I am a trusted advisor to clients in relation to compliance with the NEL and NER and state-based electricity requirements in the Northern Territory, South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia. My particular focus areas include electricity networks, generators and customers, as well as energy and other large infrastructure projects. I also have deep experience across energy law, construction law, commercial transactions and corporate governance.
I am Chair of the SA Branch of the Australian Institute of Energy and am a member of the Infrastructure Committee of the South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy (SACOME). I have also been recognised as a rising star in Doyle's Guide for Energy & Resources.
Career highlights
- South Australian Government: Advised the Office of Northern Water Delivery on the Northern Water Project involving a 260 megalitre desalination plant on the Eyre Peninsula and 600 kilometres of pipeline to provide a sustainable water supply for the mining and agricultural industries in the north of South Australia.
- SA Power Networks: Advised on its regulatory proposals to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) for the 2015-20, 2020-25 and 2025-30 regulatory control periods and implementation of the National Energy Retail Law small compensation claims regime in South Australia, and completed a secondment in an in-house counsel role providing legal advice and support to the network and regulation parts of the business.
- Evoenergy: Drafted and negotiated a range of project and connection agreements, and advised on required electricity licences and exemptions, for a number of solar farms and other large procurement projects and connections in the ACT.
- Drafted and negotiated a range of other project and connection agreements including for Neoen in relation to the Bulgana Green Power Hub and Goorambat East Solar Farm, and currently for Trina Energy in relation to the Maffra Solar Farm.
- Northern Territory Government: Assisted with the disaggregation of Power and Water Corporation into three separate government owned corporations in preparation for the introduction on the National Electricity Market in the Northern Territory.
- Alinta Energy (now Flinders Power): Assisted in relation to the closure of its operations at the Port Augusta Power Stations and Leigh Creek Coal Mine in South Australia.
- ElectraNet: Assisted with regulatory issues relating to the State-wide blackout in South Australia in later 2016.
- Drafted and reviewed a range of construction contracts for clients including Evoenergy, Commercial & General, Anglicare, Resthaven, Uniting Communities, Drake Supermarkets, Northern Territory Airports, Adelaide Oval SMA Ltd, Leyton Property, Sagle Constructions, City of Mitcham and City of Holdfast Bay, including experience with Australian Standards contracts and general contractual commercial and legal risk management strategies.