Cara Erskine
Cara is an Associate based in P&E Law’s Maroochydore office, practicing across the State in the planning and environment jurisdiction.
Cara joined our team as a work placement student in 2019, building on her prior volunteer experience with the Environmental Defenders Office. Coupled with her strong sense of justice and commitment to sustainability, Cara’s analytical and meticulous approach to legal challenges makes her a valuable asset to our practice.
In her role, Cara assists a broad range of clientele (including developers, local governments, community groups and individuals) in navigating the complex legal issues surrounding land use and development. Cara has amassed experience in advising and acting for clients in relation to a broad range of issues, particularly in Planning and Environment Court proceedings.
Cara enjoys strategising and problem-solving to optimise outcomes for her clients, both in and outside of litigation.
In addition to having a strong understanding of the historical planning and environmental law framework, Cara is committed to staying up-to-date on legal and industry developments in this area. Cara is also dedicated to understanding the technical issues relevant to her clients’ matters (whether related to ecology, bushfire risk, civil engineering, and so on). The combination of Cara’s legal knowledge and technical skills allow her to provide meaningful and practical advice to clients on multi-faceted issues.
In her first four years of practice, Cara contributed to the un-contested resolution of over 30 matters in the Planning and Environment Court and Magistrates Courts, which reflects her efforts to simultaneously maximise reward and minimise risk for her clients.
Outside of her professional commitments, Cara enjoys training her beagle-mix, relaxing with a good book outdoors, and learning to play golf.
Experience
- Planning and Environment Court Proceedings: Well-practised in representing clients in applications and appeals, with a focus on achieving favourable outcomes through detailed legal analysis and strategic advocacy.
- Offences and Enforcement: Skilled in advising clients on enforcement matters for development, environmental, or local government offences, including representing clients in Planning and Environment Court or Magistrates Court proceedings.
- Development and Land Use: Experienced in advising on development approvals and conditions, transition of historical/existing development approvals and use rights, infrastructure charging, and development categorisation and assessment.
- Land Acquisitions: Proficient in handling matters related to land resumption and compulsory acquisition.
- Environmental Law: Adept at addressing a range of environmental law issues such as environmental authorities and compliance, land rehabilitation, contamination, erosion and sediment control, nuisance, vegetation management and clearing.
- Local Government Consulting: Providing informed advice to local governments on a broad range of issues, such as development application assessments and enforcement or offence matters, contributing to effective and well-informed decision-making processes.
- Regulatory Framework Advisory: Offering comprehensive guidance on the interpretation and application of the relevant planning statutes (including the Planning Act 2016 and the repealed Sustainable Planning Act 2009, Integrated Planning Act 1997, and Local Government (Planning and Environment) Act 1990), environmental statutes (including the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and the Vegetation Management Act 1999), local laws and the Local Government Act 2009, assisting clients to understand their rights and ensuring adherence to statutory obligations.