Emma Herriman – your specialist in Planning, Infrastructure & Environment Law

Emma’s strength has always been in understanding client needs and maintaining long-term working relationships. She is practical and progressive. She provides legal and strategic advice on planning matters, including:

• applications for development approval for all development types (from residential subdivisions and buildings to retail, industry, waste and resource recovery and energy facilities) - from pre-application assessment through to grant of approval

• applications for Planning and Design Code amendments

• complex infrastructure delivery and land management agreements in support of development applications and Code amendments

• advice on regulatory planning processes, requirements and constraints

• advice on statutory decision-making and compliance (both State and local government)

• appealing planning decisions, defending planning enforcement and assisting with other challenges under the Planning Development and Infrastructure Act 2016.

Emma interacts with authorities, service providers and regulators at all levels and is well-versed in land use, traffic, water, waste, noise, odour, open space, tree protection, native vegetation, heritage, energy efficiency and sustainability concepts.

Emma also advises on environmental matters both in association with planning and as stand-alone obligations under Commonwealth and State law and policy. She provides legal advice on:

• environmental licensing (operating and development) in relation to range of prescribed activity

• environmental regulation and procedures

• environmental compliance and management

• site contamination, pollution and environmental harm – from mandatory reporting requirements to remediation, voluntary schemes, validation and audits.

Emma has worked on numerous renewable energy projects, with an interest in solar, wind and hydrogen. 

She advises on land acquisition, encroachments, boundary disputes and Fencing Act issues. 

She has had significant experience in planning and environmental due diligence in support of corporate and property transactions.

Emma has been appointed to the State Land Division Assessment Panel.

Emma is a member of the Property Council (SA) Planning Committee; the UDIA Planning Committee, the PIA Women in Planning Leadership Committee and sat on the State Commission Assessment Panel from 2020-2023.

Emma is passionate about travel and diversity.  She loves family time, reading, food and entertaining, exercise and taking on new projects.