Karen Trainor
Clayton Utz
Partner
Brisbane
[Karen Trainor] really understands our business, gives clear and frank advice and solutions. She is accessible and proactive and is friendly and easy to deal with.
– Chambers Asia Pacific
Overview
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.
Notable Work
- 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.
- Coal Seam Methane: Karen advised on approvals for coal seam methane projects and the reuse of associated water in Central Queensland.
Insights
Queensland Government shifts towards making renewable energy projects impact assessable
10 Feb 2025 | Article
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Media Release: Clayton Utz advising Nippon Steel Corporation on its acquisition of a stake in the Blackwater Mine
29 Aug 2024 | Media Release
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New Affordable Housing Criteria for Queensland: Draft Criteria Released
2 Jul 2024 | Article
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Mineral and Energy Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 (Qld) (MEROLA) now passed
20 Jun 2024 | Article
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Queensland strengthens environmental protection with new enforcement powers and enhanced environmental duties
13 Jun 2024 | Article
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New Queensland guideline about greenhouse gas emissions for environmental authority applications
13 Jun 2024 | Article
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New Federal EPA and Information Authority: with major changes imminent, here's what you need to know
4 Jun 2024 | Article
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Environment and Sustainable Development 5 Minute Fix 48: renewable energy and targets, social and affordable housing
2 May 2024 | Article
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Environment and Sustainable Development 5 Minute Fix 47: asbestos, renewable energy, sea bed mining, environmental penalties
20 Mar 2024 | Article
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Environment and Sustainable Development 5 Minute Fix 46: single-use plastic bans, biodiversity, biodiscovery, petroleum and greenhouse gas
5 Feb 2024 | Article
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Environment and Sustainable Development 5 Minute Fix 45: GHGs in health system, sea dumping, agritourism
20 Dec 2023 | Article
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New Climate Change Act in NSW to accelerate climate change mitigation and adaptation
1 Dec 2023 | Article
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Environment and Sustainable Development 5 Minute Fix 44: national sustainable finance strategy, petroleum and geothermal decommissioning
24 Nov 2023 | Article
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Environment and Sustainable Development 5 Minute Fix 43: carbon leakage, Future Gas Strategy, logging, planning
18 Oct 2023 | Article
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Environment and Sustainable Development 5 Minute Fix 42: circular economy, mining, sustainability and marine dredging
20 Sep 2023 | Article
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Environment and Sustainable Development 5 Minute Fix 41: sea dumping, climate change, wind farms, housing affordability
25 Aug 2023 | Article
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Environment and Sustainable Development 5 Minute Fix 40: carbon credits, critical minerals, offsets
27 Jul 2023 | Article
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What is "essential" koala habitat: QCAT explains the statutory test
26 May 2023 | Article
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Environment and Sustainable Development 5 Minute Fix 38: emissions targets, renewables, fracking, water, koalas
24 May 2023 | Article
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Further petroleum amendments to commence to implement Northern Territory Fracking Inquiry recommendations
19 May 2023 | Article
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Environment and Sustainable Development 5 Minute Fix 37: climate change obligations, renewables, greenwashing
26 Apr 2023 | Article
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Last minute Safeguard Mechanism Reforms introduce new obligations
3 Apr 2023 | Article
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Environment and Sustainable Development 5 Minute Fix 36: IPCC synthesis report, e-products, National Sustainable Ocean Plan
30 Mar 2023 | Article
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Environment and Sustainable Development 5 Minute Fix 35: climate triggers, Dutch hydrogen deal, koalas, PFAS
2 Mar 2023 | Article
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Environment and Sustainable Development 5 Minute Fix 34: Safeguard Mechanism, hydrogen, offshore petroleum, critical minerals
2 Feb 2023 | Article
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Media Release: Planning law specialist Wendy Evans joins Clayton Utz as a partner in Brisbane
1 Feb 2023 | Media Release
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Northern Territory extends liability for environmental offences to related entities in the onshore petroleum industry
16 Dec 2022 | Article
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Environment and Sustainable Development 5 Minute Fix 33: net zero, waste export, energy, biodiversity, planning
12 Dec 2022 | Article
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Landmark Federal environmental overhaul: Independent National Environmental Protection Authority and sweeping reforms
9 Dec 2022 | Article
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Environment and Sustainable Development 5 Minute Fix 32: ozone layer, nuclear energy, hydrogen, water, biodiversity and planning
10 Nov 2022 | Article
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Expanding the NT Offsets Framework: policy guidance on GHG emissions and biodiversity offsets
26 Oct 2022 | Article
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Environment and Sustainable Development 5 Minute Fix 31: GHG, biomass, planning, PFAS
19 Oct 2022 | Article
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Environment and Sustainable Development 5 Minute Fix 30: Safeguard mechanism, renewable energy, SA planning review, biodiversity
16 Sep 2022 | Article
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Environment and Sustainable Development 5 Minute Fix 29: climate change bills, environment as a human right, water resources
18 Aug 2022 | Article
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Environment and Sustainable Development 5 Minute Fix 28: NGER reporting, carbon credits, water management, electricity grid and net zero
21 Jul 2022 | Article
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Environment Minister signals fundamental changes to national environmental law
20 Jul 2022 | Article
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Environment and Sustainable Development 5 Minute Fix 27: climate change, waste, energy, major projects and environmental protection
24 Jun 2022 | Article
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ESD on State Budget 2022-23: Queensland "back in black" with investment to protect environment, fight "war on waste"
24 Jun 2022 | Article
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Environment and Planning 5 Minute Fix 26: New Zealand’s adaptation plan, mining leases, Tas EPA reform, WA streamlining
26 May 2022 | Article
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Environment and Planning 5 Minute Fix 25: climate change, waste, energy, environmental protection
28 Apr 2022 | Article
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Environment and Planning 5 Minute Fix 24: climate change, waste, energy and environmental protection
31 Mar 2022 | Article
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Environment and Planning 5 Minute Fix 22: ERF, renewables, circular economy, planning
3 Feb 2022 | Article
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Proposed overhaul of Australia's carbon offset certification schemes to expand incentives to move towards net-zero
15 Dec 2021 | Article
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Environment and Planning 5 Minute Fix 21: NGER, National Gas Infrastructure Plan, NSW renewable energy, ecosystem decline in Victoria
9 Dec 2021 | Article
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Environment and Planning 5 Minute Fix 20: climate change adaptation, circular economy, Renewable Energy Zones, coal mining
25 Nov 2021 | Article
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Environment and Planning 5 Minute Fix 19: climate change and environmental protection
28 Oct 2021 | Article
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Environment and Planning 5 Minute Fix 18: climate change, biodiversity, infrastructure, renewable energy
30 Sep 2021 | Article
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NT Government policies targeting large emitters of GHG emissions and proposing the how and when to offset
16 Sep 2021 | Article
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An Australian first: NSW EPA ordered to take action to address climate change
2 Sep 2021 | Article
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Environment and Planning 5 Minute Fix 17: climate change, energy, resources, planning and environmental protection
2 Sep 2021 | Article
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Environment and Planning 5 Minute Fix 16: climate change, energy, resources, sustainable development and biodiversity
1 Aug 2021 | Article
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Federal Court's final orders in children's novel climate change case clarify duty of care, but impact still to play out
9 Jul 2021 | Article
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Environment and Planning 5 Minute Fix 15: climate change, plastic waste, EPBC Act reforms
8 Jul 2021 | Article
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Environment and Planning 5 Minute Fix 14: planning, environmental protection
10 Jun 2021 | Article
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Three significant climate change developments in Australia and overseas with implications for resource projects
27 May 2021 | Article
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Environment and Planning 5 Minute Fix 13: climate change, waste, sustainable development and environmental protection
13 May 2021 | Article
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Environment and Planning 5 Minute Fix 12: resources, planning and environmental protection
15 Apr 2021 | Article
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Environment and Planning 5 Minute Fix 11: climate change, waste, resources, planning and environmental protection
4 Mar 2021 | Article
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Webinar: EPBC Act Independent Review – Final Report – what are the recommendations and what do they mean?
19 Feb 2021 | Article
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Expert evidence trumps Estimated Rehabilitation Cost Guideline and Calculator assumptions
4 Feb 2021 | Article
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New EPBC Act assessment bilateral agreement for the NT out for consultation – have your say
23 Dec 2020 | Article
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Statutory land access agreements and new compensation rules for NT petroleum operations: what you need to know for 2021
23 Dec 2020 | Article
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The future of seabed mining in the Northern Territory to be decided
15 Oct 2020 | Article
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Climate change, offsets and hydrogen: NT Government setting the foundations for a net zero emissions target by 2050
23 Jul 2020 | Article
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Samuel Review's Interim Report: national environment law needs reform both wide and deep
23 Jul 2020 | Article
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NT environment and petroleum reforms have commenced: what you need to know
9 Jul 2020 | Article
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Reforms passed to deliver best practice planning system in the Northern Territory
9 Jul 2020 | Article
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NT counting down until its new environmental regulatory regime commences
30 Apr 2020 | Article
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Further fracking inquiry recommendations implemented in the Northern Territory
2 Apr 2020 | Article
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Guidance material for the NT's new environmental regulatory regime out for consultation
1 Apr 2020 | Article
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Tools to help you manage environmental compliance in Queensland during COVID-19
1 Apr 2020 | Article
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Draft policy for determining environmental offsets in the Northern Territory released for comment
18 Dec 2019 | Article
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Check now whether your land is mapped for the South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy 2019-2024
10 Dec 2019 | Article
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NT Government tackling climate change and a transition to a low-carbon economy
3 Oct 2019 | Article
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All in together: Queensland's new financial provisioning scheme for resource projects
2 May 2019 | Article
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New decision rejects long-standing arguments concerning greenhouse gas emissions
12 Feb 2019 | Article
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Queensland resource sector gets a new financial assurance framework
22 Nov 2018 | Article
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A new Beetaloo Sub-basin Water Control District – fracking inquiry recommendation implemented
2 Aug 2018 | Article
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Clayton Utz features prominently on the 2019 Best Lawyers Australia list
13 Apr 2018 | Media Release
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Financial Provisioning Bill for financial assurance and rehabilitation in Queensland reintroduced, open for submissions
21 Feb 2018 | Article
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Draft Social Impact Assessment Framework for NT hydraulic fracking inquiry released ‒ have your say
25 Jan 2018 | Article
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New Financial Provisioning Bill for financial assurance and rehabilitation in Queensland
26 Oct 2017 | Article
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Clayton Utz lawyers among Australia's best, say industry peers
7 Apr 2017 | Media Release
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Getting to know the Queensland Planning Act 2016: Development assessment
2 Mar 2017 | Article
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Requirement to report MDL and ML holders' exercise of underground water rights - 6 March 2017 deadline looming
28 Feb 2017 | Article
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New State heritage assessment trigger for development commences in Queensland
16 Feb 2017 | Article
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