EDO NSW Bulletin #531

EDO NSW BULLETIN – 9 October: Number 531

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

Caring for Country Launch: State Parliament

Seminar: Coasts, Climate Change and Liability: the future of waterfront real estate

Proposed Somersby Fields Sand Mine

Workshops: Caring for Country

Job Vacancy: Assistant Policy Officer

Northern Rivers Job Vacancy: Education Officer

Northern Rivers Job Vacancy: Locum Solicitor

Major Project Proposals – Invitation to Comment

State Conservation Notices – Invitation to Comment

EPBC Referrals – Invitation to Comment

University of Sydney Seminar : 2007 Dr Charles Perkins AO Annual Memorial Oration

Caring for Country Launch: State Parliament

The Environmental Defender's Office would like to invite you to the launch of

”Caring for Country - A Guide to NSW Environmental Law for Aboriginal Communities”.

The EDO would like to thank the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW for their financial support with this project.

Date : Tuesday November 13

Time : 5.30 sharp - 7.00pm

Venue : Strangers Lounge, NSW Parliament House

Please RSVP to Eszter Kovacs on (02) 9262 6989 by Friday 9 November

Seminar: Climate Change on the Coast

This seminar will explore the complex legal issues concerning the future impacts of climate change on waterfront real estate.

It will delve into the questions of: Who will be liable when coastal properties are rendered uninhabitable? What planning regimes should Councils be implementing now and into the future? What are the broader implications for the insurance industry, and therefore the economy generally? What policy initiatives should the government adopt?

Come along to hear three very different perspectives on this multi-faceted issue- speakers will include:

Tony Coleman, Chief Risk Officer at the Insurance Australia Group Ltd
Geoff Withycombe, Executive Officer, Sydney Coastal Councils Group Inc.
Peter Cowell, Senior Lecturer, Coastal Studies Unit, School of Geosciences, University of Sydney

Time : 5.30 for 6 pm start

Date : Wednesday 24 October 2007

Venue : DLA Phillips Fox- 201 Elizabeth St , Sydney

Cost : Free

Proposed Somersby Fields Sand Mine

The EDO has reviewed and made comment on the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed Somersby Fields sand mine, located near Gosford, on behalf of the Somersby Action Group. The EA was prepared under Part 3A of the EP&A Act and the Minister for Planning is the approval authority. The project is currently being assessed by the Department of Planning.

The proposal involves the removal and on-site processing of up to 450,000 tonnes of sand over a period of 15-18 years. It is located near a public school and a number of residential properties and immediately adjacent to a significant population of the plant 'Somersby Mintbush', which is listed as endangered under the Threatened Species Conservation Act and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. The EDO focused on noise, public health, groundwater, and flora issues, and engaged members of the EDO 's Expert Register to provide advice. The EA can be found on the Department of Planning's website at: http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/asp/register2006.asp#mnc

Workshops: Caring for Country

The Environmental Defender's Office will be presenting a series of FREE regional workshops providing practical information about environmental law for Aboriginal people. This series is designed to complement the new EDO publication Caring for Country - A Guide to NSW Environmental Law for Aboriginal Communities .

The workshops will cover a variety of issues, including

An overview of the legal system and key environmental laws
The nomination and preservation system for cultural heritage
Access and permitted activities in protected areas
How the planning and development system works

There will be the three workshops in this series, held in Coffs Harbour , Narooma and Dubbo.

Coffs Harbour Workshop

Date : Saturday 3 November 2007

Time : 10 am – 4 pm.

Where : Rainbow Room, Coffs Ex-Services Club

Cnr Pacific Hwy & Vernon Street Coffs Harbour

Narooma Workshop

Date : Saturday 17 November

Time : 10 am – 4 pm

Where : Narooma Services Club

98 Princes Highway, Narooma

Dubbo Workshop

Date : Saturday 8 December 2007

Time : 10 am – 4pm

Where : Gordon Centre, Spears Drive , Dubbo

Job Vacancy: Assistant Policy Officer

EDO Sydney is seeking an Assistant Policy Officer to undertake legal and policy research to support the work of the EDO policy team in preparing law reform submissions and proactive law reform projects.

In your application, please address the following selection criteria:

Essential

Relevant tertiary qualifications in environmental law
Demonstrated high level research skills
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including an ability to communicate clearly in plain English
An understanding of NSW, national and international environmental legal issues
The ability to work with minimal supervision and to tight deadlines
Commitment to the protection of the environment and public interest environmental law

Desirable

A NSW practising certificate, or eligibility for admission to legal practice in NSW
Masters degree in environmental law, or related discipline

See http://www.edo.org.au/edonsw/site/jobs_volunteer.php for a full position description.

Salary : $39,000-$43,000, plus superannuation, depending on experience

Hours : 4-5 days per week (negotiable)

Start date : January 2008

Location : EDO Sydney Office

To apply please send a covering letter, curriculum vitae and response to selection criteria to Rachel Walmsley, 1/89 York St, SYDNEY NSW 2000

Applications close Wednesday 31 October 2007.

Job Vacancy: Education Officer – Northern Rivers

The EDO seeks a suitably qualified applicant for the position of Education Officer – Northern Rivers.

The Education Officer – Northern Rivers will be primarily responsible for the development, implementation and ongoing evaluation of the Education Program at the EDO Northern Rivers. The Education Officer reports to the Senior Solicitor, Northern Rivers, and will liaise closely with the Education team in Sydney.

Selection Criteria

The position is open to dynamic, self-motivated individuals who satisfy the following essential criteria:

tertiary qualifications in law;
knowledge and understanding of environmental law and policy;
excellent communication skills, with a proven ability to speak in public;
ability to meet deadlines and balance competing priorities;
ability to work in a small team;
commitment to the protection of the environment and community participation in environmental decision-making; and
current driver's licence.

The following additional criteria will also be considered, but are not essential to the position:

tertiary qualifications or demonstrated experience in adult or community education;
eligibility for admission to legal practice in New South Wales ;
experience in organising workshops, seminars and/or other events;
project management experience, including budgeting and evaluation of projects and events;
experience in marketing, fundraising and media management; and
ability to supervise volunteers.

See http://www.edo.org.au/edonsw/site/jobs_volunteer.php for a full position description.

Salary : $47,000 - $59,000 (pro rata) per annum plus superannuation.

Hours : The position is part-time, 22.5 hours per week

Start date : January 2008

Location : EDO Northern Rivers Office (Lismore)

Applications close Monday 29 October 2007.

Job Vacancy: Locum Solicitor – Northern Rivers

The EDO seeks a suitably qualified applicant for the position of Locum Solicitor – Northern Rivers. The position will be full-time for up to 12 months.

The Locum Solicitor – Northern Rivers will be primarily responsible for providing telephone and written advice to clients on local environmental legal issues, conducting litigation, participating in the EDO education program and contributing to policy and law reform work from time to time on issues relevant to the Northern Rivers area.

The Locum Solicitor reports to the EDO's Principal Solicitor in Sydney.

Selection Criteria

At least two years post admission experience under a NSW practicing certificate;
Understanding of and experience with NSW environmental law and policy;
Knowledge and understanding of environmental and rural issues in the Northern Rivers area;
Demonstrated ability to work productively and with limited supervision on advice and litigation work;
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain good relationships with clients;
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including an ability to communicate in plain English both in writing and in public;
Ability to undertake community legal education;
Demonstrated ability to work productively and to deadlines;
Capacity to develop own practice;
Commitment to the protection of the environment and public participation in environmental decision-making;
Current driver's licence.

See http://www.edo.org.au/edonsw/site/jobs_volunteer.php for a full position description.

Salary : $47,000 - $65,000 per annum depending on experience plus superannuation.

Start date : January 2008

Location : EDO Northern Rivers Office

Applications close Monday 29 October 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 http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/asp/das.asp

Beacon Hill : Residential development
Paxton : Modification to Austar Coal Mine
Mount Piper Power Station : extension of current brine and ash co-placement area
Deniliquin : construction and operation of a water storage dam
Wagga Wagga : establishment of a piggery grower facility
Molong : Hub Regional Resource Processing facility

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 Fire Management Strategy

Razorback Nature Reserve. On exhibition until 16 November 2007

Draft Plan of Management

Clarence Estuary Nature Reserve
Mount Hyland State Conservation Area
Mount Hyland Nature Reserve

The above Plans are on exhibition until 21 January 2008.

Proposed amendment to Plan of Management

Scheyville National Park and Pitt Town Nature Reserve. On exhibition until 21 January 2008.

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: http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl.

No new listings.

University of Sydney Seminar: 2007 Dr Charles Perkins AO Annual Memorial Oration

The 2007 Dr Charles Perkins AO Annual Memorial Oration will be presented by Ms Marian Scrymgour MLA, Minister, Northern Territory Government. The presentation will be focusing on current indigenous issues in the Northern Territory ; with the talk titled “ Who's national emergency? Caboolture and Kirribilli? Or Milikapiti and Mutitjulu?"

Marian Scrymgour made history in 2003 when she became the first Indigenous wom a n to be appointed as a Government Minister in Australia . Marian has an extensive and diverse portfolio which includes Family and Community Services; Child Protection ; Arts and Museums; Women's Policy ; and Senior and Young Territorians.

When : Tuesday 23 October

Time : 6pm

Where : The Great Hall, The Quadrangle, Sydney Uni

Cost: Free event, all welcome

Bookings: Further information is available from the Alumni Relations and Koori Centre websites: www.usyd.edu.au/alumni, www.koori.usyd.edu.au .

RSVP: Required for catering purposes by Friday 12 October, 2007

Enquiries: Phone 02 9036 9278

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.