Vanessa Maruna
PartnerAbout Vanessa
Vanessa holds dual qualifications in law and town planning, making her uniquely placed to assist her clients navigate the planning and environment and compulsory acquisition regulatory frameworks across Queensland. Vanessa has worked on large-scale master planning projects, waste facilities, renewable energy projects, represented local government and government-owned corporations, and provided advice to major developers, mining companies, publicly listed companies, and private entities. Her expertise lies in urban development, renewables, infrastructure, waste, compulsory acquisition and environmental approvals, compliance and enforcement.
In addition to her professional achievements, Vanessa also holds community and business leadership roles. She serves as Director and Deputy Chair of the Cairns Organisation United for Cancer Health, and is a former Deputy Chair of Port North and former Chair of JUTE Theatre Company. Vanessa is also a regular presenter for the Queensland Environmental Law Association, the Planning Institute of Australia, Advance Cairns, and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
What she does
Vanessa’s expertise includes:
- advice on the Integrated Planning Act 1997, Sustainable Planning Act 2009 and Planning Act 2016
- 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
- advise on renewable energy projects
- contaminated land issues, and
- compulsory acquisition of land and compensation issue.
Who she works with
Vanessa works with local governments and government-owned corporations, as well as providing advice to major developers, publicly listed companies and private entities
Qualifications
Bachelor of Environmental Planning (Urban and Regional Planning) and Bachelor of Laws (Hons), both from Griffith University.
Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors Course.
Life before Sparkes
Vanessa was more recently the Planning and Environment practice group leader for a national law firm,, was the managing director of both boutique law and town planning practices. She has held in-house solicitor roles for various organisations and has worked as a town planner in local government.
Life outside of Sparkes
Vanessa has an eclectic taste in music and enjoys nothing more than getting out and about to see her favourite acts live.