Meg is a Partner in our Property and Projects team, specialising in planning and environment law. Meg is co-lead of our Environment Social & Governance industry group and is the office partner in charge for the Melbourne office.
She has over 25 years’ experience advising clients on environmental and planning approvals, liabilities, and statutory regulation for major infrastructure, property developments and commercial transactions across a range of sectors including residential, industrial, health and renewable energy.
A significant component of her practice involves working with clients to obtain planning and environmental project approvals and rezoning of land, including running appeals and hearings before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Planning Panels and Ministerial Advisory Committees, as well as appeals in the Supreme Court. Meg works closely with consultant teams on environmental impact assessment processes for large infrastructure projects and renewable energy projects, including under the new Commonwealth regime for Offshore Wind Farm licences.
Meg is well regarded by her clients, consultants and other professionals as an organised problem-solver, able to explain complex legal issues in plain English. Meg brings a pragmatic perspective to legal problems, connecting and bringing together multi-disciplinary teams needed to manage environmental impacts and development projects.
Meg is a Board Member and Vice-President (Legal) of the Victorian Planning & Environmental Law Association.
She is a recommended lawyer in Doyles Guide to the Legal Profession in Australia in their list of 'Leading Environment & Climate Change Lawyers (Victoria) 2020-2026' and 'Leading Town Planning & Development Lawyers (Victoria) 2019-2026' and ranked in Chambers and Partners Asia Pacific Guide 2025 for Environment & Planning.
'[Meg] is personable, listens to her client and is customer-centric.'
Chambers Asia-Pacific Guide 2026
- Advising renewable energy developers on obtaining planning and environmental approvals at State and Commonwealth levels for solar, BESS and wind (onshore and offshore) projects, including advising on neighbour agreements and in relation to acoustic compliance issues arising in relation to operating wind projects.
- Acting for the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) on the four-month-long EES hearing for the approval of the Ausnet Western Renewables Link project.
- Advising developers of residential apartments, ‘build to rent’ and co-living proposals, in relation to proceedings at VCAT to obtain approval and on s173 Agreements in relation to onsite management
- Advising growth area residential developers in relation to approvals for residential subdivision and Town Centre developments through the Precinct Structure Planning process and Planning Panel hearings.
- Advising waste and recycling sector clients on EPA licences and compliance issues, contaminated land clean up and liability, VCAT appeals, Declaration proceedings and prosecution proceedings under the Environment Protection Act 2017.
- Advising gas sector and extractive industry clients on EES processes and Commonwealth EPBC approvals, including on related climate change and energy transition issues.
- Advising on the rezoning of the former Talbot quarry and landfill in Oakleigh for residential development, including instructing Counsel and witnesses for the Ministerial Advisory Committee hearing.
- Advising on the redevelopment of the former Epping quarry for a residential and health precinct, including taking VCAT proceedings to obtain approval of the Development Plan including setbacks from waterways and conservation areas for Growling Grass Frogs projected under the EPBC Act (Cth).
Awards and Recognition
Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific 2022-2026
Environment & Planning
Best Lawyers in Australia 2020-2026
Land Use & Zoning Law ('Lawyer of the Year 2022'), Planning & Environmental Law
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
2026 | Leading Partner | Environment and planning
2025 | Next Generation Partner | Environment and planning
2023-2024 | Environment and planning
2022 | Real Estate
Doyle's Guide to the Australian Legal Profession 2020-2026
Town Planning & Development Lawyers (Victoria); Environment & Climate Change Lawyers (Victoria)