Dakota is an environment and planning lawyer with experience advising major developers, infrastructure proponents, landowners and corporate clients on complex planning approvals, compulsory acquisition, environmental regulation and strategic project delivery.
She works closely with clients, consultants, government agencies and regulators to manage legal risk, resolve approval and compliance issues, and support the delivery of significant residential, infrastructure, energy and resources projects.
Dakota has developed particular experience in high-value development and infrastructure matters, including large-scale residential subdivisions, data centres, renewable energy projects, mining and resources transactions, and compulsory acquisitions. Her work includes advising on planning pathways, development consent issues, planning agreements, biodiversity and heritage constraints, environmental compliance, regulatory investigations, compensation claims and Land and Environment Court proceedings.
Across her matters, Dakota is valued for her ability to distil complex statutory, planning and regulatory issues into practical advice for clients, project teams and senior decision-makers.
advising landowners and tenants on compulsory acquisition compensation claims involving leasehold and freehold interests, including claim strategy, expert engagement, negotiations with acquiring authorities, submissions to the Valuer General and objections to determinations in the Land and Environment Court.
advising clients in relation to the complex development, zoning, environmental and infrastructure delivery issues arising from the development of digital infrastructure for data centres in NSW.
assisting clients to respond to EPA investigations and regulatory notices (including show cause notices), including coordinating evidence gathering and expert input, preparing written submissions, advising on statutory obligations and enforcement risk, liaising with regulators and other stakeholders, and supporting negotiation of practical compliance outcomes.
– Jordan Springs – providing ongoing strategic planning advice for the development and delivery of Jordan Springs, including successfully obtaining three development consents through Class 1 appeals.
advising on mining and resource due diligence for corporate and financing transactions, including title history, environmental approvals, landowner negotiations, contamination, compliance assessment and title standing.
advising on Native Title Act risk issues across Australian jurisdictions, including past act analysis, native title extinguishment reports, tenure review and transaction risk assessment.
advising on the acquisition and divestment of renewable energy projects including wind and solar farms, battery energy storage system projects with a focus on planning and environmental approvals in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
advising Stockland across multiple major development projects including Calderwood, Elara, the Gables, Macarthur Gardens and Western Sydney University in relation to planning agreements, development applications, concept approvals, biodiversity obligations and heritage concerns and strategic dealings with councils and government agencies.
acted for Western Sydney Town Centre in Class 3 proceedings in the Land and Environment Court in relation to a claim for compensation following the compulsory acquisition of land by public authority.
- Member, Law Society of NSW
- Bachelor of Arts (International Studies)/Bachelor of Laws, University of New England