Joanna Pugsley

Practice Areas

Jo is often called upon to help public agency clients launch high-impact, one-of-a-kind projects. She handles a full breadth of issues across procurement and contracting structures for a range of construction, social and transport infrastructure, engineering agreements in large projects, including whole of life maintenance issues.

Her private practice includes acting for resources companies on traditional and renewable energy projects (wind, solar and green hydrogen) including with state-of the art technologies.

Jo has been a Board Member for both Clayton Utz and Cladding Safety Victoria Authority since 2021

Work Highlights

NSW Government: advised on their $14bn split responsibility container deposit scheme model. Also advised the Victorian and Tasmanian Governments on the establishment of their schemes.

Homes Victoria and the Department of Treasury and Finance: advises in their substantial $2bn Social Housing Growth Fund. The fund is earmarked to empower Community Housing Authorities in the execution of social and affordable housing initiatives throughout Victoria.

Major Projects Canberra: advises on large construction projects including the new $900m Canberra Hospital Expansion Project, the prestigious $400m Canberra Theatre Precinct, and the transformative $350m Canberra Institute of Technology initiative.

Victorian Health Building Authority: advises on a portfolio of significant hospital development projects such as Mental Health Beds, the Community Hospitals and the recently unveiled $1bn Northern Hospital Redevelopment Project.

Department of Justice and Community Safety (Victoria): advised on the construction and service delivery of numerous correctional facilities across Victoria.

Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria): advising on the MR5 Melbourne Metropolitan Train and Tram Franchise Project.

ACT Government: advising on the ACT Light Rail PPP project involving the design, construction finance and operation of a light rail through Canberra as well as negotiations with the operator for a $2.5bn extension to the existing line.

Rail Projects: leading Clayton Utz' engagement on rail projects including the Victorian Government on Melbourne Metro, and Melbourne Airport Rail Link, the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority on the preparation and negotiation of tender and contract documents for the Cross River Rail project and the NZ Government on their alliance and maintenance contract for City Rail Link's new metro tunnels and stations.

Green energy projects: advising an ASX 100 on their green energy projects including the development of their hydrogen facilities and their partnership arrangements for developing technologies for the decarbonisation of their business.

Mining Technology Innovation: advising two ASX 100 companies on the drafting and negotiation of agreements for the development and operation of autonomy mining fleets.

Industry Sector Expertise

Energy

Government

Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals

Housing

Infrastructure

Mining & Critical Minerals