Environment & Planning
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : Australia
Band 3
About
Provided by McCullough Robertson
The Planning and Environment team at McCullough Robertson is a recognised leader in navigating the complexities of environmental law. They advise both government and private sector clients on a wide range of complex projects across various industries, including waste management, property development, construction, power generation, mining, and industrial infrastructure.
Their expertise encompasses both front-end and back-end advice, focusing on environmental and regulatory approvals, environmental impact assessments, and legal risk mitigation. Known for their outstanding delivery of advice on these strategies and processes, they are trusted to advise on some of the largest greenfield and expansion projects in Australia.
As planning and environmental considerations increasingly impact commercial and government activities, their diverse practice supports major resource and energy companies, developers, property owners, funds, corporate groups, and local and state governments. They provide comprehensive advice on town planning legal issues, due diligence, development approvals, compliance, resumption and compensation, tourism, and other environmental matters.
They also address key considerations such as land access and tenure, environmental defence, and executive officer liability. Always guiding clients through complexity, their team continuously reviews professional standards to ensure commercial success.
Chambers Review
McCullough Robertson maintains, particularly on the eastern seaboard, its noted reputation for advice on planning and environmental questions affecting coal mine acquisitions, development and expansion, including compliance, impact assessments and risk mitigation. The firm also handles associated investigations and disputes mandates for a clientele which includes global multinationals, state-owned entities and local councils. It houses a noted renewables capability, plus expertise covering approvals for large-scale mixed-use developments, transport infrastructure and greenfield projects.
Notable Practitioners
Madeline Simpson is based in Brisbane and well regarded in the market for her extensive track record of work on behalf of Queensland government clients on planning and contaminated land disputes.
Based in Brisbane, Stuart Macnaughton has established a name for himself in the areas pertaining to major development planning, sustainable planning and environmental protection issues.
Ranked Lawyers at
McCullough Robertson
Australia
Members
Provided by McCullough Robertson
Kate Swain
Peter Stokes
Stuart Macnaughton
Head of Department
Troy Webb
Clients
Provided by McCullough Robertson
Ingenia Communities
Unitywater
Whitsunday Regional Council
Industries
Provided by McCullough Robertson
Government
Industrial Infrastructure
Mining
Power generation
Property development
Resources and Energy
Tourism
Waste management