Merinda has over 24 years of legal experience in the fields of planning and environment, native title and heritage and major projects. She has worked for national firms, boutique law firms and as in-house counsel in the Department of Water and Environment.
For ten years Merinda co-wrote and lectured at Murdoch University’s Law School in ‘The Law of Planning’ and ‘Environment, Sustainability and Climate Law’. She regularly attends as a guest tutor on environmental and native title issues in University of Western Australia’s ‘Mining Law Workshop’.
“I take a strategic approach to solving problems and achieving client goals. I enjoy helping people to navigate the regulatory landscapes of planning, development and environment law.”
Merinda’s expertise lies in a deep understanding of regulatory approval processes, resolving complex problems, all aspects of land and environment law.
Having approached such matters from many angles, Merinda understands administrative law duties as well as commercial objectives and this makes her advice pragmatic. Her clients include local governments, renewable energy and resource proponents, Aboriginal organisations and private landowners. She has represented clients in the State Administrative Tribunal, the Supreme Court of WA and the Federal Court of Australia.
Merinda's extensive experience of planning matters includes planning scheme amendments, subdivision and structure plan approvals and appeals. It includes development approvals and appeals, development contribution plans and cost sharing agreements. Her experience covers significant compulsory acquisitions of land and valuation disputes, environmental approvals work and advising on contaminated sites.
Current
Former
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Bachelor of Arts (English and Political Science) (1999)
Supreme Court of Western Australia (2004)
Supreme Court of Victoria (2001)
