Mine site adoption of renewable initiatives
The global focus on renewable energy projects has continued to gain momentum over the last 12 months and so, too, has the uptake of renewable energy initiatives by the mining sector. The investment landscape is changing The case for mining companies to invest in renewable energy remains compelling. Governments around the world are enacting legislation […]
RegTech cloud services agreements – assessing the real risks
Part 1 – setting the scene, service levels and data The conversation usually goes a little like this when you ask most cloud services providers to amend their terms… “We’re a one to many provider, our pricing is based on having a single offering with a consistent approach to risk” “We don’t control your data, […]
A guide to common capital raising structures in Australia
The Commissioner’s Emporium: business registration breaking new ground
On 13 April 2021, the Commonwealth Government announced the next phase of the Modernising Business Registers (MBR) program which will establish a new whole-of-government registry platform to be administered by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). We set out the proposed changes in more detail below. Consolidation of business registers The MBR will establish the ‘Australian […]
The critical importance of critical minerals
Each year the Annual Survey of Mining Companies (conducted by the Canadian based Fraser Institute) identifies the top ranked jurisdictions in the world for mining investment based on factors such as the relevant Government policies ability to provide a stable regulatory environment and geological attractiveness for minerals and metals. In the latest results from the […]
McCullough Robertson lawyers recognised in Best Lawyers in Australia
McCullough Robertson is delighted to have 45 senior legal professionals recognised in the latest edition of the peer-reviewed Best Lawyers in Australia, with Peter Kennedy, Tim Longwill and Liam Fraser receiving ‘Lawyer of the Year’ in their respective categories, as featured in the Australian Financial Review. Recognised as leading legal professionals across a wide range […]
Native Title compensation – Lawson v Minister for Environment & Water (SA) (“Lake Victoria case”)
Things you need to know A decision by the New South Wales Court of Appeal has given rise to the potential for compensation to be owed for acts affecting native title rights and interests under legislation other than the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (Cth NTA) and outside the timeframes for which the Cth NTA […]
Department releases new Planning Agreements Practice Note
The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (Department) has released its new Practice Note relating to planning agreements in the state, implementing a recommendation of the Kaldas review of decision-making in the planning system (Kaldas review). Those recommendations – all 19 of which were accepted by the NSW Government – included strengthening the role […]
Council held liable for negligent misstatement in planning certificate
Burwood Council (Council) recently experienced a costly loss in the Supreme Court of New South Wales, after it provided a planning certificate containing negligent misstatements. By way of background, in 2011 Elisa Lorenzato signed a contract for a property at 13 Appian Way, Burwood (property), attached to which was Council’s planning certificate issued under the […]
Picking the right delivery model for your next infrastructure project
Local government is critical in delivering and maintaining public infrastructure. In aggregate terms, Councils are responsible for one third of all public infrastructure across Australia, maintaining an asset base valued in excess of $350 billion (with roads comprising more than $165 billion of this amount). This translates into local government spending billions each year maintaining […]
Vaccinations and the workplace
Things you need to know On 19 February 2021, Safe Work Australia and the Fair Work Ombudsman released updated guidance regarding the rights and obligations of employers to require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The new guidance suggests that most employers will not have a right or obligation to require employees to be vaccinated, […]