Achievements

Achievements

2005-2006

The rapid population growth of Queensland is placing great strain on our natural environment. During the year, EDO has provided legal advice and information to individuals, community groups and conservation groups who want to protect our native creatures and their shrinking habitat, using Queensland Environment and Planning Laws, and the federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act.

During 2005-2006, EDO conducted seven court cases, including an important test case in the Queensland Planning and Environment Court to protect Flying Foxes; and the subsequent successful appeal to Queensland Court of Appeal. EDO has represented clients seeking to protect Koala habitat; negotiated improved conditions for a tourism development in an ecologically sensitive area; conducted a Regional Forests test case; and assisted EDO NQ on a climate change test case concerning Coal Mines.

In Law Reform, EDO was invited to represent the views of the community in a review of the Integrated Planning Act (IPA) - Queensland ’s most important piece of planning legislation. On behalf of clients, we also prepared reports, made submissions and attending meetings on a range of Law Reform issues, including the Government’s proposed Wild Rivers Bill, Queensland’s Wetlands; Vegetation Clearing laws; the South East Queensland Regional Plan; the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority; and Local Government Electoral Reform.

Our major Legal Education project this year was the publication of The Community Litigants Handbook, a toolkit offering clear explanations and practical tips on how to run a town planning appeal in the Planning and Environment Court . Written by EDO lawyer Anita O’Hart, with a foreword by Judge Alan Wilson of the Queensland P & E Court, the Handbook is proving a popular resource for people wishing to use the law to protect our environment.