Having worked as both a town planner and a lawyer, I have an in-depth understanding of Victoria's environment and planning laws. My practice includes front and back end work and I regularly appear before VCAT and Planning Panels Victoria and coordinate litigation in the Supreme Court.

I have significant experience interfacing state and local governments, registered Aboriginal parties and environmental regulators. Private and public sector clients value my clear, courteous, pragmatic and outcome focussed approach.

Career highlights

Private developments: Provided approvals advice and coordinated successful planning appeals in VCAT on behalf of leading private developers including :

• Large scale mixed-use developments for Pace Development Group including 13 storeys in Abbotsford, 6-storeys in Ascot Vale, 8-storeys across four buildings in Blackburn, 7-storeys in Brunswick East, 11-storeys in Collingwood, 12-storeys in Cremorne, 11-storeys in Fitzroy, 12-storeys in Hawthorn and 7-storeys in Windsor;
• Large scale mixed-use developments for Fortis including 10-storeys in Clifton Hill, 12-storeys in Richmond and 8-storeys in Cremorne;
• The redevelopment of a former school site with 77 townhouses in Glen Waverley for Golden Age;
• The staged commercial development of the Manor Lakes town centre for Ranfurlie Asset Management;
• An 88-lot industrial subdivision in Williamstown for Time & Place;
• A 520-lot residential subdivision in Lara for L. Bisinella Developments and Costa Property Group; and
• Various high-end residential projects in the St Kilda Road North Precinct including 17-storeys for Samuel Property, 18-storeys for Projects by Crema and 20-storeys for Time & Place and V-Leader.

Planning scheme amendment: Provided approvals advice and represented a consortium of landowners in hearings before Planning Panels Victoria to achieve a combined rezoning and planning permit to enable a 541-lot residential subdivision on former farming zoned land in Leopold.

Land acquisition and compensation: Advised a private landowner in Supreme Court litigation relating to one of the largest compensation claims in Victoria's history.

State significant infrastructure: Provided strategic environment and planning advice to support approvals or project delivery of some of Victoria's largest and most complex infrastructure projects including the West Gate Tunnel, Melbourne Airport Rail, Melton Hospital, Western Renewables Link and the Victorian Heart Hospital.

Litigation on behalf of a statutory authority: Represented the Victorian Ports Corporation in VCAT, the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and Planning Panels Victoria to ensure the preservation and appropriate development of buffer areas adjacent to Station Pier.

Public private partnership: Provided approvals advice to support Plenary on its successful bid for the Geelong Convention Centre.

Pro bono and community: Provided approvals advice to support Norlane Community Initiatives obtain a combined planning scheme amendment and planning permit to facilitate the re-development of an important community hub providing neighbourhood meals and services.