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EDO NSW BULLETIN - 22 April 2010: Number 656The EDO Bulletin is a free weekly bulletin that provides a listing of news, events, public notices and opportunities for public comment. EDO News and Events1. ANEDO Conference and dinner Law and Policy Watch5. Australia 's Human Rights Framework EDO in the Media 10. Milton Ulladulla Times: Green zones gone? Environmental Law Notices - New South Wales13. Major Project Proposals - Invitation to Comment Environmental Law Notices - Commonwealth16. EPBC Referrals - Invitation to Comment Community News17. AYAD Intake 29: Volunteer assignments in the Pacific EDO News and Events 1. ANEDO Conference and dinner The EDO will be holding a 2-day national conference on 28/29 May on the theme 'Public Interest Environmental Law in Australia : 25 Years On'. The conference will focus on developments in public interest environmental law, and the challenges and opportunities ahead. Topics to be covered include: • The Next 25 Years: Challenges and Opportunities Keynote Speaker, Professor Ian Lowe AO, President, Australian Conservation Foundation • Life Under an Emissions Trading Scheme Keynote Speaker, Dr Nick Wood, Associate Director of Sustainability, KPMG Australia • Access to Justice and the Need for Public Interest Environmental Lawyers Keynote Speaker, The Hon Duncan Kerr SC, MP The conference will be held at the Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts , 280 Pitt Street Sydney . Tickets are on sale now. Spaces are limited so get in early to avoid disappointment. You are also invited to help celebrate the EDO 's 25th Anniversary by attending a special celebratory dinner. The dinner will be held at Doltone House, Darling Island Wharf . This venue boasts spectacular harbour views and is part of the first 6-Star Green Building in NSW. Our guest of honour will be The Hon Chief Justice Robert French, Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia. Date: Friday 28 May 2010 Time: 7pm Venue: Doltone House, Darling Island Wharf , 48 Pirrama Road , Pyrmont Cost: Individuals - $130pp, Tables of 10 - $1500 (with corporate logo/name on table) Dress: Formal For more information, and to register for the dinner or the conference (or both), please visit: http://www.edo.org.au/conference.php 2. FREE EDO Seminar: Ballina Draft LEPThe draft Ballina Local Environmental Plan is on public exhibition until 4 June 2010. The EDO Northern Rivers office is holding a public seminar in conjunction with the Ballina Environment Society to discuss how the draft Plan might affect areas of high biodiversity, other environmental and planning matters, and how the community can make effective submissions. Where: Richmond Room, River St , Ballina When: 5.45pm for 6 pm sharp to 8 pm, Wednesday 5 May Light refreshments provided. No booking necessary. For more information please call Mark Byrne on 6621 1113. 3. FREE EDO Seminar: Lismore Draft LEP The draft Lismore Local Environmental Plan is on public exhibition until 4 June 2010. The EDO Northern Rivers office is holding a public seminar to discuss how the draft Plan might affect areas of high biodiversity, other environmental and planning matters, and how the community can make effective submissions. Where: Red Dove Hall, corner Keen and Woodlark Sts, Lismore When: 5.45pm for 6 pm sharp to 8 pm, Wednesday 19 May Light refreshments provided. No booking necessary. For more information please call Mark Byrne on 6621 1113 4. FREE copies of the new edition of the Rural Landholder's Guide to Environmental Law in NSW If you would like the EDO to visit your area to present a workshop on the contents of the guide please contact EDO Education Director Jemilah Hallinan on 02 9262 6989. 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, cr ops 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. This project has been assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust.
Law and Policy Watch
5. Australia 's Human Rights Framework On 21 April 2010, the Attorney-General launched Australia 's Human Rights Framework which outlines a range of key measures to further protect and promote human rights in Australia . The Framework acts on the key recommendations of the National Human Rights Consultation Committee and complements a number of actions the Government is already taking to encourage greater inclusion and participation in our community. The Framework is based on five key principles and focuses on:
Specifically, the Framework demonstrates the Government's commitment to positive and practical action in relation to human rights through a number of key commitments, including:
These changes are designed to have broad effect and will enhance the understanding of, and respect for, human rights across the Australian community. Please contact the Human Rights Branch to request a hard copy of the Framework: Human Rights Branch Telephone: 02 6141 3415 Email: humanrightsframework@ag.gov.au 6. Policy Submissions • Prime Minister's Task Group on Energy Efficiency The Prime Minister's Task Group on Energy Efficiency is seeking submissions (due 3 May 2010 ). Issues Paper and details are available at: http://www.climatechange.gov.au/en/government/submissions/pm-task-group.aspx . • Metro Strategy Review In December 2005, the NSW Government released its Metropolitan Strategy
for Sydney to 2031, entitled City
of Cities: A Plan for Sydney's Future . See: http://www.metrostrategy.nsw.gov.au/ • Review of Implementation of The Nation Building and Jobs Plan in NSW and Potential Applications for Other Projects The review is to examine and report by July 2010 on: (a) The effectiveness of NSW Nation Building and Jobs Plan (State Infrastructure Delivery) Act 2009 in facilitating the implementation of the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan in NSW (b) The exercise by the Coordinator General of the functions conferred by the Act in accordance with section 30 of the Act; (c) The legal and economic benefits and consequences of applying the principles of this legislation, and the manner in which it has been implemented, to other significant projects or classes of projects in NSW (d) Options and mechanisms for applying the principles should they be applied to such projects or classes of projects in NSW. http://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/uploads/u10/NBJP%20review%20-%20Terms%20of%20Reference.pdf • EDO submission to the Standing Committee on Natural Resource Management (Climate Change) Water Management inquiry. http://www.edo.org.au/edonsw/site/pdf/subs10/100315water_management.pdf • EDO submission on Australia 's Native Vegetation Framework http://www.edo.org.au/policy/100331nat_veg_framework.pdf • Australian Network of Environmental Defenders Offices' (ANEDO) submission to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee inquiry into native vegetation laws, greenhouse gas abatement and climate change measures . http://www.edo.org.au/policy/100310final.pdf • Submission on the review of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 http://www.edo.org.au/edonsw/site/pdf/subs10/100412infrastructure_sepp.pdf • Submission on Enhancing the Renewable Energy Target Discussion Paper 14 April 2010 http://www.edo.org.au/edonsw/site/pdf/subs10/100414enhancing_ret_discussion_paper.pdf 7. New or current legislation introduced to parliament • Review of the Coastal Protection & Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 (NSW) - which proposes to amend the Coastal Protection Act to implement the Department of Planning's sea level rise policy. Amendments relate to: Temporary coastal protection works; Long term protection works; Powers of council; Coastal Zone Management Plans; Review of CP Act • The National Parks and Wildlife Amendment Bill 2010 (NSW)
proposes to amend the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 No. 80 (NSW).
The Bill was introduced into the Legislative Assembly and received its
second reading speech on 25 February 2010. 8. 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 shortly due for review: • Review of the State Water Corporation Act 2004 • Review of the Lord Howe Island Act 1953 9. Local Environmental Plan Tracking The process for creating Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) starts with a planning proposal which in most cases is prepared by your local council. They are then assessed by the Department of Planning which makes a gateway determination to determine whether the proposal has sufficient merit to proceed. Once planning proposals pass through the gateway stage they are placed on the Planning Department's website which allows the community to track their progress. To access the LEP tracking system visit the Department of Planning website at: http://leptracking.planning.nsw.gov.au/Default.aspx The following local government areas have lodged planning proposals during the past seven days: • Murray • Upper Hunter • Hornsby
EDO in the Media
10. Milton Ulladulla Times: Green zones gone? 14 April 2010 Controversy continues to dog the 168-lot Leo Drive development in Narrawallee and raises broader questions regarding the future of the remaining green zone that runs behind Narrawallee and Mollymook through to Ulladulla. Members of the local community say alleged breaches in the terms of consent within the first days of forest clearing for the Leo Drive development simply serve to highlight a long list of unanswered questions regarding the approval process. While many residents remain unhappy with the Frank Sartor stamped approval in a process the Environmental Defenders Office says circumvents community input others are urging locals to heed the wake-up call. To read this article, please visit: http://www.ulladullatimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/green-zones-gone/1802773.aspx 11. Sydney Morning Herald : Camberwell in Hunter Valley loses village common to Ashton mine (16 April 2010) Camberwell has had a village common since the state governor granted the little stretch of flood plain around Glennies Creek to the people in 1890s. Since then villagers have kept their horses and dairy cows on the plot and their children have used the land for fishing, swimming and riding. All that ended yesterday morning. A pair of officers from the Department of Lands arrived, called together members of the common trust, and told them the Crown land would be immediately resumed and turned over to the Ashton mine that looms over the Upper Hunter village in the form of a hollowed-out hill on the other side of the creek. Once the change from common to crown land is gazetted, the Camberwell Trust will have no legal ability to challenge the State Government's decision. The Environmental Defenders Office is acting for the Camberwell Trust and is attempting to challenge the decision. To read this article, please visit: For related coverage, please visit: http://www.singletonargus.com.au/news/local/news/general/camberwell-common/1804956.aspx 12. Sydney Morning Herald : Plant still polluting river beyond guidelines (April 20 2010) The NSW State Government has tightened the pollution licence of a coal-fired power plant near Lithgow that is releasing toxic metals into a river that feeds Sydney 's drinking water supply. Delta Electricity, the owner of Wallerawang power plant, must now monitor heavy metals and pollutants such as arsenic flowing into a channel that enters the Coxs River and report back to the government every three months. But the latest results show that Delta is still polluting the river above safe guideline levels in some instances, more than two years after the government was warned that discharges from the plant were killing aquatic life. The river's acidity levels were up to 1000 times higher than in nearby creeks, and the river was 80 times saltier than it should be. The Blue Mountains Conservation Society is mounting the case with the help of the Environmental Defender's Office in an effort to restrict all harmful pollution. To read this article, please visit:
Environmental Law Notices - New South Wales13. Major Project Proposals - Invitation to CommentFor a full listing of Major Project proposals currently available for public comment, visit the Department of Planning website at http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=search&status_id=6 • Boganbar - residential subdvision http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=2497 • South Kingscliff - proposed tourist resort http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=1425 • Huskisson - Huskisson Hotel http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=1162 14. State Conservation Notices - Invitation to CommentThe 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. 15. Department of Lands - Public ExhibitionThe following draft plans are currently being exhibited for public comment. Visit http://www.lands.nsw.gov.au/about_us/publications/exhibition to view the plans in detail. There are no new notices since the last eBulletin.
Environmental Law Notices - Commonwealth 16. EPBC Referrals - Invitation to CommentReferrals 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: WA Watheroo - Marine Seismic Survey http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=5454 QLD Morton Bay Marine Park - Davenport Drive fishing platform http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=5460 Blackwater - Curragh Mine expansion http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=5458 Collinsville - Coal Mine http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=5457 Noosa to Keppel -Wild Harvest Surf Clam Development http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=5451 Lake Clarendon - subdivision http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=5450 Carwell - Sewerage treatment plant and outfall http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=5448 VIC Maribyrnong River & Western Ring Road - WestLink Freeway Standard Road Link http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=5459 ACT Gunghalin - Throsby Multisport complex http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=5456 Namadgi National Park - Upgrades to Mount Franklin Road & Cotter Hut Road http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=5452 NT Groote Eylandt - Eastern Leases 2010 Exploration Drilling Program http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=5455
Community News
17. AYAD Intake 29: Volunteer assignments in the Pacific The EDO invites applications from young Australians (aged 18-30) interested in a placement as an Australian Youth Ambassador for Development (AYAD) for twelve months from October 2010. The AYAD program aims to strengthen mutual understanding between Australia and the countries of the Asia-Pacific region and make a positive contribution to development. The Program achieves these aims by placing skilled young Australians on short-term assignments in developing countries in the Asia Pacific region. AYAD volunteers work with local counterparts in Host Organisations to achieve sustainable development outcomes through capacity building, skills transfer and institutional strengthening. The AYAD Program is fully funded by the Australian Government's overseas aid agency, AusAID. More information about the AYAD program can be found here: www. ayad .com.au Applicants should be aware that all AYAD placements proposed by the EDO are subject to final approval by AYAD. The EDO has worked with host organisations in the Pacific to develop these proposals, and is now conducting a preliminary recruitment process to select candidates for the following assignments:
The EDO is also working with partner organisations in Fiji and the Solomon Islands on Environmental Impact Assessment assignments. Candidates applying for the Kiribati position should indicate if they would also like to be considered for those assignments if they are developed for Intake 29. If approved, these assignments will run from October 2010 to September 2011. Details about the positions and selection criteria are available here: www.edo.org.au/edonsw/site/jobs.php To apply, please send a resume, statement against the selection criteria and contact details for two referees to international@edo.org.au by 28 April 2009 . The EDO will select a candidate for nomination by 30 April 2010 . The nominated candidate will then need to submit a full application to the AYAD Program by 28 May 2010 , as outlined on the AYAD website: www.ayad.com.au/volunteer-with-us/applying-to-ayad/how-do-i-apply For more information, please contact Amelia Thorpe, EDO International Programs Director, on call (02) 9262 6989. 18. Positions Vacant: Nature Conservation Trust The Nature Conservation Trust is advertising the following positions: • Chief Executive Officer • Slopes to Summit Partnership Facilitator • Program Support Officer For more information: http://nct.org.au/about-us/positions-vacant.html 19. Positions Vacant: Food Connect Sydney Food Connect Sydney is pleased to be offering the following positions: • Marketing & Sales Coordinator • City Cousin Coordinator • Subscriptions Coordinator • Bookkeeper & Office Administrator Food Connect Sydney's vision is to be a leader in making ethically grown food from local farmers accessible to any household in Sydney . Food Connect Sydney buys direct from local organic and chemical free farmers and packs it into three sized boxes. These are then delivered to a local host or "City Cousin" where subscribers come once a week to pick up their pre-paid box. Applications due on Friday, 30th April . For more information please go to: http://sydney.foodconnect.com.au/?page_id=59 20. Positions Vacant: Global Citizens for Sustainable Development Global Citizens for Sustainable Development (GCSD) is a registered not-for-profit
and non-governmental-organization based in Bangalore , India . GCSD is
a youth based organization and believes that youth have the potential in
influencing the world for the better of the society. Interns will be involved
in a range of programs for a two month period: The North Coast Energy Forum will explore emerging opportunities for, and impediments to, generating more electricity on the north coast of NSW . Community organisations, industry and government representatives will discuss distributed power options including smart grids, solar, gas, bioenergy, hydro and wind. Dr Mark Diesendorf, renowned lecturer and author on sustainability, will initiate the discussion with his keynote address. There will be presentations and discussion forums all day. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. When: Friday 4 June 2010, 9am-5pm Where: Bellingen Memorial Hall, Bellingen Who should attend : Electricity industry representatives, renewable industry representatives, policymakers, government, academics, researchers and members of the community interested in renewable energy and distributed power generation. Cost : $120 corporate & government; $60 community groups & general public 22. Want to live, work and make a difference overseas? Come along to the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Information Session and find out how you can get that much-needed overseas experience. AusAID's Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program supports skilled young Australian's (18-30) who want to live, work and make a difference in Asia, the Pacific and Africa . Information sessions will be held in all capital cities between 12 and 28 April. Register your interest at http://www.ayad.com.au/info-sessions or freecall 1800 225 592.
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. |
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Wednesday 8 September, 2010
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