Regulatory,

Environment & Planning

Regulatory, environment & planning with ConMoto Group

We act for Councils, Tasmanian State-Owned Corporations and corporate clients undertaking major projects or who operate within heavily regulated industries. We assist clients to obtain approvals to commence activities and to comply with regulatory requirements for the ongoing operation of activities.

Environmental & planning advice

Advice and assistance in relation to the statutory approvals, permits, licences, and obligations required under the Tasmanian resource management suite of legislation.

We provide advice and assistance to clients who require specific approvals under the Environmental Management Pollution Control Act, particularly in the aquaculture and mining industries.

We have particular expertise in the processes involved for the assessment of major projects pursuant to which multiple approvals are required across State and Commonwealth jurisdictions.

Environmental & planning disputes

We regularly act for developers and Councils in planning appeals under the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 in TasCat, planning scheme amendments or major project assessments in the Tasmanian Planning Commission and in appeals in the Supreme Court.

We provide advice and appear in matters involving biosecurity obligations and offences under the Living Marine Resources Management Act and the Biosecurity Act 2019.

Land acquisition and valuation disputes

We provide advice and assistance to acquiring authorities in relation to the process for the acquisition of land (including easements) under the Land Acquisition Act 1993 and with respect to the determination of disputed claims for compensation.

We also act for landowners in relation to disputed claims for compensation pursuant to the Land Acquisition Act and with respect to conservation covenants under the Nature Conservation Act 2002 imposed following refusal of forest practices plans.

Key contacts

Catherine Scott
Head of Legal​

Lawyer with extensive experience in all aspects of dispute resolution and regulatory compliance across both the public and private sectors.
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Key projects

The following projects are representative of the regulatory, environment & planning work undertaken by our team.

Environmental & project disputes

  • Acting for Councils in relation to planning and enforcement work and advice.
  • Acting as lead external lawyer with respect to the North West Transmission Development Project which is being assessed as a major infrastructure project.
  • Acting as lead external lawyer in relation to the planning and environmental approvals required for the Tasmanian component of Marinus Link.
  • Acting for Huon Aquaculture in proceedings in the Federal Court and the Supreme Court in relation to the regulation of Macquarie Harbour.
  • Acting for aquaculture farmers in a prosecution for biosecurity offences.

Land acquisition & valuation disputes

  • Acting in relation to the acquisition of easements for the North West Transmission Development Project.
  • Engaged to provide training to land agents on the legal framework for acquisitions and negotiation of these at the national Land Agent Training pilot program run by TasNetworks and the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner in June 2023.
  • Acting for landowners in disputed compensation claims pursuant to the Land Acquisition Act 1993 including for the main landowner in the Brighton Bypass and Transport Hub and in proceedings in one of the few Supreme Court proceedings involving disputed compensation claims in the matter of Launceston City Council v Shepherd (2009) TASSC 71.
  • Acting for a number of land owners in compensation claims following refusal of forest practices plans and the imposition of conservation covenants (under the Nature Conservation Act 2002).