Principal Lawyer, Anita O'Hart smiling confidently at the camera. She has curly red hair and wears an dark, forest green shirt.

Anita O’Hart

Principal Lawyer

Anita is an experienced environmental lawyer with expertise in litigation and a wide range of environmental, planning and climate matters.

Anita has a broad range of experience working with landholders, community and environment groups and local government. Anita has worked in the private and non-profit sectors, across jurisdictions, and in policy and law reform.

Anita holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and is the author of The Community Litigant’s Handbook: using the planning law to protect our environment.

Past Experience

  • 2022-2025

    • Advising and representing clients in multiple jurisdictions on coal and human rights for a safe climate

    • Public interest casework includes:

      Maules Creek Community Council Inc v Environmental Protection Authority and Maules Creek Coal Pty Ltd [2024] NSWLEC 71

      Judicial review concerning the EPA’s statutory duty in performing its licence review function, representing Maules Creek landholders and communities

      Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action Inc v Independent Planning Commission and Narrabri Coal Operations Pty Ltd [2023] NSWLEC 69

      Judicial review challenging the Independent Planning Commission’s consideration of climate impacts for Whitehaven’s underground coal mine expansion, representing bushfire survivors

  • 2010-2019

    Providing legal writing and research services to the Environmental Defenders Office (QLD) and the University of QLD, while raising a family

  • 2005-2010

    • Advised and represented public interest clients on a range of matters including litigation, policy and law reform, and major projects

    • Public interest casework includes the first Queensland climate challenge to a coal mine based on greenhouse gas emissions:

      Re Xstrata Coal Queensland Pty Ltd & Ors [2007] QLRT 33

      Queensland Conservation Council Inc v Xstrata Coal Queensland P/L & Ors [2007] QCA 338

  • 2001-2003

    • Advised and represented clients in a range of matters across multiple jurisdictions, including in relation to planning and environmental law, native title law, property law, and contracts

    • Experience includes acting for applicants for development in the NSW Land and Environment Court, local government and community groups

    • Public interest casework includes:

      Association for Berowra Creek Inc v The Minister for Planning & Anor [2003] NSWLEC 38

      Successful Class 4 application based on failure to assess as designated development, acting for members of the Berowra community

      Plumb v Penrith City Council and Anor [2002] NSWLEC 223; [2003] NSWLEC 161

      Judicial review challenge to a development consent based on a failure to prepare a species impact statement

      Wolgan Action Group Incorporated v Lithgow City Council [2001] NSWLEC 199

      Successful Class 4 judicial review proceedings based on Council’s failure to properly notify, acting for community representatives

  • 1997-1999

    • Advised and represented clients on a range of matters in commercial litigation and personal injuries insurance litigation