Kirsty Campbell
Biography
Overview
Kirsty assists government and private sector clients to manage environmental and planning aspects of major projects, with particular experience advising on transport, mining, and energy projects throughout Australia.
When acting for proponents, Kirsty works closely with client and expert teams to prepare impact assessments, obtain regulatory approvals, and develop appropriate land assembly strategies. Kirsty's qualification and work in geological science enhances her ability to comprehend and communicate technical detail and evaluate multi-faceted issues.
Kirsty also assists clients with environmental due diligence, operational environmental compliance, pollution incident response and provides transactional advice - in particular, in relation to identification and allocation of regulatory and contamination risks associated with the sale, purchase or financing of company shares or assets.
Experience
Kirsty is advising the Melbourne Metro Rail Authority on environment, planning, land access, and acquisition matters in relation to the Metro Tunnel project. Kirsty assisted the Authority to prepare the environmental effects statement and acted at the independent assessment committee hearing into the environmental effects of the project.*
Kirsty assisted Transurban with the preparation of impact assessment reports for the $AU5.5 billion Western Distributer project, as well as with evaluation of tenders received.*
Kirsty advised the Regional Rail Link Authority in relation to the $AU4.1 billion Regional Rail Link from South Cross to Werribee, including in relation to complex land compensation claims before the Supreme Court of Victoria and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Kirsty engaged and consulted with expert consultants to provide advice in relation to valuation, engineering, planning land use issues, and disturbance losses.*
Kirsty acted for the successful consortium for the acquisition of the Port Botany and Port Kembla assets from the State of New South Wales. Kirsty's role included advising on environment and planning risks, including in relation to dredging, port development and contamination, and on risk allocation in the transaction documents.*
Kirsty advised Boral on planning and environmental approvals for various Victorian facilities. Kirsty also provided advice and instructed counsel to appear for Boral in two recent planning panels – one relating to the master planning of a land precinct adjacent to Boral's Deer Park quarry, the other relating to Cleanaway's application to landfill the Deer Park quarry voids.*
Kirsty advised corporate clients on planning approval options for various complex projects, including Iluka Resources for continued disposal of tailings at Douglas mine after cessation of mining in Victoria and Santos for the upgrade of the Patricia Baleen gas plant.*
Kirsty has advised bidders on tender processes for a range of government projects on relevant environment and planning risks and liabilities, including for the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre.*
Kirsty's experience includes a six month secondment at Orica Australia Pty Ltd, a major chemical and explosives manufacturer. In that role, Kirsty was involved with the active management of a number of legacy and operating contaminated sites throughout Australia. The role included liaising with environmental consultants, reviewing and drafting contracts of sale and indemnities relating to contaminated land, reviewing internal audits, public relations and stakeholder management, and management of EPA reporting, notices and prosecutions.*
Kirsty advised and represented clients including George Weston Foods, Caltex and Carter Holt Harvey in relation to works approval and licensing applications, management of prescribed industrial waste, environmental management plans, and new environmental legislation.*
Kirsty advised clients including Port of Melbourne Corporation, Transurban, Jemena, Suncorp, Industry Funds Management, Gippsland Water, and Lihir Gold on climate change issues, including greenhouse gas reporting requirements, renewable energy schemes, and liabilities under clean energy legislation.*
*Experience prior to joining White & Case.
