Law, Science and the Environment – A Workshop for Sydney Residents

Sydney residents interested in protecting the environment have a unique opportunity to learn about environmental science and the law next month.

The Environmental Defender’s Office (EDO) is running a workshop for community members who want to know how planning and environmental decisions are made, and what to look for in the mountains of paper in the form of environmental impact assessments and reports on display at their local council.

“Concerned residents are often faced with reports such as environmental impact statements full of technical and scientific jargon. We hope our workshop will help them to understand the terminology used by professional consultants and what to look for in these reports,” says EDO Scientific Advisor Dr Scott King.

The workshop has been designed for community groups and individuals from across Sydney
who are struggling with issues such as over-development, pollution, and destruction of remnant bushland.

The workshop will provide practical information and skills on submission writing, finding information on-line and in documents, evidence collection, responding to development applications and breaches of environmental law, and interpreting environmental impact statements.

“The EDO wants people to come away from the workshop with the skills and technical knowledge they need to more effectively participate in protecting the environment,” says Dr King.

Workshop details:

When: Saturday, 10 July 2004, 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Where: Lake Parramatta Training Room, Lake Parramatta Reserve,
Illawong Drive, North Parramatta
Cost: $50 Waged
$20 Unwaged/Student (ID required)

Background Information

The Environmental Defender’s Office (NSW)(EDO) is a community legal centre that specialises in public interest environmental law. The EDO provides legal advice and representation in public interest environmental law cases, takes an active role in environmental law reform and conducts a significant environmental law education program, including community workshops, seminars, publications and conferences.