EDO NSW BULLETIN - 19 January 2012: Number 743

EDO NSW 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. EDO NSW Volunteer Survey

2. EDO NSW becomes a Food Connect City Cousin

3. Murray-Darling Basin - EDO NSW Victoria summary of the legal failures of the draft Plan now available

4. EDO NSW Upcoming Case Update: Jonathon Moylan v Police

5. EDO NSW Case Update: Kennedy v Stockland Development Pty Ltd

6. New Online Fact Sheet: Groundwater

7. FREE EDO NSW Publication: the UPDATED Rural Landholder's Guide to Environmental Law in NSW

8. FREE EDO NSW Publication: Caring for the Coast: A guide to environmental law for coastal communities in NSW

9. FREE EDO NSW Publication: A Guide to Private Conservation in NSW

Law and Policy Watch

10. NSW Native Vegetation Survey

11. Policy Submissions (now open)

12. Recent EDO NSW Submissions

13. New or Current Legislation Introduced to Parliament

14. Legislative Reviews

15. Local Environmental Plan Tracking

EDO in the Media

16. Sydney Morning Herald: Coalmine forced to pay for emissions in landmark case (16 January 2012)

Environmental Law Notices - New South Wales

17. Major Project Proposals: Invitation to Comment

18. Major Project Determinations

19. State Conservation Notices: Invitation to Comment

Environmental Law Notices - Commonwealth

20. EPBC Referrals: Invitation to Comment

Government Gazette Notices - New South Wales

21. Notification of fishing closure for offshore commercial fishing

22. Two new reservations of land for National Parks

Community News

23. Position vacant: AYCC Treasurer

24. Stopping CSG in North West NSW - Narrabri C oal and Gas Convergence, 11 and 12 February 2012

25. Big Solar Boot Camp

26. Fig Forum

27. Green Roast

28. Registrations are open for WildEndurance 2012

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EDO News and Events

1. EDO NSW Volunteer Survey

For all past and present EDO NSW volunteers, we would really appreciate your feedback on your volunteer experience with EDO NSW. Please take a minute to complete this short survey.  All responses are anonymous.  Thank you!

2. EDO NSW becomes a Food Connect City Cousin

EDO is now an official Food Connect City Cousin. We will receive our first Food Connect delivery on Thursday 2 February. This delivery will be the first of our 3 month trial. Members of the public are able to sign up to collect boxes of fresh, locally grown fruit and vegetables from our office in Clarence Street. can come to the office between 3pm and 6pm that day for the collection every Thursday.

To read more about Food Connect and to view EDO NSW's profile, please click.

3. Murray-Darling Basin - EDO NSW Victoria summary of the legal failures of the draft Plan now available

The draft Murray-Darling Basin Plan is currently open for public comment, until 20 April. EDO NSW Victoria has released a briefing paper which explains what the impact of the Plan will be and sets out our main legal concerns with this document.

You can use EDO NSW Victoria's paper to keep yourself informed or to make your own submissions. To read the paper visit EDO NSW Vic's website law reform section. EDO NSW Victoria will release their full legal analysis shortly.

4. EDO NSW Upcoming Case Case Update: Jonathon Moylan v Police

EDO NSW is acting for Jonathon Moylan who was charged and convicted of an intimidation offence after having participated in a protest at the Eden chip mill on 21 January 2011. Mr Moylan is appealing against the conviction and fine imposed by the Bega Local Court on 21 December 2011. Mr Moylan's intimidation conviction has implications for environmental protestors across NSW. The appeal, listed for 16 April 2012, will involve challenging the law on ' intimidation ' and what constitutes 'hindrance' under the act. EDO NSW would like to acknowledge Ken Averre who will be assisting as the barrister.

5. EDO NSW Case Update: Kennedy v Stockland Development Pty Ltd

EDO NSW brought a challenge on behalf of Mr Kennedy against orders made by the Land and Environment Court preventing unauthorised members of the public from entering a Stockland development site. The injunction was granted in order to control protestor action against development occurring on that site. There has been some concern by both local Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community members about the impacts of Stockland's development on Aboriginal cultural heritage and the environment.

Mr Kennedy argued that the terms of the injunction were too wide in preventing any unauthorised member of the public from entering the site, and that the injunction infringed common law rights of free speech and to protest. Mr Kennedy argued that circumstances have changed since the injunction, namely that the protest had now ceased, and the significance of the site had now become apparent. Mr Kennedy argued that injunctions should not be granted against the public at large and costs should not be awarded against Aboriginal clients who are not themselves responsible for a protest activity in their absence..

Justice Pepper found that there are no established common law rights to freedom of speech and to protest in Australia established ,. She also found and that , because the purpose of the injunction was to control protest o e r action , against development on the sight the injunction prohibiting entry by all unauthorised members of the public it was valid. The Court found that this case was not brought in the public interest, and Mr Kennedy was ordered to pay Stockland's costs.

To read the judgment, please click.

6. New Online Fact Sheet: Groundwater

EDO NSW is currently preparing a series of science fact sheets on topics related to the environmental planning and development assessment process. The fact sheets will be written in plain English and in a format similar to EDO NSW's legal fact sheets. Each fact sheet will be reviewed by members of the Expert Register.

The aim of the science fact sheets is to provide clear and relevant information to enable individuals and community groups to better participate in the environmental planning and development assessment process. The fact sheets will complement the advice work of the scientific assessment and advice service.

The groundwater fact sheet aims to provide an overview and explanation of:

•  what groundwater is;

•  the potential risks to groundwater from development;

•  what the groundwater assessment component of an EIA environmental impact assessment should address; and

•  relevant legislation.

To visit our new groundwater fact sheet, please click.

7. FREE EDO NSW Publication: the UPDATED Rural Landholder's Guide to Environmental Law in NSW

The updated version of our plain English publication, the Rural Landholder's Guide to Environmental Law in NSW is now available.

The publication is designed to help rural landholders to understand their legal rights and obligations and to manage their land in accordance with environmental and natural resource management laws. It covers topics such as:

•  vegetation management;

•  water management;

•  construction and other development;

•  heritage;

•  pesticides;

•  mining and quarrying; and

•  trading and offsetting.

This is the third edition of the publication and builds significantly on previous editions. It reflects recent changes to the law and contains several important additional sections.

Boxes of 64 are also available to organisations who wish to distribute copies to their members. Postage is free.

To obtain your FREE copy of the guide please email education@edo.org.au or call (02) 9262 6989.

This project has been assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust.

8. FREE EDO NSW Publication: Caring for the Coast: A guide to environmental law for coastal communities in NSW

Order your FREE copy of Caring for the Coast, EDO NSW's publication dealing with threats to coastal environments and how coastal communities can use the law to achieve better environmental outcomes. The publication is a plain English guide to the key laws affecting the coast and contains lots of tips on how these laws can be used by the public to help protect the coast. The publication has been funded by the Commonwealth Government through its Caring for Our Country program.

If you would like to order a copy, please email us at: education@edo.org.au or call 02 9262 6989. Boxes of 90 are also available for groups or organisations.

9. FREE EDO NSW Publication: A Guide to Private Conservation in NSW

If you would like EDO NSW to visit your area to present a workshop on the contents of the guide please contact EDO NSW Education Director Jemilah Hallinan at education@edo.org.au or 02 9262 6989.

This publication is 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 EDO NSW 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 are also available to groups or organisations.

Law and Policy Watch

10. NSW Native Vegetation Survey

A survey of experiences and opinions on the way government regulates native vegetation is underway. The survey provides stakeholders with an additional avenue for input into the current review process of the Native Vegetation Regulation 2005.

Draft regulations and a series of factsheets explaining the proposed changes will be made available shortly.

To access information about the review, please click.

You can also register to keep up to date with the review by emailing or calling 131 555.

11. Policy Submissions (now open)

•  Marine bioregional planning process

The Commonwealth Government is seeking input from the community regarding the marine bioregional planning process. This process includes the creation of marine bioregional plans for five areas, as well as the establishment of an Australia-wide network of marine parks. Submissions are currently sought for the following:  

•  The Commonwealth marine reserves network proposal and the draft Marine Bioregional Plan for the Temperate East Marine Region ( de adline 21 st February )

•  The Coral Sea Commonwealth marine reserve proposal ( deadline 24 February ).

For further details visit the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities here.

•  Independent review of NSW waste levy

The NSW Government has announced an independent review of the waste and environment levy ( " the waste levy " ).The Government is seeking input from local councils, waste and recycling industries and the wider community on the impacts and operations of the levy imposed on each tonne of waste disposed in landfill. Regional workshops will be held in February. Submissions close on 13 April 2012.

For further details see 'Legislative reviews' below or visit the OEH website , available here.

•  NSW Planning System Review - Issues paper

www.planningreview.nsw.gov.au

The NSW Government is conducting a comprehensive review of the  S s tate planning system to meet today's needs and priorities.

On 6 December , the Government released an Issues Paper by the independent review panel,  The way ahead for planning in NSW ? for public comment. The paper asks a series of detailed questions on key themes. Responses will help guide the development of policy options which will be released in 2012.

Comments and submissions on the issues paper can be lodged until 17 February 2012 . For more information, please click.

For EDO NSW's submission to the prior stage of the planning review, please click. Also see summary under 'Recent EDO NSW submissions'.

•  Murray Darling Basin Plan - draft for consultation

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) released the proposed Basin Plan on 28 November 2011, for a consultation period through to 16 April 2012.

EDO Victoria will be releasing a Briefing Paper on the Draft Plan shortly. We will provide a link to the paper when it is up, or click here.

The Basin Plan will set enforceable limits on the quantities of surface water and groundwater that can be taken from the Murray-Darling Basin water resources. The MDBA recommends new sustainable diversion limits be set at 2,750 gigalitres less than current diversions in the rivers across the Basin, to provide additional water for the environment. The proposed Basin Plan also includes detailed Water Resource Plan requirements, an Environmental Watering Plan that aims to protect and restore the environmental assets of the Basin, and a Water Quality and Salinity Management Plan that will establish water quality parameters for managing Basin water resources. A scientific review of the Plan by the CSIRO is also available here.

Submissions are due to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority by 16 April 2012 .

•  Draft wind farm planning assessment guidelines released

The NSW Government has prepared draft wind farm guidelines and is seeking public comment. The draft guidelines are on exhibition from 23 December 2011 until Wednesday 14 March 2012 . The guidelines provide guidance on how to measure and assess issues associated with wind farm proposals that are State significant development. The draft guidelines and some Q&As from the Department of Planning and Infrastructure are available here.

•  Draft Energy White Paper (Cth)

In December 2011 the F f ederal Government released a draft Energy White Paper, available here. The draft Energy White Paper has been developed as a basis for consultation on the future directions and priorities for Australian energy policy. Written public submissions are invited by no later than 16 March 2012 . This process will be supported by a series of open information sessions to be held in S s tate and T t erritory capital cities. Further details on the submission and consultation processes are available at here www.energywhitepaper.ret.gov.au.

•  Office of the Information Commissioner - fees and charges

The NSW Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) is seeking views on fees and charges under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW) (GIPA Act) by Tuesday , 31 January 2012 . It has published a discussion paper which sets out questions for members of the public, the media, non-government organisations and advocacy groups about the cost of obtaining access to government information. The OIC would like to hear from people who have obtained, or attempted to obtain, access to government information since the GIPA Act commenced. The fact sheet attaches a questionnaire that can be filled out and returned to the OIC, or there is the option of completing an online survey. A separate consultation on FOI charges by the F f ederal Information Commissioner has closed, but may accept late submissions.

•  Consultation on Packaging Impacts - Environment Protection and Heritage Council

On 7 December 2011, a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) on Packaging Impacts was released for public comment. The Consultation RIS considers options to improve resource recovery and reduce litter associated with a wide range of consumer packaging, including food wrappers and beverage containers. Public forums on the Consultation RIS will be held in February 2012 in capital cities around Australia as well as Bunbury WA , Albury NSW and Townsville QLD.

Responses are sought by 30 March 2012 . For more information, please click.

12. Recent EDO NSW submissions

•  Submission to the Aboriginal Culture and Heritage Reform Working Party on Legislative Review and Reform

19 December 2011

•  Consultation on Mineral Resources' draft Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines

1 December 2011

•  ANEDO submission on light vehicle emission standards

30 November 2012

•  Submission to NSW Planning System Review (stage 1)

4 November 2011

This submission outlines EDO NSW's vision for a new planning system in NSW, and 10 guiding principles to achieve that vision.

In brief, our vision and underpinning philosophy for planning aims to:

•  place sustainability at the centre of planning and development decisions;

•  genuinely engage the community in plan-making and development decisions; and

•  restore balance, transparency and accountability to the planning system.

In this submission, the 10 guiding principles are broadly arranged under the areas suggested for comment by the planning review panel: Objectives and Philosophy, Plan-making, Development Assessment and Administrative Procedures.

The 10 principles are also outlined in EDO NSW's September 2011 briefing note.

The Planning Review Panel has since released an issues paper posing specific questions for further feedback. See www.planningreview.nsw.gov.au for more information.

•  Submission to NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the Kooragang Island Orica chemical leak

4 November 2011

13. New or Current Legislation Introduced to Parliament

NSW Parliament

NSW Parliament has risen for the year and will recommence sittings on 14 February 2012.

Australian Parliament

Federal Parliament has risen for the year and will recommence on 7 February 2012.

14. 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. Regulations are also subject to expiry and review. The following Acts and Regulations are under review or may be of interest:

•  NSW waste levy - independent review announced

On 17 January the NSW Government announced the start of an independent review into the operation of the waste and environment levy ("the waste levy").The Government is seeking input from local councils, waste and recycling industries and the wider community on the impacts and operations of the levy imposed on each tonne of waste disposed in landfill.

Consultants KPMG are leading the review and chairing a series of consultation sessions across NSW ( Ballina, Port Macquarie, Maitland, Sydney CBD, Parramatta and Kiama in late February ). Submissions close on 13 April 2012 .

The Terms of Reference are:

•  the impact on the recycling industry

•  the impact on households

•  funding arrangements to facilitate greater investment in infrastructure with local councils and industry; and

•  the impact on illegal dumping, including the proper disposal of asbestos.

For further information visit the OEH website here.

•  Aboriginal culture and heritage in NSW - legislative review and reform

The commencement of a formal process leading to the broad reform of Aboriginal heritage legislation in NSW gained impetus from the passage of the National Parks and Wildlife Amendment Act 2010 by the NSW Parliament in November 2010.

Consistent with the commitments made in Parliament, the Aboriginal Culture and Heritage Reform Working Party is reviewing options to report to the Minister for the Environment, the Minister for Heritage, and the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, for potential stand-alone legislation. Further information is available here.

•  Native Vegetation Regulation 2005 - statutory review underway

On 13 September 2011, the Minister for the Environment, Robyn Parker MP, announced the start of a statutory review of the Native Vegetation Regulation 2005 under the Native Vegetation Act 2003 . Stakeholders can register to participate by email to native.vegetation@environment.nsw.gov.au.

The review will take up to 12 months and involve three stages.

Further information on the stages of the review is available here.

The public can now have their say about their experiences with the way government regulates native vegetation by completing the Native Vegetation Survey. This information will inform the review of the Native Vegetation Regulation. The survey will be open until 30 March 2012 . To complete the survey click here.

A proposal for changes to the regulation is now being developed. The feedback from all stakeholders, including farmers, foresters and conservationists, is being carefully considered. Those issues raised that are outside of the scope of the regulation are being collated and will be presented to the Government for consideration.

The proposals will be released for public review and comment early in 2012 .

The public consultation period will run for ten weeks. A second series of information sessions will be held during this time. Opportunities for input will be widely publicised in local and national newspapers, on local radio and on the Office of Environment and Heritage website. Those who have registered their interest in the review will be notified directly.

•  BioBanking Scheme - statutory review

The Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (NSW) requires a review of the BioBanking Scheme under Part 7A of that Act as soon as possible after two years of publishing the scheme's scientific assessment methodology. Further information will be available soon. The homepage for the BioBanking scheme is here : http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/biobanking/.

•  EPBC Act (Cth) - Government response to Hawke Review released

On 24 August 2011 the Australian Government released its response to the independent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) as part of a broad package of reforms for Australia 's national environment law. Legislation to implement these reforms is anticipated in early 2012.

15. 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 and Infrastructure 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 Department of Planning and Infrastructure website which allows the community to track their progress. To access the LEP tracking system visit the Department of Planning and Infrastructure website.

Councils which have recently lodged planning proposals for creating or changing their Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) are:

•  Lake Macquarie - rezoning land south of George Booth Dr, Edgeworth

•  Maitland - Glenwood business park extension

•  Kempsey - proposed highway service centre

•  Blacktown - planning proposal for Castlebrook Memorial Park

•  Wingecarribee - rezoning in Nattai St, Welby

•  Nambucca - rural tourist accommodation

•  Nambucca - secondary dwellings

EDO in the Media

16. Sydney Morning Herald : Coalmine forced to pay for emissions in landmark case (16 January 2012)

In a landmark decision, the Land and Environment Court has held that one of New South Wales' coalmines should have to pay to offset some of its greenhouse gas emissions as a condition of operation.

The provisional judgment, delivered on 30 November, was a win for the Hunter Environment Lobby, represented by EDO NSW, which had appealed to the court over the Minister for Planning's decision to both consolidate historical consent authorities of the Ulan mine, near Mudgee, and double its operational life and capacity to 2031.

The parties are due to thrash out the details and timetable of the provisional judgment on February 13, before final orders are made.

To read this article, please click.

Related coverage:

•  Newcastle Herald: Mine decision scope for change.

•  Sydney Morning Herald : Ruling may herald new landscape for miners (16 January 2012).

Environmental Law Notices - New South Wales

17. Major Project Proposals: Invitation to Comment

For a full listing of Major Project proposals currently available for public comment, visit the Department of Planning and Infrastructure website. The following projects have been listed in the last 7 days:

•  Mackas Sand Quarry - access road modification

•  Picton Sewerage Scheme - boundary expansion

•  Colombia Precinct, Homebush - development plan application

•  Australian Catholic University - Strathfield Campus concept plan

•  Amatil Building, Sydney - mixed use development

•  Gumma Sand Quarry - extension modification

18. Major Project Determinations

For a full list of Major Project determinations by the Minister for Planning (or delegate) in relation to development proposals, visit the Department of Planning and Infrastructure website.

No determinations have been made in the last 7 days .

19. State Conservation Notices: Invitation to Comment

The full listing of conservation plans is available for public comment on the National Parks and Wildlife website. The following plans are now open for comment:

•  The Charcoal Tank Nature Reserve - draft plan of management

•  Butterleaf National Park and State Conservation Area - draft plan of management

•  Cataract National Park and State Conservation Area: draft plan of management 2011

•  Fladbury State Conservation Area - draft plan of management 2011

•  The Gunning Reserves - draft plan of management 2011

•  Moore Park Nature Reserve - draft plan of management

•  Single National Park - draft plan of management

•  Timbarra National Park - draft plan of management

•  Warrumbungle National Park - draft plan of management 2011

Draft regional pest management strategies 2012-2015 for weed and pest animal management of national parks and reserves across NSW are also open for comment on the National Parks and Wildlife website until 29 February 2012.

Environmental Law Notices - Commonwealth 

20. EPBC Referrals: Invitation to Comment

Referrals under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 are available for comment on the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities website.

The following referrals have been listed in the last 7 days:

ACT

•  Gungahlin - Thorsby Denominational School site

Queensland

•  Bowen - Abbot Point coal terminal project

•  Ipswich - Blackstone power station

•  Moranbah to Alpha pipeline project

•  Weipa - Bauxite Hills mine and port project

Northern Territory

•  Gulf Region - Roper Bar iron ore mine and transport infrastructure

South Australia

•  Naracoorte - Naracoorte East distribution line and substation

Victoria

•  Cardinia Creek - parklands master plan

•  Mildura - Kings Billabong water management regulator

Western Australia

•  Fitzroy Crossing to Gogo - Great Northern Highway upgrade

•  Kimberley - heavy vehicle route, stage 1 western link

•  Rockingham and Peron - Sepia Depression ocean outlet landline duplication

•  York - St Ronans Conservation Estate

Commonwealth

•  Commonwealth marine (off coast of Victoria) - mineral, oil and gas exploration and 3D marine seismic survey

•  Commonwealth marine (Vlaming sub-basin) - 3D seismic survey

Government Gazette Notices - New South Wales

The NSW Government Gazettes are available here. To read the Gazette of 13 January 2012, please click.

Notices which have been gazetted in the last 7 days include:

21. Notification of Fishing Closure for Offshore Commercial Fishing

The Acting Executive Director of Fisheries NSW has prohibited the taking of fish by all methods by holders of commercial fishing licences for offshore commercial fishing, effective from 10 January 2012 to 10 January 2017. There is an exception for certain boat licences with a special condition permitting offshore fishing.

22. Two new reservations of land for national parks

The NSW Governor has reserved land to form part of Brindabella National Park and Yarrahapinni Wetlands National Park as of 14 December 2011.

Community News

23. Position vacant: AYCC Treasurer

Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) is currently seeking an experienced Accountant to work pro-bono with the Board and Management in the role as Treasurer. Applications should be addressed to the Deputy Chair of the Board, Nick Allardice at nick@change.org by 31 January 2012 .

For more information about the position, please contact Nick Allardice on 0 407103369 or Ilona Millar on 0413451411 or visit the AYCC website here.

24. Stopping CSG in North West NSW - Narrabri C oal and Gas Convergence, 11 and 12 February 2012

This two-day gathering of local and regional community groups and campaigners from around NSW will: kick-start 2012 with a strong strategic base for campaigning for the year ahead; identify and nurture opportunities for collaboration; establish ongoing communication channels for future collaboration; build strong relationships between individuals and organisations; and create a shared understanding of campaign priorities, particularly in relation to the Pilliga coal seam gas proposal.

The meeting is free to attend and lunch and afternoon tea on both days will be supplied. We will endeavour to find accommodation for everyone - please let us know if you need us to book you a place.  Participants from well-resourced organisations will be expected to cover their own transport costs. There are funds available to support travel costs for those who need it.

Contact Naomi Hogan to RSVP for the meeting or for more information: naomi.hogan@wilderness.org.au or call 0401 650 411.

25. Big Solar Boot Camp

Join renewable energy campaigners from across Australia at beautiful Port Hacking in Sydney in February at the Big Solar Boot Camp to energise yourself for another successful year of campaigning to help get big solar built in 2012!

Bringing together fellow campaigners from around Australia , the boot camp will be a fantastic weekend of training, speakers and action.

When : Sydney on Saturday February 11 and Sunday February 12 , 2012.

Where : Port Hacking, Sydney.

Cost : $140 (waged), $60 (unwaged). Travel and attend a e nce scholarships available.

For more information or to apply to attend, please click.

26. Fig Forum

You are invited to come to the Fig Forum, discussing the fig issue in the Civic Precinct at Newcastle. What's new on the Laman Street figs? Are they really dangerous, as the council claims? What do the experts say?

Guest speakers and Q & A panel include Mike Ellison, a UK-based arborist who developed the method of quantified tree risk assessment (QTRA) used by Newcastle Council, and Professor Mark Stewart, Professor of Civil Engineering and Director of the Centre for Infrastructure Performance and Reliability at The University of Newcastle and an expert in risk assessment methods.

When : Monday16 January 2012 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

Where : Hunter Room , City Hall, King Street Newcastle.

Cost : Free.

For more information please contact figforum@gmail.com , or click here.

27. Green Roast

Green Roast is the wild night of fun where you get to laugh at the world whilst helping to conserve it. Some of the very best comedy talent around will have your joke juices working on overdrive. All proceeds will go to The Wilderness Society's environmental campaigns.

When : 25 January 2012 ( Australia Day Eve). Bar Open 7pm, Doors Open 8pm, Show starts 8.30pm.

Where : Comedy Store, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park.

Cost : $40 (all proceeds to The Wilderness Society's environmental campaigns).

For more information, please click.

28. Registrations are open for WildEndurance 2012!

WildEndurance is a fabulous fundraising event, where teams can nominate to complete the entire 100km distance or compete in the 50km events. The challenge is to stay together as a team and complete the course within 36 hours. You will have your support crew meeting you at the 4 checkpoints, keeping up both your spirits and supplies.

Money raised from the 2012 WildEndurance event will allow The Wilderness Society to be a voice for our environment, our wildlife and the balance of nature, so please mark it in your diaries and get training!

When : Saturday 5 May and Sunday 6 May 2012.

Where : The beautiful Blue Mountains

For more information, please click.

EDO NSW BULLETIN - 19 January 2012: Number 743

Clarification to Item 21: Notification of fishing closure

 

In yesterday's bulletin we included an alert about a fishing closure applying to commercial fishing licence holders. We are advised that this is in fact a renewal of a fishing restriction that has already been in place for several years, so is not a new restriction.

That alert should have also indicated that the closure only applies to ocean waters more than 3 nautical miles from the coast. Commercial fishers who hold a boat licence with an offshore general 1 condition (OG1) are able to continue fishing in those waters.

Please see below for the full gazette notification. We apologise for any confusion we may have caused.

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT ACT 1994

Section 8 Notification - Fishing Closure

OG1 - Offshore Commercial Fishing

I, PETER TURNELL, Acting Executive Director, Fisheries NSW, with the delegated authority of the Minister for Primary Industries and the Director-General of the Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services pursuant to sections 227 and 228 of the Fisheries Management Act 1994 ("the Act") and pursuant to section 8 of the Act, do by this notification prohibit the taking of fish by all methods of fishing by the holder of a commercial fishing licence from ocean waters more than three nautical miles from the baselines from which the territorial sea is measured, except from a boat that has a fishing boat licence which is subject to a condition specified in the licence permitting that boat to operate in those waters (described on the licence as "OG1"). This fishing closure is effective for a period of five (5) years from the date of publication of this notification, unless sooner amended or revoked.

Dated this 10th day of January 2012.

PETER TURNELL,

Acting Executive Director, Fisheries NSW,

Department of Primary Industries,

(an office within the Department of Trade and

Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services)