The EDO Bulletin is a free weekly bulletin that provides a listing of news, events, public notices and opportunities for public comment.
This week’s eBulletin introduces two new sections.‘EDO in the Media’ provides details of and links to articles and other media featuring the work of the EDO, its staff and other EDO activities. ‘Law and Policy Watch’ seeks to inform readers of recent changes to environmental law and any policy work currently being drafted by the EDO, in order to encourage public contribution.
EDO News and Events
1. EDO and AYAD Vacancies: Mongolia and Samoa
2. Coastal Law and Climate Change Workshop: Bateman’s Bay
3. EDO Volunteer Administrative Position Vacancy
EDO in the Media
4. Stateline NSW, ABC: Hard Evidence
5. Sydney Morning Herald: Planning law changes to clog courts: experts
6. Illawarra Mercury: Killalea fight gains legal leg-up
Environmental Law Notices – New South Wales
7. Major Project Proposals – Invitation to Comment
8. State Conservation Notices – Invitation to Comment
Environmental Law Notices – Commonwealth
9. EPBC Referrals – Invitation to Comment
Law and Policy Watch
10. Repeal of the Rivers and Foreshores Improvement Act 1948
Community News
11. Pacific Calling Seminar: Climate Changing the way we look at human rights
12. AYAD placements
13. Energy Security: The Real Story
EDO News and Events
1. EDO and AYAD Vacancies
Centre for Human Rights and Development, Mongolia
The EDO is an Australian Partner Organisation of Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD). The EDO and AYAD are currently advertising for an Environmental Advocacy Officer for a twelve-month placement at the Centre for Human Rights and Development in Mongolia.
This will be the third EDO-sponsored AYAD placement at CHRD, which has proven to be a highly effective and rewarding role.
Applicants must have a minimum of one year post-qualification experience in environmental law.
For full details visit http://www.ayad.com.au/aspx/displayAssignment.aspx?assignmentID=6037
Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment, Samoa
Full details of this Senior Legal Officer position are available on the EDO website at http://www.edo.org.au/edonsw/site/jobs_volunteer.php#jobs
2. Coastal Law and Climate Change Workshop: Bateman’s Bay
The Environmental Defender’s Office is hosting a free workshop on Coastal Law and Climate Change. The workshop will cover various issues relating to coastal law and the potential avenues for future laws and policies to effectively address the impacts of climate change on coastal areas.
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Date: Saturday 28 June, 2008
Location: Soldier’s Club, Beach Rd, Bateman’s Bay
For more information and to register, call (02) 8262 6989. Please RSVP by 24 June 2008.
3. EDO Volunteer Administrative Position Vacancy
The Environmental Defender’s Office, Sydney is currently looking to fill a vacancy for an administrative volunteer one day per week (not a Tuesday). The role will involve tasks such as filing, copying, recording information, and some phone reception and general errands.
Unlike the EDO’s other volunteer positions, it is not a requirement that the applicant has studied Environmental Law. The position would suit someone in the early stages of their degree, interested in getting exposure to a legal service. The role does not, however involve legal work.
Interested applicants should forward a CV to
EDO in the Media
4. Stateline NSW, ABC: Hard Evidence (18 April, 2008)
The program examined recent claims of corruption and developer bribery within the State Government, and addressed specifically Planning Minister Frank Sartor’s accountability in exercising ministerial discretion. The work of the EDO in the Sandon Point case was raised briefly and EDO’s client from that case also featured in the program. The EDO was successful in this appeal against the Minister’s approval of a major development at Sandon Point.
The Sandon Point case note and case summary can be found at http://www.edo.org.au/edonsw/site/casework_key.php#sandon
For a copy of the Stateline media transcript, visit http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/nsw/content/2006/s2221537.htm
5. Sydney Morning Herald: Planning law changes to clog courts: experts (24 April 2008)
The article discusses the concern from the legal profession that the changes being made to NSW planning laws may result in the Land and Environment Court becoming ‘clogged up’ with challenges to developments. EDO Director Jeff Smith was quoted in the article, expressing a fear that development approvals will be taken out of the hands of the Court and councils and relegated to private certifiers and arbitrators and various other regulatory bodies.
For a full transcript of the article, visit http://www.smh.com.au/text/articles/2008/04/23/1208743039806.html
6. Illawarra Mercury: Killalea fight gains legal leg-up (28 March, 2008)
The article informs readers that the Environmental Defender’s Office has taken on the matter of an appeal against a decision by the State Government to commercially lease Killalea State Park land. The article provides some detail as to the initial steps taken by the EDO on behalf of the client. Senior solicitor Jacquie Svenson, who is representing the Save Killalea Coalition Incorporated community group in the matter also features in the piece.
For a full transcript of the article, visit http://illawarra.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/killalea-fight-gains-legal-legup/1211232.html
Environmental Law Notices – New South Wales
7. 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
• Shoalhaven: Kangaroo Valley Sewerage Scheme – EIS
• Willoughby and Ku-ring-gai: Outdoor Advertising at North Shore Rail Line
• Leichardt: Advertising Structure on City West Link, Lilyfield
• Botany Bay: Demolition of Structures, Port Botany
8. 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 http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/consult/DecPublicConsultation.htm
No new notices since last eBulletin.
Environmental Law Notices – Commonwealth
9. 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 notices since last eBulletin.
Law and Policy Watch
10. Repeal of the Rivers and Foreshores Improvement Act 1948
The Rivers and Foreshores Improvement Act (RFI Act) has now been repealed.
However, the Water Management Act 2000 (WM Act) has largely incorporated the provisions of this Act, especially those that require approval within 40m of a watercourse.
An approval is now likely to be required under the WM Act in similar circumstances to those under the RFI Act. This approval is an integrated development under s91 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
Community News
11. Pacific Calling Seminar: Climate changing the way we look at human rights
The Pacific Calling Partnership (PCP) brings together organisations and individuals who recognise Australia's ecological debt to our low-lying Pacific and Torres Strait neighbours. The Edmund Rice Centre invites you to this Pacific Calling event, ‘Climate changing the way we look at human rights’.
The seminar, presented by guest speaker Geraldine Kearney, will address some of the following issues: What are the implications of a rights-based climate policy? If every human being is a holder of fundamental and inalienable human rights, what does this mean when the actions of power-generating countries are taking the land, livelihoods and food security of vulnerable countries? What does the growing legal awareness of human rights mean for the Pacific Calling campaign on behalf of low-lying Pacific Island Nations?
Time: 5.45 p.m. (for light refreshments) until 8.30 p.m. Date: Thursday 8 May 2008 Location: The Edmund Rice Centre, Level 1, 9 Alexandra Ave, Croydon
12. Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development placements
The AYAD program is an Australian Government, AusAID initiative which supports skilled young Australians who want to live, work and make a difference in the Asia-Pacific region. The latest AYAD placements, including numerous environmental roles are currently advertised at this location http://www.ayad.com.au/aspx/assignmentsDetail.aspx
Applications close Friday 30 May 2008 for intake September/October 2008.
13. Energy Security: The Real Story
Energy Security: The Real Story will bring together leading Australian and international scientists to showcase the best scientific knowledge about energy now and into the future. The critical issue of how to power the future of Australia will be discussed in this series of public forums organised by the Whitlam Institute and the College of Health and Science within the University of Western Sydney. The science behind fossil fuels, nuclear and renewable energy will be discussed, as well as how to use this information to make good policy decisions in the years to come.
Lecture Topics and Dates:
• 13 May 4-6pm: Setting The Scene
• 19 June 4-6pm: Fossil Fuels
• 1 July 4-6pm: Nuclear
• 13 August 4-6pm: Renewable Energy
• 18 September 4-6pm: Making Decisions for the Future
All lectures will be held at the Riverside Theatre, cnr of Church and Market Streets, Parramatta
Cost: Individual Session $15 ($10 concession), Series Ticket $60 ($40 concession).
School groups: $8 per student (1 teacher free per group of 10 students).
For more information phone (02) 8839 3399 or (02) 9685 9187 or visit www.whitlam.org
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.
