Anne Wood

Prior to pursuing a career in the law, Anne worked for 4-5 years as an advisor to various State Government Ministers including three Ministers for Local Government and Regional Development, a Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and a Minister for Housing and Works. Anne’s experience includes working within State Government in the instructing and drafting process for legislation. Anne’s experience includes:

• Statutory interpretation – regularly provides statutory interpretation advice whether it be in written form or in court. Mocilac v City of Fremantle [2014] WASC 56 is an appeal which confirmed Kott Gunning’s previously unconfirmed statutory interpretation of the Planning and Development Act 2005 and the Criminal Procedure Act 2004.
• Building and construction law – routinely appears in the courts in relation to Building Act 2011 prosecutions/appeals and has presented a number of training seminars to the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors.
• Planning and development law – routinely appears in the courts in relation to Planning and Development Act 2005 prosecutions and appeals. Presents regularly to the Local Government Compliance Officers Associations on the Planning and Development Act 2005 enforcement options and the legal and practical issues with using those options.
• Litigation – appears in the Magistrates Court of WA, the District Court of WA, the Supreme Court, the Federal Magistrates Court and the State Administrative Tribunal.
• Administrative law – acts for government agencies in relation to governance and procedural fairness matters and Freedom of Information matters.
• General services – Anne’s legal experience and government background result in a unique mix of transferrable skills in the provision of legal services in relation to government, planning and environmental law.

• Aluminium Composite Cladding – Banned by Victorian Government in Certain Circumstances
• Cheat Sheet for the WA Parliament’s Select Committee Report into Local Government
• Events with over 500 people will require approved COVID Event Plans in WA from 24 September 2020
• COVID-19 Update – WA Government seeks to have WAPC determine Planning Applications for Significant Projects and to automatically extend some subdivision approvals
• COVID-19 – Restrictions on Local Governments Relaxed (15 April 2020)

• Law Society of Western Australia
• Australian Local Government Women’s Association of Western Australia
• Women Lawyers Association of Western Australia (former President)
• Australian Women Lawyers (Co-opted Board Member)
• Member of the Ministerial Panel for the Review of the Local Government Act 1995 (WA)