About Kate

Kate is our firm’s Local Government VIC leader. She has a specialised practice in the area of governance for local government, with extensive experience providing strategic advice to Victorian councils on the entire range of governance and regulatory matters as well as representing clients in proceedings before VCAT and the Victorian Supreme Court.

She specialises in administrative law, governance and enforcement and provides regular advice to Victorian council clients relating to their statutory powers, functions and duties and the operation of legislation affecting their activities. This includes advising frequently on the operation of the Local Government Act 1989, Local Government Act 2020, Road Management Act 2004 and the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014.

Kate’s lengthy experience acting for councils means that she is especially familiar with, and has a deep understanding of, the mechanisms of local government and the unique needs of Victorian councils.

Experience

• Various Victorian Councils

  Advising on the content of the Local Government Bill 2019 and its commencement, including the coordination of implementation for councils. This extends to the preparation and adoption of necessary policies under the Bill, as well as the effect of the new framework with respect to conflict of interest and Councillor conduct.

• Various Victorian Councils

  Advising on the preparation of request for quote, expression of interest and request for tender documentation and assistance in the evaluation and award of responses. This includes general probity advice, as well as advice on the interpretation of contractual terms and responses to breaches of contractual obligations.

• Various Victorian Councils

  Drafting and interpretation of Local Laws regulating meeting procedure, significant trees and matters relating generally to community amenity. This covers the whole process from the initial drafting stages, through to adoption and enforcement.

• Various Victorian Councils

  Drafting and interpretation of Local Laws regulating meeting procedure, significant trees and matters relating generally to community amenity. This covers the whole process from the initial drafting stages, through to adoption and enforcement.

• Various Victorian Councils

  Advising on the establishment and management of committees and incorporated associations to assist Victorian councils in the fulfilment of their functions and duties. This extends to the preparation of Terms of Reference documents, delegation of powers, functions and duties and conduct of nominations, appointments and terminations of members.

• Various Victorian Councils

  Advising on the management of an unreasonable complainants, including the preparation of policies, procedures and communications conveying restrictions on interactions. This extends to representing councils in Supreme Court proceedings launched by unreasonable complainants and other self-represented litigants, including judicial review proceedings.