Noise Pollution in the ACT

What are the noise pollution laws in the ACT? Pollution in the ACT is regulated by the Environment Protection Act 1997 (ACT) (EP Act) and the Environment Protection Regulation 2005 (EP Regulation). These are enforced by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), which sits within ‘Access Canberra’ as part of the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic […]

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Freedom of Information in the ACT

What is Freedom of Information? The Freedom of Information Act 2016 (ACT) (‘the Act’) allows you to access government information held by an agency or Minister in the ACT. Getting access to government held information is an important way for you to properly participate in government processes and improved decision-making, and to hold the government […]

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Neighbourhood disputes in the ACT

Disputes often arise between neighbours about environmental issues including light pollution, noise pollution, and pollution from smoke, dust, odour and fumes. This factsheet will look at these issues specifically, but also the general issue of neighbourhood disputes, including what you can do to resolve these disputes and when you can take a matter to the […]

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Trees on Boundaries in the ACT

Living in a leafy, tree-filled community like Canberra gives us a range of benefits. Trees are a beautiful and integral part of our neighbourhoods. Yet conflicts can and do arise between neighbours and local government as a result of trees on boundaries. Trees in the ACT Some trees in the ACT are protected under the […]

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Third party standing in planning and environment matters in the ACAT

Members of the public often want to challenge an environment or planning decision made by the ACT Government in the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (‘ACAT’). However, not every decision is a decision that ACAT can review, nor is everyone, or every organisation, entitled to seek review of a decision. To have a decision reviewed […]

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Explainer: What is the ‘water trigger’?

In this explainer, we tackle the ‘water trigger’ in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. What is it? And what does it have to do with Adani’s North Galilee Water Scheme? Adani’s plan to pump 12 billion litres of water a year from the Suttor River, to its proposed Carmichael coal mine has […]

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