Heidi Asten

Practice Areas

Heidi leads the Melbourne EP&C team and is the driving force behind our ESG program and Offshore Wind focus group. Heidi brings her deep experience across environmental and related social matters to HSF’s ESG advisory and transactional offering. Heidi provides integrated strategic advice across all aspects of environmental and planning law, heritage, Aboriginal cultural heritage, climate and ESG.

Heidi’s technical ability to provide integrated strategic advice is sought after by some of Australia’s most prominent public and private clients.

Heidi has been a key voice in advice on the energy transition as she continues to work on some of the largest renewable projects across Australia, including on the landmark Marinus Link interconnector across Tasmania, the Commonwealth marine area and Victoria, as well as a range of wind farm, solar and battery projects with associated transmission. Heidi is a leading actor as Australia’s regulatory regime for offshore wind generation progresses. In addition to advising private and government clients through the consultation on various regulatory processes, Heidi acted for prospective applicants for feasibility licences in the Gippsland and Hunter declared areas. Further, Heidi advised Flotation Energy on its successful judicial review of the Minister’s refusal of their application in the Gippsland area which confirmed the application of the regime to overlapping applications.

Heidi advised private and government clients through the consultation process on Australia’s proposed suite of ‘nature positive’ law reforms, including in light of increased global focus on biodiversity loss and ‘nature positive’ outcomes, and continues to advise clients on the trajectory of environmental law reform given the political and technical complexity of these reform processes.

Heidi’s advice on planning and environmental approvals for significant government transport infrastructure has continued, advising the Commonwealth National Intermodal Corporation on Beveridge Intermodal Precinct, and the Victorian Major Transport Infrastructure Authority on approvals compliance and complex stakeholder matters for the Metro Tunnel Project as it progresses towards Day 1 operations.

Heidi’s practice in native title and cultural heritage is strongly integrated with the national team, providing a seamless national service. Heidi’s particular expertise in Victoria includes advising clients on the interaction of native title and rights under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 and associated settlements and land use agreements, advising on all aspects of cultural heritage assessments and approvals. Heidi advises on engagement and relationship with Traditional Owners including in sensitive areas of overlapping interests and in the context of the current Victorian Government treaty negotiations.

Further demonstrating the depth of Heidi’s expertise and practice, Heidi acts for various listed companies on environmental, sustainability and climate change reporting and disclosures. This includes advice on target setting and mandatory reporting, as well as voluntary commitments and policies, and managing litigation risk on environmental and climate change matters. Heidi advises on application of international reporting standards affecting Australian and global clients, including TNFD, ISSB S1 and S2, ESRS, GRI sustainability reporting, and the upcoming mandatory climate reporting regime in Australia. This year Heidi advised a global mining client on its updated Climate Transition Action Plan, advised an ASX listed client on nature targets and sector-based greenhouse gas emissions targets, as well as various clients on annual reporting and the implications of Australia’s new mandatory climate reporting regime. She also advised a client responding to multiple investigations and complaints relating to alleged ‘greenwashing’ relevant to ACCC in Australia, FCA in the UK, and Ad Standards complaints in Australia.

Heidi advises on EPA investigations, prosecutions and enforcement proceedings, and acts for EPA in landmark proceedings relating to a claim for compensation regarding PFAS, as well as for Salt Creek Wind Farm in nuisance proceedings. She continues to advise major communities developers on complex planning issues in grown area communities development, including infrastructure contributions, including advising QIC on complex planning and heritage matters regarding its landmark Midway arcade development in Melbourne’s east.