Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy

A Partner for Queensland and New South Wales Landholders

As renewable energy projects expand across the country, landholders are at the heart of the transformation. An approach from an energy company can present a once-in-a-generation opportunity for your family and property.

However, the agreements are complex, the timeframes are measured in decades, and the potential impacts on your operations and legacy are immense. Navigating this landscape requires a legal partner who understands your position and specialises in protecting your interests as a landholder.

At Fox Thomas, we act exclusively for landholders in renewable energy matters. We are never conflicted. Our single focus is to secure the best possible outcome for you, ensuring that any agreement protects your rights, respects your land, and delivers lasting financial benefit.

Our Landholder Representation Services

We provide specialist advice to landholders approached to host renewable energy infrastructure. We are your advocates, ensuring you enter negotiations with the same level of sophisticated advice as the developers on the other side of the table.

Our expertise covers all critical stages:

1. Reviewing & Negotiating Project Agreements
We meticulously review and negotiate the complex legal documents presented by developers, including:

• Option Agreements for Lease or Easement
• Lease and Easement Documents
• Neighbour Agreements
• Offtake Agreements

2. Securing Fair Compensation & Commercial Terms
Our deep industry knowledge ensures you are compensated fairly for the use of your land. We advise on:

• Upfront option fees and extension payments
• Annual lease and easement payments
• Rent review mechanisms to ensure future value
• Compensation for impacts on your agricultural business

3. Protecting Your Property & Operations
We work to minimise disruption and protect your core business. Key focus areas include:

• Defining access rights and restricting developer movements
• Ensuring co-existence with your grazing or farming activities
• Managing biosecurity, weed, and pest control obligations
• Liability, indemnities, and insurance provisions

4. Securing Your Legacy
We ensure the agreement protects your property for the long term, with a clear and funded plan for the end of the project’s life.

• Negotiating robust decommissioning and site rehabilitation obligations
• Requiring security (like a bond or bank guarantee) to fund future remediation works

Our Renewable Energy Team

Our lawyers are agribusiness specialists first. We understand the land, the business of agriculture, and the importance of legacy. This foundation makes us uniquely effective advocates for landholders in the renewable energy sector.

Meet the Full Team

Why Landholders Choose Fox Thomas

Exclusive Landholder Focus: We only act for landholders in renewable energy matters. Our advice is always 100% on your side and free from conflicts of interest.

Deep Rural Expertise: We are not just energy lawyers; we are seasoned agribusiness and property law experts who understand the practical realities of your business.

Strength at the Negotiating Table: We know the industry, the key players, and the terms that can be achieved. We level the playing field and negotiate from a position of strength.

Long-Term Partnership: We stand with you for the life of the project, providing guidance from the first meeting to the final decommissioning decades from now.

Protect Your Interests from Day One

If you have been approached by a renewable energy developer, the time to get advice is now. Engaging expert legal and accounting partners early is the single most important step you can take to protect your interests.

Contact us for a confidential, no-obligation discussion about your situation.