The EDO Bulletin is a free weekly bulletin that provides a listing of news, events, public notices and opportunities for public comment.
EDO News and Events
1. Workshops: Caring for Country- Walgett and Dubbo
2. Seminar: Can whaling in Antarctica be stopped?
3. EDO Position Vacant: Education Officer (Lismore)
Environmental Law Notices – New South Wales
4. Major Project Proposals – Invitation to Comment
5. State Conservation Notices – Invitation to Comment
Environmental Law Notices – Commonwealth
6. EPBC Referrals – Invitation to Comment
Community News
7. Next Energy position vacancy: Fridge Buyback Operating Officer
8. Greenpeace Job Vacancy: Database Marketing Assistant
9. Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) Assignments now online
EDO News and Events
1. Workshops: Caring for Country- Walgett and Dubbo
The Environmental Defender's Office will continue to present a series of FREE regional workshops providing practical information about environmental law for Aboriginal people during 2008. 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 to and permitted activities in protected areas
How the planning and development system works
The first two workshops will be held in Walgett and Dubbo:
Walgett Workshop Date : Friday 15 February 2008 Time : 12 – 4 pm Venue : Walgett District Sporting Club,
Cnr Fox and Montkeila Streets, Walgett
Dubbo Workshop Date : Saturday 16 February 2008 Time : 12 – 4 pm Venue : Gordon Centre, Spears Drive, Dubbo
Please RSVP to Eszter Kovacs at on (02) 9262 6989.
2. Seminar: Can Whaling in Antarctica be stopped?
The Environmental Defender's Office (NSW) recently successfully represented the Humane Society International Inc (HSI) in their Federal Court case against Japanese whaling company Kyodo Senpaku Kaisha Ltd (Kyodo). The judgment was the culmination of over four years of legal action to prevent whaling in the Australian Whale Sanctuary off Antarctica.
His Honour Justice Allsop made a declaration that Kyodo was in breach of Australian law by whaling in the Australian Whale Sanctuary and granted HSI an injunction to restrain Kyodo from further breaches of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
The EDO is holding a free public seminar to explore the rationale for HSI's campaign to stop whaling in these waters, as well issues regarding the legality of whaling and options available to enforce the injunction.. Kyodo has now been served with the injunction. Should the company continue to whale in contravention of the court's orders, it will be in contempt of court and enforcement action may be taken against it. The seminar will also focus on aspects of international law and the policy implications of using such laws in an effort to stop Japan's Scientific Whaling Program
Cost : Free Time : 6-8pm Date : Thursday 21 February 2008 Venue : DLA Phillips Fox, Level 38, 201 Elizabeth Street Sydney RSVP : Eszter Kovacs at on (02) 9262 6989
3. EDO Position Vacant: Education Officer (Lismore)
EDO seeks a suitably qualified applicant for the position of Education Officer- Northern Rivers.
The Education Officer 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 (law students will be considered);
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
Salary : $47,000 - $59,000 (pro rata) per annum plus superannuation. Hours : The position is part-time, 22.5 hours per week Location : EDO Northern Rivers Office (Lismore)
Interested applicants are encouraged to submit a covering letter, curriculum vitae and response to selection criteria to Sue Higginson, Solicitor, PO Box 212, Lismore, NSW, 2480.
Applications close Monday 18 February 2008
Environmental Law Notices – New South Wales
4. 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
Taralga : Modification to Taralga Wind Farm
Maroota : Modification to Old Northern Rd Quarry
Kurri Kurri, Hunter Valley : Modification to Weston Aluminium Dross Recycling Facility
Hawks Nest : Residential subdivision and buildings
5. 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 Plan of Management
Quidong Nature Reserve
Merriangaah Nature Reserve
Meringo Nature Reserve
Submissions for these Plans are due by 28 April 2008.
Draft Regional Pest Management Strategies
Western Branch: including the Far West, Northern Plains and Western Rivers Regions
Submissions for these Plans are due 28 February 2008
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
Title : Currawong Beach residential development adjoining Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park
Proponent : Eco Villages Australia Pty Ltd
Site : Currawong Beach, Pittwater
Ref. No. : 2008/3988
Comments due : 11 February 2008
Description : A residential development that will involve the subdivision of land into 24 new dwellings and the refurbishment and upgrade on 9 holiday cabins and the ‘Midholme' heritage homestead.
Community News
7. Next Energy position vacancy: Fridge Buyback Operating Officer
Next Energy's Fridge Buyback Program (www.fridgebuyback.com.au) is a successful residential energy efficiency and greenhouse reduction program whose objective is to persuade as many households as possible with working 2nd fridges to permanently give them up via an environmentally responsible recycling program.
The full time Fridge Buyback Operating Officer will be responsible for seeing that all aspects of the operation and administration of Fridge Buyback function smoothly.
For full position details and further enquiries, please contact Sue Salmon at (02) 9251 4072, or on 0412 295 660;
Greenpeace is seeking a Database Assistant to join their Fundraising team and take responsibility for running queries, producing reports, assisting the Database Marketing Co-ordinator with the data flows on Raiser's Edge, ensuring data integrity, and the general maintenance of their database.
9. Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) Assignments now online
The AYAD Program places young Australians, aged 18-30, on short-term assignments (3-12 months) in developing countries throughout Asia and the Pacific. It aims to strengthen mutual understanding between Australia and the countries of the Asia-Pacific and make a positive contribution to development.
The assignments offered cover a diverse range of sectors, including Education, Environment, Gender, Governance, Health Infrastructure, Rural Development and Trades.
For more information and a complete list of available programs, visit www.ayad.com.au
Applications close 7 March 2008.
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.
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. The EDO does not endorse and is not affiliated with events advertised in the Community News section.
