Allens

Michael Graves

Partner since 2011
Melbourne | +61 3 9613 8814
Michael.Graves@allens.com.au
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Michael specialises in commercial property development and infrastructure projects. He has provided legal and strategic to a range of leading Australian and international clients including pension funds, corporations and private investors, property developers and institutional investors in relation to the acquisition, disposal and development of a variety of office, commercial/retail and industrial properties and infrastructure projects throughout Australia.

His expertise includes advising developers, investors and financiers of real estate and infrastructure projects on risk allocation, acquisition, development and ownership/ investment structures, complex leases, finance and security arrangements and subdivision issues. Michael regularly advises foreign companies and state-owned organisations on their investment strategies into Australia and has assisted many clients to successfully navigate their deals through the Foreign Investment Review Board approval process.

Michael also has extensive experience in the area of renewable energy, having previously held the position of corporate counsel at Roaring 40s Renewable Energy Pty Ltd, a joint venture between China Light and Power and Hydro Tasmania. During that time and since returning to Allens, Michael has advised several leading developers in relation to the acquisition and development of wind and solar energy projects in Australia, China, India and New Zealand.

Michael's experience includes advising:

• Woolworths in relation to the $1.4 billion demerger of SCA Property Group, which involved the creation of a separate stand-alone entity listed on ASX, SCA Property Group, owning a portfolio of 69 shopping centres and a concurrent IPO capital raising to raise up to $525 million;
• Woolworths in relation to the development of shopping centres, supermarkets and mixed use developments throughout Victoria;
• Woolworths Limited and Lowe's Inc in relation to the rollout of their national chain of 'Masters' Home Improvement Stores;
• Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and Hastings in relation to the acquisition of the Sydney Desalination Plant;
• the lenders to The Campbell Group and the Future Fun in connection with their $700 million acquisition of Forestry SA's soft wood plantation business;
• The Shell Company of Australia Limited in relation to the roll out and day to day operation of its national retail petrol alliance with Coles Express;
• the Victorian Government in relation to the privatisation of Melbourne's train and tram networks in 2004 and again in 2009;
• Meridian Energy Limited in relation to the development and project financing of the 420 MW Macarthur Wind Farm project;
• Acciona Energy in relation to the development and project financing of numerous wind farm projects;
• Roaring 40s Renewable Energy Pty Ltd in connection with the development, construction and operation of 9 wind farms in the People's Republic of China;
• the Melbourne Stadiums Limited on issues arising out of the operation of Etihad Stadium, including the integration of the stadium with numerous high rise developments on land adjacent to the stadium; and
• the Canada Pension Plan and Insurance Board in connection with its $3.4 billion takeover of toll road investor Intoll Group and attempted takeover of the Transurban Group.