Fiona Curl
Biography
Overview
Fiona helps government and private sector clients develop, construct, operate and finance major infrastructure, with particular experience of advising on transport and renewable energy projects. For over 20 years, Fiona has worked closely with clients to develop and implement strategies for planning and environmental approvals and land assembly for projects throughout Australia, and advises sponsors and lenders on compliance with Equator Principles and IFC Environmental & Social Performance Requirements for Australian and international projects.
In Australia, Fiona works closely with client and expert teams to prepare for regulatory approval processes, including, where necessary, representation before panels, courts and tribunals, and ensures that the planning and environment approval and land assembly strategies align with the project's procurement and financing strategy. She is regularly requested by clients to work within their teams to share knowledge, and has co-located or been seconded to both government and private-sector clients, giving her valuable insights into the commercial and regulatory drivers for project development and delivery.
Fiona has represented government authorities on complex land compensation claims in both the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and the Supreme Court of Victoria.
Fiona also assists clients with environmental due diligence and transactional advice, in particular advising on the regulatory and contamination risks associated with the financing, divestment or acquisition of infrastructure, mining and renewable energy projects.
Fiona has been recognised as a 'Rising Star' environment and planning lawyer by independent publication Asia Pacific Legal 500 in 2021 and 2022.
Experience
Suburban Rail Loop Project
Advising on the environmental assessment, approvals, land assembly and public law for the city-shaping $50billion orbital rail and precinct development program of projects in Melbourne.
Offshore wind energy
Advising on environmental assessment, approvals and land assembly for Australia's first proposed offshore wind farm (Star of the South), and on environmental risk assessments for the Yunlin wind farm in Taiwan. Extensive advise on the new offshore energy infrastructure regime in Australia for existing and potential market entrants.
Metro Tunnel Project
Strategic advice and support on the $10billion rail tunnel project in Melbourne, including in respect of land assembly and public law.
Onshore wind and solar energy
Fiona has advised on numerous wind farm and solar farm projects throughout Australia for developers and lenders, including Yaloak South, Crowlands, Macarthur, Portland, and Warradarge Wind farms, and Rodds Bay, Childers, Susan River and Finley Solar farms.
Marlim FPSO
Advising financiers on Equator Principles and IFC Environmental and Social Performance Standards compliance for the construction and operation of an FPSO in Brazil.
West Gate Tunnel Project*
Advised Transurban on post-approval public law issues assocaited with the toll road and tunnel project.
Ichthys LNG Project*
Fiona advised the export credit agencies and financiers to the $US20billion Ichthys LNG Project on environmental and planning approval requirements under Western Australian, Northern Territory and Australian environmental law.
*Experience gained in a previous role.
