In brief...

The EDO is an independent, non-profit, community legal service, practising in public interest environmental law. The EDO's activities include:

• Providing the community with legal advice and representation on public interest environmental matters;
• Developing and promoting community legal education programs;
• Contributing to environmental and planning law reform and policy.

EDO Mission: To mobilise informed and active use of environmental law and increase access to legal resources in defence of the environment. To utilise knowledge and a dedicated legal community to catalyse policy reform, deliver targeted community education and increase community engagement in monitoring and protecting Victoria’s natural and cultural heritage.

EDO Vision: To set and pursue a progressive agenda for law reform, education and action aimed at the greater protection of Victoria’s natural and cultural heritage.

Staff list...
Board list...

In detail...

The Environment Defenders Office (Victoria) Limited (EDO) is a community legal service practicing public interest environmental law. It is an independent organisation with a broadly based membership of individuals and interest groups. It commenced operation in 1991, with a grant from the Victorian Law Foundation, to meet a need in the community for a legal service providing planning and environmental law advice and assistance to people who wish to protect the environment and who cannot otherwise afford to pay for private lawyers.

The EDO attempts to redress the considerable imbalance in resources that exists between the public and those who initiate planning and development proposals. The legislation, regulations, guidelines, processes and by-laws in this area of law are complex and can be intimidating. Those initiating planning, development and other proposals that impact on the environment, typically have both substantial financial resources, and ease of access to expert legal and planning advice and representation. Community groups and individuals wishing to contest or modify such proposals, on the other hand, usually have only limited funds and sources of advice and expertise available to them. The EDO makes it possible for individuals and groups who want to protect the environment to pursue public interest conservation issues through the legal and planning systems with expert, professional help.

The EDO presently employs two solicitors, one Administration and Projects Coordinator and a Project Worker, all on a part-time basis. The service is also assisted by a secondee solicitor. Staff list... The EDO is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors. Board list...

For advice and information, the EDO can be contacted by phone or email. Contact details...

The EDO is part of a National Network of EDOs in each State and Territory, established under the Commonwealth Access to Justice Program in 1995. The EDO Network has a webpage which provides information about the Network and each EDO. It also facilitates legal research and access to other helpful links. Work being undertaken by the EDO such as policy submissions, is available on the site: EDO Network...

The EDO is partly funded under the Commonwealth Community Environmental Legal Program through the Legal Aid Branch Family Law and Legal Assistance Division of the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department. Further sources of income are obtained through: Department of Sustainability and Environment; projects funded by charitable trusts; special fundraising events; membership fees; and private donations from members and associates.

Use the links in the left-hand menu to find out more about the EDO's activities.

Click here to read the EDO's Annual Report 2006-2007 (PDF, 522KB)

Principal Solicitor
Brendan Sydes

Solicitors
John Hannagan
Elizabeth McKinnon
Emma Peppler
Alice Skipper

Administration and Projects Coordinator
Mandy Johnson

Project Worker
Verity McLucas

Return to top

Chairperson
Stephen May
Group Manager Fundraising, Scope

Deputy Chairpersons
Susie Chippendale
Manager - Domestic Communications, Australian Red Cross

Henry Jackson
Barrister

Honorary Treasurer
Richard Hilton
Senior Manager, Technology, Minerals and Property audit group, Ernst & Young

Honorary Secretary
Miriam McDonald
Consultant, Maddocks

Return to top