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. Compliance Portal launch
2. EDO Seeking Testimonials
3. EDO and AYAD Vacancies: Mongolia and Samoa
4. Coastal Law and Climate Change Workshop: Bateman's Bay
5. EDO Volunteer Administrative Position Vacancy
EDO in the Media
6. Sydney Morning Herald: Fears for purity of water in law repeal
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. The EDO : Climate Change Policy Submissions
11. Upcoming Legislative Reviews
Community News
12. North Coast Environment Council: Enviro Short Film Competition
13. Save the Williams River Coalition: Dam Busters Night
14. New Australian Museum Exhibition: Surviving Australia
EDO News and Events
1. Compliance Portal launch
The Environmental Defender's Office NSW invites you to explore the latest addition to our website: the Compliance Portal.
The Compliance Portal has been created to assist the community in determining whether licence holders and those who hold various other permits, licences and permissions have complied with conditions of consent, licences, plans and legislation. It also serves as an on-line resource for environmental campaigners and the community to locate the information they need in relation to an environmental issue as quickly as possible and in one convenient place.
The EDO is seeking written testimonials from clients across the breadth of our work, including education, legal advice, policy and scientific assessment. If you have utilised the services of the EDO and support our work we would be grateful if you would write a short letter (on letterhead, if appropriate) describing your experiences. We are particularly keen to hear from participants at EDO workshops and seminars over the past two years. We intend to use these testimonials to secure our core funding for the next three years.
For more information, please contact Jeff Smith on 02 9262 6989.
3. 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.
4. 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.
Date: Saturday 28 June, 2008
Location: Soldier's Club, Beach Rd , Bateman's Bay
For more information and to register, call (02) 8262 6989. RSVP by 24 June 2008.
5. 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
6. Sydney Morning Herald: Fears for purity of water in law repeal (7 May 2008)
The article discusses Planning Minister, Frank Sartor's plans to weaken laws under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act designed to protect sensitive lands from which the city's drinking water is generated. These laws are to be replaced with provisions under a State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP). EDO Director Jeff Smith is quoted in the article, commenting that this move by the State Government follows a general trend of replacing legislative provisions with similar regulations under weaker instruments. He expresses his concern that these weaker instruments will fail to ensure environmental protection.
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
• Byron: Supermarket, Bottle Shop and Ancillary Works, Mullumbimby
8. State Conservation Notices – 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: Increase of Road Access to 24 Hours a Day 7 Days a Week
Proponent: Port Kembla Coal Terminal
Site: Inner Harbour Wollongong NSW
Ref. No: 2008/4206
Comments due: 22 May 2008
Description: The project involves continued existing uses of Port Kembla Coal Terminal and delivery of product by public road 24 hours a day, seven days a week up to a maximum of 10 million tonnes per annum.
Law and Policy Watch
10. Upcoming Legislative Reviews
Legislation is reviewed periodically. A review presents an opportunity for you to comment on the way that the particular piece of legislation is working. Public submissions and public hearings may inform amendments to the Act. If you are interested in making a submission you should begin collecting information in accordance with the terms of reference at the earliest possible point in time.
Key environmental legislation to be reviewed from December this year includes:
Native Vegetation Act 2003
Natural Resources Commission Act 2003
Catchment Management Authorities Act 2003
For these Acts, the Minister is to review the Act to determine whether the policy objectives of the Act remain valid and whether the terms of the Act remain appropriate for securing those objectives.
Following the completion of various submissions regarding climate change policy, members of the EDO NSW policy team will be appearing at a public hearing of the Standing Committee on Natural Resource Management (Climate Change) at Parliament this Friday, 16 May. The EDO representatives will be discussing their submission on climate change and natural resource management in NSW.
Community News
12. North Coast Environment Council: Enviro Short Film Competition
The North Coast Environment Council invites you to submit a short film, less than 10 minutes, about an environmental issue that affects your life on the North Coast as part of their Enviro Short Film Competition.
Entries close: World Environment Day, June 5.
Entry forms and posters available from ncec.wordpress.com
There are four categories for entrants: Under 12, Under 18, Adult, or Animation.
Each category winner selected will be awarded a prize of $200. Several $100 special merit prizes are also to be presented.
For more information you can contact filmcomp at ncec.org.au
13. Save the Williams River Coalition: Dam Busters Night
The launch of the Save the Williams River Coalition Help Stop Tillegra Dam ‘Dam Busters Night' will feature guest speakers, music, food, prizes and merchandise available for purchase.
14. New Australian Museum Exhibition: Surviving Australia
The Australian Museum introduces a new permanent exhibition, Surviving Australia .
From the backyard to the blue edge and the red centre – these unique Australian habitats are home to a diverse range of native wildlife. Discover which animals have survived over the millions of years of changing climate and landscape and uncover the key to their – and perhaps even your own – survival.
The exhibition opens 28 June 2008. For more information, contact Michelle Britton on (02) 9320 6181.
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.
