Presenters

Joanna Ling, Special Counsel, Thomson Geer
Joanna advises and acts for major Australian companies and individuals in all areas of planning, development, environment, contaminated land, heritage, water, pollution, waste, and compulsory acquisition. She has extensive experience acting for both consent authorities and proponents across a range of development types throughout all stages of property use and development. Joanna became an Accredited Specialist in Planning & Environment Law in 2020. She was recognised as 'One to watch' in Best Lawyers for 2024 and 2025 and as a Rising Star in Doyle's Guide for 2024.


Mark Bartley, Special Counsel, Russell Kennedy
Mark is an LIV Accredited Specialist in Environment, Planning and Government with over 30 years legal experience. He advises on all planning, environment and major project approvals, water law and governance. He frequently appears in VCAT, Planning Panels and Advisory Committees representing local government and statutory authorities as well as land owners and developers. Mark’s background includes 15 years in town planning and project management before commencing legal practice. He brings a practical solution focused approach to property development, and all local, state and Commonwealth approval processes. He has acted in the water industry for 30 years advising on major projects, water policy, catchment protection, legislation and regulation and water trading. Mark also advises on probity and governance issues and has acted as a State Government probity auditor. He has run legal and governance training programs for local government councillors and directors of water authorities. Mark has been named “Lawyer of the Year” for Land Use and Zoning Law in Best Lawyers™ Australia 2019 edition. He is recognised in Best Lawyers™ Australia 2024 for Climate Change Law, Government Practice, Land Use and Zoning Law, Planning and Environmental Law and Water Law. He has also been named in Doyle’s Guide as one of Australia’s leading planning lawyers.

Presenters

Joanna Ling, Special Counsel, Thomson Geer
Joanna advises and acts for major Australian companies and individuals in all areas of planning, development, environment, contaminated land, heritage, water, pollution, waste, and compulsory acquisition. She has extensive experience acting for both consent authorities and proponents across a range of development types throughout all stages of property use and development. Joanna became an Accredited Specialist in Planning & Environment Law in 2020. She was recognised as 'One to watch' in Best Lawyers for 2024 and 2025 and as a Rising Star in Doyle's Guide for 2024.


Mark Bartley, Special Counsel, Russell Kennedy
Mark is an LIV Accredited Specialist in Environment, Planning and Government with over 30 years legal experience. He advises on all planning, environment and major project approvals, water law and governance. He frequently appears in VCAT, Planning Panels and Advisory Committees representing local government and statutory authorities as well as land owners and developers. Mark’s background includes 15 years in town planning and project management before commencing legal practice. He brings a practical solution focused approach to property development, and all local, state and Commonwealth approval processes. He has acted in the water industry for 30 years advising on major projects, water policy, catchment protection, legislation and regulation and water trading. Mark also advises on probity and governance issues and has acted as a State Government probity auditor. He has run legal and governance training programs for local government councillors and directors of water authorities. Mark has been named “Lawyer of the Year” for Land Use and Zoning Law in Best Lawyers™ Australia 2019 edition. He is recognised in Best Lawyers™ Australia 2024 for Climate Change Law, Government Practice, Land Use and Zoning Law, Planning and Environmental Law and Water Law. He has also been named in Doyle’s Guide as one of Australia’s leading planning lawyers.