Major Projects and Development

Advised Port of Melbourne Channel Deepening, one of the largest infrastructure projects conducted by the Victorian Government in recent times, seen as critical to the Port and Australia's position in global shipping. As key advisers to the Port of Melbourne Corporation, we advised on many aspects of the project, including the Supplementary Environmental Effects Statement and managed the public hearing process Federal Court litigation over the Federal Government's environmental approval for the dredging, cultural and Aboriginal heritage issues, relocation of essential infrastructure under the Yarra River, the resolution of the alliance dredging contract, and land tenure issues relating to land assets affected by the project.

The cornerstone of the Brisbane Airport Corporation's infrastructure program for Australia's third-busiest airport is a new Parallel Runway, expected to be completed by 2020. The new runway will be 3.3km long, 60m wide and will have over 12km of taxiways, navigational aids and other airfield infrastructure. This is a multidisciplinary engineering project that requires a variety of technical and construction skills to complete. As the new runway will be built on what is currently swamp land, dredging and ground treatment work is required before construction of the runway can begin.

Minter Ellison is currently supporting BAC with the development and implementation of a procurement strategy for Stage 1 of the proposed A$1.3 billion runway.

Acted for AMP in relation to the $317 million acquisition and redevelopment of a 50% interest in 190-200 George Street, Sydney.

Acting for a wholly owned subsidiary of Australand Holdings Ltd on the A$800 million Discovery Point development at Wolli Creek in New South Wales. This 8-hectare mixed use development will feature residential apartments, commercial offices, an integrated retail centre and extensive public and private parklands. We are advising on procurement and OH&S strategies, drafting pro-forma and project specific documentation (such as consultancy agreements and design and construct contracts), assisting in the preparation of the tender conditions, advising on the tendering process and compiling documentation for tender.

Acting for Port Waratah Coal Services Limited (a privately owned facility, the largest shareholder of which is Rio Tinto Coal Australia Limited) in the redevelopment and expansion of the Kooragang Coal Terminal and the Carrington Coal Terminal in the Port of Newcastle.

Acted for DEXUS Property Group in relation to the acquisition and development of 3 new mixed-use building at Kings Square in Perth. This acquisition and development, which has been described as the biggest commercial property pre-sale in Western Australia with an estimated cost on completion of $434.8 million, will comprise three A-grade office buildings to be developed by Leighton Properties.

Acted for DEXUS Property Group in relation to the $500 million acquisition and development of 480 and 470A Queen Street, Brisbane.  This acquisition and development, described as the largest property deal of 2013, will comprise a 31-level premium-grade office development project across 55,561 square metres located in Brisbane’s Golden Triangle and is targeting 6 Star Green Star and 5 star NABERS Energy ratings.