About Naomi Bergman
Naomi is a recognised specialist in environmental, planning and native title law. Naomi assists clients at all stages of their projects, including advising on feasibility, rezonings, planning approval and environmental licensing requirements, compliance issues and regulatory investigations. Naomi is also an experienced litigator, having practiced extensively in the NSW Land and Environment Court in planning appeals and judicial review matters, and defending criminal prosecutions for breaches of environmental and planning laws.
Naomi understands the planning and approval risks involved in delivering major projects and has the knowledge and experience to effectively navigate the NSW and Commonwealth approvals processes. Naomi has advised on major projects and transactions across a broad range of sectors, with a particular focus on energy, resources and industrial projects. Naomi has also advised on a number of significant residential, retail and office developments, and infrastructure projects.
Naomi's expertise includes:
- advising on all environmental and planning approval requirements for major projects, including EPBC Act approval requirements, permits for vegetation clearing and water licensing;
- advising on contaminated land and environmental compliance issues;
- negotiating complex voluntary planning agreements;
- advising on native title and Aboriginal cultural heritage issues;
- assisting clients to navigate regulatory investigations by the EPA and Department of Planning, Industry and Environment;
- acting in planning appeals and prosecutions in the NSW Land and Environment Court; and
- advising on and acting in proceedings concerning the compulsory acquisition of land.
Naomi's experience includes:
- Major NSW coal mine – advising a confidential global mining company on the approvals strategy for a major NSW mine extension and continuation project;
- Sale of John Laing renewables portfolio – advising on environmental, planning and native title issues in relation to the sale by John Laing of its Australian renewables portfolio;
- Snowy Hydro 2.0 – advising on the environmental, planning and native title aspects of the Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro project;
- BlueScope Steel – advising on a Critical State Significant Infrastructure project involving the upgrade of a blast furnace at the Port Kembla Steelworks;
- NSW Electricity Networks Privatisations – acting as lead environmental, planning and native title advisor to Treasury NSW on the long-term lease of 49% of the NSW electricity transmission and distribution networks;
- assisting a number of confidential mining, industrials and renewable energy clients to respond to regulatory notices and investigations in relation to environmental incidents and planning law breaches; and
- advising on numerous residential, retail, office and industrial developments, including projects for Coles, LOGOS, GPT, Lendlease and Greenland, and acting in appeals in the Land and Environment Court.