Karen Trainor

Practice Areas

Karen Trainor has worked in the environmental and planning law field for over 20 years, and her expertise in this field has been recognised by her inclusion in Chambers Global, World's Leading Lawyers for Business.

She is well regarded as a trusted adviser to many public and private sector entities on their corporate environmental compliance, in strategic management of environment and planning development approvals and the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process for major infrastructure. Her client base includes energy, mining, manufacturing and government entities.

With an in-depth understanding of the approval processes, at both the State and Commonwealth level, Karen provides advice to many public and private companies on infrastructure projects, master planned communities, major projects, corporate compliance and strategic management of environmental issues.

Work Highlights

Renewables and alternative energy solutions: Advice on environmental issues and approvals including Wivenhoe Dam Hydroelectric Plant (Stanwell), Solar projects (CS Energy and Idemitsu), Zerogen CCS Project (Stanwell), Callide Oxyfuel Project (CS Energy), CTSCo carbon capture project, Clarke Creek Wind farm, Mt Emerald wind farm, hydrogen projects including the regulatory requirements to facilitate hydrogen development and various battery projects in Queensland (CS Energy, Stanwell).

Environmental due diligence: Karen works with our corporate team to assess and forecast risk and derive document solutions in major transactions for power, gas and mining projects and provide environmental advice on the funding of such transactions.

Major project approvals: Advised on the approvals strategy and environmental assessments including for energy and resource developments: APLNG, Senex (Roma North and Western Surat Gas Project), Origin and ENI (offshore NOPSEMA approvals), gasfields approvals (Arrow, Denison Trough, Spring Gully, Beetaloo), Gibson Island hydrogen development, North-East gas interconnector, Condamine Power Project, SunMetals expansion, port development, (Hay Point, Weipa and Abbot point). She has assisted clients with over 20 environmental impact statements and EPBC Approvals.

ESG: Assisted her clients to effectively manage ESG issues, including climate reporting, stakeholder engagement, activist litigation. She has worked on some of the most contentious projects to assist her clients with ESG decisions including Abbot Point dredging, New Acland Coal litigation, Eraring Power activist challenges and Offshore projects.

ARTC - Inland Rail Program: Advising on the Queensland component of this nationally significant project. This includes the approvals strategy and assisting with the environmental impact statement and Commonwealth environmental approvals.

Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG): Advised on all environmental aspects of its QLD coal seam gas to liquefied natural gas project, including assisted to secure the EIS and the EPBC Act approvals within a very aggressive timeframe. Karen has provided extensive advice on approvals issues for the infrastructure including within the protected areas.

Environmental offsets: Advised and been involved in the Environmental Offsets Strategy development and documentation for numerous projects including for Sunshine Coast Airport, Faster Rail, APLNG, New Acland Stage 3 Expansion, Aura Master Planned Community and Boggabri Coal.

Infrastructure agreements: Drafted and negotiated numerous infrastructure agreements, including for Toowoomba Regional Council, Ipswich City Council, Stockland Kawana, Stockland Aura and Queen's Wharf Brisbane.

Industry Sector Expertise

Climate Change and Sustainability

Environment and Sustainable Development

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Major Projects & Construction

Regulatory Enforcements & Investigations

Renewables

Water