EDO NSW Bulletin #524

EDO NSW BULLETIN – 22 August 2007: Number 524

The EDO Bulletin is a free weekly bulletin that provides a listing of news, events, public notices and opportunities for public comment.

EDO NSW Seminar: How to get Heard: Insider tips on advocacy and the law

EDO Sydney: Volunteer Positions

Major Project Proposals – Invitation to Comment

State Conservation Notices – Invitation to Comment

EPBC Referrals – Invitation to Comment

Nominations for the National Threatened Species List – Invitation to Comment

Forum: RSVP for Our Forests, Our Future: A Question of Politics?

Concert for Cape York- Sunday 26 August, The Wilderness Society

EDO NSW Seminar: How to Get Heard - Insider tips on advocacy and the law

Please come along to our free seminar, designed to inform you on how to improve your capacity to engage with governmental decision-makers and the legal system on environmental issues that are of concern to you.

Speakers include Commissioner Tim Moore, from the Land and Environment Court, Ted Plummer, a former adviser to the Minister for the Environment, and Tim Moore, an Area Manager for City of Sydney Council.

Date : Thursday 13 th September 2007

Time : 5.30 pm for 6 pm start

Venue : DLA Phillips Fox, 201 Elizabeth Street Sydney

Cost : Free

RSVP :

The EDO would like to thank DLA Phillips Fox for providing a venue for this event.

EDO Sydney : Volunteer Legal Positions

Our Sydney office is looking to recruit a number of legal volunteers to help out in our Office over the next few months.

The EDO owes a great deal to the invaluable contribution, commitment, enthusiasm and hard work of our volunteers. The EDO seeks lawyers and law students that have studied NSW environmental law, or have experience in environmental law practice.

Applicants will be interviewed before being accepted as a volunteer. We ask our volunteers to make a commitment of at least one day per week for a minimum of two months. We currently have vacancies Monday-Thursday.

To apply, please send an email briefly outlining your relevant skills and experience, and attaching a CV. In addition, please complete our online form or MS Word document available at www.edo.org.au/edonsw/site/jobs_volunteer.php#vols as an attachment to your e-mail application.

Please note the Closing Date is Friday 24 August 2007.

Major Project Proposals – Invitation to Comment

For a full listing of Major Project proposals currently available for public comment, visit the Department of Planning website at www.planning.nsw.gov.au/asp/das.asp

There have been no new proposals since last Bulletin.

State Conservation Notices – Invitation to Comment

The full listing of conservation plans is available for public comment on the National Parks and Wildlife website at www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au. Follow the link entitled ‘Conservation Plans for Public Comment' on the left side of the screen.

Draft Conservation Management Plan

Coolamine Homestead. Closing Date for submissions 16 September 2007

EPBC Referrals – Invitation to Comment

Referrals under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 are available for comment on the Department of Environment and Water Resources website at: www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl.

Title: Newcastle Inner City Bypass

Proponent: Roads and Traffic Authority NSW

Site: Sandgate to Shortland, Newcastle

Ref no : 2007/3633

Comments due : 29 August 2007

Description : The proposal involves the construction and operation of a highway connection between the suburbs of Shortland and Sandgate, 8km north- west of Newcastle It is an extension of the existing Highway 23, and consist of approximately 1.8 km of dual carriageway, including three bridges.

Potential controlling provisions:
ss16 & 17B (Ramsar wetland)
ss 18 & 18A (threatened species or threatened ecological communities)
ss 20 & 20A (migratory species)

Title: Supply of a gigabit ethernet connection with associated trenching, boring and hauling

Proponent: Visionstream Pty Ltd

Site: 55 Harrington Street, The Rocks, Sydney

Ref no : 2007/3637

Comments due : 29 August 2007

Description : Uecomm proposes to provide Capital Markets Surveillance Services Pty Ltd. with gigabit Ethernet connections. To allow this, works are required to take place in existing Telstra ducts and new pits created on George, Harrington, Argyle Streets and Greenway Lane, The Rocks. Trenching, boring and hauling is required to connect the customer to the service

Potential controlling provisions:
ss15B & 15C (National Heritage place)

Title: Roadworks to a section of the Narrawa Road (MR248 West)

Proponent: Upper Lachlan Shire Council

Site: Between Crookwell and Boorowa, Upper Lachlan Shire

Ref no : 2007/3635

Comments due: 28 August 2007

Description: The proposed pavement upgrade will involve sealing of existing gravel road as well as several minor improvements to the road alignment. The section of the Narrawa Road is chainage 15.12 km ( Wheeo Creek Bridge ) to 38.45 km (Old Man Gunyah Creek), and will be reconstructed, widened and sealed.

Potential controlling provisions:
ss 18 & 18A (threatened species or threatened ecological communities)
ss 20 & 20A (migratory species)

Nominations for the National Threatened Species List – Invitation to Comment

Nominations of species and ecological communities for inclusion on the National Threatened Species List are available for comment on the Department of Environment and Water Resources website at: www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/nominations .html

No new NSW nominations

Forum: RSVP for Our Forests, Our Future: A Question of Politics?

Join forest campaigners from a range of groups and backgrounds from across Australia for a full day forum on the science and politics of forests. Pressing issues such as why our forests are being destroyed at an alarming rate, and exactly what it will take for our politicians save them, will be discussed.

Speakers:    Bob Brown, Greens Senator; Alec Marr, The Wilderness Society; Dr Judith Adjani, Australian National University; Jacquie Svenson, Environmental Defender's Office
Venue:      Balmain Town Hall, Sydney
Date:         Saturday 15th September 2007
Time:            10am- 5pm
Cost:         Free, lunch $5 on day.

Please RSVP at www.nccnsw.org.au/forests by Friday 7 September .

Proudly presented by the Nature Conservation Council of NSW, and supported by The Forest Campaign Group, The Wilderness Society, North East Forest Alliance, South East Region Conservation Alliance, National Parks Association New South Wales and Total Environment Centre.

Concert for Cape York - Sunday 26 August, The Wilderness Society

Concert for Cape York is a celebration and fundraiser on behalf of The Wilderness Society for this beautiful area to gain wider global recognition. The concert will comprise a large symphony orchestra, William Barton on the didgeridoo, inspiring speakers, including Richard Moorecroft as MC, as well as stunning photographic projections by Kerry Trapnell.

Date: Sunday 26 August 2007

Time: 2.30 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Venue: Sydney Town Hall

Tickets: $30/$20 (concession). All proceeds will go towards the protection of Cape York

For more information, please visit

http://www.wilderness.org.au/capeyork/concert-for-the-cape/index.html

or The Wilderness Society on (02) 9282 9553. Tickets can be purchased directly from www.moshtix.com.au , or on (02) 9209 4614.

EDO New South Wales offers free telephone advice on the Environmental Law Line. Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 2:30pm and 5:30pm. Call 02 9262 6989, or for NSW residents outside of Sydney call 1800 626 239.

If you require the assistance of an interpreter please call TIS National on 131 450 and ask to speak with the Environmental Defender's Office on 02 9262 6989

For more information on fact sheets, publications or on becoming a Supporter of the EDO, please contact .

This bulletin is meant for your general information. Where possible, references are given so that readers can access original sources or find more information. Any information contained in this bulletin does not represent legal advice.