There are an unprecedented number of legislative reforms in environmental and planning law in both the federal and state jurisdictions in relation to everything from housing, to biodiversity and environmental protection licencing. With guidance from experienced and expert environmental lawyers examine the implications and practical strategies of working with reforms including biodiversity reforms, the proposed amendments to the Federal EPBC Act, changes to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and the Protection of the Environment Operation Act plus proposed heritage law amendments. An unmissable program.

Presenters

Kara Mezinec, Partner, McCullough Robertson
Kara is a Partner in our Planning and Environment Team specialising in environmental, planning, local government and property law. She has over 13 years experience appearing as advocate across various jurisdictions in the Supreme Court and Land and Environment Court. Kara advises various state government agencies, state-owned corporations, local councils, private developers and energy companies. Kara’s broad and in depth knowledge of planning, environment, local government and property law allows her to provide strategic, practical and commercial advice resulting in high quality and cost effective results for her clients.


Samantha Daly, Partner, Johnson Winter Slattery
Samantha is a planning and environment lawyer specialising in the energy and resources, property, education and infrastructure industries. She advises her clients on all aspects of planning and environment regulation including approvals, compliance, climate change, water, biodiversity, cultural heritage, contaminated land and pollution. She also regularly assists clients in assessing project risks and provides practical advice for her clients in responding to regulatory investigations as well as acting for her clients in planning and environment litigation. Samantha was recognised as a leading Environment and Climate Change lawyer in Doyle’s Guide from 2019-2025 and listed in Best Lawyers in Australia from 2017 - 2025. She was a finalist in the 2021 Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards in the ‘Planning and Environment’ category and the 2021 and 2025 Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards in the category of ‘Partner of the Year- BigLaw’.


Tomas Bush, Special Counsel, Pikes & Verekers Lawyers
Tom is part of our local government and planning law team. Tom has worked as a lawyer for over 10 years, primarily specialising in Environment and Planning Law. Tom first joined Pikes and Verekers in 2015 and re-joined the firm in 2025 after various roles as an inhouse government solicitor and in private practice. Most recently, Tom was Special Counsel in the Environment and Planning Team of a national firm. Tom has successfully acted for developers and consent authorities on a broad range of matters, including merit appeals, judicial review, compulsory acquisition, environmental prosecutions and civil enforcement.


Rhea Nair, Senior Associate, Ashurst
Rhea is an environment and planning lawyer with experience in a wide range of environment and planning matters including planning approvals, statutory acquisition processes, environmental licensing, contaminated land, roads, administrative law and water law. Rhea's core work involves major infrastructure projects. She has worked closely with acquiring authorities to acquire surface level and substratum land by agreement and by compulsory processes, and has defended associated compensation appeals in the Land and Environment Court. She has also advised on key contracts for the civil works associated with these major projects. Rhea is familiar with a range of industry sectors, including transport, telecommunications and utilities. Rhea acts for both private and public sector clients including major corporations, developers, individuals and the NSW Government.


Emma Fleming, Principal, Macpherson Kelley Lawyers
Recognised as a Leading town planning lawyer, Emma’s tact and commercial approach to law has seen her take the lead on several significant environment and planning litigation cases throughout her career. It’s her commitment to seeing client projects through and her keen focus on commercial outcomes that has led to her success on a number of major projects including environmental prosecutions, planning appeals and project challenges relating to controversial developments involving retail, commercial and residential projects and licensed premises. As a specialist in all aspects of local government, planning and environment law and compulsory acquisition, Emma knows the development industry from the inside out. Her clients range from property developers and licensed premises to community groups and private clients. Emma’s experience is particularly sought after amongst property developers as she advises at all stages of the project life-cycle (including development and project applications, environmental assessment, developer and planning agreements and approvals) with consideration to relevant State and Commonwealth environment and planning legislation. Her expansive knowledge and client care makes her one of the leading lawyers in her field.