Brendan Bateman

Practice Areas

Brendan brings over three decades of experience as an expert in environmental, planning, climate change and administrative law. Notably, he advises on planning approvals and environmental impact assessments under both Federal and State legislation. As a founding director of the Carbon Market Institute, he leads our Climate Change and Sustainability Group, advising government and corporate clients on climate-related risks and policy implications on the transition to a low-emissions economy.

Work Highlights

EnergyCo: advising on the establishment of various renewable energy zones and priority transmission line projects in NSW to facilitate large scale renewable energy projects.

Transgrid: advising on environmental assessment and planning approval requirements and land acquisition in respect of numerous new transmission line and upgrade projects including Snowy 2.0, Central West-Orana REZ augmentation and Energy Connect projects.

Transport for NSW (and predecessor agencies): advising on property, planning and environmental issues including land acquisition strategies and legal proceedings relating to the Sydney Gateway, NorthConnex, WestConnex, M6, M7 and M12 Motorway projects.

Sydney Metro: advising on planning approval pathways, land acquisition strategies and the compulsory acquisition of land for the purpose of the Sydney Metro Northwest, City & Southwest, West (Stages 1 and 2) and Western Sydney Airport projects.

QIC: advised on project design, ERF eligibility and environmental market issues in the establishment of a natural capital fund operating land-based projects which include the generation of ACCUs and reef credits with ESG co-benefits.

Sydney Water: advising on the Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre and acquisition strategy for reticulated pipeline network to service Western Sydney Airport and Western Sydney Aerotropolis.

TfNSW: advised on the implementation of the Newcastle Integrated Services Project and Newcastle Urban Renewal and Transport Program including the truncation of part of the Newcastle rail line and approval and delivery of the Newcastle Light Rail project. The project was the subject of legal proceeding ultimately to the High Court.

National clients: advises on reporting obligations under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme (NGERS), obligations under the Safeguard Mechanism and trading in carbon and other green rights.

Corporate and government clients: advises on land contamination and remediation issues including obligations to report contaminated sites and site audit processes.

Industry Sector Expertise

Climate Change and Sustainability

Environment and Sustainable Development

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Major Projects & Construction

Regulatory Enforcements & Investigations

Renewables

Telecommunications Media and Technology