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. EDO Seminar and IMPACT! Launch: Public Participation on the Endangered List
EDO in the Media
2. 7:30 Report- Farmers Angry As Mining Companies Move In
Environmental Law Notices New South Wales
3. Major Project Proposals Invitation to Comment
4. State Conservation Notices Invitation to Comment
Environmental Law Notices Commonwealth
5. EPBC Referrals Invitation to Comment
Law and Policy Watch
6. New Policy Submission- NSW Complying Development Planning Codes
7. EDO Policy Team to Appear at Inquiry Hearing in Canberra
8. Upcoming Policy Submission
9. US Court Decision Requires Power Plant to Reduce CO2 Emissions
Community News
10. First Urban BioBlitz for Sydney
11. London 's Sustainability Expert to Speak at City Talk
12. Legalwise Seminar- Acquisition, Disposal and Leasing of Contaminated Land
13. Camp for Climate Action
14. Community Environment Network Event: Land for Wildlife NSW Conference
EDO News and Events
1. EDO Seminar and IMPACT! Launch: Public Participation on the Endangered List
The EDO will soon launch its new national, biannual environmental law journal, IMPACT! To celebrate this event, we will be hosting a seminar titled Public Participation on the Endangered List.'
The seminar will be chaired by the Hon. Murray Wilcox and feature guest speakers Roland Browne (Chair of EDO Tasmania) and Michael Bozic SC, both of whom contributed articles to the latest edition of IMPACT! The speakers will explore the national trend towards a decline in public participation in environmental decision-making and discuss the possible implications of this trend.
Time: 6pm - 8pm
Date: Thursday 10 July, 2008
Venue: DLA Phillips Fox, Level 38, 201 Elizabeth Street, Sydney
For more information and to register, call (02) 9262 6989.
The EDO wishes to thank the City of Sydney and DLA Phillips Fox for supporting this seminar.
EDO in the Media
2. 7:30 Report- Farmers Angry As Mining Companies Move In
This story looks at the growing tension between the agricultural industry and the mining industry. As miners move further into Australia 's prime agricultural areas, concern is growing that Australia 's food producing capacity is under serious threat. The EDO is assisting some of the farmers interviewed in this story.
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
• Mullumbimby- Modification - Supermarket, Bottle Shop and Ancillary Facilities
• Werris Creek- Modification- Werris Creek Coal Mine Infrastructure Upgrade
4. State Conservation Notices Invitation to Comment
Proposed Amendments to the Royal National Park , Heathcote National Park and Garawarra State Conservation Area Plan of Management 2000 in relation to boat launching at Bonnie Vale.
Proposed Amendments to the Royal National Park , Heathcote National Park and Garawarra State Conservation Area Plan of Management 2000 in relation to leases and licences
Environmental Law Notices Commonwealth
5. 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
The following referrals have been listed within the last 7 days:
Queensland
Construction and operation of Nathan Dam and pipeline
6. New Policy Submission- NSW Complying Development Planning Codes
A new submission is available on the EDO website. It addresses the NSW Planning Department's Complying Development Codes for single storey housing. These codes are intended to apply to up to 50% of all development in NSW.
In this submission, the EDO sets out its opposition to the massive expansion of complying development. However, in the expectation that the codes will be adopted, the submission outlines the key principles and recommendations that should underpin the development of all future exempt and complying codes.
The EDO policy team has been asked to appear at an inquiry in Canberra on 16 July to discuss its submission on the draft Offshore Petroleum Amendment (Greenhouse Gas Storage) Bill.
For more information on the EDO's submissions, please contact the EDO office on (02) 9262 6989.
9. US Court decision requires power plant to reduce CO2 emissions
In a landmark decision, a Court in Georgia , USA has ruled that a proposed coal-fired power plant cannot proceed because the proposal does not make provision for the reduction of CO2 emissions.
The Court made a number of nationally significant findings, including that CO2 is subject to regulation under the Clean Air Act -- therefore best available control technology for CO2 must be included in a permit.
The decision in Friends of the Cattahoochee, Inc and Sierra Club v Dr Carol Couch, Director Environmental Protection Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Longleaf Energy Associates, LLC is likely to be appealed but represents a great win.
Community News
10. First Urban BioBlitz for Sydney
The National Parks Association of NSW will be giving the local community the opportunity to participate in their first urban biodiversity study event, BioBlitz08.
BioBlitz08 is a free event designed to bring the local community together with scientists and specialists experienced in plants, mammals, spiders, insects, birds, reptiles and frogs in a series of simple hands-on surveys to identify and record as many species of plants and animals as possible over a 24-hour period.
When : 28 September 2008
Where : Sydney Park, Glebe Foreshore Parks, Centennial Park, Observatory Park hill and Sydney Olympic Park.
Time : Survey sessions have been programmed 2-hourly throughout the day
Register : online www.bioblitz.org.au by 12 September or contact the National Parks Association of NSW BioBlitz team on 02 9290 2503
11. London 's Sustainability Expert to Speak at City Talk
Allan Jones MBE is coming to Sydney to discuss how Sydney can move towards a more sustainable future.
Jones was responsible for introducing solar and tri-generation power into Woking , England which allowed Woking to be taken off the electricity grid and helped the Woking Borough Council reduce CO2 emissions by 77.5% from 1990 to 2004.
Other speakers include Clover Moore MP, Lord Mayor of Sydney; Verity Firth, NSW Minister for the Environment and Bruce Taper, Sustainable Sydney 2030 environment expert.
When : 22 July 2008, 6:30-8pm
Where : Theatre Royal (MLC Centre, King Street , Sydney )
Cost : Free
RSVP : Bookings essential and through Ticketek 132 849
12. Legalwise Seminar- Acquisition, Disposal and Leasing of Contaminated Land
Legalwise Seminars is presenting a seminar dealing with the acquisition, disposal and leasing of contaminated land. Topics will include risk management, regulatory reform and practical impacts and implications.
When : 12 November 2008, 2:00pm-5:15pm, 3 CLE points
Where : Radisson Plaza Hotel, 27 O'Connell Street , Sydney
Cost : Usually $440.00- 10% discount for EDO members ($396.00)
RSVP : 02 9387 8133
13. Camp for Climate Action
The earth is facing a climate emergency, but despite the increasingly urgent warnings from scientists, greenhouse pollution continues to rise and the coal industry continues to expand. When Governments fail to act, it is up to everyday people to take direct action themselves.
The camp for climate action will be six days of inspiring workshops & peaceful direct action aimed at shutting down the world's largest coal port in Newcastle , just north of Sydney . If you are concerned about climate change, and want real action instead of more hot air, then we encourage you to come, bring your friends and family and get involved.
EDO staff will present workshops on advocacy and climate change at the camp.
Dates: Thursday 10 July to Tuesday 15 July 2008
Venue: Cnr of Mangrove Road and River Road , Sandgate, Newcastle NSW
14. Community Environment Network Event: Land for Wildlife NSW Conference
Land for Wildlife is a voluntary scheme which aims to encourage and assist private landholders to provide habitats for wildlife on their property, even though their property may be managed primarily for other purposes.
There are approximately 500 NSW Land for Wildlife properties, with 250+ co-ordinated by CEN. The area managed by these 250 landholders is 1600 ha.
State co-ordination involves establishing local or regional service providers and providing them with training, support, communications, newsletters and registration on a common database. The local co-ordinators then provide an on site visit to provide advice, a report and to answer questions, conduct field days and workshops, provide a newsletter and once registered provide a Land for Wildlife sign for the property.
CEN is planning to expand the program considerably in NSW and is convinced the program will be very attractive to landholders due to the voluntary nature of the program and the support it offers.
For more information, contact Amanda at Community Environment Network on (02) 4349 4754
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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.
