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. Seminar: Can whaling in Antarctica be stopped?
2. Workshops: Caring for Country- Deniliquin and Wagga Wagga
3. EDO South Australia Seminar: Saving the last drop- water scarcity and the law
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. NPA NSW Job Vacancy: Office Coordinator
8. Greenpeace Job Vacancy: Database Marketing Assistant
9. Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) Assignments now online
EDO News and Events
1. 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
2. Workshops: Caring for Country- Deniliquin and Wagga Wagga
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 Environmental Law for Aboriginal Communities, which is available as a PDF at www.edo.org.au/edonsw
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 next workshops will be held in Deniliquin and Wagga Wagga.
Deniliquin Date: Saturday 8 March 2008 Time: 12 4 pm Where : Room B, Deniliquin Neighbourhood Centre, Napier St, Deniliquin
3. EDO South Australia Seminar: Saving the last drop- water scarcity and the law
The future of our water supply is of great concern to all Australians. The law in this area is undergoing change as governments look to address issues such as water conservation and alternative water sources.
With the help of prominent legal, government and community speakers, this seminar will provide an overview of legislative and other responses to this most important issue.
The seminar will be opened by the Honourable Nick Xenophon, Senator-Elect for South Australia.
Topics will include:
Aquifer recharge: practical experience and legal aspects
Water sensitive urban design
National water reuse guidelines
Water reuse rainwater, greywater and sewer mining
Desalination the answer for Adelaide?
Legal aspects of major water supply projects
The Federal Water Act
Water pricing and trading
A sustainable water industry for SA
At the conclusion of the seminar Mark Parnell, MLC, Chairperson, Parliamentary Select Committee into SA Water, (and former EDO Principal Solicitor) will outline the law and policy reform work of the Committee. Terms of Reference are at: http://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/Committees/Select/LC/51/SAWater/SAWater.htm and submissions close on Friday 18th April 2008.
For more information and a complete program, please go to www.edosaconference.org.au
Date: Thursday 13 March 2008 Time: 8.30am- 5pm Venue: University of South Australia, Bradley Forum, City West Campus Cost: Early Bird Registrations (now open): Full $145 Concession $85
After 6 March: Full $165 Concession $105
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
No new listings since last eBulletin.
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 Fire Management Strategy
Morton State Conservation Area
Morton National Park (Central)
Submissions for these Plans due 14 March 2008
Sydney Harbour National Park North Head Precinct
Submissions due 18 April 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
No new submissions since last eBulletin.
Community News
7. NPA NSW Job Vacancy: Office Coordinator
The Office Coordinator supports the conservation work of the National Parks Association of NSW staff and active volunteers across the NPA network. A complete job description and selection criteria can be found at www.npansw.org.au
8. Greenpeace Job Vacancies: Designer and Communications Officer
Greenpeace is seeking Designers and a Communications Officer to join their Sydney office.
For further details on these positions, please visit http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/about/jobs
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.
