About Maria

With over 30 years’ experience as a planning and environment lawyer at Maddocks, Maria has built a reputation as a trusted advisor to councils across Victoria. Her expertise is recognised by her appointment as a VPELA Fellow, recognition in Best Lawyers Australia since 2016, for both planning and environmental law and for land use and zoning law and in Doyle's Guide for many years.  She regularly appears before VCAT and Planning Panels Victoria and has successfully represented councils in many complex and high-profile matters.

As a former Senior Advisor to a Victorian Planning Minister, she brings unique insight into government priorities and legislative reform, enabling councils to anticipate change, manage risk, and secure the best outcomes for their communities. She is deeply committed to supporting rural and regional councils, in particular through the challenges of the energy transition, climate resilience, and evolving planning frameworks. She also enjoys working with urban councils on planning for the provision of housing, especially in activity centres.  

Her practical planning and environment experience spans EES hearings, enforcement, and merits review matters and environmental matters. She is well equipped to deliver clear, actionable advice and robust advocacy and takes a collaborative approach to working with council teams. She has a strong ability to think strategically and also translate complex legal requirements into workable solutions for councils.

Experience

• Advocacy

  Advising and appearing as an advocate on behalf of local government authorities in the planning list of the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal.

• Mediation & Arbitration

  Acting for local government authorities in applications for interlocutory and permanent injunctions, in the Supreme Court and, on appeal in the Victorian Court of Appeal and the High Court.

• Valuations & compensations

  Acting for acquiring authorities and claimants in relation to land acquisition and compensation matters, including contested matters in the Supreme Court of Victoria and at the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal

• Dispute, resolution & Litigation

  Advising government authorities on whether proposed course of action are within power and defending authorities against allegations of acting outside their powers, including Supreme Court proceedings.