The Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management (Register) Bill 2020 has been introduced into the Commonwealth Parliament to create a national register of industrial chemicals and make recommendations as to their risk management. Read more

The NSW Government proposes to introduce industry-specific environmental assessment requirements, new assessment guidelines and an environmental impact statement certification regime for State significant projects. Public submissions on the proposed reforms will close on 12 February 2021. Read more

On 14 December 2020, the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources released the consultation paper, "Enhancing Australia's Decommissioning Framework". The paper is the third step in a reform process and follows a Discussion Paper published in October 2018, a process of consultation and stakeholder formal submissions into early 2019. Implementation of the framework is expected to occur in 2021. We have outlined the key components of the proposed Enhanced Framework. Read more

Our prediction: The legal landscape is shifting away from being a roadblock to investment and towards facilitating upward momentum in the development space. Read more

On 30 November 2020. the Western Australian Government released the long awaited ‘Western Australian Climate Policy: A plan to position Western Australian for a prosperous and resilient low-carbon future’. Read more

The NSW Government is seeking feedback on proposed amendments to State environmental planning policies relating to health services facilities, educational establishments and childcare facilities. Submissions will close on 17 December 2020. Read more

A strategic vision and proposed approach to infrastructure contributions for key precincts within the Western Sydney Aerotropolis and Western Parkland City has been released. Public submissions on the exhibited documents will close on 18 December 2020. Read more

The settlement this week of Mr McVeigh’s proceeding against REST has underlined management of climate risk and TCFD-aligned disclosure as growing issues for institutional investors. Other recent developments include a further post-approval challenge to a coal mine, asserting that new expert evidence regarding climate change impacts on the Great Barrier Reef should be taken into account to revoke the approval decision and prosecution for import of synthetic greenhouse gas where a single offence attracted an agreed penalty of $500,000. Read more