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Wendy Evans

LLB (Hons), BEnvPlan (Hons)

Partner - Brisbane

Areas of Expertise

Planning, Environment & Sustainability, Property, Planning & Development, Construction, Infrastructure & Projects

Contact Wendy

+61 7 3135 0507 wendy.evans@holdingredlich.com

Expertise

Wendy is a Partner in the Property, Planning and Development Team, with specialist skills in planning, environment and infrastructure law. Prior to her admission as a solicitor, Wendy practiced as a qualified town planner, bringing valuable interdisciplinary insight to her legal work.

She is a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA), currently serving as the Queensland Board Director and National Vice President of the institute. Wendy is recognised for her ability to deliver exceptional planning outcomes through a strategic application of the law, grounded in her professional identity as a town planner.

Experience

Planning

  • statutory planning including the delivery of a draft planning scheme to Toowoomba Regional Council in 2024; previously completed a full legal review of the planning schemes for the Toowoomba Regional Council, Gold Coast City Council, Redland City Council and the Scenic Rim Regional Council (together with associated industry and officer training, councillor interaction and education, template drafting and updates to standard conditions)
  • drafting and review of Local Government Infrastructure Plans, charges resolutions, temporary local planning instruments and local government infrastructure designations 
  • planning litigation (Planning and Environment, Court of Appeal, High Court), merits appeals for applicants, Councils, the State Government, conversion appeals, declarations, enforcement and compliance actions
  • development strategy (legal due diligence and structure of applications). Current live examples include the development application structure review and strategy for expansion to a Sunshine Coast quarry/ legal due diligence and development strategy for new school site in the Gold Coast region oversight of development strategy for the expansion of both Pacific Fair Shopping Centre and Indooroopilly Shopping Centre (each involving significant challenges including infrastructure charges, road closures and demolition of heritage buildings).

Environment

  • assisted Stockland with EPBC Act matters concerning the Providence development 
  • assisting Hanson with an environmental breach issue arising out of rain events, assisting a scrap metal company navigating issues with their environmental authority and the Department of Environment
  • acted and recently resolved a Land Court challenge brought by an environmental advocacy group, against the State of Queensland, against its approval of CSG activities in the Bowen Basin
  • defended Wagners against enforcement proceedings instigated by Brisbane City Council regarding the Keperra Quarry and a wash out event.

Infrastructure

  • acted on behalf of the Toowoomba Regional Council against Wagner Investments in ten appeals disputing the infrastructure charges levied for the Wellcamp airport and business park that went all the way to the High Court
  • infrastructure planning (including input into local government infrastructure plans) and funding (drafting and review of charges resolutions and incentive strategies) • infrastructure agreements (negotiation and drafting)
  • oversaw the planning and cultural heritage inputs into the legal and regulatory reports prepared by the Queensland Government, to support the project validation reports for the Sunshine Coast minor venues for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games
  • oversaw the planning and cultural heritage inputs into the due diligence work for the Victoria Park/ Barrambin site, including available development pathways the proposed LGID – serving to deliver both temporary Olympic infrastructure as well as key legacy facilities for Brisbane City.

Cultural Heritage

  • assisted Squadron Energy, ARTC, Stanwell and TMR with various cultural heritage issues
  • negotiating a Cultural Heritage Management Plan for the developers of Caboolture West 
  • negotiated a Cultural Heritage Management Plan for Sunshine Coast quarry site.

Other

  • assisted SARA in the production of its original model conditions package, and the revised Planning Act 2016 version of model conditions
  • oversaw the Queensland inputs into a national body of work for Ocean Protect, concerning water sensitive urban design.

Upcoming Seminars

25 Jun 25

Chain of Responsibility

In this session, we will focus on the latest developments in the regulation of transport safety along the construction and infrastructure supply chain. In particular, we will highlight the regulator’s ongoing focus on this sector, including significant prosecution case studies, and the governance and compliance model that should be adopted on construction and infrastructure projects.

Register now

16 Jul 25 - Brisbane

Litigation vs Arbitration vs Expert Determination – what’s the best forum to resolve your dispute efficiently?

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms are increasingly being used to manage construction and infrastructure disputes—but choosing the right forum can be as critical as winning the dispute itself. In this session, our Construction, Infrastructure and Projects team will explore the key types of ADR—including mediation, expert determination, dispute boards and arbitration—and compare their strengths, limitations and suitability for different types of disputes.

Register now

16 Jul 25 to 03 Dec 25 - Brisbane

Brisbane Construction, Infrastructure & Projects seminar series 2025

We are pleased to invite you to the return of our Construction, Infrastructure & Projects seminar series where we’ll explore key legal developments and practical strategies shaping the construction industry in 2025. This year’s series brings together leading experts to unpack complex legal issues and provide insights to help you navigate challenges with clarity and confidence.Whether you're involved in project delivery, risk management, legal strategy or safety, this series offers valuable takeaways to apply in your day-to-day work.

Register now

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