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EDO NSW BULLETIN - 13 May 2010: Number 659The 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. FREE EDO Seminar Series - Making Sydney Sustainable - Transport Law and Policy Watch8. Policy Submissions EDO in the Media 12. Sydney Morning Herald: Councils join forces for legal tilt at Barangaroo project Environmental Law Notices - New South Wales13. Major Project Proposals - Invitation to Comment Environmental Law Notices - Commonwealth16. EPBC Referrals - Invitation to Comment Community News17. Paddy Pallin Foundation Science Grants EDO News and Events1. FREE EDO Seminar Series - Making Sydney Sustainable - TransportThis seminar contemplates whether Sydney 's transport system is sustainable. Three speakers will discuss what Sydney needs, what Sydney is doing and what works well elsewhere. Date: Friday 21 May 2010 Light refreshments will be provided For more information or to RSVP call (02) 9262 6989. http://www.edo.org.au/edonsw/site/seminar.php 2. FREE EDO Workshop - Mining and the Law, Majors CreekThe EDO will be presenting a free community workshop on mining law at Majors Creek on Saturday 15 May. The workshop will outline the assessment and approval process for mines, focusing on opportunities for public participation. Participants will also be advised how to engage effectively in the decision-making process and what legal options are available for challenging mining approvals. Where: Majors Creek Hall Light refreshments will be provided. http://www.edo.org.au/edonsw/site/workshops.php#major 3. FREE EDO Workshop - A Guide to Environmental Law for Coastal Communities in NSW: The Entrance, Nowra, MerimbulaThe workshops will focus on the main environmental and planning laws that affect coastal communities, including biodiversity, pollution, heritage and sea level rise issues. The workshops are intended for anyone interested in learning more about how the various environmental and planning laws interact and how these laws apply to coastal communities. This is an excellent opportunity to find out how to effectively engage in the decision-making process. Strategic advocacy techniques, from gathering information to writing effective submissions will be covered in the workshops. The workshops will be based on the content of an upcoming publication Caring for the Coast: A guide to environmental law for coastal communities in NSW . The publication has been funded the Australian Government though its Caring for Our Country initiative and will be made available for free to all participants when it is published later in the year. The Entrance When : Saturday 19 June 2010 Nowra When: Wednesday 23 June 2010 Merimbula When: Saturday 26 June 2010 RSVP : Please call (02) 9262 6989 or email education@edo.org.au to register or for more information. For further information or comment, please contact: Rosemary Bullmore, Project Officer, at the Environmental Defender's Office. Phone: (02) 9262 6989. Email: education@edo.org.au@edo.org.au http://www.edo.org.au/edonsw/site/workshops.php#coastal 4. FREE EDO Seminar: Lismore Draft LEP The draft Lismore Local Environmental Plan is on public exhibition until 29 July 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 Light refreshments provided. No booking necessary. For more information please call Mark Byrne on 6621 1113. 5. FREE copies of the new publication A Guide to Private Conservation in NSW A new EDO publication is now available for free upon request. A guide to private conservation in NSW provides an overview and critical analysis of all the private conservation mechanisms available to NSW landholders. The guide is designed to help landholders to understand the different private conservation options and choose the one that is right for them. It covers everything from Conservation Agreements and Trust Agreements to Wildlife Refuge Agreements and much more. This project has been assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust and the EDO is very grateful for this support. To order your free copy of the publication please call (02) 9262 6989 or email education@edo.org.au . Boxes of 120 are also available to groups or organisations. Please contact us if you are interested in a free workshop on the content of the guide in your area. 6. 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 at education@edo.org.au or 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 email education@edo.org.au or 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. 7. 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 For more information, and to register for the dinner or the conference (or both), please visit: http://www.edo.org.au/conference.php
Law and Policy Watch• 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/ EDO 's submission on this is available at: http://www.edo.org.au/edonsw/site/pdf/subs10/100430metro_strategy.pdf • 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. Submissions are due by 14 May 2010 . 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 • EDO submission on the review of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 http://www.edo.org.au/edonsw/site/pdf/subs10/100412infrastructure_sepp.pdf • Australian Network of Environmental Defenders Offices (ANEDO) 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 9. 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 1979 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. • National Park Estate (Riverina Red Gum Reservations) Bill 2010 (NSW) proposes to amend the Forestry and National Park Estate Act 1998 No. 163 (NSW) and will also amend the Forestry Restructuring and Nature Conservation Act 1995 No. 50 (NSW) • Mining and Petroleum Legislation Amendment (Land Access) Bill 2010 (NSW) • The Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Development Consents) Bill 2010 (NSW) proposes to amend the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 No. 203 (NSW). According to the explanatory note, the Bill proposes to "facilitate the carrying out of development that has previously been approved by removing in certain circumstances any reduction of the maximum period of 5 years during which the development consent does not lapse pending the carrying out of the development. • The Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Amendment Bill 2010 (NSW) proposes to amend the Land and Environment Court Act 1979 No. 204 (NSW). The Bill was introduced into the Legislative Assembly and received its second reading speech on 21 April 2010. According to the explanatory note, the Bill would make a consequential amendment to recognise the jurisdiction of the Land and Environment Court to hear and determine certain applications under the Dividing Fences Act 1991 No. 72 (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: • State Water Corporation Act 2004 • Lord Howe Island Act 1953 • Noxious Weeds Act 1993 11. 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: • Liverpool • Port Macquarie-Hastings
EDO in the Media12. Sydney Morning Herald: Councils join forces for legal tilt at Barangaroo project (7 May 2010) Australia 's biggest urban renewal project appears certain to end up in court. Councillors from three councils have joined a residents' action group to stop the $6 billion Barangaroo development. North Sydney Council voted unanimously this week to join Leichhardt Council and investigate taking legal action to stop the NSW Government moving the cruise passenger ship terminal from Barangaroo, in East Darling Harbour , to the Balmain peninsula. Genia McCaffery, the mayor of North Sydney and president of the Local Government Association, will also join the Barangaroo Action Group, which has asked the Environmental Defender's Office to look at legal means to stop the project. To read this article, please visit:
Environmental Law Notices - New South Wales13. 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://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=search&status_id=6 • West Korora - residential subdivision http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=1084 • Sancrox - residential subdivision http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=1085 14. State Conservation Notices - Invitation to Comment The 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 • Catchment Management Authorities (Hunter Central Rivers) Regulation 2010 http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/water/10214HCRris.pdf 15. Department of Lands - Public Exhibition The 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 - Commonwealth16. 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: Cth Coral Sea - upgrade of weather stations http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=5483 Browse Basin - seismic survey http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=5475 QLD Biggenden - highway upgrade http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=5480 Merinda - rail upgrade http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=5480 VIC Gippsland - line of sight clearing http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=5481 Goulburn River - mercury recovery program http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=5477 SA Northern Eyre Peninsula - Mining http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=5478 WA Albany- Emu Point residential area http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=5479 Wandi - residential development http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=5476
Community News17. Paddy Pallin Foundation Science Grants The Paddy Pallin Foundation in conjunction with the Royal Zoological Society of NSW is pleased to announce that the 2010 Paddy Pallin Foundation Science Grants are now open. $7000 is available for a post graduate student or an early career scientist. The research must address conservation problems in Australian systems and have clearly defined management implications. Preference will be given to research which deals with ecological community processes. Applications will close with the Royal Zoological Society of NSW at 5pm on 30 July 2010 . For further information please visit the Paddy Pallin Foundation website at: 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 Please go to www.ncenergyforum.org for more information or to register. The EDO Northern Rivers office is providing legal and other assistance to the Forum. Join authors Rick Smith (Environmental Defence, Canada ) and Bruce Lourie (influential environmental consultant) at a special appearance at NSW Parliament House sponsored by the Hon. Ian Cohen NSW Greens MLC, to discuss the findings and implications of their best selling book - Slow Death by Rubber Duck: How the toxic chemistry of everyday life affects our health. Joining the discussion will be Dr Mariann Lloyd Smith and Jo Immig from Australia's peak toxics NGO the National Toxics Network who will discuss the implications for Australia. When: Friday 21 st May 2010 RSVP to Jo Immig info@ntn.org.au or ph: 02 6687 1900
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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Friday 10 September, 2010
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