Karen Trainor has worked in the environmental and planning law field for the past 20 years, and her expertise in this field has been recognised by her inclusion in Chambers Global, World's Leading Lawyers for Business.
She is well regarded as a trusted adviser to many public and private sector entities on their corporate environmental compliance, in strategic management of environment and planning development approvals and the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process for major infrastructure. Her client base includes energy, mining, manufacturing and government entities.
With an in-depth understanding of the approval processes, both at the State and Commonwealth level, Karen provides advice to many public and private companies on infrastructure projects, master planned communities, major projects, corporate compliance and strategic management of environmental issues.
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Recognition
Karen is recognised amongst Australia's top lawyers by several independent global publications including:
- Chambers Asia-Pacific
Ranked as Band 1 Leading Individual in Environment and Planning (2013-2023)
- She is acclaimed by one client as "an amazing leader" with "a depth of knowledge in all facets of environmental law," (2022)
- She understands the complexities and the nitty-gritty in the legislation, but can navigate and communicate it in a simple way. She is very calm, which is a really comforting quality." (2022)
- Chambers Global:
- Karen is recognised as a leading lawyer in Environment and Planning (2006-2011)
- Karen is known for her ability to handle complex legislation. Commentators describe her as a “relationship-focused and detail-oriented lawyer, who provides clear guidance." (2011)
- Who's Who Legal
- Mining Lawyers: Environment and Planning (2013)
- Environment Lawyers: recognised as "Leading" (2010)
- The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific: recognised as a leading lawyer for Environment and Planning (2021-2023)
- Best Lawyers Australia
Named Lawyer of the Year in
- Planning and Environmental (2010-2014 and 2018-2019)
- Climate Change (2013 and 2017-2018) (2021-2022)
Voted by peers as one of Australia's Best Lawyers in:
- Climate Change (2010-2024)
- Mining (2010-2024)
- Natural Resources (2010-2024)
- Planning and Environmental (2010-2024)
- ALB Environmental Law Guide:Karen Trainor was pragmatic and "easy to use" (2009)
- Doyle's Guide: recognised as leading in Planning and Environment (2016)
- Euromoney Asia Women in Business Law Awards: finalist for Energy and Natural Resources lawyer of the year (2015)
- Euromoney LMG Australasia Women in Business Law Awards
- Finalist for Environment and Planning (2014)
- Winner for Environment and Planning (2013)
- PLC Which Lawyer: Karen is recognised as a "leading" lawyer in the area of Environment (2009-2011)
qualifications
Bachelor of Science in Australian Environmental Studies (Hons I), Griffith University (1981)
Bachelor of Laws (Hons I), University of Queensland (1985)
admitted to practice
Queensland (1984)
High Court of Australia (1998)
affiliations
- Queensland Executive of the Property Council of Australia
- Queensland Heritage Council, Former Deputy Chair
- Queensland Environmental Law Association, Former Vice-President
- Queensland Law Society
- Environment Institute of Australia & New Zealand
- Queensland Resources Council
- Society for Sustainability and Environmental Engineering
Expertise
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Environment and Sustainable Development
- Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) for infrastructure: Karen has advised on a number of EPBC Act, State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (SDPWO Act), Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act) and Integrated Planning Act 1997 (Qld) (IPA) approvals for major projects including:
- Electricity augmentation Kareeya Innisfail
- Major tunnel and road infrastructure projects
- Yabulu Nickel plant expansion;
- Curragh North mine
- Aldoga Aluminium Smelter;
- Rolleston Rail Project.
- Blackwater Creek mine expansion.
- Review of legislative proposals for the EPBC Act: Karen has also assisted the Commonwealth in the review of legislative proposals for the EPBC Act and the legislation associated with implementation of the National Environmental Protection Measures.
- Heritage experience: Karen is the former Deputy Chair of the Queensland Heritage Council and has developed a keen understanding of the issues facing her government clients in balancing its custodial obligation to preserve and manage heritage, with the maintenance of capability and resources required to manage this estate. Karen provided advice on the roll in of the Queensland Heritage Act 1992 under the IPA. Karen has been specifically briefed to assist and provide comments for the Property Council of Australia on the most recent proposed round of heritage amendments.
- North South Bypass Tunnel: Karen managed the legal work on the EIS for the Tunnel, providing peer review and guidance on legal issues for the EIS process. Karen also advised as to the approval process for the Tunnel, including consideration as to whether the project should proceed to a significant project or commit infrastructure designation.
- Airport Link: Karen advised on the EIS process for the Airport Link Project. She also assisted in preparation of the Request for Project Change recently given approval by the Coordinator-General, allowing the project to proceed to financial close.
- Environmental Legal Training: Karen has conducted on-site training sessions for one of her major energy clients on their Environmental Management System Awareness processes. The legal training focused on the environmental obligations under the Environmental Protection Act, case studies relevant to the industry and the legal protection and benefits available through implementing Environmental Management Systems.
- Isaac Plains litigation: Karen successfully conducted the Federal Court of Australia challenge to a mining approval under the EPBC Act to prevent the mine proceeding without an assessment of climate change impacts.
Coal Seam Methane: Karen advised on approvals for coal seam methane projects and the reuse of associated water in Central Queensland.
- Coal Mine: Karen advised on the environmental assessment process for a coal mine, including management plans under the EPBC Act. This was one of the first accredited assessments undertaken under the bilateral agreements between Queensland and the Commonwealth.
See Environment and Sustainable Development
Energy and Resources
- Isaac Plains litigation: Karen successfully conducted the Federal Court of Australia challenge to a mining approval under the EPBC Act to prevent the mine proceeding without an assessment of climate change impacts.
- Coal Seam Methane: Karen advised on approvals for coal seam methane projects and the reuse of associated water in Central Queensland.
- Coal Mine: Karen advised on the environmental assessment process for a coal mine, including management plans under the EPBC Act. This was one of the first accredited assessments undertaken under the bilateral agreements between Queensland and the Commonwealth.
See Energy and Resources
Climate Change
- Isaac Plains litigation: Karen successfully conducted the Federal Court of Australia challenge to a mining approval under the EPBC Act to prevent the mine proceeding without an assessment of climate change impacts.
See Climate Change
Construction and Major Projects
- Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) for infrastructure: Karen has advised on a number of EPBC Act, State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (SDPWO Act), Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act) and Integrated Planning Act 1997 (Qld) (IPA) approvals for major projects including:
- Electricity augmentation Kareeya Innisfail
- Major tunnel and road infrastructure projects
- Yabulu Nickel plant expansion;
- Curragh North mine
- Aldoga Aluminium Smelter;
- Rolleston Rail Project.
- Blackwater Creek mine expansion.
- North South Bypass Tunnel: Karen managed the legal work on the EIS for the Tunnel, providing peer review and guidance on legal issues for the EIS process. Karen also advised as to the approval process for the Tunnel, including consideration as to whether the project should proceed to a significant project or commit infrastructure designation.
- Airport Link: Karen advised on the EIS process for the Airport Link Project. She also assisted in preparation of the Request for Project Change recently given approval by the Coordinator-General, allowing the project to proceed to financial close.
See Construction and Major Projects
Water
- Coal Seam Methane: Karen advised on approvals for coal seam methane projects and the reuse of associated water in Central Queensland.
See Water
Knowledge
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