Samantha is a leading planning and environment lawyer specialising in the energy and resources, real estate, education and infrastructure industries.

Samantha advises her clients on all aspects of planning and environment regulation, including approvals, compliance, development contributions, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, water, biodiversity offsets, native title, cultural heritage, contaminated land and pollution. She also has extensive experience advising the resources industry, including on all aspects of mining and petroleum law, tenement management and closure and decommissioning considerations. 

She provides advice to clients to reduce project risks, mitigate the risks of court challenges and prepare their business for regulatory change when it occurs. She also assists clients in responding to regulatory investigations and acts for her clients in planning and environment litigation.

Samantha is passionate about assisting organisations in respect of best practice and opportunities related to decarbonisation, sustainability, modern slavery and ESG. 

Samantha has contributed to some of the largest energy and resources projects in Australia and is a trusted advisor for a number of industry groups in the sector.

Work highlights

Glencore

Planning and environment approval and compliance matters relating to their NSW mining operations, including Mount Owen, Ravensworth, Ulan, Mangoola and Integra mines.

Greenspot

Environment and planning aspects of the purchase and demolition, rehabilitation and repurposing of the old Wallerawang Coal Fired Power Station (Lithgow, NSW), including the approval of a 500MW / 1,000MW/hr battery energy storage system on the site and a proposed precinct wide rezoning and development of the 620ha site for tourism, recreational, residential and commercial/industrial uses.

Origin

Planning and environmental matters relating to a number of renewable energy projects in NSW including the Dapper Solar Farm project, the Eraring BESS and the Northern Tablelands Wind Farm.

GrainCorp

Environmental matters relating to their grain business across their NSW, Victorian and Queensland operations.

Santos

Environmental matters relating to the $5 billion Barossa offshore gas project, NSW and Queensland petroleum projects and ESG.

NSW Minerals Council

Key policy and legislative reforms including recent proposed changes to the NSW planning, biodiversity and mining legislation.

Samantha is recognised as a leading planning and environment lawyer.

Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, Doyles Guide, Best Lawyers, Lawyers Weekly Awards, Women in Mining Awards and NSW Women Lawyers Achievement Awards