Current practice
Michael Back is the Brisbane head of office.
As a senior partner, Michael advises on major property developments and infrastructure projects. He has a particular expertise in relation to the environmental and planning aspects of such projects and also advises in relation to the undertaking and reporting of environmental audits and the preparation of environmental compliance and management programmes.
Industry experience
Michael has acted for the developers and promoters of many of the most significant infrastructure and property projects in Eastern Australia. He has particular expertise in the management of major property sales and acquisitions, including the conducting of comprehensive due diligence investigations. Michael has been involved in a number of major property floats.
Michael has extensive experience in advising overseas clients and also acts for Australian companies investing in and developing property in East Asia. Michael has lectured in Environmental Law at the University of Queensland and is a regular speaker at Environment and Property conferences and workshops.
Major projects and clients
Michael has acted extensively for major property development companies throughout Australia and for State and local Governments and Statutory Authorities in Queensland and New South Wales.
Major infrastructure, environment and property projects that Michael has been closely involved with include:
- Acting for the Queensland Government on the Southbank Institute of TAFE redevelopment, which is the first project in Queensland to be assessed under the Government's Public Private Partnership guidelines
- Acting for Investa Property Group on the acquisition of the Telstra commercial office portfolio (value $570 million)
- Advising Metro Holdings (Singapore) on the Greenfields development of a resort hotel in Cairns
- The disposal of the Coles Myer Property Portfolio (value $900 million) throughout Australia
- Advising major listed property trusts on the acquisition and management of trust properties including appropriate holding structures and stamp duty issues
- The redevelopment of the Cairns Railway site as a major retail, residential and tourist complex
- The redevelopment of the Roma Street goods yards in Brisbane as a multi use residential, commercial and public open space facility. This project included dealing with Queensland Rail in relation to their ongoing needs
- The development of a major sugar refinery and port facilities at Mackay and Sydney
- The development of coal fired power stations and associated major infrastructure including the development of the Millmerran Greenfields Power Station and the Callide C Power Station in Queensland
- The redevelopment of the historic Rocks area at Circular Quay, Sydney
- The Darling Harbour redevelopment, Walsh Bay redevelopment and Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf in New South Wales in relation to all land use, environmental planning and contractual issues
- The development of several regional and sub-regional shopping centres in New South Wales and Queensland including Toowoomba Central and Grand Central Cairns which has involved dealing with all relevant statutory authorities
- The development of major residential and commercial buildings throughout eastern Australia
- The preparation of due diligence reports prior to major property, resources and infrastructure acquisitions in Queensland and throughout Australia by local and international entities
- Advising the Queensland Department of Housing and Department of Public Works on the development and implementation of environmental management systems
- Advising local authorities on a range of environmental matters including prosecutions under the Environmental Protection Act; drafting local laws; preparing environmental management systems and environmental due diligence.
Michael has advised Australian and international purchasers on the acquisition and development of hotel and leisure interests in Australia and currently acts for ClubCorp America, the world's largest owner and developer of golf courses.
