Heather is the leader of Simpson Grierson's Local Government and Environment workgroup in Auckland, which is part of the Resources and Infrastructure Department. Heather specialises in resource management and environmental law.

She advises on all areas of the Resource Management Act. She has particular experience in advising councils on the development and implementation of district plans, management of resources at a district level, public works, designations, official information and meeting procedures.  She also supervises due diligence on environmental issues.

Heather has provided advice on large infrastructure projects such as the Waikato Pipeline and quarries. She has worked with Councils on rural residential subdivisions and the development of new retail areas.

Heather frequently appears at Environment Court hearings as well as at the High Court and the Court of Appeal on judicial reviews of Councils' decisions regarding resource consents. She also has particular expertise in alternative dispute resolution and has been involved in many successful mediations. 

• Watercare Pipeline for Franklin District Council
• Pokeno Quarry for Franklin District Council
• Auckland City Council and Waitakere City Council District Plan reviews
• Environment Court cases on structure plans for Waitakere City Council
• Successful mediations on the retail and subdivision provisions of the Waitakere City Council district plan
• Subdivision appeals for Franklin District Council and Tauranga City Council

• Resource Management Law Association - Member
• New Zealand Planning Institute - Affiliate Member
• Auckland Women Lawyers Association - Member
• NZPI/MFE Workshop on Effective and Enforceable Resource Consent Conditions (2002) - Presenter
• New Zealand Law Society's Environmental and Resource Management Law Intensive (August 2003) - Presenter
• NZPI/MFE Workshop on 2nd Generation Plan (June 2005) - Presenter
• To mediate or not to mediate - that is the question - NZ Planning Quarterly (2002) - Author
• When you can't afford to put a foot wrong - NZ Local Government (November 2000) - Author