John has also acted in many major Planning and Environment Court matters as well as environmental prosecutions and litigation arising out of development appeals, environmental incidents and land compensation matters. Clients include both private and government entities in the retail, land development, manufacturing, resources, electricity, gas and water industries.

John was recognised as a leading individual in the 2011 Chambers Global rankings for Environment. He was also named in the ACLA General Counsel ‘ideal firm’ survey 2010 as an A-team lawyer, and was endorsed in the 2010 environmental edition of PLC Which Lawyer?

John’s clients include both private and government entities operating in the retail, land development, manufacturing, resources, electricity and gas and water industries.

Major projects and clients

• Advising the Queensland Government on all environmental and town planning issues associated with the $603 million sale of the assets of Forestry Plantations Queensland (the largest commercial plantation owners in Queensland)
• Advising Santos on project approvals required for the $7.7 billion Gladstone LNG Project
• Advising Lend Lease on the $2.5 billion redevelopment of the RNA ‘Ekka’ showgrounds in Brisbane
• Advising the Queensland Government on the $2 billion 730-bed Sunshine Coast University Hospital
• Advising on all development approvals and environmental issues associated with the $63M Kurilpa Bridge, a pedestrian and cycle bridge in Brisbane’s inner city
• Advising Powerlink in relation to all environmental, planning and cultural heritage approvals required for the Millmerran to Middle Ridge high voltage power line
• Advising the Department of Public Works on all environmental and planning issues and approvals related to the Tank Street Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge
• Advising SEQ Water and the Department of Infrastructure in relation to environmental and planning issues associated with various aspects of the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project
• Advising the Thiess John Holland Joint Venture on building approvals required for construction on Commonwealth land for the $4.8 billion Airport Link Project
• Advising the Department of Main Roads in relation to environmental and planning issues associated with the Tugun Bypass
• Acting for Reef Cove Resort Pty Ltd in successfully defending a challenge to its development approvals for a residential resort development at False Cape, Cairns in both the Planning and Environment Court and the Court of Appeal
• Acting for CEC Group Limited in successfully defending Planning and Environment Court proceedings relating to its use of the Mareeba Landfill
• Advising on all planning approvals for the Noosa Springs golf course, resort and residential development including the conduct of two successful Planning and Environment Court appeals
• Advising Transpacific in relation to environmental issues associated with the proposed acquisition of Cleanaway
• Advising Stockland in relation to planning issues associated with various residential and retail projects in Queensland
• Advising resource companies in relation to environmental approvals required for new projects and proposed expansions of existing mine sites including associated infrastructure
• Acting for mining companies, property developers, service station operators and manufacturers in relation to environmental incident management, and
• Acting for the owners on The Spit, Main Beach (including the owners of SeaWorld, Palazzo Versace, The Sheraton Mirage and Mariner’s Cove) in relation to annual valuation objections and appeals to the Land and Environment Court.

A graduate of the University of Queensland, John holds Bachelor of Arts (majoring in economics) and Bachelor of Laws degrees. He is a member of the Urban Development Institute of Australia, the National Environmental Law Association and the Queensland Environmental Law Association.