Circular Quay, or Warrane (the Aboriginal name for Sydney Cove), is the symbolic gateway to Sydney’s world-famous harbour and city, a significant transport interchange and a place with deep cultural and historical significance for all Australians.

Herbert Smith Freehills is advising Transport on all aspects of the project. This has included previously advising on the ‘early consortia involvement’ (ECI) process, from which CQC Partners was chosen.

The multifaceted nature of the development requires expertise from across Herbert Smith Freehills, including strategic procurement, market engagement, construction, real estate, financing, environment, planning and heritage issues.

The Herbert Smith Freehills team is led by partners Nicholas Carney and Peter Briggs and senior associate Joseph Varghese. They are supported by a range of subject matter experts from across the firm, including real estate partner Julie Couch, finance partner Erin Wakelin, special counsel Amalia Stone, executive counsel Amelia Fleming, senior associates Tessa Spence and Japonica Sheridan and solicitors Cecilia Ngu, Brigitte Rheinberger and Alice Dales.

Nicholas Carney said, “We are delighted to have advised Transport on the achievement of this key milestone for the Circular Quay Renewal. The complexity of renewing an iconic, culturally-rich, transport interchange such as Circular Quay requires a bespoke and collaborative approach to contracting, and we have enjoyed working with Transport to develop a contracting model appropriate for this purpose.”

Peter Briggs said “Herbert Smith Freehills would like to congratulate Transport for NSW and the CQC Partners consortium on achieving this milestone on this most important city-shaping project. As the gateway to our city, the design and planning partnership will be critical to its success.”

HSF’s other market-leading work on multi-use precincts includes advising:

• the Western Parkland City Authority on all aspects of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis and Western Parklands developments.
• the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet in its negotiations with the University of Sydney in relation to a framework to facilitate the development of a world-leading health and innovation campus (see here).