Division of Bar Roll:
Victorian Practising Counsel
Qualifications:
BA (Oxford), LLB (Monash)
Profile:
Rupert joined the Bar in 2010 and practices in planning and environment law acting for government, non-government, and private clients.
- In recent years, Rupert has appeared in many major Environment Effects Statements hearings, including:
- Viva Gas Import Terminal [2022] PPV 62 for Geelong Grammar;
- Suburban Rail Loop [2022] PPV 37 for the Department of Transport;
- Fingerboards Minerals Sands [2021] PPV 80 for proponent;
- Crib Point Inquiry [2021] PPV 11 for Mornington Peninsula SC;
- Yan Yean Stage 2 [2021] PPV 6 for Major Roads Project Victoria;
- North East Link Project [2019] PPV 57 for Manningham CC.
- Rupert also has a particular interest in administrative law and advises and appears in many matters in the nature of judicial review. Recent examples include:
- Several judicial reviews challenging exemption decisions under s 20(4) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 on behalf of the Minister for Planning;
- Hogg v Minister for Planning (2021) on behalf of a joined party regarding the scope of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal's jurisdiction under s 39 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987;
- Warde Street Pty Ltd v Minister for Planning [2021] VSC 238 on behalf of the Minister for Planning regarding the operation of the DCP provisions of the Planning and Environment Act 1987; and
- Waterfront Place Pty Ltd v Minister for Planning [2019] VSCA 156 and [2018] VSC 621 on behalf of Plaintiff regarding the operation the Minister's call-in powers under the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998.
- Rupert also appears in many Panel proceedings, including recently:
- the Bellarine and Bass Coast Distinctive Areas and Landscapes hearings on behalf of a landowner and the Minister respectively
- the Arden Structure Plan and Amendment C407 hearing (2022) on behalf an affected landowner
- the Central Geelong Built Form Review (2021) on behalf of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning;
- Stonnington C296 [2021] PPV 97 relating to the Stonnington municipal DCP;
- Greater Geelong C395 [2020] PPV 36 relating to the Geelong Settlement Strategy; and
- Several advisory committees in 2020 relating to specific developments in Fishermans Bend.
Prior to coming to the Bar, Rupert undertook articles at Allens and subsequently at the Environment Defenders Office (Victoria). In 2015, Rupert took a year away from the Bar to help raise his children. For much of that time, he worked as Special Counsel in the Planning and Environment and Local Government and Public Sector department of Harwood Andrews, providing advice and appearing for private clients and Councils.
Rupert also has experience in a number of other areas of administrative law and statutory interpretation, including habeas corpus proceedings, migration law and judicial review of decisions under the Infringements Act.
To discuss Rupert's availability or for more information, please contact the Clerks at Greens List on +61 3 9225 7222.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation. The information referred to above has been supplied by the barrister concerned. Neither Victorian Bar Inc nor the barrister's clerk
have independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information and neither accepts any responsibility in that regard.