image of Chris SlocombeChris Slocombe

Clayton Utz Partner , Brisbane, Sydney T +61 7 3292 7268 | +61 2 9353 4268 +61 434 155 481 https://www.claytonutz.com

Regarded by his clients as an excellent technical lawyer with a strong grasp of the commercial and interpersonal issues required to negotiate complex matters, Chris is a front-end construction specialist.

He is known for his strong drafting skills, and his ability to express complex issues with precision. Drawing on nearly 20 years of experience practising specifically in construction law in Australia and the United Kingdom, Chris offers clients significant experience of various project delivery models, including all forms of traditional and collaborative contractual models.

Chris advises a range of industry participants on construction issues arising on infrastructure, mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, water, transport, health and commercial development projects.

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Expertise

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Construction and Major Projects

Transport Infrastructure

Brisbane City Council – Brisbane Metro Project: Chris leads the Clayton Utz team currently advising Brisbane City Council in connection with the procurement of this transformational transport infrastructure project which will provide the city of Brisbane with a "turn up and go" mass transit system. It involves the construction of a number of new metro stations, upgrades to existing busway infrastructure and the procurement of a new fleet of high capacity metro vehicles.

ARTC – Inland Rail Program: Chris is a key member of the Clayton Utz team advising ARTC in connection with the $10.5bn Inland Rail Program of rail upgrades and greenfield rail developments to create an inland freight rail route between Melbourne and Brisbane.

Transport for NSW (TfNSW) – Sydney Growth Trains Project: Chris leads the Clayton Utz team advising TfNSW on the Sydney Growth Trains (SGT) Project. The SGT Project is the centrepiece of the NSW Government’s $4.3bn "More Trains, More Services" program to provide customers with more frequent and express services and improved customer experience.

Brisbane City Council – Kingsford Smith Drive Upgrade: Chris advised Brisbane City Council on the procurement of the $650m road upgrade project in Brisbane, which was delivered under a design and construct delivery model. Chris prepared and advised on procurement documents, the Project Deed and assisted with the procurement and evaluation stages. Chris also advised Council on project delivery matters.

Brisbane City Council – Inner City Bypass Upgrade Project: Chris advised Council on the procurement of the Inner City Bypass Upgrade Project.

Brisbane City Council – Legacy Way Project: Chris advised Council on the D&C aspects of this significant tunnel project, which included advice in connection with the addition of the Western Freeway Upgrade Works to the project.

Brisbane City Council – Robinson Road Open Level Crossing Project – Project Alliance: Chris acted for Council in connection with the construction of a road over rail overpass at Geebung, which was procured under a project alliance agreement. The project alliance agreement included a target cost incentive model which incentivised the cost-effective delivery of the project.


Water

Sydney Water – "Partnering for Success" Initiative: Chris is lead partner advising SWC on its innovative "P4S initiative", through which SWC will deliver all of its capital upgrade works, routine maintenance and facilities management for a 10-year period. The P4S initiative utilises the NEC4 suite of contracts, and represents the most significant use of the NEC4 suite in Australia to date.

Sydney Water – Project ProMac: Chris is the lead partner advising SWC on the Prospect to Macarthur pipeline project which is being delivered under a Delivery Partner delivery model, which also uses the NEC4 suite of contracts for the forms of "Project Contract" which will be administered by the Delivery Partner.

Sydney Desalination Plant Expansion: Chris acted for Sydney Desalination Plant Pty Ltd (SDP) the private owner of the Sydney Desalination Plant at Kurnell on the procurement of the proposed A$2bn expansion of the existing reverse osmosis desalination plant. Chris advised SDP on all procurement and design and construction aspects of the proposed expansion, which was to be project financed, and which was proposed to double the capacity of this significant facility. Chris drove the transaction to ensure the very tight procurement process timeframes were met, to feed into the overarching State approval process for the expansion. The expansion was, however, was cancelled at the end of the procurement phase in 2020 due to the significant rain event in Sydney and the impact of COVID-19.

Rookwood Weir Project: Chris advises the State of Queensland on the project alliance agreement proposed to be used for the procurement of the project, including on key risks associated with the delivery model and the terms of the project alliance agreement.

Rubyanna wastewater treatment plant: Chris advised Bundaberg Regional Council on the procurement of the Rubyanna wastewater treatment plant, which was procured under a design, construct maintain and operate contract. The procurement process for this project involved a competitive early contractor involvement process.


Renewable Energy

Port Kembla Gas Fired Power Plant Project: Chris advises Australian Industrial Power in connection with the development of a gas-fired "peaker" power station in NSW, including equipment supply and transmission line infrastructure to be delivered on a build, own and operate basis.

Stanwell – Southern Renewable Energy Zone Battery Energy Storage System: Chris acts for Stanwell Corporation on the EPC and LTSA elements of the proposed 150 MW / 300 MWh BESS project to be developed adjacent to the existing Tarong power station.

Stanwell – Central Renewable Energy Zone Battery Energy Storage System: Chris acts for Stanwell Corporation on the EPC and LTSA elements of the proposed 150 MW / 300 MWh BESS project to be developed adjacent to the existing Stanwell power station.

Clarke Creek Wind Farm: Chris currently advising Squadron Energy on delivery of the $3bn wind farm project in Queensland.

ACT Battery Energy Storage System Project: Chris acts for TransGrid and TransGrid Services in connection with the engineering, procurement and construction of grid connection infrastructure associated with the a battery energy storage system being procured by Global Power Generation to be installed in the ACT.

Gransolar – EPC Contracting Templates: Chris acts for Gransolar, a Spanish EPC contractor, in the development of its suite of EPC subcontracts for use in the development of solar farm projects in Australia.

Solar Dawn Renewable Energy Project: Chris advised the operator of the proposed project in connection with the operation and maintenance of the plant.

Renewable Energy Projects, North England & Scotland: Chris acted for financiers in connection with a number of wind farm and biomass power generation projects in North England and Scotland.


Oil & Gas

Australia Pacific LNG Project: Chris acted for the project owners of the A$34 billion Australia Pacific LNG Project. Chris was involved in a wide range of procurement, design and construction related activities, including the preparation and review of tender and contract documents for the procurement of plant and equipment, engineering services, construction work and maintenance services, including: the significant LNG Liquefaction Plant at Curtis Island; upstream gas processing plants; and upstream water treatment facilities.

Senex Energy:

  • Project Atlas: Chris advised Senex Energy on the development of its gas processing and transportation infrastructure, and related arrangements, associated with the development of its Atlas field.
  • Western Surat Gas Project: Chris advised Senex Energy on the engineering, procurement and construction of the Western Surat Gas Project, and the subsequent sale process which was undertaken as a share sale.

Electricity Networks

Powerlink: Chris acted for Powerlink in connection with the maintenance and upgrade of its significant high-voltage electricity transmission network throughout Queensland.

TransGrid: Chris acts for TransGrid and TransGrid Services in connection with the engineering, procurement and construction of grid connection infrastructure associated with the new battery energy storage system being procured by Global Power Generation.

TransGrid: Chris acts for TransGrid in connection with the negotiation of the interface agreement between TransGrid and ElectraNet on Project Energy Connect, a significant interconnector project.

Endeavour Energy: Chris advised on the implementation of a bespoke contracting model – referred to as a "Collaborative Framework Agreement" – to allow Endeavour Energy to engage a panel of contractors, on a collaborative basis, in order to streamline the delivery of its capital works program.


Mining

Broadlea Coal Mine: Chris acted for the mine owner in connection with the greenfield development of the Broadlea open cut coal mine, including drafting and negotiating various mine infrastructure contracts, mine operation contracts, and major plant procurement contracts.

Isaac Plains Coal Mine: Chris acted for the mine owner on the development of a greenfield open cut coal mine at Isaac Plains, including drafting and negotiating various mine infrastructure contracts (with respect to road and rail infrastructure), mine operation contracts, CHPP design, construction, operation and maintenance contracts and major plant procurement contracts.

Carborough Downs Coal Mine: Chris acted for the mine owner on the development of a greenfield underground coal mine at Carborough Downs, including drafting and negotiating various mine infrastructure contracts (with respect to road and rail infrastructure), mine operation contracts, CHPP design, construction, operation and maintenance contracts and major plant procurement contracts.

Wandoan Coal Project: Chris advised Xstrata Coal Queensland on the development of the Wandoan Coal Mine in Central Queensland. In particular Chris advised upon significant earthworks packages, and the engineering, procurement and construction of the proposed CHPP for project, which was to be procured under a project alliance agreement.

Olympic Dam Mine: Chris acted for CavPower on the sale of a fleet of mining equipment to BHP in connection with the Olympic Dam Mine.

Olive Downs and Curragh North Mining Services Contracts: Chris advised a tenderer in connection with its submission of tenders for the operation of the above mines.

Idemitsu: Chris acted for Idemitsu on the Boggabri Coal project, including advising on rail and mine infrastructure delivery issues.

Adani Carmichael Cola Mine: Chris was part of the Clayton Utz team acting for Adani in connection with various matters relating to the construction of the Carmichael Coal Mine.

Surat Basin Rail Project: Chris advised on the design, construction and maintenance of the proposed Surat Basin Railway to link the Xstrata Wandoan Coal Mine with the existing Moura railway line to Gladstone.


Building and Construction

Brisbane City Council – Kangaroo Point Green Bridge: Chris is advising Council in connection with the procurement of the proposed green bridge to link Kangaroo Point and the Brisbane CBD. This includes drafting a bespoke incentivised target cost contract for the design and construction of the KPGB.

Petrie Campus Foundation Facility Project: Chris led the Clayton Utz team that advised University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) on the development of its Petrie Campus Foundation Facility project. Chris advised USC on the selection of the delivery model, the preparation of contract documentation, and the procurement of the significant construction works package. Chris also advised on implications arising from Commonwealth funding, compliance with the Building Code and satisfaction of WHS Scheme requirements.

1 William Street Project: Chris acted for Projects Queensland in connection with the development of the new 1 William Street office tower.

Brisbane Airport International Terminal Upgrade: Chris represented Brisbane Airport Corporation in connection with the upgrade of the international terminal building, which project was delivered under a two stage managing contractor contract based on the Department of Defence Managing Contractor Contract.

SPIRE Project (ACT): Chris is currently advising the ACT Government on the construction of its $600M emergency and peri-operative hospital facility under a two-stage Early Contractor Involvement Model. This is a brownfield project with the new centre being built in the grounds of Canberra Hospital.

Wynnum Integrated Health Centre: Chris advised MHS on the procurement of the original "Wynnum Community Health Facility" project, which became subsequently known as the Wynnum Integrated Health Centre. Chris advised on the procurement process, the preparation and negotiation of the contract with the builder, and also provided advice on project delivery issues.

Metro South Hospital and Health Service (MHS): Chris acted for MHS in connection with the procurement of various health centre extension and building projects all delivered under traditional, single-stage design and construct contracts using amended Australian Standard construction contracts.

See Construction and Major Projects

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