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 ACT Position Vacancy: Community Legal Education Officer
2. Northern Rivers Evening Workshop: Conserving Threatened Species
3. Northern Rivers Seminars: Brainfood in Byron – Human Rights and the Environment
4. Northern Rivers Workshops: Changes to Planning Laws
5. Student Writing Competition: Overeating the environment?
Law and Policy Watch
6. EPBC Act: Finalised priority assessment list
7. Man fined for killing endangered grey nurse shark
8. Take action to save Queensland’s koalas – Opportunity this week only
9. NSW Fisheries Scientific Committee: Call for Public Submissions
10. EDO Policy Submissions
EDO in the Media
11. Northern Rivers Echo: Private Covenants
12. ABC North Coast Radio: Brainfood in Byron Seminar Series
Environmental Law Notices – New South Wales
13. Major Project Proposals – Invitation to Comment
14. State Conservation Notices – Invitation to Comment
Environmental Law Notices – Commonwealth
15. EPBC Referrals – Invitation to Comment
Community News
16. Carbon Solutions Forum
17. EPLA Conference 2008
18. PIAC Protecting Human Rights: Train-the-Trainer
19. Biodiversity Conference: It’s More Urgent Than You Think!
EDO News and Events
1. EDO ACT Position Vacancy: Community Legal Education Officer
The EDO is seeking a self-motivated person with a commitment to environmental protection to conduct a series of workshops on ACT environmental and planning matters and to assist with other tasks as required to raise the profile of the EDO. The successful applicant would work under the supervision of the Principal Solicitor and under the broad direction of the Management Committee.
Location
Canberra City, ACT, although workshops to be conducted throughout ACT
Employment Status
Contract Part time (approx 100 hours)
Responsible to
Principal Solicitor, EDO (ACT)
Good working conditions are offered, including flexible hours. Salary range is up to $30 per hour, negotiable depending on experience.
Selection Criteria
Essential
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including an ability to conduct community workshops and demonstrated public speaking skills.
An understanding of ACT planning and environmental law, including laws relating to natural resource management, or an ability to obtain these quickly.
Strong interpersonal skills and a capacity to identify and understand legal and practical issues facing environmental groups and activists.
Demonstrated ability to work independently, productively and to deadlines.
Ability to use computer applications relevant to the work of the office.
Desirable
Legal qualifications to LLB standard.
Knowledge and experience in current environmental issues as they relate to the ACT.
Experience and commitment to community organisations.
Experience conducting community workshops.
If you have any questions about the position, please contact Kirsten Miller, Principal Solicitor at the Environmental Defender’s Office on (02) 6247 9420
Applications addressing the selection criteria should be forwarded by Monday 22 September 2008 to:
Kirsten Miller
Principal Solicitor
EDO (ACT) Inc.
GPO Box 574
Canberra ACT 2601
2. Northern Rivers Evening Workshop: Conserving Threatened Species
The Environmental Defender’s Office and Tucki Landcare Group invite you to join this FREE evening workshop on Conserving Threatened Species. EDO Northern Rivers Solicitor Sue Higginson will provide an introduction to the legal protection for endangered plants and animals in NSW, followed by an audio-visual presentation on local habitats and related issues by Mark Graham, an ecologist from Buckombil Conservation Services who has radio tracked koalas and undertaken flora and fauna assessments in the Tucki Tucki catchment.
Time: 6-8 pm
Date: Thursday 25 September 2008
Venue: Function Room 2, Lismore Workers Sports Club, 202 Oliver Ave Goonellebah
For more information, or to register your interest, contact Mark Byrne, EDO Northern Rivers Education Officer, phone (02) 6622 8470.
3. Northern Rivers Seminars: Brainfood in Byron – Human Rights and the Environment
Although they are thought of as two distinct realms, many human rights depend on environmental protection, and vice versa. The EDO Northern Rivers invites you to a series of free seminars presented by local and visiting experts on the interdependence of the social and natural worlds, with a focus on international issues and initiatives. See below for the topics scheduled.
The seminars are to be held on the last Friday of the month at the Verandah Room (first floor), Byron Community Centre, 69 Johnson St. Arrive at 6pm for drinks and nibbles with the talk commencing at 6.30pm. Seminars will conclude with a question time.
26 Sept - Mining - Techa Beaumont, Mineral Policy Institute
31 Oct - Water - Ilona Millar, Baker & McKenzie
28 Nov - Chemicals - Dr Mariann Lloyd-Smith, National Toxics Network
For more information, please call Mark Byrne, Education Officer, Environmental Defender’s Office Northern Rivers, on (02) 6622 8470
4. Northern Rivers Workshops: Changes to NSW Planning Laws
Major changes to NSW’s planning and development legislation, the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, were passed in June 2008. Over two evening workshops in the Northern Rivers region, EDO solicitors will explain the changes to professionals, community groups and members of the public.
Topics will include:
• Plan-making
• Development assessment
• Exempt and complying development
• Private certification
• Community infrastructure contributions
• Remaining appeal rights
• A proposal for what the Act should look like
Murwillumbah
Time: 6-8 pm
Date: Thursday 4 September 2008
Venue: CWA Hall, 20 Queen St
The workshops are free of charge, however RSVP is essential. For more information or to register your interest, contact EDO Northern Rivers Education Officer, Mark Byrne on (02) 6622 8470.
5. Student Writing Competition: Overeating the Environment?
The EDO has recently launched a new national environmental law journal, IMPACT! We would like to invite tertiary students to participate in a student writing competition, with a chance to be published in the upcoming edition of IMPACT! and win $500, courtesy of Maddocks.
The topic of the next edition will be ‘Overeating the Environment?’ dealing with issues relating to food and sustainability.
The rules and guidelines for the competition are listed below:
• The competition runs once a year (IMPACT! is a biannual publication)
• The winning entry will receive $500 and be published in the upcoming edition of IMPACT!
• Entrants must have been enrolled at an Australian tertiary institution in the previous 12 months
• Entries must relate to the topic of the upcoming edition
• Articles should focus on Australian law but use international examples where applicable
• Minimum word count 2,500, maximum 3,000
• Deadline for all entries is 8 September 2008
• Send your entries to the EDO NSW
• Publisher reserves the right to edit entries
For more information and suggested essay topics for the upcoming edition, got to www.edo.org.au/edonsw and follow the student prize link.
Law and Policy Watch
6. EPBC Act: Finalised priority assessment list
The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts has released the finalised priority assessment list for the assessment period commencing 1 October 2008.
The list contains the threatened species, ecological communities and key threatening processes nominated for inclusion under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, that will be assessed by the Threatened Species Scientific Committee during the period stated.
The most recent list includes species such as the Tasmanian Devil and the koala and includes the ecological communities of the Cumberland Plain Woodlands and the Lower Murray River and associated wetlands.
The complete list is available at http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/priority-assessment-list.html
7. Man fined for killing endangered grey nurse shark
A Department of Primary Industries Media Release dated 27 August 2008 states that a recreational fisher from Lake Munmorah who killed an endangered grey nurse shark two years ago has been fined $2000 for the offence. The man pleaded guilty in Forster Local Court for taking the 1.7m long female shark off Hastings Point in June 2006.
Grey nurse sharks were listed as an endangered species in 2001 under Part 1, Schedule 4 of the Fisheries Management Act 1994, after first being declared threatened in 1984.
The fine was disappointingly low. As proceedings were dealt with in the Local Court, the maximum fine available was $10,000. If proceedings had been commenced in the Supreme Court or the Land and Environment Court, a much larger penalty would have been possible (that is, $220,000 or two years imprisonment).
8. Take action to save Queensland’s koalas – Opportunity this week only
The Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, has made a commitment (5 August 2008) that the Queensland Government will act on the koala crisis to avoid extinction of koalas in the State.
EDO Queensland understands that crucial internal government negotiations are occurring this week. Consequently, Cabinet Ministers need to hear from the community now about how koala habitat can be better protected. EDO Queensland believes it is vital that Queensland’s Minister for Infrastructure and Planning supports specific reforms to koala conservation laws.
EDO Queensland urges the community to take a few minutes this week to write to the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Paul Lucas, and call for:
• Protection of koala habitat from destruction for urban purposes and associated infrastructure;
• Narrowing the definition of "development commitment", which is used as a loophole to avoid protection of koala habitat;
• Tightening the rules that apply to community infrastructure and extractive industries in koala habitat, to ensure more habitat is protected;
• Giving the EPA concurrence powers in urban koala habitat areas so that they can veto inappropriate development.
Write to Minister Lucas with a copy to the Premier and the Environment Minister Andrew McNamara:
Hon Paul Lucas, MP
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning
Level 12, Executive Building, BRISBANE QLD 4000
PO Box 15009, CITY EAST QLD 4002
Tel: 322 44600
Fax: 322 44781
For more information, contact EDO Queensland on (07) 3211 4466.
9. NSW Fisheries Scientific Committee: Call for Public Submissions
The NSW Fisheries Scientific Committee has made a proposed determination to list the eel tailed catfish, Tandanus tandanus, in the Murray/Darling Basin as an Endangered Population in Part 2 of Schedule 4 of the Fisheries Management Act 1994 and to list Haswells caprellid, Metaprotella haswelliana, a small marine amphipod, as a Species Presumed Extinct in Part 4 of Schedule 4 of the Act.
The Fisheries Scientific Committee is calling for public submissions on the proposed determinations which are available on the Committee's website www.fsc.nsw.gov.au
Any person may make a written submission which should be forwarded to:
Fisheries Scientific Committee
c/- NSW DPI
Locked Bag 1
NELSON BAY NSW 2315
Submissions will be considered for their scientific content in reference to the subject and must be received by 25 September 2008. For further information contact Simon Kirkness on (02) 4916 3828.
10. EDO Policy Submissions
The date of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 submissions has now been extended until 22 September. The EDO policy team, in collaboration with the Australian Network of Environmental Defender’s Offices, is currently working on this submission, as well as a submission to the Federal Government’s Green Paper.
The submission on the NSW Taskforce for Tourism and National Parks has now been completed and will be available on the website at www.edo.org.au/edonsw/site/policy.php within the next week. Previous submissions can also be found here.
In addition to work on these submissions, last Friday, 29 August 2008, EDO Policy Director Rachel Walmsley appeared via phone link-up before the Senate Standing Committee on Economics regarding the Petroleum Amendment (Greenhouse Gas Storage) Bill. This was an inquiry organised by the Senate in regards to carbon capture and storage of greenhouse gases. This EDO submission is also available on the website.
Both Rachel and Tom Holden, the EDO’s Science Director, will also be speaking at the Ecological Consultants Association of NSW Conference in Manly this coming Friday, 5 September 2008. They will be addressing the issue of community expectations of ecological consultants.
For more information on any of the EDO’s submissions or other policy work, please contact the EDO office on (02) 9262 6989.
EDO in the Media
11. Northern Rivers Echo: Private Covenants (28 August 2008)
In this regular column, EDO Northern Rivers Education Officer Mark Byrne, addresses the issue of private covenants and the way in which they are increasingly used to restrict or control land use. Mark specifically considers the enforcement of such covenants, intended to protect wildlife and important species habitat.
For a full transcript of the article, visit http://www.echonews.com/index.php?page=News%20Article&article=22905&issue=357
12. ABC North Coast Radio: Brainfood in Byron Seminar Series (29 August 2008)
EDO Northern Rivers Education Officer, Mark Byrne, was interviewed by Vicki Steinhauser regarding the upcoming series of talks on the intersection between human rights and the environment, titled ‘Brainfood in Byron’. The details of these seminars are provided above.
The next talk, addressing the topic of mining, will be held on Friday September 26, with drinks and refreshments commencing at 6pm in the Verandah Room of the Byron Community Centre.
Law Notices – New South Wales
13. 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
• Newcastle: Modification – Multi-Purpose Terminal, Former BHP Site, Mayfield
• Sutherland: Tom Ugly’s Bridge Marina Redevelopment – EIS, Sylvania
14. 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
There are no new notices since the last eBulletin.
Environmental Law Notices – Commonwealth
15. 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:
New South Wales
Reserve Bank of Australia/Commonwealth/Intersection of Martin Pl and Macquarie St, Sydney/NSW/Internal Modifications to Reserve Bank of Australia
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=4431
Lucas Energy/Mining/Stratford to Hexham/NSW/Gloucester Coal Seam Methane Gas Project
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=4432
Queensland
SunWater/Water management and use/Mt Bridget, Fitzroy River Basin, Central QLD/QLD/Construct and Operate the Connors River Dam and Pipelines
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=4429
BM Alliance Coal Operations Pty Ltd/Mining/ML 1775, 6.2km south of Moranbah, Bowen Basin/QLD/Caval Ridge Open Cut Coal Mine Project
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=4417
Victoria
Wyndham City Council/Tourism and recreation/Crossing Werribee River, near the end of Wedge St, Werribee/VIC/Proposed Footbridge in Wyndham Park, Werribee
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=4423
Western Australia
Woodside Energy Limited/Exploration (mineral, oil and gas – marine)/Approx. 435 km N of Broome, Scotts Reef/WA/Torosa-5 Apraisal Well, WA-30-R
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=4430
Petroleum Geo-Services/Exploration (mineral, oil and gas – marine)/Exploration areas WA-335-P, WA-255-P, and WO8-19/WA/3D Seismic Survey, WA
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=4428
Community News
16. Carbon Solutions Forum
The Dealer’s Group and Ethical Investor invite you to this event for businesses that are serious about reducing emissions. The forum will include practical case studies, the latest energy efficiency and energy saving strategies, an independent forum - by business for business and special sessions for large and small businesses.
The full forum agenda can be found at http://www.carbonsolutionsforum.com.au/files/CARBON-BROCHURE-FINAL-1_1.pdf
Forum Details
Sofitel Melbourne 22-23 September 2008
Convention Centre Sydney 9-10 October 2008
For further information or to register, go to http://www.carbonsolutionsforum.com.au/p18_-Registration.html or contact Cheryl Samarasinghe on (02) 9555 2358.
17. EPLA Conference 2008
The Environmental and Planning Law Association (EPLA) is an organisation whose members are drawn from many environmental disciplines including from the fields of planning, environment, architecture, local government and the legal profession. EPLA is holding its upcoming 2008 annual conference in the heritage village of Bangalow in the Northern Rivers hinterland. Topics that will be the focus of the conference include:
• Climate change in the Development Assessment Process
• Biodiversity Banking
• Rural, coastal and regional issues
• Legislative updates – State and Commonwealth laws
• Recent developments
The EPLA Conference not only enables practitioners to meet their mandatory CLE and CPD requirements but affords an opportunity to meet with fellow practitioners and consultants in an informal atmosphere.
Dates: Friday and Saturday, 17 – 18 October 2008 (Conference dinner 16 October)
Venue: A & I Hall of Industries, Bangalow
For further information or to register, contact Michele Kearns on 8227 9600
18. PIAC Protecting Human Rights: Train-the-Trainer
Many of the rights we take for granted have no protection under Australian law. Human rights are a way of promoting social justice for disadvantaged people. This training will be useful for anyone who is interested in understanding and speaking out about human rights.
This one-day workshop will equip you with the knowledge and skills to conduct human rights training in your network, group, organisation or sector. Workshop content will include principles underpinning human rights, sources and types of human rights, and impact of gaps in human rights protection. It will examine different models of human rights protection, including a Bill of Rights. It will also debate the merits of a Bill of Rights and discuss what would make a difference in NSW.
Date: Friday 26 September 2008
Venue: Dapto, Wollongong
Cost: $80 including GST. Course fee includes materials, morning and afternoon tea and a certificate of attendance.
For more information, contact Lizzie Simpson on (02) 8898 6522
19. Biodiversity Conference: It’s More Urgent Than You Think!
Biodiversity is the variety of life in the form of genes, species, populations and ecosystems found on Earth – on land, fresh water and in the oceans. Human actions have degraded the variety of these natural resources to the point where the planet is experiencing a sixth mass extinction event. Once gone there is no return. The irreversibility of biodiversity depletion and extinction is the most serious challenge facing society today..
This free public conference will open on Saturday 20 September with the viewing of the documentary ‘Strange Days on Planet Earth’ by National Geographic and then continue with various guest speakers, including Greens MP Lee Rhiannon, and internationally recognised ecologist, Professor Andy Beattie, on Sunday 21 September.
When: Film documentary commences 2pm Saturday 20 September; Conference and speakers commence 9.30am Sunday 21 September, until 4pm.
Venue: Turramurra Masonic Hall, cnr Turramurra Ave and Pacific Highway
Cost: Free (donations welcomed).
Untitled Document
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.
