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. Position Vacancies: EDO Victoria
2. EDO Griffith Workshop: Land and Water Law A workshop for NSW landholders
3. Northern Rivers Seminars: Brainfood in Byron Human Rights and the Environment
Law and Policy Watch
4. EDO Policy Submissions: Planning Inquiry
5. Upcoming legislative reviews
6. North Coast Environment Council Inc v Department of Environment and Climate Change & Ors - NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal
7. New Federal Government Funding for Environmental Projects
EDO in the Media
8. Northern Rivers Echo: Putting the environment into the Lismore plan
9. Northern Star: Developer warns Art Deco buffs of legal action
Environmental Law Notices New South Wales
10. Major Project Proposals Invitation to Comment
11. State Conservation Notices Invitation to Comment
Environmental Law Notices Commonwealth
12. EPBC Referrals Invitation to Comment
Community News
13. Young Lawyers Environmental Law Committee: Annual Trivia Night
14. Rally Against Inappropriate Development
15. Walk Against Warming
16. Legalwise Seminar: Acquisition, Disposal and Leasing of Contaminated Land
17. CEDA Event: Federal and State Government initiatives for water sustainability
18. Pacific Calling for Climate Justice: A human rights framework?
19. Australian Centre for Climate and Environmental Law Seminar: The Implications of the Proposed Reforms to the Contaminated Land Management Act 1997
EDO News and Events
1. Position Vacancies: EDO Victoria
After receiving significant funding grants from the Legal Services Board of Victoria, the Victoria Law Foundation and The Ian Potter Foundation, four new positions are now available at the Environmental Defender's Office Victoria, at their office in Melbourne. The positions are:
Law reform and policy director (up to $75,000 p.a.)
Research officer (up to $55,000 p.a.)
Solicitor ($55,000 to $70,000 p.a.)
On-line legal resources project worker (short-term, up to $55,000 p.a. pro rata)
For all position descriptions and details about how to apply, visit www.edo.org.au/edovic or call (03) 8341 3100.
Applications should be sent to Brendan at EDO Victoria by 5pm on Monday 27 October 2008 to PO Box 12123, A'Beckett St, VIC 8006.
2. Griffith Workshop: Land and Water Law A workshop for NSW landholders
The Environmental Defender's Office, in partnership with Baker & McKenzie, invites you to this FREE workshop for NSW landholders. Issues to be covered include water trading and buy-back schemes, climate change and water management, an update on the status of water laws such as the Commonwealth Water Act 2007 , and an overview of some of the key laws relevant to rural landholders, including vegetation and bushfire management, agricultural chemicals, pests and weeds, biobanking and voluntary conservation.
Date: Saturday 25 October 2008
Time: 9.30am til 4.30pm
Venue: Burley Griffin Room, Griffith Regional Theatre, Neville Pl, Griffith
A light lunch and refreshments will be provided. For more information or to RSVP, please contact the EDO on (02) 9262 6989.
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.
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
4. EDO Policy Submissions The EDO is currently preparing a submission to the NSW Legislative Council inquiry into the NSW planning framework. The inquiry will particularly consider the implications of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) reform agenda for planning in New South Wales, climate change and natural resource issues in planning and development controls, and the duplication of processes under relevant Commonwealth and NSW legislation. For more information see:
The NSW Ombudsman is conducting a review of the Freedom of Information Act 1989 . The EDO is preparing a submission to the inquiry. Submissions are due on 31 October . The full discussion paper can be found here:
5. Upcoming legislative reviews Legislation in NSW is usually reviewed after five years. A review is carried out to determine whether the policy objectives of an Act remain valid and whether the means of addressing these objectives are appropriate. The following Acts are now due for review: The Native Vegetation Act 2003, Natural Resources Commission Act 2003 and the Catchment Management Authorities Act 2003.
In anticipation of these reviews, the EDO is gathering information on key issues of concern, problems with implementation and suggestions for improvement. Please contact Robert Ghanem on (02) 9262 6989 if you would like to contribute.
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
6. North Coast Environment Council Inc v Department of Environment and Climate Change & Ors - NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal The EDO Northern Rivers acts for the North Coast Environment Council Inc (NCEC) in this current matter in the NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal (ADT).
The NCEC has filed an application challenging the decision of the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) to refuse NCEC access to information it holds regarding logging approvals on private land.
The NCEC lodged a Freedom of Information Application with DECC seeking information on private logging operations in NSW. The NCEC is seeking the information in order to independently assess how the relatively new system of regulation over logging on private lands in NSW is being applied.
To date DECC has provided different grounds for its refusal. It would appear at this stage that DECC is relying on two exemptions provided under the Freedom of Information Act 1989 (FOI Act) namely that the material sought contains the business affairs and personal affairs of certain landholders. DECC also said that landholders may be subject to trespass, property damage and blockades if the material is released. NCEC believes that DECC has not applied the FOI Act in accordance with law and that in the public interest the information sought should be released.
Five landholders that conduct private logging operations on their land have also joined the proceedings. They claim that their property and commercial interests will be adversely affected if the information held by DECC is released. No evidence to back up or provide any substance to such claims put by DECC or the landholders has yet been provided.
The ADT has said that evidence must be filed in the Tribunal by DECC and the five other respondents by 6 November 2008. The matter is then set down for a further planning meeting on 9 December 2008.
7. New Federal Government Funding for Environmental Projects The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett has recently announced more than $13 million for World Heritage Projects in Australia and across the Asia Pacific Islands.
The funds will include:
$2.7 million for the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area;
$3.4 million for the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area;
$1.77 million for pest eradication on Macquarie Island;
an additional $1.9 million to support specific projects and administration across our World Heritage sites; and
$2.5 million to UNESCO to support World Heritage initiatives internationally, with a focus on the Asia-Pacific.
Mr Garrett mentioned the government's commitment to World Heritage and to the safekeeping of our region's extraordinary World Heritage places.' He also commented on the rising threats of climate change and introduced pests and the need to increase the resilience of these diverse areas to preserve them for future generations.
The funding announcement was made at the Pacific Islands World Heritage Workshop in Cairns, and follows Australia's appointment as Vice-President of Asia-Pacific for the World Heritage Convention in Quebec in July.
In addition to this funding, Penny Wong, Minister for Climate Change and Water, recently announced that the Federal Government would be providing $6 million to the Water Cooperative Research Centre for a new hydrological modelling tool to help manage the surface water and groundwater of the Murray-Darling Basin. The project will accelerate development of and trial a new computer model to help make water allocation and use over coming decades more sustainable.
The model will also assist the new Murray-Darling Basin authority to evaluate the benefits and trade-offs of different water management options in the Basin.
8. Northern Rivers Echo : Putting the environment into the Lismore plan (9 October 2008)
In this article, EDO Northern Rivers Education Officer Mark Byrne looks at what is involved in the development and approval of a Local Environmental Plan (LEP), specifically the Lismore LEP. The purpose of and operation of LEPs is explained generally and in reference to the new Lismore Plan.
9. Northern Star: Developer warns Art Deco buffs of legal action (10 October 2008)
EDO Northern Rivers Solicitor, Sue Higginson is interviewed in this article about community opposition to the demolition of certain Art Deco buildings to make way for a supermarket in the main street of Kyogle on the North Coast of NSW. The developer, Queensland company AusDevelopments has warned that it will not tolerate action by the Save Kyogle Heritage Committee to stop the development going ahead.
The article reports that the Northern Rivers office has prepared a brief for a barrister regarding the community's concerns about the development.
10. 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
Lake Macquarie: Modification Mandalong Mine
Camden: Spring Farm Sand and Soil Quarry
The following referrals have been listed within the last 7 days:
Draft Plan of Management
Manobalai Nature Reserve
Brigalow and Nandewar Community Conservation Area Agreement
Environmental Law Notices Commonwealth
12. EPBC Referrals Invitation to Comment
Referrals under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 are available for comment on the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts website at: http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl
The following referrals have been listed within the last 7 days:
13. Young Lawyers Environmental Law Committee: Annual Trivia Night
In conjunction with the National Environmental Law Association (NSW Division), the Committee's Trivia Night will be held in order to raise funds for Greening Australia.
Time: 6pm for a 6.30 start, concluding at 9pm
Date: Thursday 13 November 2008
Venue: Deacons, Level 18, Grosvenor Place, 225 George St, Sydney
Cost: $49 per head, $40 student concession, $450 for a corporate table of ten
Prizes will be available on the night, including vouchers from Herringbone, Pearsons, Brita Water and Cullen Wines.
Places are limited. To book a table, please send your cheques or money orders to the NSW Law Society c/o Christina Piazza, NSW Young Lawyers, Law Society Building, Level 6, 170 Phillip St, Sydney NSW 2000. For enquiries call (02) 9926 0268.
14. Rally Against Inappropriate Development
The NSW Government has changed the laws governing planning, environmental assessment and heritage protection. The Planning Minister now has extraordinary power to override local councils, community wishes and expert opinion. Join citizens from across NSW in a rally against inappropriate development and the laws that allow it to go ahead.
Hear Jack Mundey, Shane Withington and speakers from political parties, National Trust and community groups: Currawong, Sandon Point, Catherine Hill Bay, Putney, Save Our Suburbs, Tathra, Bowral, Friends of Ku-ring-gai, Dee Why, Hastings Point, Everleigh Railyards, Save the Illawarra Escarpment, National Parks Association, Coffs Harbour Jetty Action Group, Killalea, Wollongong, Hilltop and CAPO Coalition Against Private Overdevelopment.
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Date: Sunday 19 October 2008
Where: Hyde Park near St James station marching to Parliament House.
Highlight your own community issue and be part of State-wide action.
15. Walk Against Warming
You're invited to take part in Australia's biggest day of action on climate change.
On November 15, join thousands of families, workplaces and communities in a walk for renewable energy and a safe climate future for our children. With vital decisions being made this year, we will Walk Against Warming to ensure the Australian Government supports strong, urgent action and justice for developing nations affected by global warming.
Walk Against Warming 2008 is fast approaching and it is critical that we show massive community support for urgent action to address climate change.
When: 11am, Saturday 15 November 2008
Where: Martin Place, Sydney
For more information on how you can be involved or on the regional walks outside of Sydney, visit www.WalkAgainstWarming.org
16. Legalwise Seminar: Acquisition, Disposal and Leasing of Contaminated Land
Legalwise seminars provide continuing professional development seminars, conferences, workshops and publications for lawyers and other professionals. The seminar Acquisition, Disposal and Leasing of Contaminated Land' will look at risk management and regulatory reform, practical impacts and implications of contaminated land investigations and an analysis of case law regarding liability and contaminated lands.
Time: 2pm 5.15pm
Date: Wednesday 12 November 2008
Venue: Radisson Plaza Hotel, 27 O'Connell St, Sydney 2000
Cost: $440
If this title is relevant to your immediate or long term needs in relation to your professional development and practice of the law, then you can claim 3 units for attending.
For more information, call (02) 9387 8133.
17. CEDA Event: Federal and State Government initiatives for water sustainability
The protection and management of our limited water resources is one of the greatest environmental challenges of our age. Addressing Australia's national water crisis is an urgent task, requiring consistent long-term policy and leadership from all levels of government. The Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) is proud to convene this forum to contribute to the very crucial debates which must underpin any policy formation moving ahead.
Speakers will include Dr James Horne, Deputy Secretary, Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and Mark Duffy, Director-General, NSW Department of Water and Energy, to present on Federal and State government initiatives aimed at ensuring a sustainable water supply and discuss ongoing projects striving to guarantee a long-term and viable secure water reserve. The Murray-Darling Basin Commission's CEO, Dr Wendy Craik will provide an update on the situation of Australia's largest and most important river system and the proposed improvements of the rivers and wetlands that will bring substantial benefits to irrigators and rural communities.
Time: 12pm to 2pm
Date: Wednesday 5 November 2008
Venue: Four Seasons Hotel, 199 George St, Sydney
Cost: $143 (CEDA member); $199.10 (non-member)
For more information or to register, contact Simone MacKenzie on (02) 9779 9746.
18. Pacific Calling for Climate Justice: A human rights framework?
Pacific Calling invites you to this full day forum exploring how an effective human rights framework can respond to calls for climate justice from our Pacific neighbours. The outcome of the forum is to include recommendations to be taken to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at Pozan, Poland in December 2008.
Speakers include Steven Ross from Murray Lower Darling River Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) and representatives from Kiribati and Tuvalu.
Date: 25 October 2008
Time: 9am to 5pm
Venue: Gleeson Auditorium, Australian Catholic University, 25A Barker Rd, Strathfield NSW
Cost: $60 full-rate, concessions available
Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are provided. For more information contact Jill Finnane, Eco-Justice Program Coordinator at the Edmund Rice Centre on (02) 8762 4200.
19. Australian Centre for Climate and Environmental Law Seminar: The Implications of the Proposed Reforms to the Contaminated Land Management Act 1997
This ACCEL seminar at the Sydney Law School will be comprised of two presentations. The evening's first presentation will include discussion and critique of the proposed reforms and their implications for polluters and the management of contaminated land. This will be followed by an analysis of the impacts of the proposed amendments on purchasers of contaminated land. Case studies will be offered where relevant.
Date: Wednesday 22 October 2008
Time: 5.15pm to 7pm
Venue: Sydney University Law School, 173-175 Phillip Street, Sydney
Cost: $66 full fee; $33 concession
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.
