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Environment & Planning
Investment in the energy and resources sector is undoubtedly growing and driving major infrastructure developments. Strong international investments, particularly in the coal seam gas and mining industries in Queensland and Western Australia, along with governments entering into public private partnerships, have fuelled a boom in new projects with environmental implications.
Approvals for these major projects and environmental risk allocation have become more complex than ever before. Environmental impact and assessment can often be protracted and opportunities to streamline approvals are not always available, or, in the case of Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW), have been withdrawn.
Corrs understands the way local planning systems have evolved and operate, and works closely and proactively with government to recognise and comprehend policy directions. We have an outstanding track record in managing planning and environmental approvals for infrastructure projects for both government and major corporations, and advise on many landmark Australian projects.
Our Experts









Our Experience

Defending developers
When Huntlee wanted to put 7500 new dwellings in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, the rezoning and project application created a major environmental dispute which made front page news.
More
From eco-resort to rehab centre
The Salvation Army met with strong objection for its plans to convert an eco-resort on the Central Coast of New South Wales into a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre. They relied on Corrs’ combination of planning and environmental skills to successfully dispute all 14 grounds, and the development proceeded.
Our Thinking
Will a single state planning policy change anything in Queensland?
Queensland’s new state planning policy promises simplicity, but can it deliver?
More
Can the NSW planning system change its spots?
The NSW Government has released the White Paper on its proposed new planning system.
More
Environmental finance: A new way to finance your building retrofit
A new lending product is incentivising property owners to upgrade the environmental efficiency of their existing buildings.
More
Land access and compensation pitfalls: Who is an “occupier”?
Planned amendments to Queensland’s definition of "occupier" will not fix the current ambiguity and resources companies will still face land access risks.
More
Productivity Commission review a ray of hope for major projects
Could reform be on the way for Australia’s infamous major projects approval regime?
More
New environmental assessment reforms are controversial, but ultimately sensible
Industry and environmental groups are polarised over reforms to streamline approvals for large projects. Who’s right?
More
Communities pay for polluters in Queensland
Queensland’s State Government is seeking to deregulate a raft of polluting industrial activities, leaving local councils to pay for the clean up.
More
Greentape Reduction Bill: Will it strip local governments’ power to regulate environmental impacts?
Queensland’s Greentape Reduction Bill may make it more difficult for local governments to regulate environmental impacts.
More
Foreign investment in Australian agriculture - Where to from here?
Foreign investment in Australian agricultural land has become a hot button political issue. But there are a number of different factors at play.
More
Will the government’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation really be a boon for green energy?
The government’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation will commence investing in green energy projects next year. But is it really a cure for the renewable sector’s malaise?
More
Coal seam gas versus other land uses: Has Queensland got it right?
The optimistically named Resources Legislation (Balance, Certainty and Efficiency) Bill 2011 is the Queensland government’s latest attempt at addressing the conflict between the coal seam gas industry and other land users.
More
Case note: Huntlee Pty Ltd and Minister for Planning and Infrastructure v Sweetwater Action Group Inc [2011] NSWCA 378
This decision by the Court of Appeal has important implications for parties to voluntary planning agreements.
MoreOur Experience

Defending developers
When Huntlee wanted to put 7500 new dwellings in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, the rezoning and project application created a major environmental dispute which made front page news.
A local resident action group also declared invalid planning approvals and challenged the new town’s planning regime. The Corrs team successfully countered every objection.

From eco-resort to rehab centre
The Salvation Army met with strong objection for its plans to convert an eco-resort on the Central Coast of New South Wales into a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre. They relied on Corrs’ combination of planning and environmental skills to successfully dispute all 14 grounds, and the development proceeded.
Our Thinking
Case note: Huntlee Pty Ltd and Minister for Planning and Infrastructure v Sweetwater Action Group Inc [2011] NSWCA 378
This decision by the Court of Appeal has important implications for parties to voluntary planning agreements.
Coal seam gas versus other land uses: Has Queensland got it right?
The optimistically named Resources Legislation (Balance, Certainty and Efficiency) Bill 2011 is the Queensland government’s latest attempt at addressing the conflict between the coal seam gas industry and other land users.
Will the government’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation really be a boon for green energy?
The government’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation will commence investing in green energy projects next year. But is it really a cure for the renewable sector’s malaise?
Foreign investment in Australian agriculture - Where to from here?
Foreign investment in Australian agricultural land has become a hot button political issue. But there are a number of different factors at play.
Greentape Reduction Bill: Will it strip local governments’ power to regulate environmental impacts?
Queensland’s Greentape Reduction Bill may make it more difficult for local governments to regulate environmental impacts.
Will justice be served if losers pay in Planning & Environment appeals?
Local governments and community groups may be the real losers under proposed reforms to Queensland’s Planning and Environment Court.
Green light for mining and CSG, but at what cost to developers and the environment?
The NSW Government’s Strategic Regional Land Use Policy offers little protection to farmers and the environment and manages to add costs and delays to coal and CSG projects.
Renewable Energy: Is 20% by 2020 really achievable?
The NSW Government is committed to 20% renewable energy by 2020 but are the State’s environmental and planning laws a roadblock to renewable energy development?
Communities pay for polluters in Queensland
Queensland’s State Government is seeking to deregulate a raft of polluting industrial activities, leaving local councils to pay for the clean up.
New environmental assessment reforms are controversial, but ultimately sensible
Industry and environmental groups are polarised over reforms to streamline approvals for large projects. Who’s right?
Productivity Commission review a ray of hope for major projects
Could reform be on the way for Australia’s infamous major projects approval regime?
Land access and compensation pitfalls: Who is an “occupier”?
Planned amendments to Queensland’s definition of "occupier" will not fix the current ambiguity and resources companies will still face land access risks.
Environmental finance: A new way to finance your building retrofit
A new lending product is incentivising property owners to upgrade the environmental efficiency of their existing buildings.
Can the NSW planning system change its spots?
The NSW Government has released the White Paper on its proposed new planning system.
Will a single state planning policy change anything in Queensland?
Queensland’s new state planning policy promises simplicity, but can it deliver?
Our Experts

Beverly Kennedy
Partner Melbourne +61 3 9672 3404
Christine Covington
Partner Sydney +61 2 9210 6428
Deborah Brennan
Special Counsel Brisbane +61 7 3228 9494
Henry Prokuda
Partner Brisbane +61 7 3228 9791
Leanne O'Brien
Special Counsel Brisbane +61 7 3228 9453
Louise Camenzuli
Partner Sydney +61 2 9210 6621
Luke McDonald
Partner Brisbane +61 7 3228 9744
Michael Leong
Partner Brisbane +61 7 3228 9474
