EDO Annual Conference 2006 - Conference Papers and Presentations

Opening Plenary Session

Director's Welcome
Jeff Smith, Director, Environmental Defender's Office (NSW)

Conference Opening
Hon. Bob Debus, NSW Attorney General and Minister for the Environment

Keynote Presentation
Justice Preston, Chief Judge, NSW Land and Environment Court

Effective Civil Enforcement

Civil enforcement proceedings play a key role in preventing breaches of environmental law and remedying environmental harm. In this session, two experienced lawyers will discuss the effective use of civil enforcement mechanisms by government agencies and third parties.

Ilona Millar, Principal Solicitor, Environmental Defender's Office
Duncan Miller, Barrister
Ian Ratcliff, Solicitor, Environmental Defender's Office

Community Based Monitoring

Community-based monitoring provides important information about the condition of the environment, and draws environmental problems to the attention of regulators. In this session, presenters will present a range of case studies and discuss the role of community-based monitoring.

Andrew Cox, Executive Officer, NSW National Parks Association
Greg Hunt, National Manager, Waterkeepers Australia
Judy Reizes, Coordinator, Manly Environment Centre

Native Vegetation Management

State government compliance and enforcement programs have a key role to play in controlling unsustainable land clearing. In this session, presenters will examine the strengths and limitations of the recently released NSW native vegetation compliance policy.

Tim Holden, Corporate Counsel, Department of Natural Resources
Felicity Wade, NSW Campaigns Manager, The Wilderness Society
Rachel Walmsley, Policy Director, Environmental Defender's Office

Threatened Species Protection

Global biodiversity loss demands effective local solutions. In this session, presenters discuss the adequacy of existing mechanisms for the protection of threatened species and their habitats, and competing visions for improved protection of biodiversity in New South Wales.