image of Nick ThomasNick Thomas

Clayton Utz Partner , Sydney T +61 2 9353 4751 https://www.claytonutz.com

Nick Thomas is a recognised expert in environment, planning, climate change, resources, water and government law.

He has over 15 years' experience advising on the full spectrum of environment, planning and local government law and policy (including planning and environmental impact assessment, pollution control, land contamination, biodiversity and environmental protection), as well as climate change (including renewable energy, carbon farming and energy efficiency), sustainability (including green buildings and green infrastructure), mining and petroleum, water management, property laws (including compulsory acquisition and land valuation), and government decision-making and policy.

Nick acts on transactions, assessment and approvals processes, operations and compliance incident management and dispute resolution. He advises on environmental auditing and due diligence, environmental aspects of corporate governance and risk management. His experience extends to drafting legislation. He has provided advice at board and other senior levels of corporations and government agencies.

Nick has advised on some of the most significant infrastructure projects and corporate transactions in Australia. His clients include State and Federal government agencies, as well as major corporations in the property development, infrastructure, manufacturing, waste management and finance sectors. Nick is known for his thorough understanding of his practice areas and the practical solutions he offers clients.

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Expertise

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Administrative and Public Law

Nick has advised NSW Government agencies such as Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust, NSW Rural Fire Service, Office of the Co-ordinator General, Office of Environment and Heritage, Olympic Co-ordination Authority, State Transit Authority, State Water Corporation, Sydney Harbour Foreshores Authority, Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Sydney Ports Corporation, TransGrid, World Youth Day Co-ordination Authority and WSN Environmental Solutions. Nick has also advised the Tasmanian and South Australian Governments.

See Administrative and Public Law

Water

Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Populations and Communities: advising in relation to the structure of Commonwealth water management arrangements and Commonwealth water management agencies, and the interaction of Commonwealth and State water laws, and acting on the purchase of water entitlements as part of the Commonwealth Government's water buy-back program.

See Water

Government Services

Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Populations and Communities: advising in relation to the structure of Commonwealth water management arrangements and Commonwealth water management agencies, and the interaction of Commonwealth and State water laws, and acting on the purchase of water entitlements as part of the Commonwealth Government's water buy-back program.

Energy industry – public sector: advising NSW Government generators, distributors and retailers on environment, planning, water and government issues associated with major projects, ongoing operations and corporate risk management and policies.

NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure: advising on environment, planning and water aspects of the Penrith Lakes Scheme, a many decade long project which involves quarrying of an area of more than 1500 ha in western Sydney and the subsequent rehabilitation of the area as a lakes system for public recreation.

Other government agencies: Nick has also advised NSW Government agencies such as Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust, NSW Rural Fire Service, Office of the Co-ordinator General, Office of Environment and Heritage, Olympic Co-ordination Authority, State Transit Authority, State Water Corporation, Sydney Harbour Foreshores Authority, Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Sydney Ports Corporation, TransGrid, World Youth Day Co-ordination Authority and WSN Environmental Solutions. Nick has also advised the Tasmanian and South Australian Governments.

See Government Services

Environment and Sustainable Development

  • Energy industry – private sector: advising Origin energy and other private sector corporations on environment, planning and water issues associated with acquisitions, divestments and development projects for conventional and renewable energy. Acting for Origin in its successful acquisitions in connection with the NSW electricity industry privatisation.
  • Energy industry – public sector: advising NSW Government generators, distributors and retailers on environment, planning, water and government issues associated with major projects, ongoing operations and corporate risk management and policies.
  • Resources industry: advising clients such as Boral, Centennial Coal, Chubu, Itochu, Kingsgate Consolidated, Macquarie Bank, Mitsubishi, Nippon Steel, Origin Energy, Peabody, Rocla Quarry Products, OZ Minerals and Vale on planning and environmental approvals, negotiating transaction documents and water rights in connection with mining, onshore petroleum and extractive industries.
  • NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure: advising on environment, planning and water aspects of the Penrith Lakes Scheme, a many decade long project which involves quarrying of an area of more than 1500 ha in western Sydney and the subsequent rehabilitation of the area as a lakes system for public recreation.
  • Property transactions and development: advising government and private sector clients on environment and planning issues associated with large-scale property transactions and development projects, including negotiating transaction documents (including planning and other development contribution agreements), managing contaminated land disputes, master planning and development approvals.
  • Other government agencies: Nick has also advised NSW Government agencies such as Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust, NSW Rural Fire Service, Office of the Co-ordinator General, Office of Environment and Heritage, Olympic Co-ordination Authority, State Transit Authority, State Water Corporation, Sydney Harbour Foreshores Authority, Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Sydney Ports Corporation, TransGrid, World Youth Day Co-ordination Authority and WSN Environmental Solutions. Nick has also advised the Tasmanian and South Australian Governments.
  • Other private sector clients: Nick has advised clients such as the Accor group, agricultural corporations, AMP Capital Investors, BP Australia, Brookfield Multiplex, Ernst & Young, Macquarie Bank, the New Forests group, NRMA, NSW Farmers Association, Star Track Express, Stockland and Woolworths.

See Environment and Sustainable Development

Construction and Major Projects

  • Australian Rail Track Corporation Ltd: advising ARTC (a Commonwealth-owned company) in relation to the national freight rail integration project in various States, and on infrastructure projects throughout NSW.
  • NSW rail agencies: advising Transport for NSW, RailCorp and other rail agencies on environment, planning and government issues associated with major projects and various aspects of their ongoing operations.
  • Roads and Maritime Services NSW: advising on environment and planning issues associated with several major infrastructure projects, including the Cross City Tunnel, the M7 Motorway, the Lane Cove Tunnel, the M5 East Freeway and the proposed M4 East extension, as well as RMS' ongoing operations.

See Construction and Major Projects

Climate Change

Commonwealth Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency / Clean Energy Regulator: advising on issues associated with the Commonwealth Government's climate change related law and policy, including the Carbon Farming Initiative.

See Climate Change

Knowledge

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