always gives you the time of day and is very patient."
Heidi Asten is based in Melbourne and regularly advises clients on environment and planning issues relating to major property developments and transport projects.
"Heidi is a great person to work with. She is very knowledgeable, proactive and responsive."
Melanie Debenham leads the environment, planning and communities team at the Perth office of Herbert Smith Freehills. She is well-regarded for her expertise in the areas of mining, carbon farming and energy.
"Melanie has a deep understanding of environmental law and policy, government and regulatory expectations and industry practice."
"Mel always delivers."
Ranked Lawyers at
Herbert Smith Freehills
Australia
Members
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills