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Previous submissions and other papers |
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The EDO actively monitors developments in Victorian and Commonwealth environment and planning law and, where appropriate, makes submissions to Government relating to existing and proposed legislation. Examples of our recent work are outlined below.
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW REFORM CALENDAR
For information about upcoming Victorian and Federal environmental law reform issues 2009-2010 including timetables and due dates for community submissions, click here.
Reforming the Environmental Water Reserve: How amending Victoria's Water Act could restore river health
The EDO has released a report reviewing the legal mechanisms for environmental water in Victoria and made a number of recommendations for reform of the Victorian Water Act 1989 to improve the protection and management of water in the environmental water reserve. The report was commissioned by Environment Victoria.
View report (PDF, 372KB)
ISSUES & BACKGROUND PAPERS AND SUBMISSIONS
In this section:
- Climate Change Bill 2010
- Biodiversity Strategy 2010-2015
- Coastal Climate Change Advisory Committee
- Environmental effects statement process review
- Renewable energy projects approval process
- Victorian Climate Charter proposal
- Modernising Victoria’s Planning Act
- EPBC Act: 10-year review
- Urban Growth Boundary extension
- National Carbon Offset Standard
- Bushfires
- Subordinate Legislation Amendment Bill
View previous papers and issues
Climate Change Bill 2010 (27 July 2010)
The Victorian Climate Change Bill was introduced into Parliament on 27 July 2010. The Bill will implement some of the measures announced in the Climate Change White Paper which was released Monday 2 August.
Biodiversity Strategy 2010-2015
Coastal Climate Change Advisory Committee (May 2010)
The Coastal Climate Change Advisory Committee was established by the Victorian Government to examine whether the Victorian planning system can adequately deal with the impacts of the impacts of climate change on Victoria's coast. More details and the issues paper can be found on the DSE website (external site).
Environmental effects statement process review (March 2010)
The Victorian Parliament’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee is holding an inquiry into the operation of the environmental effects statement process (EIA process) under the Environmental Effects Act 1978. The Committee sought submissions by 31 March 2010 but some extensions may be granted to the end of April on individual application. More details can be found on the Parliamentary website (external site).
EDO has made a submission to the inquiry and prepared a briefing note summarising our concerns about the current process and some recommendations for reform.
Renewable energy projects approval process
Proposal for a Victorian Climate Charter (October 2009)
The EDO is proposing a Climate Charter which sets up a legal framework to ensure that Victoria is proactively addressing climate change. The framework will ensure Victoria will significantly reduce its emissions, and make its best effort to adapt to the unavoidable climate impacts we are already starting to feel. We want your views and support. You can read the 12-page document and the 2-page summary via the links below.
Submission in response to the State Government's Climate Change Green Paper (30 September 2009)
Modernising Victoria’s Planning Act
In March 2009 DPCD released Modernising Victoria’s Planning Act - A discussion paper on opportunities to improve the Planning and Environment Act 1987.
DPCD then released five response papers as part of the review. The papers set out the Government’s proposed reforms of the Act. The papers were drafted in response to the issues and suggestions raised in public submissions to the discussion paper. The EDO prepared a briefing note which highlights some of the changes proposed.
In December 2009, DPCD released for comment a draft Planning and Environment Amendment (General) Bill.
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act: 10-year review
The EPBC Act is undergoing a 10-year review to look at whether the Act is meeting its objectives. The EDO has produced this briefing note explains the history of the review and next steps.
Urban Growth Boundary extension (July 2009)
See also
the Environmental Law Online portal on this topic.
National Carbon Offset Standard: Key Issues and Contentions (February 2009)
The Federal Government released a discussion paper on a national carbon offset standard for public comment. Under the proposed Federal emissions trading scheme, voluntary action by individuals and companies to reduce their emissions will not, in some cases, reduce Australia's overall emissions. The EDO drafted an issues paper which helps to clarify the role of the offsets standard and discusses the issues surrounding voluntary action under an emissions trading scheme.
Bushfires
Subordinate Legislation Amendment Bill
EARLIER SUBMISSIONS AND OTHER PAPERS
- Major Transport Projects Facilitation Bill (September 2009) - In August 2009 the Government introduced the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Bill into Parliament, aiming to streamline the approval process for major transport projects in Victoria. This Bill represented a major shift in the way transport projects are assessed and approved and yet there had been no formal public consultation. There are many aspects of the Bill which were of concern for public participation, environmental protection and good governance. This issues paper covers the background, a summary of the Bill and the EDO's concerns with the Bill.
- Human Rights and the Environment (May 2009) - EDO Victoria and EDO NSW drafted a discussion paper which outlines which environmental rights could and should be protected through a human rights charter, and what environmental rights protection could do for the environment.
- Submission in response to ‘The role of VCAT in a changing world’ consultation paper (12 June 2009)
- Submission in response to the the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission's A Sustainable Future for Victoria: Getting Environmental Regulation Right (May 2009)
- Submission in response to the State Government Land and Biodiversity Green Paper (July 2008)
- Submission in response to the Draft Victorian Coastal Strategy 2007 (31 January 2008)
- Submission to VicRoads Code of Practice for Native Vegetation Removal Background Paper (7 December 2007)
- Submission to the Melbourne 2030 Audit (September 2007)
- Submission in response to the State Government Land and Biodiversity White Paper discussion paper (June 2007)
- Submission to the First Biennial Assessment of the National Water Initiative (28 February 2007)
ANEDO submissionsEDO Victoria contributes to submissions made by the Australian Network of Environmental Defenders Offices (ANEDO). Visit the ANEDO website for details, by clicking on 'EDO Network' in the menu at left, or by clicking here.
BIODIVERSITY WHITE PAPER REPORT
In January 2008, the EDO released its report Land and Biodiversity - a Call for Action. This report examines the submissions received by the Department of Sustainability and Environment in June 2007 in response to the consultation paper Land and Biodiversity at a Time of Climate Change.
View/download the report... (PDF, 500 KB)
Read more about the report...For more information about the Biodiversity White Paper process, visit (external sites):
Department of Sustainability and Environment
Victorian National Parks Association and the 'Victoria Naturally' allianceTo read the EDO's submission to the Green Paper (July 2008), click here (PDF, 240KB)
To read the EDO's original submission (June 2007), click here (PDF, 140KB)
In November 2006, the EDO and Threatened Species Network presented Future Guaranteed? Victoria’s Threatened Species, a one-day conference examining Victorian threatened species laws. More information...
