Robert Forrester

Robert specialises in environmental, planning and major infrastructure law. 

He is principally briefed to advise and appear in respect of:

• major projects and associated inquiries and advisory committees under the Environment Effects Act and Planning and Environment Act
• applications for judicial review of environmental and planning related decisions, and appeals from decisions of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to the Supreme Court of Victoria
• Planning and Environment Act matters, including:
  • review of decisions in respect of planning permits, and enforcement order proceedings
  • Planning Panel and Advisory Committee hearings
• statutory authorities and approvals, including approvals, licences, notices and levies under the Environment Protection Act 2017 (Vic) and Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (Cth)
• water law, including in respect of entitlements, liability, management and use rights under the Victorian and Commonwealth Water Acts

Robert has been recently briefed to advise and appear, led and unled, in relation to:

• energy: 
  • Marinus Link Project Inquiry and Advisory Committee [2024] PPV 62
  • Viva Energy Gas Terminal Inquiry and Advisory Committee (EES) [2022] PPV 62
  • Crib Point Project Inquiry (EES) [2021] PPV 11
  • Pacific Hydro Yaloak South Pty Ltd v Moorabool SC [2019] VCAT 11
  • renewable energy projects
  • various approvals including approvals strategy and judicial review of relevant decisions
• mining and resources:
  • Fosterville Gold Mine Sustained Operations Project Inquiry [2025] PPV 9
  • Goschen Mineral Sands Project Inquiry and Advisory Committee [2024] PPV 24
  • Fingerboards Mineral Sands Inquiry (EES) [2021] PPV 80
• major infrastructure: 
  • Suburban Rail Loop East Stage Inquiry (EES) [2022] PPV 37
  • hospital, stadia, rail and other civic infrastructure proposals
• environmental protection, approvals and regulatory action: 
  • Victorian Murray Floodplain Restoration Project EES Central Inquiry and Advisory Committee (EES) [2023] PPV 17; ER Central – Vinifera and Nyah Projects (2023) and Victorian Murray Floodplain Restoration Project ER Central – Burra Creek Project (2023)
  • various proceedings in respect of permissions and enforcement action under the Environment Protection Act 2017 (Vic) and Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)
• urban renewal and structure planning:
  • Macaulay Structure Plan
  • Suburban Rail Loop East structure plans
  • various growth area and renewal area structure plans
• proceedings relating to decisions under the Planning and Environment Act, including:
  • Ibrahim v Greater Bendigo City Council [2025] VSC 6
  • Ramsay v Queenscliffe BC [2024] VCAT 1079;
  • 910 Donnybrook Road Pty Ltd v Whittlesea CC [2024] VCAT 592
  • Hanson Construction Materials Pty Ltd v Greater Bendigo CC (Corrected) (Red Dot) [2023] VCAT 1341
  • Valente v Monash CC [2023] VCAT 729
  • Box v Stonnington CC [2023] VCAT 715