Tony Rutherford

Consultant
Melbourne
About

With a deep understanding of social and economic infrastructure and his strong commercial acumen, Tony empowers clients to confidently navigate the market. 

Tony has extensive expertise in advising on complex social infrastructure and ESG projects including hospitals, health, housing (including student accommodation and social, affordable and disability housing), carbon and renewable energy projects. He is deeply committed to making a positive impact in the social and energy sectors. 

He advises on the full range of project documentation, including Project Deeds, EPC, D&C, O&M / FM agreements, construction contracts, interface and direct deeds, PPAs and Connection Agreements. He is also well-versed in the various dispute resolution methods, including mediation, expert determination, arbitration and court proceedings.

Tony values teamwork, loyalty, and inclusivity, fostering a supportive environment for his team. His strong sense of social responsibility drives his active involvement in pro-bono work for individuals and NFP organisations and serving on boards of disability service providers.

Throughout his journey with DLA Piper, Tony has been instrumental in guiding his clients through the development and operation of complex and ground-breaking major projects. His passion for making a difference and his wealth of expertise make him an exceptional partner, dedicated to creating a better world through his legal practice.

Areas of FocusGovernment ContractingTransportConstruction and EngineeringProjects and Project FinanceRenewablesCorporateInfrastructure, Construction and TransportEnergy and Natural Resources
Bar admissionsSolicitor of the Supreme Court of VictoriaSolicitor of the Supreme Court of Western Australia

EXPERIENCE

Public Private Partnerships

  • Victorian Health Building Authority in relation to the early works infrastructure and public space reservations for the new Melton Hospital PPP in Victoria. *
  • Honeywell in relation to the Geelong Live consortium’s bid to build, own and operate the AUD400m Geelong Convention Centre PPP. *
  • Wilson in relation to the Plenary Health consortium’s successful bid to build, own and operate the AUD1.5b New Footscray Hospital PPP. *
  • Hutchinson Builders as part of the successful consortium for the construction, operation and financing of the 2019 University of Tasmania Student Accommodation project.*
  • Healthscope in relation to its successful bid for the AUD800 million Northern Beaches Hospital PPP, including drafting and negotiating the Delivery Contract and other key subcontracts. *

Social, Affordable and Disability Housing

  • Key Sponsor and FM contractor in relation to the AUD900m Victorian Ground Lease 2 (GLM2) BTR and social housing PPP. *
  • Impact investment funds in relation to the development and acquisition of various Specialist Disability Accommodation projects across Australia, including Inspire Impact, Alternative Investment Management and Australian Unity. *
  • CHL as sponsor and FM contractor for the Building Communities Victorian consortium in relation to its successful bid for the AUD500m Victorian Public Housing Renewal Program (PHRP) PPP. *
  • Liverty Housing (formerly Summer Housing) in relation to the development and operation of Specialist Disability Accommodation projects across Australia.
  • Enliven Housing in relation to in relation to the development and operation of Specialist Disability Accommodation projects across Australia.

Renewables

  • Risen Energy in relation to the refinancing and sale of the 132MW Merredin Solar Farm in Western Australia.
  • Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Group in relation to the procurement of waste processing services and energy-from-waste processing facility in Victoria.
  • Reach Solar in relation to the development and sale of the Bungala Solar Farm in South Australia, including drafting and negotiating the EPC and O&M contracts. *
  • Terrain Solar in relation to the development of its Molong Solar Farm in Queensland, including drafting the EPC contract, connection agreement and PPA. *
  • Luminous Energy in relation to their development of their 300MW Columboola Solar Farm in Queensland. *

*Denotes experience from previous firm.

Education
  • Bachelor of Law (Honours), University of Sydney, 2001
  • Master of Laws, Duke University, 2003
  • Bachelor of Architecture (Honours), University of New South Wales, 1998

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Law Society of Victoria

My latest insights

Publication

Construction Bulletin: Spotlight on the Australian Project Delivery Team

29 January 2024 .1 minute read

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Connect

Phone

+61 3 9274 5128
(Work, Melbourne)
+61 401 366 131
(Mobile)