Team Members

Vanessa Thompson

Special Counsel
With over 20 years’ experience working in Queensland and abroad, Vanessa provides expert advice in planning, environment and related land use matters.

As a special counsel in Cooper Grace Ward’s property, planning and environment team, Vanessa brings together a detailed understanding of the law and a practical solution-focussed approach to achieve the best outcomes for her clients.

Vanessa has extensive experience as a strategic adviser and litigator acting for a broad range of clients. These include developers, private landholders, infrastructure providers, renewable energy companies, mining companies, agribusinesses, state and local authorities, educational facilities, banks and receivers. She advises on all aspects of planning, environment, development assessment, vegetation management, regulatory compliance, compulsory acquisition, environmental approval and land valuation matters.

Having worked alongside some of Queensland’s best planning, environment and development lawyers, and in-house for a local authority in London, Vanessa’s commercial and efficient approach ensures her clients receive practical advice and achieve exceptional results.

  • Bachelor of Laws – Queensland University of Technology
  • Bachelor of Journalism – Queensland University of Technology
  • Solicitor – Supreme Court of Queensland and High Court of Australia
  • Member – Queensland Environmental Law Association.

Key experience

  • Representing developers, local authorities, infrastructure providers and submitters in appeals, declaratory proceedings, enforcement proceedings and prosecutions under planning legislation and local laws.
  • Advising clients on all aspects of land use, planning and development assessment including in relation to priority development areas.
  • Advising on environmental matters including environmental approvals, vegetation clearing, mining, contaminated land, offences and executive liability.
  • Complex due diligence for significant acquisitions including in relation to building compliance and cultural heritage, as well as broader land use, planning and environmental matters.
  • Preparing and periodically reviewing detailed compliance frameworks for institutional clients.
  • Preparing and implementing an ‘empty property strategy’ to bring abandoned properties back into use for a local authority in London.
  • Representing and advising the State of Queensland on a range of compulsory acquisitions under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971.
  • Representing, advising and negotiating compensation agreements for resuming authorities, landowners and others parties with an interest in resumed land on compulsory acquisitions.
  • Representing and advising landowners on objections to annual land valuations.

Areas of Expertise

Publications

New Queensland Property Law Act commences 1 August 2025 – are you ready?

The Property Law Act 2023 (Qld) comes into effect from 1 August 2025, replacing the Property Law Act 1974 (Qld).

Green tape reforms proposed for the Environmental Protection Act and Water Act

The Queensland Government has released a consultation paper on significant proposed reforms to the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and Water Act 2000 across key areas such as environmental authorities, progressive rehabilitation and underground water management.

Igniting success through bushfire managements plans - why you should have one

A bushfire management plan may be viewed as optional for many landholders, but neglecting your fire management obligations may put you and your business at significant risk. Discover the crucial reasons why the implementation and adherence to a bushfire management plan are important to safeguard you and your business.