Sangeetha Badya
Senior AssociateAbout Sangeetha
Sangeetha advises clients on a wide range of planning and environment matters and has acted for parties on all sides of a dispute giving her a breadth of perspective and experience. Her work has also involved a variety of sites from waste facilities, quarry operations and mines through to commercial and residential development working closely with teams of experts. Sangeetha has appeared in the Planning and Environment Court in contested reviews and originating applications, instructed counsel in planning appeals and participated in without prejudice conferences in the early stages of litigation. She has also undertaken cross-jurisdictional work in NSW and Victoria.
In addition to her professional experience, Sangeetha is a Company Director and Secretary for Just Us Theatre Ensemble Inc (JUTE Theatre Company), a local not-for-profit theatre organisation in Cairns. Sangeetha was also the recipient of a scholarship to participate in the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course on Governance for Not-for-profit Company Directors.
What she does
Sangeetha’s expertise includes:
- advice on the Integrated Planning Act 1997, Sustainable Planning Act 2009 and Planning Act 2016
- advice on the Environmental Protection Act 1994 including the transitional framework relating to Progressive Rehabilitation Closure Plans and Estimated Rehabilitation Costs
- development approval processes
- project management and application management
- advice on regional planning and master planning
- advice on state planning policies
- due diligence investigations on large property transactions
- Planning and Environment Court appeals and declaratory proceedings
- development offences
- drafting and review of local laws
- drafting and review of planning schemes and Temporary Local Planning Instruments
- environmental approvals, compliance and enforcement issues
- built heritage and Indigenous and cultural heritage advice
- advice on vegetation, coastal protection and other environmental matters
- local law prosecutions
- advice on renewable energy projects
- contaminated land issues, and
- compulsory acquisition of land and compensation issues under the Acquisition of Land Act 1967.
Who she works with
Sangeetha works with local governments and government-owned corporations, as well as providing advice to major developers, publicly listed companies and private entities.
Qualifications
Sangeetha has a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland. She also holds a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the Australian National University.
Life before Sparkes
Prior to joining Sparke Helmore Sangeetha worked as an Associate to District Court Judge in Queensland with Planning and Environment Commission. She also worked at an all service national firm practicing in planning and environment.
Life outside of Sparkes
Sangeetha is a regular attendee at her local CrossFit gym in Cairns and also enjoys going on hiking expeditions locally and abroad.