1. About Us

What is the EDO?

The Environmental Defender's Office (ACT) Inc. is an independent non-profit community legal centre specialising in environmental law. The EDO (ACT) was established in 1995 and is part of a network of community legal centres across Australia that specialise in environmental law. EDOs are now established in all states and territories of Australia. The EDO (ACT) is currently largely funded by the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department through the community legal services program.

Growth of the ACT EDO

The EDO (ACT) was established in 1995. It is an independent community legal centre specialising in environmental law.

The ACT EDO was operational by mid-1996 and has since had a productive history. See further details on membership of the EDO. In 1996 and 1997, the EDOheld workshops on ACT environmental law, including the new ACT Environment Protection Act 1997, as well as giving a range of environmental presentations for many community groups. In 1997 the EDO made submissions to government concerning the Environment Protection Bill 1997 and amendments to the Land (Planning and Environment) Act.

Submissions continue to be made each year regarding a range of issues, including environmental rights, energy efficiency, tree protection and more. Several of the EDO's suggestions have resulted in constructive changes to the law.

The EDO (ACT) also holds seminars on environmental law, and presents to schools and community groups as part of its legal education program. Of course we also provide legal advice! (see further below)

Funding

EDOs are largely funded by the Commonwealth Attorney General's Department under the Community Environmental Legal Program. A recent Government decision has prevented EDOs from using these funds to assist clients in environmental litigation related activities.

Nevertheless, the EDO encourages clients potentially involved in litigation related activities or other environmental law matters to contact the EDO all the same, in order that the EDO can assess whether assistance can be provided or whether there may be other means available to assist clients.

The EDO (ACT) also recieves funding from the ACT Government to produce publications and undertake community legaleducation amongst other things. See our annual reports for more details.

If you want to support the work of the EDO please consider making a donation or becoming a Member of the EDO.

EDO Organisational Structure

The EDO is an incorporated association which is governed by the rules og association.

The EDO is made up of

1. a management comittee
2. staff
3. volunteers
4. members

1. EDO Management Committee- The EDO's overall work is directed by an elected committee. The committte establishes the broad direction of the organisation.

What do we do?

Contact us

Click here to find out how to contact the EDO ACT office.

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2. Getting Advice

Legal Advice

Click here for contact details.

Legal advice on any matter involving environmental law can be given over the telephone or by a pre-arranged interview. Advice has been given in planning matters and on broader environmental issues.

Simply call or email the office to make an arrangement which suits you most.

Who we can help

Unfortunately due to limitied resources the EDO (ACT) may not be able to assist all persons. The EDO solicitor together with the board determine will determine which matters to take on in accordance with the EDO's casework guidelines.

How we can help

The EDO has provided assistance in relation to the following types of matters in recent years:
• Administrative Appeals Tribunal appeals re development approvals;
• ACT Supreme Court litigation involving planning and environmental law;
• the impact of changes to ACT planning, environment and heritage legislation;
• pollution offences; (including noise pollution)
• dumping offences;protection of Canberra Nature Parks from inappropriate development;

• protection of listed endangered ecosystems;
• tree management and protection;
• neighbourhood disputes;
• nuisance and negligence;
• incorporation and insurance law (particularly in relation to volunteer groups and community groups);
• aspects of the law particularly relevant to indigenous members of the ACT community; and
• defamation law.
• Environmental claims in marketing (misrepresentation and trade practices law).

EDO services to the ACT and surrounding community include:

• providing legal advice and assistance to people seeking to protect the environment
• presenting environmental law seminars for the community and interested professions
• providing community legal information, such as printed materials, Fact Sheets etc.
• researching public interest matters in environmental lawpromoting laws and law reforms that help protect the environmentassisting the community to participate in environmental decision-making

Click here for further information on how to get advice.

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3. Fact Sheets

4. Submissions

5. ACT Environmental Law Handbook

6. Newsletters

7. Frequently Asked Questions

8. Membership

The EDO Committee

The EDO's overall work is directed by an elected Committee consisting of concerned environmentalists, lawyers and other professional and interested persons. The committee meets monthly.

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Volunteers

The EDO would not be able to undertake all the work that it does without the commitment, enthusiasm and hard work of our volunteers.

Being a volunteer at EDO-ACT helps our office, with its limited resources, to provide a better service to the community.

Law students who have studied environmental law, lawyers, planners, environmental scientists and people with skills in education are encouraged to join our volunteer program, either by working here at the EDO or providing pro bono services.

There are many roles for volunteers at the EDO-ACT. We need help with a wide range of tasks, including:

• legal research
• general office duties, desk top publishing, library cataloguing
• fundraising
• scientific research

More information on Volunteering

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Friends of the EDO

EDO ACT values the support of those members of the community who are committed to ensuring that the community gets fair environmental outcomes in the Canberra region.

The EDO ACT has created the Friends of the EDO as a means of thanking our supporters and showing our appreciation. As a Friend of the EDO, you will be kept informed of EDO activities and events. You will receive Newsletters, EDO Talk, full of information about public interest and environmental issues, in the ACT region and beyond, as well as legal developments and EDO internal news.

Friends are also invited to participate in a range of EDO activities, giving you the chance to meet other like minded friends and to increase your community knowledge and skills. Volunteers are at the heart of the EDO and should you feel that there are matters close to your heart, you have the opportunity to share your ideas and volunteer your time and skills to help out the EDO, your environment and your community.

The contribution of Friends are always greatly appreciated and you will have the satisfaction of having direct input into the environmental protection outcomes in your community.

Staff

Kirsten Miller, Solicitor

Kirsten has been with the EDO since October 2007.

June Weise, Administrator
I worked for Finance Department of ACTION buses for 16 years. Since then I retired for a short while and then re-entered the workforce as a Customer Service Officer with Medibank Private. I left there to carry out family duties and enjoy another short stint of retirement. I have joined EDO with a mind to still take pleasure in retirement as well as continue with the type of work I enjoy.

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Complaints Policy

The EDO offers clients and other people using EDO services the opportunity to provide feedback on their experienceswith the EDO’s service, and aims to address complaints from clients and others promptly, fairly, transparently and consistently.

The EDO (ACT) benefits from feedback made by clients, volunteers and other organisations because problems can be identified and fixed. In the end, the EDO (ACT) can provide a better quality service.

Complaints may be made by telephone (6247 9420) or in writing (The Chairperson, EDO Management Committee, GPO Box 574 Canberra ACT 2601). Please contact the office for a copy of our complaints policy.

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