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Profile of Ben van Weel

Ben van Weel

Managing Associate, LLB (Hons), BA

Melbourne

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About Ben van Weel

Ben is an infrastructure and construction lawyer, specialising in asset procurement, development and operations advice for a broad range of market participants, primarily in the infrastructure, commercial and industrial, and renewable energy sectors.

Recent experience

Infrastructure

Ben offers his expertise to a wide array of clients on diverse infrastructure projects, including advising:

  • Hospitals: the senior lenders to the successful Capella-led consortium for the Melton Hospital PPP; Multiplex as builder in the successful Plenary-led consortium for the New Footscray Hospital PPP and on VHBA's Parkville Precinct Redevelopment; Australian Unity on the development and operation of health assets around Australia, including the Sunshine Private Hospital; ISPT on its bid for the Victoria University's Health Innovation Centre; and South Australian Health Partnership (now Celsus) on delivery matters arising from the construction of the New Royal Adelaide Hospital PPP.
  • Housing: Plenary on operational matters arising from Project Single LEAP 2; Multiplex as builder in the Plenary-led consortium for Victoria's Ground Lease Model 2 PPP and as builder for the Commonwealth Government's Centres for National Resilience.
  • Prisons and courts: the GEO Group on operational matters (including augmentations, equity sales and refinancings) at prison assets around Australia, including Ravenhall Prison PPP, Fulham Correctional Centre, Junee Correctional Centre, Grafton Correctional Centre and Parklea Correctional Centre; and the sponsor on end-of-term arrangements at the County Court PPP.
  • Stadiums: on refurbishments and upgrades at Marvel Stadium; and Multiplex on its bid to redevelop Punt Road Oval.
  • Roads: the successful Plenary-led Netflow consortium on the delivery and operation of the Western Roads Upgrade PPP; and the Department of Transport and Planning on road assets around Victoria, including recontracting and contract resets.
  • Rail: the successful Plenary-led NRT Consortium on the augmentation of Sydney Metro City and Southwest; and Salini Impregilo (now Webuild) on delivery matters arising from the Sydney Metro Northwest.
  • Water: Melbourne Water on matters arising from the Western Treatment Plant; and AquaSure on the delivery of the Wonthaggi Desalination Plant PPP.
  • Technology: QIC as financier of PsiQuantum's construction of the world's first fault-tolerant quantum computer; Mainstream on the procurement and delivery of LiDAR technology; Google on the procurement and delivery of its drone facility in Canberra; and Victoria's Department of Transport and Planning on the Myki recontracting project.
Commercial and industrial

Ben provides comprehensive support to clients in various commercial and industrial matters, including contract negotiations, acquisitions and supply chain management, with recent experience including advising:

  • Industrial and manufacturing: a Logos-managed Australian Super fund on the development of Amazon's facility in Craigieburn; Logos on the progressive development of industrial precincts in Victoria, NSW and South Australia; KKR subsidiary Arnott's on various asset upgrades and redevelopments; and Bunzl on manufacturing facility fitouts.
  • Mixed use (including BTR and student accommodation): Mirvac on construction matters arising from the establishment of its $1.8bn build-to-rent fund; Scape on its over station development at CBD North; Golden Age on the development of its 'Sky Square' mixed-use precinct in Box Hill; and Multiplex as builder of student accommodation projects at Grattan Street, Market Way and Scape QVM.
  • Towers: CBRE Global Investors on the acquisition and development of 118 Mount Street; advising Multiplex as builder of 435 Bourke Street, BLVD Tower, Melbourne Square and Parkline; Plenary on its bid for the development of Victoria University's vertical campus in Melbourne CBD; and on miscellaneous office fitouts around Australia.
  • Shopping precincts: ISPT on the redevelopment and expansion of Karingal Hub Shopping Centre; ISPT on shopping centre asset upgrades around Australia; and Multiplex as builder of the Adelaide Central Markets expansion.
  • Film studios: an international streaming company on the development of an Australian film studio; and a bidder for the Victorian Government's Docklands Media Precinct.
Renewable energy

Ben brings his extensive knowledge to clients involved in renewable energy initiatives such as project development, regulatory approvals and sustainability strategies, including advising:

  • Energy storage: on energy storage projects (particularly utility-scale BESS projects procured by wrapped and split-scope methodologies), including for EnergyCo, Macquarie Capital, Engie, Pacific Green and Lochard Energy.
  • Wind farms: on development and operational matters arising from wind farm assets, including Bald Hills, Cathedral Rocks, Salt Creek and Hepburn.
  • Connection: Iberdrola on construction matters arising from the establishment of a contestable connection business in Australia.
  • Miscellaneous: sponsors and financiers on delivery and operations matters; participating in secondary market processes; and participating in asset refinancings.