Planning and Environment Quarterly Case Review – June 2024
Cold weather makes for perfect reading conditions so what perfect timing that our Quarterly Case Review for June 2024 is here.
Sarah Macoun
Partner
Sarah is a Partner in our Planning and Environment practice with close to 20 years’ experience in development, strategic planning, environment and infrastructure and advises government stakeholders, developers and infrastructure proponents across all aspects of planning and environment law.
/ Experience
Through her years of practice, Sarah has been driven to stay at the forefront of policy development to assist her clients to navigate the ever-changing legislative framework they work within.
Sarah provides front-end advisory services, including strategic planning advice, plan drafting and due diligence, through to representing stakeholders in planning and environment litigation and assisting clients with environmental compliance. She has a particular interest in the complex environmental offsets framework.
Sarah is also dedicated to providing regular training and presentations to a range of stakeholders and is well regarded for her contribution in this area.
/ Recognition
- Featured in The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2023 - 2025 for Government Practice
- Featured in The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2020 - 2025 for Land Use and Zoning Law and Planning and Environmental Law
- Recognised by Doyle’s Guide as a Leading Environment & Heritage Lawyer, Queensland, 2015 - 2025
- Recognised by Doyle’s Guide as a Leading Town Planning & Development Lawyer, Queensland, 2016 - 2025
/ Appointments
- Board Secretary for the Urban Development Institute of Australia (Queensland) – UDIA (Qld)
- Board Sponsor (Qld) UDIA Planning and Environment Committee (2023 – 2025)
- Chair of the National UDIA EnviroDevelopment Board
/ Service expertise
/ Sector expertise
Publications by Sarah Macoun
Court Decision
Court Decision
Palmer v Council of the City of Gold Coast [2023] QPEC 47
The site in this appeal was large, but constrained. It was located in the Guragunbah floodplain and adjoined the Merrimac Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP). The scale of the development proposal was also large. The appellant had lodged a development
Court Decision
Redland City Council v Boutique Capital Pty Ltd as Trustee & Ors [2024] QPEC 1
The respondent in this case was in the process of constructing a building which was intended to be used for speciality disability accommodation for people with disabilities, who would be supported under the NDIS. Building approvals were in place, but