Northern Territory EPA consultation on greenhouse gas and cultural heritage guidance

26 May, 2022
The Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (EPA) commenced consultation last week on greenhouse gas and culture and heritage guidance for assessing proposals likely to have a significant impact on the environment under the Environment Protection Act 2019 (NT) (EP Act). The guidance documents provide advice on: A proponent’s obligations in respect to the EP Act. … Read more

The Third Wheel Podcast Series: ESG in Australia Episode 15

26 May, 2022
By Timothy Stutt, Jojo Fan and Mark Smyth Episode 15 – Climate change and ESG litigation trends in the consumer sector with Jojo Fan and Mark Smyth In this episode, Tim invites our disputes team to share climate change and ESG litigation insights. Jojo Fan from our Hong Kong office and Mark Smyth from the … Read more

The election and the environment: what happens next?

23 May, 2022
The recent Australian Federal election has resulted in a change of government. While the government is settling in, our Environment, Planning and Communities partners set out their top 5 predictions for coming change on environmental matters, and where the priorities should lie. Read more

QLD Planning Minister adds 12 months to development approvals

04 May, 2022
On 29 April 2022, the Honourable Steven Miles MP (Planning Minister) gave notice under section 275R of the Planning Act 2016 (QLD) (Planning Act) and section 171N of the Economic Development Act 2012 (QLD) (ED Act) to extend the currency period of any current development approvals or PDA development approvals (DAs) by a period of … Read more

The Third Wheel podcast series: ESG in Australia Episode 14

03 May, 2022
By Olga Klimczak and Nerida Jessup Episode 14 – Fix the workplace, not the worker with David Burroughs, Westpac In this episode, our Employment, Industrial Relations and Safety team take the wheel, with Olga Klimczak and Nerida Jessup hosting special guest, David Burroughs, Chief Mental Health Officer at Westpac. It’s an important, and lively, discussion on how organisations are shaping work … Read more

Wind farm noise may be a nuisance – but compliance remains a critical issue

12 April, 2022
The Victorian Supreme Court has found that intermittent noise from Bald Hills Wind Farm at night was a nuisance, and awarded damages, aggravated damages in light of the past management of the complaints, and an injunction (stayed for 3 months) to prevent further noise nuisance. The case is significant in confirming that intermittent noise may be a nuisance even if compliant with the regulatory regime, although the specific permit conditions for Bald Hills and different regulations that now apply to wind farms in Victoria mean that this decision cannot be directly translated to other circumstances. Uren v Bald Hills Wind Farm Pty Ltd [2022] VSC 145 (25 March 2022) Read more

The Third Wheel podcast series: ESG in Australia Episode 13

06 April, 2022
By Timothy Stutt and Melanie Debenham Episode 13 – Australian Federal Election with Graham Phelan, Frontier Economics Mel and Tim discuss a key battleground ahead of the election, climate change action, with Graham Phelan, ESG Lead for Frontier Economics. Graham takes a look back at previous election results to predict whether climate change action and … Read more

Winds of change: an update on Australia’s offshore wind industry

31 March, 2022
Australia has made significant strides in its offshore wind industry in recent weeks, with the regulatory regime expected to commence on 2 June 2022. Victoria has announced Australia’s first offshore wind energy targets, and the Commonwealth Government released the exposure draft of the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Regulations 2022 for public comment. These are important steps in the development of Australia’s offshore wind regulatory framework. Read more