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. The Road to Copenhagen: Our role in responding to the climate crisis (EDO Northern Rivers)
2. Positions vacant: Solicitors (one permanent; one locum)
3. FREE copies of the new edition of the Rural Landholder's Guide to Environmental Law in NSW
4. EDO seeking Indigenous Cadet
Law and Policy Watch
5. Renewable Energy Target scheme: exposure draft legislation released for public comment
6. National Human Rights Consultation
7. EDO Policy Submissions
8. Legislative Reviews (the EPBC Act and natural resource management in NSW)
9. Appointments to Commonwealth Environment Committee
EDO in the Media
10. ABC News : Future king tides could pose threat' (12 January 2009)
Environmental Law Notices New South Wales
11. Major Project Proposals Invitation to Comment
12. State Conservation Notices Invitation to Comment
Environmental Law Notices Commonwealth
13. EPBC Referrals Invitation to Comment
Community News
14. Climate Change @ Work: Creating the Sustainable Workplace
15. International Climate Action Network positions
16. Air New Zealand Jet flies on jatropha biofuel
17. PIAC Human Rights training
EDO News and Events
1. The Road to Copenhagen: Our role in responding to the climate crisis (EDO Northern Rivers) The climate change conference in Copenhagen this December may be the last chance to avoid a potentially catastrophic future for the world's climate. The federal government has set a target for emissions reduction of 5% by 2020, or 15% if a global agreement can be reached this year. But the science tells us the reduction needs to be at least 25%.
What can we do this year to improve Australia's response to climate change? Be part of a community forum held to coincide with the Climate Change Summit in Canberra and the first day of federal parliament for 2009.
Time: 5.45 for 6pm til 8pm
Date: Tuesday 3 February 2009
Venue: Richmond Room, Regatta Ave, Ballina
Entry is free, gold coin donations will be accepted. No registration is necessary. For more information, call Mark Byrne on 6622 8470.
2. Positions vacant: Solicitors (one permanent; one locum) EDO NSW has 2 Solicitor positions available in our Sydney office, one of which is a locum position. Part-time work will be considered.
Selection Criteria a NSW practicing certificate or eligibility for admission to legal practice in NSW and, preferably, two years post admission experience
understanding of, and experience with, NSW environmental law and policy
commitment to the protection of the environment and public participation in environmental decision-making
demonstrated ability to work productively and to deadlines
demonstrated ability to develop and maintain good relationships with clients and colleagues
excellent oral and written communication skills.
Salary $49,000 - $61,000 per annum depending on experience plus superannuation.
For further information contact Kirsty Ruddock on 02 9262 6989.
Applications must address the selection criteria and be received by Friday 6 February 2009.
3. FREE copies of the new edition of the Rural Landholder's Guide to Environmental Law in NSW The new edition of the Rural Landholder's Guide to Environmental Law in NSW, a publication last produced by the EDO in 2006, is now available for free, including postage and handling. The guide is a valuable tool in understanding the law in NSW regarding land management and explains legislation dealing with issues such as vegetation management, protected species, fire management, water management, construction and development, pollution, agricultural chemicals, crops and stock, mining and quarrying, heritage protection, conservation on private land and trading and offsetting agreements.
To obtain your FREE copy of the guide please call (02) 9262 6989. Boxes of 160 are also available on request for groups or organisations.
4. EDO seeking Indigenous Cadet
EDO NSW is currently seeking an Indigenous Cadet to assist the work of the EDO's Indigenous Solicitor. The cadet will be a law student looking for part time work for two days per week. The type of work to be undertaken will include environmental policy work and research for litigation. This is a paid position, open to Indigenous applicants only.
5. Renewable Energy Target scheme: exposure draft legislation released for public comment
Exposure draft legislation on the design of the expanded national Renewable Energy Target scheme has been released for public comment.
Interested stakeholders are invited to provide comments on the exposure draft legislation by 13 February 2009 . Legislation to implement the expanded national Renewable Energy Target scheme will be in place by mid2009.
For more information regarding the exposure draft Renewable Energy legislation, contact Robert Ghanem on (02) 9262 6989 .
6. National Human Rights Consultation
In December 2008, the Federal Government launched a national public consultation about the legal recognition and protection of human rights and responsibilities in Australia. The National Human Rights Consultation is an historic opportunity for individuals and communities throughout Australia to improve democracy and to have a say about the protection of fundamental values such as freedom, respect, and dignity.
The Human Rights Law Resource Centre has produced a comprehensive report to enable individuals and organisations to participate in the National Human Rights Consultation in an informed and evidence-based way. It is intended to provide important background information for those seeking to engage in the consultation.
ANEDO will be preparing a submission that seeks to highlight the need for greater protection of human rights focusing on those relating to the environment. For an example of this work, visit the EDO ACT's website at http://www.edo. org.au/edoact/ and access their 2005 submission on Human Rights legislation in the ACT'.
7. Policy Submissions Australia's future tax system Consultation Paper The Australian Government is currently conducting a review of Australia's tax system. The Australia's Future Tax System Review Panel released a consultation paper on 11 December, providing the basis for further community input into 2009. This paper can be found here: http://taxreview. treasury. gov.au/content/ Content.aspx? doc=html/ pubs_reports. htm
Section 13 of the consultation paper seeks submissions on tax transfer impacts on the environment, the ways that taxes can improve environmental amenity and how the tax system can detract from environmental outcomes. Submissions are due on Friday 1 May 2009 .
Optimising benefits from Native Title Agreements Discussion Paper
The Government has released a Native Title discussion paper, which canvasses options for using the native title system to help address key areas of Indigenous disadvantage.
The purpose of the discussion paper is to generate ideas, stimulate discussion and seek input from the public on how the benefits negotiated through native title related agreements can deliver social and economic wealth for generations of Indigenous people.
Australia's National Reserve System
As part of its membership in the IUCN (International Conservation Union) WCPA (World Commission on Protected Areas), the EDO has been invited to prepare a submission on the draft strategy for Australia's National Reserve System 2008-2030, which sets out the directions for protection and management of terrestrial biodiversity under the National Reserve System. The strategy is grounded in sound ecological principles and provides a good direction to protected area managers, however requires funding for full implementation for these benefits to be realised.
Public submissions have not been invited at this stage.
8. Legislative Reviews
The EPBC Act The Commonwealth Government has announced an independent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The review will examine, among other things, the extent to which the Act has achieved its objectives, and the workability of the legislation. The Discussion Paper for the review can be viewed here:
The Australian Network of Environmental Defender's Offices (ANEDO) will be preparing a response to the review and have an extension until 30 January 2009 for this submission. ANEDO recently made a submission to the Senate Inquiry into the EPBC Act. The submission covers much of the same ground as the current review and can be viewed here:
Natural resource management in NSW 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 shortly due for review:
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 (02) 9262 6989 if you would like to contribute.
9. Appointments to Commonwealth Environment Committee
The Commonwealth is calling for expressions of interest for appointments to a committee to report on the State of the Australian Environment (which the Minister is required to report on in 2011 under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 ). The committee will be comprised of up to ten experts covering the following areas:
atmosphere
fresh water and inland water systems
soil
climate change impacts and projections
terrestrial biodiversity and ecology
coastal biodiversity and ecology
marine biodiversity and ecology
resource use patterns extractive and non-extractive
waste
energy
demography and social infrastructure
cultural heritage
environmental awareness
10. ABC News : Future king tides could pose threat' (12 January 2009) This article reports on the king tide event which occurred along Australia's east coast. This was the highest king tide in 18 years. The article provides comment on the event from Nature Conservation Council's Executive Director, Cate Faehrmann, who claims that the NSW Government is severely under-prepared for the future impact of rising sea levels and king tides.'
The article also reports that the CSIRO has warned that king tides may become more frequent as sea levels continue to rise. The EDO has presented a number of community education workshops with coastal communities, highlighting the need to factor climate change into coastal planning and development.
For more information on the materials presented at these workshops, contact Jemilah Hallinan on (02) 9262 6989 . Materials from a workshop held in Batemans Bay are available on our website at http://www.edo. org.au/edonsw/ site/workshops. php
11. 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
There are no new notices since the last eBulletin.
There are no new notices since the last eBulletin.
Environmental Law Notices Commonwealth
13. 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.environm ent.gov.au/ cgi-bin/epbc/ epbc_ap.pl
The following referrals have been listed within the last 7 days:
14. Climate Change @ Work: Creating the Sustainable Workplace
The University of Sydney's Workplace Research Centre invites you to this one-day workshop looking at the ways in which global warming is changing jobs, human resource management practice, workplace relations and skill demands. The workshop aims to assist you and your business in exploring more suitable approaches to energy and resource efficiency use.
Speakers include Duncan Campbell, the Director of Employment Strategy at the International Labour Organisation, Geneva and Amanda Keogh, Environmental Sustainability Manager for Fuji Xerox.
Time: 9am to 5pm
Date: Friday 3 April 2009
Venue: Hilton, Sydney
Cost: $695 (early bird rate of $600) inc GST
15. International Climate Action Network positions Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe is the leading network of environment and development organisations based in Brussels working on halting the damaging effects of climate change in the European and global climate change policy arena. Established in 1989 to coordinate and strengthen NGO cooperation in the global climate debate, the international Climate Action Network now consists of over 500 organisations world-wide, with CAN-Europe as the largest regional node with 120 member organisations in 25 countries.
CAN Europe is currently seeking applications for two positions.
Communications Officer
Climate Action Network Europe seeks applications for a Communications Manager to help lead the delivery and implementation of our high profile communications strategy. The position will offer the successful candidate an opportunity to be at the centre of the largest movement for global change. This is an extremely momentous time for Europe and the world to show how they will respond to the greatest challenge facing our planet. With partners in the EU and worldwide CAN Europe's communications strategy aims to build and sustain a global movement of civil society actors working to halt the dangerous effects of climate change.
The Communications Manager will collaborate with policy staff and our network partners to create and implement innovative communications tools and plans around policy priorities and target audiences. S/he will provide a full range of strategic and tactical communications services and support, both internally and externally.
Applications close 22 January 2009
Senior Policy Officer
Climate Action Network Europe seeks applications for a Senior Policy Officer on EU post-2012 policy and coordination. In order for the EU to have credibility in the international negotiations, the Union must not only demonstrate progress towards its existing Kyoto target, but must also start to put in place the policies and measures that will enable it to make the necessary deep cuts in emissions up to and beyond 2012. Additionally, the EU must bring new ideas and proposals to the negotiations in order to help make more concrete the realisation of its vision. The successful applicant will be the key focal point to ensure the CAN network - European and International - actively engages to ensure the EU meets these goals.
16. Air New Zealand Jet flies on jatropha biofuel A passenger jet with one of its four engines running on a biofuel blend recently completed the world's first commercial aviation test flight to test a biofuel derived from the seeds of the jatropha plant. The flight was powered by a second-generation biofuel that has the potential to reduce emissions and cut costs.
Jatropha is a plant that produces seeds that contain inedible lipid oil that is used to produce the fuel. Each seed produces 30-40 percent of its mass in oil and jatropha can be grown in a range of difficult conditions, including arid and otherwise non-arable areas, leaving prime areas available for food crops.
17. PIAC Human Rights training
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre is again conducting training days in February and March on Human Rights, with a focus on the Australian context for the upcoming Federal government public consultation. The one-day workshop will help anyone who is interested in understanding and speaking out about human rights. It covers the principles underpinning human rights, international human rights systems, gaps in protection in Australia, models of protection and the debate for and against protection in Australia.
Sydney (CBD): 2 February and 27 March 2009
Newcastle: 19 March 2009
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.
