Town planning issues can present material risk. Thomson Geer is involved at all stages of the planning and development process helping clients to navigate State, regional and local planning regimes for residential, commercial, industrial, social and infrastructure developments.
Our capabilities include advice in relation to obtaining approvals, managing consent authorities, due diligence and compliance, and litigation in specialist environment and planning Courts and Tribunals. In this context, our experienced lawyers regularly deal with their network of expert professionals on issues such as environmental impact assessment, design, biodiversity, amenity, heritage, flooding, traffic, noise, contamination, community consultation and related matters.
We provide our clients with the guidance and support they need to achieve their objectives while complying with planning and development laws and, if required, to advance or resolve planning disputes.
Successful environmental management remains at the forefront of corporate Australia for compliance, efficiency and reputational reasons. A business' social licence to operate is more important now than ever before with regard to brand management.
Our team of experienced lawyers is dedicated to assisting clients navigate the myriad of environmental laws and regulation. We work closely with our clients to identify potential environmental risks and to develop effective strategies to manage them. We provide comprehensive compliance support, ensuring that all relevant environmental requirements are met and costly enforcement action, penalties and disputes are avoided. Where necessary, we have experience in defending environmental prosecutions and successfully negotiating conciliated outcomes.
Our experts advise government, business and individuals in relation to a wide range of environmental matters, including environmental incidents, environmental management and compliance systems, risk minimisation and the proactive identification and management of environmental issues, such as air, land and water pollution, biodiversity, water use, Aboriginal heritage, noise, waste management, and energy efficiency matters.
Our experienced lawyers are dedicated to helping clients navigate complex contaminated land issues throughout Australia. We provide expert guidance in managing contaminated land, engaging with regulatory authorities, and protecting our clients' interests.
Our team understands the significant impact that contaminated land can have on business transactions, ongoing operations and development potential. We work closely with our clients to identify and manage these contamination risks.
We have established relationships with technical environmental experts, contaminated site auditors and regulatory bodies, which enables us to provide our clients with insights to successfully manage contaminated land. Through our comprehensive approach, we help clients mitigate contamination liability, manage their remedial works and cost, and achieve compliance with contamination laws and regulation.
Our experienced lawyers are dedicated to assisting dispossessed landowners in relation to the compulsory acquisition of their interests in land.
We understand that the loss of an interest in land can have a profound impact on business operations and on individuals. Members of our expert team have long-standing track records in providing effective legal representation for dispossessed land owners at all stages of the compulsory acquisition process.
We regularly achieve negotiated outcomes with acquiring authorities and have extensive experience in litigation regarding compensation for the compulsory acquisition of land.
Our lawyers are experienced in assisting clients with all matters related to water law, including water licensing, well construction, transfer of licences, water allocations, engaging with water authorities, water pollution and providing legal and technical advice on water and flood related matters.
We understand the importance of securing water resources for our clients and ensuring that they have access to reliable water sources within the sustainable limits set by regulatory authorities for continued operations.
Our expert team is well-versed in navigating the complex legal regimes regulating water and are skilled at proactively identifying opportunities and risks associated with water usage. We work closely with our clients to provide tailored solutions to their specific needs in commercial, industrial and rural settings.
Advising New Zealand wind farm companies on the regulatory regimes for the establishment of wind farms in Australia.
Advising the receivers and managers of a manufacturing facility on a negotiation of a 10 year EPA licence (the first to be granted by the regulator).