In February 2019, EDO secured a landmark legal victory, with the refusal of the proposed Rocky Hill coal mine in the New South Wales Upper Hunter region. A key factor in the win was the mine’s potential impacts on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. The once-in-a-generation case was the first time since the Paris […]
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 […]
Responsibilities for pet ownership in the ACT is regulated by the Domestic Animals Act 2000 (ACT) (Domestic Animals Act). Identifying and microchipping your cat Unlike dogs, cats are not legally required to be registered in the ACT. However, cats are required to be identified (section 83 of the Act). The Domestic Animals Regulation 2001 (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 […]
Decisions are made under the Planning and Development Act 2007 (ACT) (‘PD Act’) every day. These decisions may impact on applicants and the general public depending on the nature of the decision. Some, but not all, decisions made under the PD Act are reviewable. This factsheet discusses planning and development decisions that are reviewable at […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Read More… from Third party standing in planning and environment matters in the ACAT
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 […]
The coastal area of the west coast of Tasmania, within takayna / the Tarkine, is one of the longest inhabited in Tasmania, and an area where Tasmanian Aboriginal people(s) have a continuing spiritual relationship with the land. This country is a cultural heritage landscape, rich in evidence of the continuous occupation of Tasmanian Aboriginal people(s), […]
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EDO recognises the traditional owners and custodians of the land, seas and rivers of Australia. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders past and present, and aspire to learn from traditional knowledge and customs so that, together, we can protect our environment and cultural heritage through law.
