EDO NSW BULLETIN – 11 December: Number 541

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EDO News and Events

1. Free Seminar: State Planning Reforms - What do they mean? How can I participate?

Following the introduction of Part 3A into NSW planning law in late 2005, the NSW Government has announced its intention to embark on another round of planning reform in early 2008.

The Department of Planning has released a discussion paper which sets out the proposed reforms

 

The deadline for submissions is short – February 8, 2008.

If the changes are passed they will fundamentally change the way developments are assessed and approved in NSW. For example, the Government plans to establish State-wide Planning Assessment Commissions to oversee and certify large-scale developments in NSW. Other changes will include limits to the time a Council can take to approve development applications.

The EDO is hosting this seminar to help you understand the reforms and participate in the process. Now is the time to get involved.

Date: Tuesday 22 January 2008

Time: 6-8 p.m.

Venue: Pacific Room, Wesley Conference Centre, 220 Pitt Street Sydney

2. Website Resources

There are a number of policy submissions that have recently been added to our website. These include

• Improving the NSW Planning System- Reforms Proposed
• Preliminary identification of key issues relating to the biobanking assessment methodology
• Submission regarding abatement incentives prior to the commencement of the Australian Emissions Trading Scheme
• Submission to the Natural Resource Management (Climate Change) Inquiry

To view these documents, please visit http://www.edo.org.au/edonsw/site/policy.php

Environmental Law Notices – New South Wales

3. 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

No new listings since last eBulletin.

4. 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.

No new listings since last eBulletin. 

5. BioBanking Public Exhibition and Information Sessions

Public exhibition on the NSW Biodiversity Offsets and Banking Scheme (BioBanking) has now opened. The aim of the public exhibition is to obtain feedback on details of the scheme's operation before commencement. The Department of Environment and Climate Change, with the support of local government, will be hosting a number of Public Information Sessions across NSW, to explain the intended operation of the scheme and provide an overview of the materials that will be on public exhibition.

The closing date for submissions is 1 February 2008.

For a complete list of Public Information sessions, please visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatspec/biobankscheme.htm

To coincide with the Information Sessions the following material will be available on the department's website. These documents will provide a broad overview of the scheme and its operation in particular how credits will be calculated.

• Draft BioBanking Assessment Methodology and Background Paper
• Peer review and DECC response
• Pilot program report
• Compliance assurance strategy
• Scheme Overview Booklet

The Regulation and Regulatory Impact Statement will be released by December 2007.

The scheme will then commence in 2008.

For information on BioBanking and materials on public exhibition please visit  http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatspec/biobankscheme.htm

Environmental Law Notices – Commonwealth 

6. 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 since last eBulletin.

Community News

7. Job Vacancies: Greenpeace Sydney

Greenpeace has two permanent, full-time job vacancies:

Climate and Forests Campaigner

Climate and Energy Campaigner

This is a unique opportunity to work on a number of campaigns, especially in light of Australia 's recent ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. Successful applicants will be responsible for developing and implementing effective strategies and activities that further Greenpeace's objectives within Australia , the Pacific and internationally.

The Climate and Forests Campaigner will need to have demonstrated ability to achieve environmental campaign goals and knowledge of climate change and forest issues. They will be working on ways to ensure a positive outcome in the second commitment period of Kyoto , with a focus on a Forests financing mechanism. Attributes such as a commitment to Greenpeace and excellent communication and organisation skills to empower and motivate stakeholders and actively represent Greenpeace in public, the media and to the government and business sectors, are vital.

The Climate and Energy Campaigner will have demonstrated ability to achieve environmental campaign goals and knowledge of climate change and forest issues. The Campaigner will be devising, planning and managing campaign projects to deliver campaign outcomes within timeframes and budgets. They will also be able to use their commitment to Greenpeace and excellent communication and organisation skills to empower and motivate stakeholders and actively represent Greenpeace in public, the media and to the government and business sectors.

As well as the opportunity to make a difference on crucial issues, Greenpeace offers employees a supportive work environment and a real commitment to life/work balance.

The positions are based in Sydney.

Applications close 7th January 2008 and must address the selection criteria in the job description available at www.greenpeace.org.au/about/jobs.

Please direct all applications and enquiries to:

Human Resources, GPO Box 3307, Sydney NSW 2001

Ph: 02 9263 0346, Fax: 02 9261 4588

8. Clean Up Australia Day 2008

Australians bought 118,000 tonnes of plastic drink bottles last year but only recycled 35 per cent of them. The 76,700 tonnes left behind either went to landfill or ended up in our environment as rubbish.

Clean Up Australia Day 2008 will happen on Sunday 2 March, and will be a focus for community action to address not just the growing problem of plastic bottle rubbish but greenhouse gas pollution as well.

Registrations are now open. Anyone can register a Clean Up site and community organisations are also encouraged to get involved by visiting www.cleanup.org.au or calling 1800 CUA DAY (1800 282 329).

Fast Facts about Clean Up Australia Day:

Clean Up Australia Day is the largest community event of its kind in Australia – in 2007 an estimated one million people got involved.

A national Newspoll survey in February 2007 found 87 per cent of Australians believe Clean Up Australia Day plays an important role in protecting the environment.

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