Lucy Shea

Clayton Utz
Partner Perth

Lucy’s work was invaluable in helping us unpack and understand the long, complicated history of various environmental and planning approvals. She provided extremely clear advice and recommendations… her service has been absolutely first class, we will continue to use her on this and future projects where we need planning or environmental advice.

Overview

Lucy specialises in planning, environmental, Aboriginal heritage and government law, guiding clients through the complex regulatory landscape applicable to WA projects. Working with clients across sectors like energy and resources, property, agribusiness, infrastructure, and the public sector, all facing rapidly evolving ESG laws, Lucy offers whole-of project-cycle advice, including in the context of planning and environment litigation where necessary. Her keen eye for detail and passion for solving problems help projects to achieve environmental sustainability, social performance and commercial success.

Notable Work
  • Mining companies: providing guidance to, including First Quantum Minerals, Tianqi Lithium, and Ardea Resources, regarding environmental compliance, regulatory frameworks, and risk assessment to facilitate any approval processes and the ongoing operation of mining projects.
  • Energy transition projects: advises to facilitate environmental approval of energy transition projects in a challenging approvals environment, including assessment of greenhouse gas emissions. This includes assisting Enel Green Power Australia with planning and environmental due diligence of the Flat Rocks Wind Farm and subsequent strategic planning advice, and providing strategic approvals advice to TransAlta.
  • Water Corporation: advises on environmental and planning matters, including approvals for the Mundaring Water Treatment Plant PPP, and approval and compliance matters relating to other water infrastructure.
  • Telecommunication: assists clients, such as nbn and Optus Mobile, to successfully navigate the approval process for telecommunications infrastructure, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Agricultural projects: facilitates the development, as seen in her work with Harvest Road, Wellard, Alterra, and Stone Axe Pastoral, navigating environmental approvals, land access, land use conflict and planning requirements.
  • Aboriginal cultural heritage protection: assists companies such as Saracen Properties, Perron Group, Hanson Australia and Ardea Resources to navigate the complexities of this area, ensuring responsible development and compliance.
  • Emissions reporting: advising clients, including City of Armadale, Roy Hill, and Wesfarmers, to fulfill requirements under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 1997.
  • Planning: advises companies including Saracen Properties, Tattarang, Peet, McDonald’s and the City of Stirling on planning frameworks, strategic planning, approval negotiations for retail, residential and tourism projects and planning appeals.
  • Litigious advice: defending companies like Alcoa in high-profile environmental prosecutions, representing clients during regulator investigations, advising on approval appeals and preparing submissions for contaminated sites processes.
  • Government: assists State Government Departments and local governments with the development and drafting of legislation and local laws, including the Education and Care Services national applied laws.
Insights
WA “parallel processing” environmental approvals reforms enter into force
28 Nov 2024 | Article
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Environmental approvals reform Bill introduced to WA Parliament – How these reforms might impact you and your projects
22 Aug 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 Federal Nature Repair Market established
18 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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WA's Aboriginal Cultural Heritage regime – Back to the future: what the repeal means
10 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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Environment and Sustainable Development 5 Minute Fix 39: offshore greenhouse gas storage, packaging and waste, decarbonising
30 Jun 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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Environment and Sustainable Development 5 Minute Fix 37: climate change obligations, renewables, greenwashing
26 Apr 2023 | Article
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Guidelines for WA's new Aboriginal Cultural Heritage framework released
17 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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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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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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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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Media Release: Clayton Utz attracts top environment and planning lawyer as a partner in Perth
23 May 2022 | Media Release
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