Irene Argeres
Biography
Overview
Irene is an Associate in the Energy, Infrastructure, Projects and Asset Finance practice group in the Melbourne office.
Irene advises government and private sector clients on the environmental and planning aspects of major projects across a range of sectors including energy, transport, mining and resources. Irene assists clients to navigate approvals processes, land acquisition and assembly matters and environmental compliance and regulatory issues.
Experience
Transport Projects
Irene advised the Melbourne Metro Rail Authority on environment, planning, land access and acquisition matters relevant to the development of the AU $10.8 billion Metro Tunnel rail project. Irene advised on the preparation of the Environmental Effects Statement and also instructed counsel during the Inquiry and Advisory Committee hearing into the environmental effects of the project.* Irene is providing ongoing advice in relation to the application of building legislation and regulations to the project. Irene advised the Regional Rail Link Authority regarding the AU $4.1 billion Regional Rail Link project, including in relation to legal actions involving land acquisition and compensation matters.*
Mining and Resources
Irene has advised clients such as Mitsui, AGL Energy Limited and Landsvirkjun in relation to a diverse range of matters including: the multi-jurisdictional regulation of rehabilitation obligations applicable to mining in Australia,* the importation into Australia of coal-fired power by-products,* the requirement to obtain Cultural Heritage Management Plans in relation to the development of gas plant infrastructure, and the regulation of competing rights to geothermal energy resources internationally.
Wind and Solar Projects
Irene has advised on various aspects of the development of Australian wind and solar farms, including the Dundonnell and Granville Harbour wind farms* and Lilyvale and Coleambally solar farms. This has involved conducting due diligence investigations, managing legal issues associated with objectors and activists and providing advice in relation to approvals, heritage, land use and planning.
Litigation
In addition to advising on a number of land compensation claims heard in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and the Supreme Court of Victoria in relation to the Regional Rail Link Project, Irene was involved in the Black Saturday Bushfires class action as well as High Court litigation relating to the East West Link project.*
* Experience gained in a previous role.
Editor, Monash University Law Review, Volume 37(1) 2011.
Editor, Monash University Law Review, Volume 37(2) 2011.
Editor, Monash University Law Review, Volume 37(3) 2011.
