About Josie

Josie practises in all areas of environment and planning law, specialising in complex judicial review proceedings, planning merits appeals, s56A appeals and environmental law enforcement.

She has a strong track record in acting for government agencies in enforcement matters, including NSW Department of Planning and Environment, NSW Environment Protection Agency and various local councils.

Josie also has an in depth understanding of Commonwealth environmental law and its interaction with state environmental laws and frequently advises clients on the need for Commonwealth approvals, and on potential challenges to Commonwealth approvals.

Josie was called to the Bar in 2013 and prior to joining Maddocks, practised at Frederick Jordan Chambers.

Experience

• Save Sydney’s Koala’s (South West) Inc. – Save Sydney’s Koala’s (South West) Inc v Lendlease Communities (figtree Hill) (No. 2) 2021] NSWLEC 102

  Acting for a local Campbelltown group in challenging a large subdivision in a koala habitat. This case was heard over three days and raised complex issues regarding the interpretation of environmental planning instruments related to koala protection.

• Singleton Council – Hunter Development Brokerage Pty Ltd v Singleton Council [2022] NSWLEC 64

  Acting for Council on the proposed modification of the Redbank power station to burn native forest biomass. In this case, Duggan J confirmed Council’s decision to refuse the modification application.

• Hunter’s Hill Council – Hunter’s Hill Council v Minister for Local Government [2016] NSWLEC 124 and Hunter’s Hill Council v Minister for Local Government [2017] NSWCA 188

  Acting for Council in successfully challenging the amalgamation of several Sydney councils.

• Department of Planning and Environment – Secretary, Department of Planning and Environment v Leda Manorstead (No 4) [2019] NSWLEC 58

  Acting for the Department in a prosecution for breaches of a state significant subdivision consent.

• Hawkesbury City Council – Hawkesbury City Council v Kara-Ali (No 3) NSWLEC 55

  Successfully obtaining orders for contempt of Court for a breach of Court orders.