Harshane acts for major developers, infrastructure proponents and government bodies on complex planning approvals, major project delivery and planning litigation, including some of Sydney’s most significant urban renewal and energy projects.

Biography

Harshane is a Partner in the Environment and Planning group. He advises major ASX-listed developers, private landowners, energy proponents and government bodies on planning approvals, development consent, rezoning, environmental regulation and planning litigation across New South Wales.

His practice spans the full lifecycle of major project delivery: from approval strategy and rezoning through to state significant development consents, environmental impact assessment and the defence of planning challenges in the Land and Environment Court. He acts on both front-end development advice and back-end litigation, including judicial review and merits appeals in complex and contested matters.

Harshane acts on city-shaping projects of national significance including precinct-scale urban renewal, critical energy infrastructure and development in highly sensitive urban contexts. His matters involve multiple regulators, contested approval processes and high-profile objector groups. He is regularly engaged where the regulatory pathway is novel, the political environment is complex, or the consequences of getting it wrong are enduring.

Harshane trained originally as an architect. That background informs his reading of complex development proposals, his engagement with design and urban planning issues, and his ability to anticipate the regulatory and practical challenges that arise in the delivery of large-scale built environment projects.

Harshane's experience

Lendlease, Barangaroo South, Sydney

Lead planning adviser to Lendlease from the project’s inception, across multiple rezonings, regulatory amendments, state significant development approvals and the delivery of the Crown Sydney Integrated Resort through an Unsolicited Proposal process. Defended multiple environmental and judicial review challenges. Precinct value in excess of $11 billion AUD.

Lendlease, One Circular Quay, Sydney

Advising on planning approvals and delivery of the residential and hotel components of one of Sydney’s most prominent and highest-value development projects, including the new Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Project value in excess of $3.2 billion AUD.

Keyton Holdings, University of Wollongong Innovation Campus Health and Wellbeing Precinct

Advising on the master plan and Concept DA for a novel mixed-use precinct co-locating a residential aged care facility, childcare centre and independent living within a university campus. Precinct value $250 to $500 million AUD.

Verdant Earth Technologies, Redbank power station

Acting in Land and Environment Court proceedings seeking development approval to convert and restart the Redbank Power Station as a near net-zero biomass generator, delivering green baseload electricity to the NSW grid. Projected economic contribution of $897 million AUD.

Free TV Australia and TX Australia, TXA Tower, Artarmon

Advising and representing Free TV Australia and TX Australia in managing the development impacts of intensifying residential density on the TXA Tower, a critical broadcasting asset under the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (Cth) responsible for free-to-air television and radio transmission across Sydney.

Awards, recognition and ranking