Rebecca has over 25 years of experience as a specialist in real estate, development, development finance and infrastructure law.
She is highly sought after by some of Australia’s largest companies, foreign investors and governments for her expertise in anticipating and resolving complex legal and commercial issues and providing legal and risk management advice. She is an experienced leader of teams working on large-scale development projects.
Rebecca advises clients on major linear and non-linear infrastructure projects as well as mixed-use, residential, commercial, office, industrial and government development and re-development projects. Her experience includes advising on joint ventures and other complex development and operational structures as well as acquisitions and disposals of aged care, pastoral, agricultural and tourism assets. She also advises on the financing of these transactions.
Rebecca serves as the Deputy Chair of DevelopmentWA and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Key deals
Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (WA)
Advised on state-wide plumbing failures in the residential building sector involving Iplex polybutylene pipes and coordinated an industry-wide response. Advised on all aspects of the industry response, to which the WA government, the manufacturer and builders are party. This included the amendment of the Building Services (Complain Resolution and Administration) Act 2011 and the development of government policy.
Northern Territory Government
Advising on the Darwin Region Water Supply Infrastructure Project, listed on the Infrastructure Australia Priority List. Leads a multi-disciplinary team of partners and lawyers from across Australia working on DRWSIP, the largest water infrastructure project ever undertaken in the Northern Territory.
Cedar Woods
Advised Cedar Woods Properties on the development of one of the largest residential rooftop solar microgrids in Australia with energy operator and retailer, Zenith Energy. Advised on marketing and sales implications, tenure arrangements, infrastructure delivery and long-term commercial return arrangements.
Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (WA)
Advised on the development and operation of the Hockey Australia Centre of Excellence at Curtin University. Negotiated the development agreement with Curtin University, long-term tenure arrangements and agreements with VenuesWest, HockeyWA and Hockey Australia regarding facility operations.
Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (Western Operations)
Advised on a long-term services contract to provide Aeromedical Patient Transfer Services within WA (and Darwin). The new contract integrates RFDS operations with St John and WACHS operations while preserving RFDS’ ability to operate its network and service other customers, including the Commonwealth. This project required a detailed understanding of the regulatory landscape across the aviation, transport and health sectors.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Advised CBA on financing the development of the Murdoch Health and Knowledge Precinct and a restructure of the project to facilitate investment by a sovereign wealth fund.
Cbus
Advised on the acquisition from Brookfield of a 50% interest in the property located at 9 The Esplanade, Perth. At the time of acquisition, the property was under development, so the transaction was structured as a direct property acquisition rather than the acquisition of an interest in the property owner. Key documents included a joint venture agreement, co-owners’ agreement, development agreement and development management agreement and documentation required to ensure that Cbus, as co-owner, would share the benefits and burdens of existing contracts related to the property including the PDA with DevelopmentWA, construction-related documents and agreements for lease.