Environment & Planning | Asia-Pacific

Clayton Utz maintains a strong focus on public sector infrastructure and development which encompasses rail, road, broadband and urban renewal projects. The environment and planning team also assists leading corporates seeking approvals for mining enterprises or residential, commercial and leisure property developments. Additionally, Clayton Utz represents public and private sector entities in high-profile litigation and before inquiries and tribunals addressing environmental issues, as well as advising on regulatory compliance matters. The firm offers expertise in renewable energy, climate change and water matters, and stands out for exploiting new technology to facilitate rapid reaction to environmental incidents. Its key clients include Australian Rail Track Corporation, EnergyAustralia and TransGrid.

The Allens practice coordinates expertise from across the firm to support a comprehensive range of planning and environment requirements relevant to high-profile energy, mining, infrastructure and residential projects. The firm also stands out for its representation of blue-chip national and international clients and governmental agencies and for its cutting-edge climate change expertise. Allen's team is frequently called upon to advise on substantial environment disputes as well as to assist on advisory matters. Its key clients include BlueScope, ATCO Australia and Woodside.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth's well-regarded team offers full national coverage, addressing a comprehensive range of contentious and non-contentious matters. The firm's environment and planning team advises energy and natural resources companies on planning approval, energy efficiency, sustainability and climate change concerns in addition to water rights and infrastructure. Other mandates covered include the environment and planning approvals necessary for property and urban development, transport infrastructure and telecommunications. The team also advises on major issues relating to waste disposal and contaminated sites, as well as investigations and enforcement actions in relation to offences under the Environmental Protection Act. Its key clients include Santos, Investa and Oxford Properties and Mirvac.

MinterEllison maintains an impressive national footprint and frequently represents leading corporates and government departments on the environment and planning aspects of major resources, infrastructure and retail developments. The environment and planning team offers especially well-developed expertise in obtaining licences to operate and the various approvals processes. The team is further noted for expertise regarding state government infrastructure sales, defence against environmental NGO litigation, compliance actions and its assistance in response to environmental damage investigations. Its key clients include Dexus, Transport for NSW and Yancoal.

Norton Rose Fulbright offers core expertise in relation to major property developments, including commercial, residential and broader infrastructure mandates. The team is experienced in handling planning disputes, including development challenges and compensation claims as well as environmental investigations. Norton Rose Fulbright is prominent in climate change matters and advising on energy and renewables projects, offering specialist assistance on waste management, compliance matters and environmental risk assessment. The firm is also increasingly active on matters relating to infrastructure projects. Its key clients include Bayport Group, Qantas Airways and Mirvac BTR Developments.

The White & Case team is the Australian arm of a global firm and is acknowledged for its management of all planning and environment approvals processes for project delivery, particularly with regard to energy projects and transport infrastructure upgrades. The firm is also experienced in handling environmental regulatory, land acquisition, native title and cultural heritage matters, and is well placed to coordinate with the firm's highly regarded projects and infrastructure team. Its key clients include Esso Australia, AusNet Transmission and Suburban Rail Loop Authority.

Lavan is a Perth-based firm with noted capabilities for advising landowners, developers and government on a range of environment and planning issues. The team is proficient at handling compliance and approval issues as well as rights, liabilities and reviews. The environment and planning team also has particularly extensive experience advising on the implications, management, acquisition and disposal of contaminated land. Its key clients include Satterley Property, Gurner and GreenSquare DC.

Baker McKenzie's nationwide practice maintains a close focus on climate change and renewable energy projects. The firm also handles mandates concerning emissions reduction and carbon sequestration, alongside traditional environmental and planning matters. The team demonstrates strong expertise in handling contamination-related mandates. Its key clients include Providence Climate Capital, Infrastructure New South Wales and VicForests.

Hall & Wilcox advises across land acquisition and compensation claims, environmental and conservation policy and planning approvals, as well as related appeals and disputes. In addition to property developers, the team often acts for local and town councils and state government departments. Key clients include Victorian Rail Track Corporation, the City of Kingston and the Department of Transport and Planning.