Principal Lawyer

LXRP is a branch within and linked to the Department of Transport.
Role Summary
The Principal Lawyer (Planning and Environment Specialist) will be responsible for providing expert legal, stakeholder
and risk management advice in relation to key aspects of planning and environment issues for the Level Crossing
Removal Project. The role will also involve interfacing with the project’s external legal advisers to ensure a consistent
and agreed approach is taken on legal positions relating to planning and environment matters, which support the
project’s expectations and the Major Transport Infrastructure Program.
Key accountabilities

• Provide support to the Director, Legal, the Managing Principal Lawyer, Land and Property Specialist, the Director, Planning Environment and Place, and the Director, Property Development, on key planning and environment -related matters, including navigating planning and environment legislation and providing general planning and environment law advice.

• Provide expert legal and risk management advice in relation to the application and interpretation of planning and environment legislative requirements for transport projects, including the Planning and Environment Act 1987, Environment Protection Act 2017, Aboriginal Heritage Act 2016, Heritage Act 2017, Environment Protection and

Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, Environment Effects Act 1978, Building Act 1993, Major Transport Projects Facilitation
Act 2009, Transport Integration Act 2010 and other legislation.

• Provide escalation legal support to projects within each of the Program Alliances and a centralised and consistent

perspective across program in relation to planning and environment related issues, in order to facilitate desired outcomes
within Project budget and time-frames.

• Build up internal knowledge and expertise within the legal team in planning and environment related legislative and

policy requirements and general planning and environment advice within the LXRP/MTIA context.

• Work collaboratively with the Planning Environment and Place, and Land and Property teams to drive consistency and/or

‘best practice’ through each of the projects and provide legal input into the development of key templates, processes,
procedures and policy to support the Planning Environment and Place function.

• Manage and interface with the Project’s external legal advisers to ensure a consistent approach on legal and commercial

positions in relation to planning and environment, land and property, administrative law, statutory interpretation and
contracting.

• Proactively address potential legal risks associated with managing a multi-billion-dollar project and contracts with high

levels of public scrutiny.

• Develop and draft project correspondence, briefs and approval documentation.

• Attend and represent LXRP Legal at key Planning Environment and Place related forums within LXRP, MTIA and with

external parties (as required) and share knowledge within the LXRP legal team.

• Develop and nurture constructive relationships within the Level Crossing Removal Project, Department of Transport,

Major Transport Infrastructure Authority, the Office of the Director-General, Government agencies, the private sector
and other key stakeholders in the management of legal activity.
Requirements

• Admitted, or eligible to be admitted, to the Australian legal profession
• Demonstrated expertise administering or applying planning and environment legislation in a major project context
• A sound awareness of current and emerging best practice in planning and environment law on major transport projects.

5 years of PQE as a lawyer generally, or 2 years of relevant planning/environment legal experience specifically is desired.
Additional desirable experience

• Previous experience providing high quality and pragmatic legal advice on planning and environment-related issues in a

transport or major infrastructure delivery environment, with a track record of working effectively with a broad range of
internal and external stakeholders.

• Strong experience in transport or major infrastructure project delivery, preferably gained in private practice or in-house

roles.

• Demonstrated practical knowledge and understanding of the Victorian transport sector, Government’s policy objectives

and transport strategies.

• Previous experience providing high quality and pragmatic legal advice on planning and environment-related issues in a

transport or major infrastructure delivery environment, with a track record of working effectively with a broad range of
internal and external stakeholders.

• Strong experience in transport or major infrastructure project delivery, preferably gained in private practice or in-house

roles.

• Demonstrated practical knowledge and understanding of the Victorian transport sector, Government’s policy objectives

and transport strategies.
At Randstad, we are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all. We actively encourage applications from any background.
Skills
VPS, State Government, Public Sector, Lawyer, Environment, Legal, Planning, VPS6, Solicitor
Education
Bachelor Degree