Christine Scott
Special Counsel, Perth
I have over 15 years' experience acting on commercial property transactions across Western Australia including acquisitions and disposals, property development and renewable energy projects for private and public sector clients.

Prior to joining MinterEllison, I was a Senior Legal Counsel in the energy division of a large ASX listed entity advising on infrastructure and renewable energy projects across Australia. My experience in the renewable energy sector gives me a unique understanding of the complexities of renewable energy projects and securing land tenure, particularly in Western Australia.

I have a pragmatic approach and focus on providing practical solutions to achieve beneficial commercial outcomes for my clients.

I have broad experience across commercial property transactions, property development, infrastructure and renewable energy projects and general property advice.

My property experience spans the full lifecycle of a transaction, including transaction structuring, complex due diligence, acquisitions, disposals and development arrangements. I have experience acting for both private clients and government in relation to urban renewal projects, residential, mixed use and industrial developments and renewable energy projects.

My prior experience as a Senior Legal Counsel in a large ASX listed mining entity advising on renewable energy projects across Australia means I understand the complexities of energy projects in Western Australia as well as the commercial and technical requirements for these projects.

I actively advised on and prepared submissions to government nationally in relation to hydrogen and renewable energy legislation and land tenure, including diversification leases and amendments to mining legislation.

I continue to advise on land tenure arrangements for transmission infrastructure and renewable energy projects across private land, pastoral leases and mining tenure in Western Australia and act for developers on the full lifecycle of renewable energy projects including due diligence, securing land tenure, the acquisition and disposal of existing renewable projects and the acquisition and disposal of proposed energy projects.

Career highlights

ASX listed entity:

  • Advising on land tenure options and strategy for the generation, transmission and storage of renewable energy across Australia, including advising on the co-existence of renewable energy projects with pastoral leases, mining tenure and native title.
  • Documenting and negotiating land tenure arrangements for renewable energy projects, production facilities, transmission corridors and ancillary infrastructure.
  • Advised on land tenure arrangements for green hydrogen and ammonia production and export facilities.
  • Advised on the development and land tenure arrangements for strategic industrial areas.

DevelopmentWA:

  • Advising on various community housing projects including advising on strategy and structuring and documenting sale and development arrangements.

Brookfield:

  • Acting in relation to the leasing arrangements at Brookfield Place, Perth.

Various renewable energy developers:

  • Documented arrangements for various proposed wind farm developments, solar farm developments and battery storage facilities across Western
  • Australia, including long term development leases, infrastructure easements, grid connections, water agreements and port usage agreements.
  • Advised on the disposal of a proposed battery storage facility.
  • Advised on the acquisition of a wind farm in the wheatbelt area of Western Australia.

Local Government:

Acted on various major land transactions for local governments in Western Australia including:

  • the expansion of resorts in Bunbury, Port Hedland and Cockburn;
  • the development of the Bunbury splash park; and
  • the development of Kings Square in Fremantle.

Private developers:

  • Acted on the acquisition of a life sciences building;
  • Acted on the acquisition of a Melbourne office tower;
  • Acted for a foreign investment fund on the acquisition of properties for build to rent projects;
  • Acted on the disposal of a $30M leasehold interest at Perth Airport; and
  • Acted on the $40M acquisition of a mixed use shopping centre and office building in Subiaco.