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

The NSW Court of Criminal Appeal has reaffirmed that prosecutors should not lay a single charge in respect of multiple offences, including environmental offences. Read more

The Victorian Government has published details of the proposed regulatory framework to consolidate regulation of waste and recycling in Victoria. Read more

A group of Australian teenagers has filed a class action against the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment, and is seeking an injunction to prevent the Minister approving a proposed coal mine expansion. The claim alleges that approving the mine would breach the Minister’s common law duty of care to young people. The case follows the recent landmark proceedings alleging that the Commonwealth and others failed to properly disclose information about climate change risks to prospective investors in government bonds. We provide a snapshot of the issues and implications of these proceedings. Read more

After much anticipation, the WA State Government last week released for public consultation the draft Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Bill 2020. Submissions on the Draft Bill are due by 9 October 2020. Here we provide a brief snapshot of the Draft Bill and points for consideration in making a submission. Read more

The Commonwealth Government has taken the first step in a staged approach to reform of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act). The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Streamlining Environmental Approvals) Bill 2020 (Cth) (EPBC Amendment Bill) was introduced to Parliament on 27 August 2020, largely reflective of reforms to … Read more

The renewable energy sector is leading the transition to a net-zero carbon economy, and was recognised again in the Climate Change Authority’s recent report as being fundamental to a sustainable recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. Read more