Joanna Pugsley

Partner Melbourne

Phone

+61 3 9286 6920

[email protected]

View profile

Joanna is particularly capable with complex matters, demonstrating an ability to think outside of the square and develop innovative solutions to meet our business outcomes.

– Chambers, Asia Pacific

Overview

Jo is often called upon to help public agency clients launch high-impact, one-of-a-kind projects. She handles a full breadth of issues across procurement and contracting structures for a range of construction, social and transport infrastructure, engineering agreements in large projects, including whole of life maintenance issues.

Her private practice includes acting for resources companies on traditional and renewable energy projects (wind, solar and green hydrogen) including with state-of the art technologies.

Jo has been a Board Member for both Clayton Utz and Cladding Safety Victoria Authority since 2021.

Notable Work

NSW Government: advised on their $14bn split responsibility container deposit scheme model. Also advised the Victorian and Tasmanian Governments on the establishment of their schemes.
Homes Victoria and the Department of Treasury and Finance: advises in their substantial $2bn Social Housing Growth Fund. The fund is earmarked to empower Community Housing Authorities in the execution of social and affordable housing initiatives throughout Victoria.
Major Projects Canberra: advises on large construction projects including the new $900m Canberra Hospital Expansion Project, the prestigious $400m Canberra Theatre Precinct, and the transformative $350m Canberra Institute of Technology initiative.
Victorian Health Building Authority: advises on a portfolio of significant hospital development projects such as Mental Health Beds, the Community Hospitals and the recently unveiled $1bn Northern Hospital Redevelopment Project.
Department of Justice and Community Safety (Victoria): advised on the construction and service delivery of numerous correctional facilities across Victoria.
Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria): Advising on the MR5 Melbourne Metropolitan Train and Tram Franchise Project.
ACT Government: advising on the ACT Light Rail PPP project involving the design, construction finance and operation of a light rail through Canberra as well as negotiations with the operator for a $2.5bn extension to the existing line.
Rail Projects: leading Clayton Utz' engagement on rail projects including the Victorian Government on Melbourne Metro, and Melbourne Airport Rail Link, the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority on the preparation and negotiation of tender and contract documents for the Cross River Rail project and the NZ Government on their alliance and maintenance contract for City Rail Link's new metro tunnels and stations.
Green energy projects: advising an ASX 100 on their green energy projects including the development of their hydrogen facilities and their partnership arrangements for developing technologies for the decarbonisation of their business.
Mining Technology Innovation: advising two ASX 100 companies on the drafting and negotiation of agreements for the development and operation of autonomy mining fleets.

Joanna Pugsley

I also focus on

Transport
Maintenance

Insights

Major Projects & Construction 5 Minute Fix 138: downstream subcontracts, CityLink roaming fees

19 Nov 2025 | Article

Read Insights

Major Projects & Construction 5 Minute Fix No 137: construction productivity; forum shopping, and indemnity clauses

2 Oct 2025 | Article

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Major Projects & Construction 5 Minute Fix No 136: standard form contracts, challenging payment claim, "cost-plus" arrangements, and misleading or deceptive

22 Aug 2025 | Article

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Major Projects & Construction 5 Minute Fix 134: contamination notices; security of payment and arbitration wrap-ups; mid-project resets; liquidated damages

15 May 2025 | Article

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