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Environment and planning

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Piper Alderman

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Piper Alderman’s environment and planning team is jointly steered by Ashley Watson and Alicia Chryssochoides, providing a national spread of expertise. The team is recognised for handling land division issues, land contamination and litigation in the Land and Environment Court. In Perth, Winterbourne stands out for her work in the resources, energy and infrastructure sectors, while in Adelaide, Watson provides expertise in land use, environmental law compliance and regulatory due diligence. Based in Sydney, Chryssochoides regularly appears in the Land and Environment Court in merit appeals and handles mediations.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Piper Alderman's Environment and Planning team has a strong network of qualified expert witnesses in the design and building industry and this gives them a competitive edge. They are efficient and skilful and I would not hesitate to collaborate with them again.'

  • ‘The Environment and Planning team stand out for their personable approach, drive to achieve positive outcomes and efficient communication. They are well organised, on top of the process and their attention to detail is above that of any other firm in our industry.’

  • 'I would highlight Alicia Chryssochoides, whose strategic thinking and calm leadership have been instrumental in guiding mutual clients through high-stakes matters. Her ability to see the broader picture without losing sight of detail is rare and invaluable.'

  • ‘Ashley Watson is always calm and professional and has great experience.’

  • ‘Ashley Watson has a tremendous amount of experience amassed over many years dealing with our particular area of Extraction in relation to Environmental and Development issues. Ashley has a calm disposition and conducts himself in a very professional manner often through tense situations in meetings. An asset to Piper Alderman.’

  • 'One of the team’s greatest strengths is its ability to distil complex legal issues into clear, actionable guidance. Their insights are grounded in a strong understanding of NSW planning law, and they are consistently proactive in identifying potential risks and opportunities before they arise.'

  • 'This is a team that combines expertise with empathy, agility with rigour, and tradition with innovation. They are trusted advisors in every sense and continue to exceed expectations across all metrics of service and value.'

  • 'Personal service and dedicated people who are passionate about finding solutions. Alicia Chryssochoides met deadlines, acted at all times very professionally and went above and beyond to help find solutions, even in regards to areas outside her direct responsibilities.'

Key clients

  • Adelaide Brighton Limited
  • AnglogoldAshanti Australia Limited
  • Archer Materials Limited
  • Australian Native Landscapes Pty Ltd
  • BOC Limited
  • Boral Limited
  • Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia
  • Crestbeat Investment 1 Pty Ltd
  • Colas NSW Pty Ltd
  • Commonwealth Hill Pty Ltd
  • Cooper Standard Automotive Pty Ltd
  • Fletcher Building
  • Heidelberg Materials Australia Pty Ltd
  • IGO Limited
  • Intera Geosciences Pty Ltd
  • Jumbuck Pastoral
  • Knauf Gypsum Pty Ltd
  • Lucas Total Contract Solutions
  • Mushroom Exchange Pty Ltd
  • National Trust Of South Australia

Work highlights

Acting for Heidelberg Materials, CSR, Austral Bricks and Clay and Mineral Sales in their opposition to a large residential land division proposed to be undertaken by a Planning Code amendment process adjacent to the Golden Grove sand and clay extractive area in South Australia.
Acting for Wirraway Forests in a review of Water Licence conditions in relation to acquisition of land to develop an avocado plantation.
Representing Australian Native Landscapes in a Land and Environment Court of NSW appeal against a local Council for the imposition of conditions of consent that conflicted with the existing environmental licensing for the site.

Practice head

Ashley Watson; Alicia Chryssochoides