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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.
LAW REFORM ISSUES TIMETABLE
For information about upcoming Victorian and Federal environmental law reform issues 2009-2010 including timetables and due dates for community submissions, click here (new link; please update your bookmark).
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.
View proposal (PDF, 206KB)
Major Transport Projects Facilitation Bill: Issues and Concerns (September 2009)
In August 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 represents a major shift in the way transport projects are assessed and approved and yet there has been no formal public consultation. There are many aspects of the Bill which are of concern for public participation, environmental protection and good governance. This issues paper covers the background, a summary of the Bill, the EDO's concerns with the Bill and the next steps.
Briefing Paper - Modernising Victoria’s Planning Act
DPCD has released five response papers as part of the review of the Planning and Environment Act 1987. 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 Modernising Victoria’s Planning Act which was released in March this year. The EDO has prepared a briefing note which highlights some of the changes proposed.
Briefing Paper - 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.
Human Rights and the Environment: Discussion Paper (May 2009)
EDO Victoria and EDO NSW have 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. This discussion paper will help in drafting a submission as part of the national consultation on a human rights charter for Australia.
National Carbon Offset Standard: Key Issues and Contentions (February 2009)
The Federal Government hasreleased 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 has 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.
If you seek information on bushfires, visit our information resource Environmental Law Online.
Recent EDO submissions
Submission in response to the State Government's Climate Change Green Paper (30 September 2009)
Further submission in response to the State Government's Planning and Environment Act review response papers (21 September 2009)
Submission to the Strategic Impact Assessment Report (17 July 2009)
Submission to the National Human Rights Consultation (15 June 2009)
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's Modernising Victoria’s Planning Act - A discussion paper on opportunities to improve the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (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...
