Donna Pistol, Special Counsel

Expertise

Donna specialises in all areas of planning and environmental law, including advising both private developers and local governments on aspects of the development process. Donna has over two decades of experience in property related litigation, commercial and planning and environment advice work.

She is regularly asked to present to industry groups on issues relating to planning and environmental law. 

Areas of practice

• Planning advice work
• Planning and environment court litigation
• Land court litigation
• Local government prosecutions

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws, Sydney University
• Engaged in Masters of Law, Queensland University of Technology in Environmental Law
• Admitted as a solicitor in the Supreme Courts of Queensland and New South Wales and the High Court of Australia

Recent projects

• Conducting a successful applicant appeal against the refusal of a six-storey resort style development in Hervey Bay.
• Defending an originating application (as co-respondent) to set aside Brisbane City Council’s approval for the redevelopment of a residential site in Hamilton, Brisbane on administrative law grounds – acting for successful proponent of the redevelopment.
• Various appeal proceedings regarding council’s refusal to allow partial demolition and relocation of character buildings (both residential and commercial).
• Acting for a major supplier of childcare services in relation to various applicants and submitter appeal proceedings regarding approval of childcare centres in various locations.
• Land court proceedings to challenge valuation of land for rating purposes for 500-lot subdivision.
• Prosecution proceedings (various) in the magistrates court - acting for a local government authority regarding carrying out assessable development without a permit.
• Advising on Coastal Management Act issues regarding resource entitlement requirements for properly made development application.
• Planning due diligences for proposed purchasers of multi-residential sites (Gold Coast City Council and Brisbane City Council areas).
• Advising on claims for compensation under the Acquisition of Land Act 1967.
• Negotiations with council and advising developer on conditions of approval for a 120 lot residential subdivision.
• Environmental due diligence update exercise for a major dam acquisition by a government owned corporation.

Professional memberships

• Queensland Law Society
• Urban Development Institute of Australia, including:
  • Communication and Legislation Committee Member
  • Infrastructure Sub Committee
  • Affordability Sub Committee

Contact

Email        donna.pistol@hyneslawyers.com.au
Phone       07 5504 9918
Location    Gold Coast