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: Environment and Climate Change Officer, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, Beijing, China
2. AYAD Placement: Legal Officer, Environmental Law Centre, Papua New Guinea
3. EDO ACT Position Vacancy: Community Legal Education Officer
4. Northern Rivers Evening Workshop: Conserving Threatened Species
5. Northern Rivers Seminars: Brainfood in Byron Human Rights and the Environment
Law and Policy Watch
6. Political donation disclosure laws will now commence on 1 October 2008
7. EDO Policy Submissions
8. NSW Fisheries Scientific Committee: Call for Public Submissions
EDO in the Media
9. 7.30 Report, ABC: Climate change threatens coastal towns
10. Northern Rivers Echo: Local heritage protection
11. Tweed Echo: Legal centre joins draft-plan doubters
12. Northern Star: Court action again delays Condon development
13. Northern Star: Threat of legal action over Kyogle IGA
Environmental Law Notices New South Wales
14. Major Project Proposals Invitation to Comment
15. State Conservation Notices Invitation to Comment
Environmental Law Notices Commonwealth
16. EPBC Referrals Invitation to Comment
Community News
17. International Law Writing Competition: Climate Change and Human Rights
18. Australian Youth Ambassador for Development Assignments
19. Nature Conservation Council: Carbon Forest Forum
20. EPLA Conference 2008
21. Mosman Parks and Bushland Association: Annual General Meeting
22. CANA Position Vacancy: Executive Officer
23. Sydney Convention Centre Position Vacancy: Environmental Officer
EDO News and Events
1. AYAD Placement: Environment and Climate Change Officer, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Beijing, China
The EDO has partnered with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation in Beijing, China, to recruit an Environment and Climate Change Officer for a period of 12 months under the Australian Youth Ambassador for Development (AYAD) Program. For details of the program, see item 18 below.
Position Description
As part of the placement, you will be required to undertake the following activities:
Assist the UNIDO representative to coordinate the implementation of the UN-China Climate Change Partnership Framework
Assist in fine-tuning an effective reporting mechanism to document results and lessons from the Joint Program
Assist national staff at the UNIDO regional office in Beijing with reporting and monitoring
Assist in reviewing consolidated progress reports and set up presentations, articles, papers and summaries to promote the UN-China Climate Change Partnership Framework in national and international forums
Assist in the organisation of a major conference on South-South Cooperation
Facilitate in building an appropriate network of NGOs, donors, government agencies and the private sector
Assist in various functions related to management practices, service delivery and external relations.
Qualifications
Bachelor Degree with some relevant experience or Masters Degree in Environmental Sciences, Economics, Development or other relevant sciences.
Experience
Some practical experience on one or more of the following areas: climate change policy, mitigation or adaptation; energy efficiency and greenhouses gases emissions; project assessment and south-south cooperation.
Desirable
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Excellent team work skills
Experience in analysing and interpreting issues and positions within a development framework
Working knowledge of Chinese would be an asset
2. 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 6 - 12 months (negotiable) , 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 amelia.thorpe@ edo.org.au
Please direct all enquiries to Amelia either via email or by calling 02 9262 6989 .
3. 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 or by email at edoact@edo.org. au
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
4. 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 by email mark.byrne@edo. org.au or phone 6622 8470 .
5. 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 or email edonr@edo.org. au
Law and Policy Watch
6. Political donation disclosure laws now commence 1 October 2008
The Local Government and Planning Legislation Amendment (Political Donations) Act 2008 will now commence on 1 October 2008. The deferment of commencement to 1 October 2008 will allow additional time to conduct training and awareness programs and for councils to prepare for implementation.
The deferment will also allow the opportunity to provide further advice to the public about these new important laws before they commence.
7. EDO Policy Submissions
Work on the submission on the review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act , on behalf of ANEDO, continues. The submission is in its final stages and will be available by the end of September.
In addition to this submission, the EDO policy team is currently looking into the NSW Draft Floodplain Harvesting Policy. This policy is being developed by the Department of Water and Energy.
For more information on any of the EDO's submissions or other policy work, please contact the EDO office on (02) 9262 6989 . All previous submissions can be found at http://www.edo. org.au/edonsw/ site/policy. php
8. 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
Or Email: fsc@dpi.nsw. gov.au
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 .
EDO in the Media
9. 7.30 Report, ABC: Climate change threatens coastal towns (10 September 2008)
This report looked at the challenges faced by coastal councils in regards to local planning decisions where climate change impacts are relevant. The report focused on a recent decision of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in which the Tribunal overruled South Gippsland Shire Council's approval of a development for failure to consider climate change impacts.
The NSW Land and Environment Court case Jill Walker v the Minister for Planning was also referred to. In this case, Jill Walker, represented by the EDO, challenged the Planning Minister's approval of a Concept Plan for a $150 million development at Sandon Point. The Concept Plan was set aside on the grounds that the Minister failed to consider the impacts of climate change on the flood prone site. The Minister is currently appealing the Court's decision.
10. Northern Rivers Echo: Local heritage protection (11 September 2008)
This article by Northern Rivers Education Officer, Mark Byrne, looks at the heritage status of an Art Deco building in Kyogle and the protection afforded to the building under this status. The building, identified as having local heritage significance, is currently threatened by a proposal for a new supermarket in Kyogle.
Contact the EDO Northern Rivers for further details on this issue, or a full transcript of the article, on 6622 8470 .
11. Tweed Echo: Legal centre joins draft-plan doubters (11 September 2008)
This article, on page 3 of this edition, discusses the concerns over the State Government's draft plan of management for Tweed Crown reserves. The main concern, as described by Northern Rivers Education Officer Mark Byrne, is the policy context of the plan'.
Contact the EDO Northern Rivers for further details of this issue, or a full transcript of the article, on 6622 8470 .
12. Northern Star: Court action again delays Condon development (13 September 2008)
This article criticises further attempts by Traditional Owners, the Andersons to prevent development on culturally sensitive land at Angels Beach, Ballina. EDO Northern Rivers' solicitor, Ian Ratcliff, who has been acting on behalf of the Andersons, is quoted and he emphasises the intergenerational equity issues involved, including the importance of preserving Aboriginal artefacts for future generations'.
13. Northern Star: Threat of legal action over Kyogle IGA (16 September 2008)
EDO Northern Rivers' solicitor Sue Higginson is interviewed in this article which looks at the possibility of a legal challenge to a decision to approve the demolition of certain Art-Deco style buildings in the main street of Kyogle. This demolition is to make way for a new IGA supermarket.
The Northern Rivers Office has provided a local Kyogle resident with legal advice regarding a potential challenge to the Council's approval.
14. 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
Snowy River: Snow Fence Construction and Boulder Removal, Perisher Range Resorts
Draft Plan of Management
Woodford Island Nature Reserve
Environmental Law Notices Commonwealth
16. 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.environm ent.gov.au/ cgi-bin/epbc/ epbc_ap.pl
The following referrals have been listed within the last 7 days:
17. International Law Writing Competition: Climate Change and Human Rights
The Climate Justice Programme, in partnership with Oxfam International and Advocates for International Development is to launch a competition to emphasise the State's obligations, and to stimulate innovation and progress in international climate change law.
Lawyers, academics and law students worldwide are invited to put forward the strongest legal case possible to demonstrate that wealthy countries' greenhouse gas emissions are violating the human rights of people in developing countries.
18. Australian Youth Ambassador for Development Assignments
The Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program (AYAD) send young Australians aged 18-30 on short-term assignments (3-12 months) through Asia and the Pacific.
Assignments for Intake 24 of the AYAD Program are online from 29 August until 26 September 2008. New assignments are listed 3 times per year on our website. The assignments offered cover a diverse range of sectors including education, environment, gender, governance, health, infrastructure, rural development and trades.
To see a detailed position description for the positions and information on how to apply, visit the AYAD website at www.ayad.com. au
Applications close 26 September 2008 .
19. Nature Conservation Council: Carbon Forest Forum
The Nature Conservation Council of NSW invites you to this forum, subtitled Are our native forests being overlooked in climate change solutions?' The forum seeks to inform the debate on the role of Australian forests in managing carbon emissions.
Key themes to be addressed include:
What is the role of forests in the carbon cycle and greenhouse emissions?
How do the Kyoto accounting Protocol, Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Green Paper and the Garnaut report deal with forests?
Do we really understand the changes that might occur in the carbon offsets and wood products industry and whether this will have an adverse biodiversity impact?
Time: 3.00 pm 6.00 pm
Date: Friday 17 October 2008
Venue: Sydney Mechanic School of Arts, Mitchell Theatre, 280 Pitt St Sydney
Cost: NCC Annual Conference delegates Free; Member groups - $10; Individuals - $30
20. 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 or email kearns@mpchambers. net.au
21. Mosman Parks and Bushland Association: Annual General Meeting
The 44th Annual General Meeting of the Association will be held on Thursday 25 September 2008. Guest speaker Kirsty Ruddock will address the latest planning reforms and how they affect the community in terms of open space, heritage and the built environment. The evening will also update residents on the activities of the Association, regarding open space and public land, Mosman Council initiatives and various development applications dealt with during the year.
All are welcome to attend and refreshments will be served after the talk.
Time: 6.00 pm
Date: Thursday 25 September 2008
Venue: Art Gallery, Mosman Community Centre, Cnr Myahgah and Short Streets, Mosman
22. CANA Position Vacancy: Executive Officer
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
23. 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
Benefits: Subsidised on-site parking
Meals provided
Dry cleaning of business attire
Accor lifestyle benefits
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.
