Biography

Ian's clients include major residential developers pursuing master planned communities, ASX-listed resources companies seeking development approvals, and clients across commercial, industrial, agricultural and community sectors requiring planning and environmental advice.

Ian advises on land acquisition, development and subdivision projects, rezoning proposals and planning approvals across the Perth metropolitan region and regional Western Australia. His environment law practice covers environmental approvals and compliance, regulatory engagement with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, biosecurity investigations and conditions management across a range of industries. He also advises on administrative law matters relating to planning decisions and statutory trust arrangements affecting land use.

Ian’s practice spans major residential master planned communities, resources sector development approvals and complex environmental compliance matters. He co-acted for Okeland Communities on its A$75 million acquisition of a 250-hectare parcel in Bullsbrook for a 2,500-plus lot master planned residential and commercial development, including comprehensive heads of agreement, option deed and contract of sale documentation. He also co-acted for Mineral Resources Limited on its successful development approval application from the Regional Joint Development Assessment Panel for a workers’ accommodation resort in Onslow with an estimated construction cost of up to A$100 million.

Ian's cross-practice capability across property, planning and environment law enables integrated advice on development projects where land acquisition, planning approvals and environmental compliance intersect. With 16 years of specialised experience in Western Australian planning and environment law, he is known for tailored, practical advice that directly addresses client objectives.

Credentials

Academic qualifications:

• Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws (Rhodes University, South Africa)

Ian's experience

Okeland Communities — Bullsbrook master planned community, A$75m

Co-acted for Okeland Communities on its A$75 million acquisition of a 250-hectare parcel in Bullsbrook for the Kingsford Estate: a 2,500-plus lot master planned residential and commercial development. Work included comprehensive heads of agreement, option deed and contract of sale drafting, environmental advice and ongoing estate development contract preparation.
Mineral Resources Limited: JDAP development approval, Onslow workers’ accommodation
Co-acted for Mineral Resources Limited on its successful application for development approval, and amendment to that approval, from the Regional Joint Development Assessment Panel for a high-quality transient workers’ accommodation resort in Onslow. Estimated construction cost up to A$100 million.

Energy Resources (Mineral Resources) — Gas regulatory advice

Advised Energy Resources, a division of Mineral Resources Limited, on regulatory requirements governing the development of its gas opportunities in Western Australia.

The Salvation Army — Property trust variation

Advised The Salvation Army (Western Australia) Property Trust on a scheme to vary a trust provision relating to the use of a property.

Environmental approvals — Mining, waste, local government and agriculture sectors

Advised clients across multiple sectors on planning and environmental approvals, including concrete batching plants, limestone and sand mining quarries, waste transfer and resource recovery centres, and a piggery. Scope included advice on DWER site inspections, non-compliance with conditions, environmental incidents and Department of Agriculture biosecurity investigations and prosecution.

Co-advising the Shire of Ashburton in relation to planning and environmental issues associated with a use of land for the decommissioning of off-shore petroleum infrastructure, including the obligations and powers of the Shire in respect of potential contamination of the site and the nearby Beadon Creek.