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. AYAD Placement: Legal Officer, Environmental Law Centre, Papua New Guinea
2. EDO ACT Position Vacancy: Community Legal Education Officer
3. Northern Rivers Evening Workshop: Conserving Threatened Species
4. Northern Rivers Seminars: Brainfood in Byron Human Rights and the Environment
Law and Policy Watch
5. Environment Minister acts under the EPBC Act to protect False Cape and Shoalwater Bay
6. Treaties Committee supports the protection of endangered fauna and flora
7. NSW Fisheries Scientific Committee: Call for Public Submissions
8. EDO Policy Submissions
EDO in the Media
Environmental Law Notices New South Wales
9. Major Project Proposals Invitation to Comment
10. State Conservation Notices Invitation to Comment
Environmental Law Notices Commonwealth
11. EPBC Referrals Invitation to Comment
Community News
12. CANA Position Vacancy: Executive Officer
13. Pacific Calling Event Canberra
14. Sydney Convention Centre Position Vacancy: Environmental Officer
15. Carbon Solutions Forum
16. EPLA Conference 2008
EDO News and Events
1. AYAD Placement: Legal Officer, Environmental Law Centre, Papua New Guinea
The EDO is recruiting a Legal Officer between the ages of 18-30 to undertake an Australian Youth Ambassador for Development role working for the Environmental Law Centre (ELC) in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
The position is for 12 months, beginning in March 2009. It is offered to suitably qualified applicants who meet the following selection criteria:
Essential
Bachelor of Laws
12 months experience in legal practice
Desirable
Commitment to environmental protection
Knowledge of, or experience in, public interest litigation, particularly environmental advocacy
Knowledge of, or experience in, lobbying and advocacy for law reform, particularly related to corruption
Excellent communication skills
Ability to work independently and within a small team
Ability to work in a cross-cultural environment
About ELC and the Legal Officer role
The Environmental Law Centre is an independent, non-profit legal centre which provides legal advice, case work, education and other assistance to customary landowners and community members in PNG. Anne Kajir, Director of ELC, was awarded the prestigious Goldman Prize in 2006 for her work to combat illegal logging in PNG.
The successful applicant will be responsible for working with ELC staff on:
environmental litigation, particularly in the forestry sector;
community education and capacity building activities in rural communities on the legal rights of customary landowners, particularly in relation to climate change;
lobbying and advocacy work in relation to the enforcement of environmental laws, access to information and public participation, particularly in relation to corruption; and
strengthening relationships with international and regional lawyers, networks, NGOs and funding organisations.
About AYAD
The Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program (AYAD) places 18-30 year olds (mostly graduates) in volunteer assignments within developing countries in the Asia Pacific Region.
The Program provides support to cover the costs of volunteering overseas including pre-departure medicals, insurance, travel, in-country allowance, and the support of in-country management services.
Please return your application forms to Amelia Thorpe, Programs Director, Environmental Defender's Office (NSW).Please direct all enquiries to Amelia either via email or by calling 02 9262 6989.
2. EDO ACT Position Vacancy: Community Legal Education Officer
The EDO ACT 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 will 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 this understanding 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
3. 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 on phone 6622 8470.
4. 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.
Law and Policy Watch
5. Environment Minister acts under the EPBC Act to protect False Cape and Shoalwater Bay
Federal Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett, has suspended approval of the Reef Cove Resort development at False Cape in Queensland. This decision was based on Mr Garrett's concerns regarding the threat of sediment run-off into the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
Mr Garrett has ordered that no construction will take place on the site until an environmental audit has been carried out by the developer and he is satisfied that appropriate remediation work has been completed and construction is able to be completed in full compliance with the approval conditions, without impacting on the marine environment.
In a media release dated 4 September 2008, the Minster described the situation as follows: I have the option under the EPBC [Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation] Act of suspending the approval for a further period, or revoking it all together. If revoked, any proposal for a new development at the site may need to undergo a new assessment process. This would be likely to require a new public assessment.
The following day, 5 September 2008, the Minister announced his decision to preserve the biodiversity values at Shoalwater Bay north of Rockhampton in Queensland, by rejecting a proposal by Waratah Coal Inc. to establish a rail line and coal port in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area.
Mr Garrett commented: The impacts of the rail line and port facility are simply too great to effectively mitigate, and would destroy the ecological integrity of the area. They are impacts that cannot be reduced with offsets or managed through approval conditions.
Mr Garrett found the proposal would have clearly unacceptable impacts on the internationally recognised Shoalwater and Corio Bay Ramsar wetlands and the high wilderness value of Shoalwater which is acknowledged in its Commonwealth Heritage listing.
6. Treaties Committee supports the protection of endangered fauna and flora
The Federal Parliament Treaties Committee has supported amendments to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora subject to a number of recommendations. The CITES Convention provides for international cooperation to protect and conserve certain species of fauna and flora from over-exploitation due to international trade.
The amendments will alter the level of control imposed upon trade in a number of species that are either endangered or at risk of becoming endangered, including Australia's sawfish.
The Committee also recommended that Australia take binding treaty action in relation to the 2006 International Tropical Timber Agreement, and that any future agreement on sustainable trade in tropical timber should specifically include consultation with environmental groups.
7. 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.
8. EDO Policy Submissions
The submission on the Federal Government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Green Paper is almost complete. It will be available on the EDO website, at http://www.edo.org.au/edonsw/site/policy.php , this week. The policy team from EDO NSW has prepared the submission on behalf of the Australian Network of Environmental Defender's Offices (ANEDO). A submission on the review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, on behalf of ANEDO, is also well under way.
In addition to this submission, the policy team is working in partnership with Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN), regarding various cultural heritage issues.
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
There were no media items referring to the work of the EDO this week.
Law Notices New South Wales
9. 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
Wentworth: Gypsum Mine, Arumpo Road, Mourquong EIS
10. State Conservation Notices Invitation to Comment
There are no new notices since the last eBulletin.
Environmental Law Notices Commonwealth
11. 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:
The Climate Action Network Australia (CANA) is an alliance of over 50 member organisations including environment, community development, faith, research and local groups from throughout Australia.
CANA is looking for an Executive Officer to be at the centre of climate change campaigning in Australia. Working with international and local colleagues the Executive Officer will craft and implement a plan to positively influence the global post-2012 climate change agreement, engaging members in the plan. Ensuring CANA is an organisation that meets its Members needs, the Executive Officer will manage staff, report to the Steering Committee, and continue the financial health of the organisation.
Based in Sydney, other Eastern Seaboard cities considered
$60,000 - $75,000 + superannuation, depending on experience
Applications close 6 October 2008. Job description and application process is available at www.cana.net.au .
13. Pacific Calling Event Canberra
The Pacific Calling Partnership brings together a number of significant non-government organisations, school groups, community organisations, and individuals who recognise Australia's ecological debt to Kiribati, Tuvalu, parts of the Torres Strait and other our low-lying Pacific Island neighbours.
Pacific Calling invites you to a discussion on the impact of climate change on our low lying Pacific neighbours and a call for action and engagement. The event will feature guest speakers from Kiribati and the Pacific Calling Partnership, and the screening of a DVD on Pacific Climate Change.
Time: 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm
Date: Monday 15 September 2008
Venue: Room W 121 Baldessin Precinct Building (access from Ellery Crescent) at the Australian National University, Canberra
Entry is free, donations for refreshments. For more information on this event or the Pacific Calling Partnership contact Jane Alver on 0417 756 090
14. Sydney Convention Centre Position Vacancy: Environmental Officer
The Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre is committed to educating staff, suppliers, and all users of the Centre in environmental matters to ensure that a holistic approach to environmental management is achieved. Our mission is to be the leading venue in the Asia Pacific region and as such we endeavour to maintain and improve our relationship with the environment. We are committed to considering the environment in all business activities and understand the important role we play positioned on the Sydney Harbour foreshore.
A new and exciting opportunity exists for a suitably qualified and experienced Environmental Officer to join our team.
This role will be responsible for the development of all environmental policies, programs and strategies and in particular the implementation and ongoing management of ISO14001 and specific programs for the Centre.
The successful applicant will ideally be a graduate with minimum 2 years experience and will have:
Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field and demonstrated industry experience.
High level communication and negotiation skills
Excellent knowledge of environmental legislation and trends
Report writing experience
Location: Darling Harbour
Job Type: Full Time
Salary: $60K + super + benefits
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 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
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.
