Project Finance Lawyers
Strategic funding & capital stack advice for property & infrastructure projects across Australia.
- Optimal capital structure alignment across senior debt & mezzanine facilities
- Robust loan documentation to protect borrower & sponsor interests against any financier
- Proactive management of lender conditions precedent to prevent drawdown delays
- National transaction capacity for complex property & infrastructure projects
Our Project Finance Services
As specialist project finance lawyers, we structure & secure complex funding for major property & infrastructure projects across the Australian market. We partner with developers & sponsors to navigate the entire financing lifecycle, including:
01. Funding Structure Advisory
We advise on the optimal capital stack to ensure your development is commercially viable & adequately funded from site acquisition to completion, covering:
- Structuring senior debt, mezzanine finance & preferred equity arrangements.
- Aligning funding tranches with construction milestones & project cash flows.
- Assessing alternative financing options for renewable energy & mixed-use developments.
02. Loan Agreement Negotiation
We review & negotiate complex loan facility terms with your financier to protect borrower interests against restrictive covenants, including:
- Drafting & amending bilateral or syndicated loan agreements.
- Negotiating financial covenants, drawdown mechanics & repayment schedules.
- Structuring intercreditor deeds to manage priority between multiple lenders.
03. Security Documentation
We finalise the security arrangements required by lenders to ring-fence project risk & limit claims against your broader corporate assets, such as:
- Negotiating real property mortgages & general security agreements.
- Drafting specific security deeds over project shares, accounts & contracts.
- Reviewing tripartite agreements between the borrower, lender & head contractor.
04. Conditions Precedent Management
We systematically clear strict legal requirements & lender checklists to prevent costly delays before your project finance drawdown, including:
- Satisfying planning, environmental & regulatory approval conditions.
- Verifying executed pre-sales, agreements for lease & construction contracts.
- Providing formal legal opinions on corporate capacity & document enforceability.
Who We Act For
GRM LAW’s project finance lawyers understand how development capital is structured, negotiated & secured – and act as long-term counsel to the full spectrum of property developers & investors, including:
Residential Property Developers
Builders constructing multi-stage housing estates & high-density apartment towers across the Australian market.
Commercial Property Developers
Groups acquiring & transforming urban sites into premium office spaces, retail precincts or mixed-use hubs.
Industrial & Logistics Developers
Operators building large-scale warehouses, distribution centres & business parks for the growing e-commerce sector.
Real Estate Fund Managers
Institutional entities pooling capital across all asset classes to back major domestic & cross-border property development.
Joint Venture Partners
Landowners & capital providers combining assets to structure complex greenfield builds or urban regeneration projects.
Boutique Development Firms
Agile teams executing high-end, specialised architectural builds or niche infill projects in premium suburbs.
Large-Scale National Operators
Major tier-one sponsors & borrowers managing multi-billion dollar pipelines & significant infrastructure projects nationally.
Private Equity Investors In Real Estate
Sophisticated lenders & funds deploying mezzanine capital or preferred equity into high-yield property assets.
Discuss Your Project Finance Needs
Our project finance lawyers will contact you to discuss your situation & outline next steps.
What Our Clients Say
How The Process Works
01.
Initial Structuring & Strategy
We assess your capital requirements & property development plans, then design optimal finance structures to secure viable project funding.
02.
Term Sheet Negotiation
We review & negotiate initial term sheets with your prospective lender to lock in viable commercial terms before formal loan facility drafting begins.
03.
Documentation & Due Diligence
We draft & negotiate the formal loan agreements while managing the financier's legal due diligence to protect the borrower against restrictive covenants.
04.
Satisfying Conditions Precedent
We systematically clear the lender's strict legal checklists & conditions precedent to prevent costly roadblocks before your project finance drawdown.
05.
Financial Close & Drawdown
We oversee the execution of all financing arrangements & security deeds to facilitate financial close so you can draw down funds & commence construction.
Discuss Your Project Finance Needs
Our project finance lawyers will contact you to discuss your situation & outline next steps.
Why Choose GRM LAW
01. Full Development Lifecycle Expertise
Our project finance lawyers align your funding structure with every stage of the property development lifecycle.
02. Commercial Focus & Pragmatism
We deliver practical legal solutions that protect the sponsor & borrower while keeping finance transactions moving.
03. Proactive Risk Management
We anticipate strict financier requirements early to secure your capital stack & prevent costly drawdown delays.
04. Expert Regulatory Navigation
Our law firm expertly manages the complex local & state compliance requirements attached to significant project financing.
05. Efficiency & Responsiveness
We provide rapid document turnaround & clear communication to satisfy your lender in the fast-paced property sector.
Meet Gavin McInnes
Gavin McInnes is an Accredited Specialist in Business Law with nearly two decades of experience advising property developers, sponsors & lenders on complex project finance transactions. He combines deep expertise in banking & finance, property law & real estate development to structure optimal debt facilities across the Australian market.
- Nearly 20 years acting for private equity funds, managed funds & national developers on significant financing arrangements
- Accredited Specialist in Business Law with extensive experience in corporate structuring & real estate finance
- Consistently recognised as a leading lawyer in Doyle’s Guide of best lawyers
His commercial pragmatism ensures your capital stack is structured robustly to protect borrower interests and prevent costly drawdown delays.
Representative Project Finance & Capital Stack Experience
We advise sponsors, borrowers & investors on significant property & business funding transactions across Australia, including:
307 Queen Street, Brisbane (A$113m acquisition; A$141m sale)
Acting for GDI Property Group on the acquisition and later sale of this major Brisbane office tower.
50 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Acting for GDI Property Group on the acquisition of this landmark Gold Coast office building.
235 Stanley Place, Townsville
Acting for GDI Property Group on the acquisition of this Townsville office property.
Next World
Capital raising advice for immersive‑technology business Next World.
Greencross (GXL)
Veterinary clinic acquisitions and business expansion for a national veterinary group.
Early Learning Services (ELY) & Foundation Early Learning (FEL)
Childcare sector acquisitions and childcare centre structuring for national early learning operators.
Recognition & Awards
Key Legal Issues In Project Finance
Capital Stack Options
Project finance relies on a structured hierarchy of funding. This capital stack typically combines senior debt, mezzanine finance & preferred equity.
Each layer carries different risk profiles & priority rights during repayment. Our project finance lawyers help developers negotiate the right mix for project viability.
Security Requirements
Financiers require robust security over project assets before releasing funds. This often includes registered mortgages, general security agreements & specific security deeds.
These instruments give the lender step-in rights if the borrower defaults. Legal advice ensures these security demands do not unnecessarily restrict your broader operations.
Conditions Precedent
Conditions precedent are strict requirements a borrower must satisfy before financing begins. Lenders use these checklists to verify planning approvals, pre-sales & construction contracts.
Failing to manage these conditions is the most common cause of delayed drawdowns. Experienced finance lawyers systematically clear these hurdles to keep your construction timeline on track.
Intercreditor Deeds
Large infrastructure projects often involve multiple lenders with competing interests. An intercreditor deed governs the relationship between senior & subordinated debt providers.
It dictates who gets paid first & who controls enforcement actions during a default. Our finance lawyers draft clear priority arrangements to satisfy all syndicate members & secure your funding.
Discuss Your Project Finance Needs
Our project finance lawyers will contact you to discuss your situation & outline next steps.
Legal & Compliance Insights
Frequently Asked Questions
At What Stage Of Our Development Project Should We Engage GRM LAW?
You should engage our project finance lawyers during the early term sheet phase. This allows us to negotiate viable commercial terms before formal loan agreements are locked in. It is often advisable to seek legal advice early to secure optimal finance structures.
What Is The Difference Between Senior Debt & Mezzanine Finance?
Senior debt holds the highest priority for repayment, while mezzanine finance is subordinated. Mezzanine lenders take on higher risk, which typically requires different security arrangements & higher returns. Understanding these finance structures helps developers secure viable project funding.
How Does GRM LAW Ensure Our Funding Drawdowns Are Not Delayed?
We systematically manage & satisfy the strict conditions precedent required by your financier. Our proactive approach clears legal checklists early to prevent roadblocks before financial close. It is beneficial to have experienced legal counsel manage these strict lender requirements.
What Security Documentation Do Project Financiers Typically Require?
Financiers generally require mortgages, general security agreements & specific security deeds over project assets. These documents limit lender claims against your broader property development portfolio. It is wise to have a law firm review these to protect borrower interests.
Do You Handle Project Finance For Developments Outside Of Queensland?
Yes, we manage complex project finance transactions nationally across Australia. Our team handles major domestic & cross-border matters in Sydney, Melbourne & beyond. Engaging a firm with national transaction capacity ensures consistent advice across all jurisdictions.
How Do Intercreditor Agreements Work When We Have Multiple Lenders?
These agreements govern the relationship & priority of payments between senior & subordinated debt providers. They establish clear rules for security enforcement among multiple lenders & sponsors. Proper intercreditor arrangements are essential to manage risk across your capital stack.
How Are Your Fees Structured For Project Finance Matters?
Our fees are determined by the complexity & scope of your specific finance transactions. We provide clear scoping upfront so you understand the commercial solutions & costs involved. It is helpful to discuss your project early to establish a transparent fee arrangement.
Who Will Be Managing Our Project Finance Transaction?
Your matter will be managed directly by Gavin McInnes & our senior project finance lawyers. This partner-led approach ensures highly experienced legal professionals handle your debt facilities. It is advantageous to have an Accredited Specialist overseeing your significant project financing.
Books By Gavin McInnes
Practical guides on structuring, asset protection and private credit in Australia.
Protect Your Assets
A plain‑English guide to protecting your home, business interests and investments under Australian law. Written for business owners, professionals and families who want to keep what they’ve built safe from avoidable risk.
Private Credit In Australia (Coming Soon)
A forthcoming guide to structuring, documenting and managing private credit transactions in the Australian market, written for lenders, sponsors and their advisers.
Explore Our Other Practice Areas
Deep expertise across corporate, banking & finance, property and related commercial work.
Private Lenders & Non‑Bank Finance
Strategic loan, security & enforcement advice for private credit funds, family offices & non‑bank lenders across Australia.
Property Developers & Projects
End‑to‑end legal support for property developers from site acquisition & approvals through to construction, sales, leasing & disputes.
Business Acquisitions & Disposals
Buy‑side & sell‑side advice on business and share sales, from initial structuring and due diligence through to completion.
Corporate & Commercial Advisory
Ongoing corporate, governance & commercial contracts advice for private companies, family businesses & investors.
Structuring & Asset Protection
Structuring businesses, investments & personal wealth to manage risk, protect assets and support long‑term succession.
Franchising
Establishing, growing & restructuring franchise networks, including franchise agreements, disclosure, compliance & exits.
IP & Technology
Protecting and commercialising intellectual property, software & technology through tailored licensing, development & sale agreements.
Real Estate Funds & Capital Raising
Advising real estate fund managers, sponsors & investors on fund structures, capital raisings & transaction execution across Australia.
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