Environmental
Defender's Office (ACT)
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Environmental Law Workshop and Seminar SeriesCanberra, 4-18 February 2009Do you want to be a more effective environmental advocate? Do you want to learn about ACT's new planning and development laws? Join us for a new community workshop and seminar series... From 4-18 February, the Environmental Defender's Office (ACT) will be holding an environmental law workshop and lunchtime seminar series in inner-city Canberra. The workshop and seminars are open to the public, and are suitable for anyone with an interest in using the law to protect the environment. The workshop and seminars are free for EDO members. Entry by donation for non-members. Environmental Law SeminarsThe seminars will be held at lunchtime (12.30pm-1.30pm), and will cover the following topics:
The seminars will be held at the Environmental Defender's Office, Level 1, 4 Mort Street, Canberra. For more information about the seminar content, please see below. Environmental Law WorkshopThe workshop will be held over a full day (10.00am-4.00pm) on Saturday, 7 February, and will repeat the content presented during the lunchtime seminars:
The workshop will be held at an inner-city venue. Details to be confirmed shortly. For more information about the workshop content, please see below.
Topic 1: Environmental Planning During this session, participants will be introduced to environmental planning law in the ACT. In particular, this session will focus on the land-use planning processes set out under the Planning and Development Act 2008 (ACT) and the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988 (Cth). Participants will be introduced to the Territory Plan and the National Capital Plan, and will learn about opportunities to participate in land-use planning processes. Topic 2: Development Assessment and Approval In this session, participants will learn about environmental impact assessment and approval of development proposals under the Planning and Development Act 2008 (ACT) and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth). The session will emphasise the relationship between land-use planning and development approval, and will explore opportunities for effective public participation in the development assessment and approval process. Topic 3: Nature Conservation and the Law This session will focus on protected areas and protected species, emphasising opportunities for the public to promote biodiversity conservation using the Nature Conservation Act 1980 (ACT) and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth). The session will also discuss legal issues related to the management of public land, including national parks and nature reserves, arising under the Planning and Development Act 2008 . Topic 4: Environmental Advocacy and the Law This session will introduce participants to a range of legal issues related to environmental advocacy, including: access to information; writing effective submissions; managing defamation risk; reporting environmental breaches; seeking review of government decisions; incorporating a commmunity group; and, planning non-violent direct action. Topic 5: Understanding Federal Environmental Law The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) is Australia's key federal environmental law. This session will explain the referral, assessment and approval process for actions controlled by the Act, including: actions on Commonwealth land; actions by Commonwealth agencies; and, actions which may affect ‘matters of national environmental significance' (e.g. listed threatened species and ecological communities, migratory species, internationally listed wetlands, national heritage sites). The session will emphasise opportunities for public participation in decision-making processes under the Act, including listing of threatened species and national heritage places. The EDO gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the ACT Law Society and the ACT Government for this workshop and seminar series.
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