COVID-19 poses a real risk of staff absences and impacts on environmental supply chains. There may also be the need for operations to cease temporarily, and at short notice. Business will need to consider the threat this poses to their capacity to comply. COVID-19 will not excuse businesses from meeting environmental obligations. Read more
The Discussion Paper relating to the Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) has been released for public consultation. Written submissions on the Discussion Paper are due by 5pm on 14 February 2020. Read more
The NSW Government has introduced the Design and Building Practitioners Bill 2019 (Bill) to the NSW Parliament. The Bill responds to the Building Confidence report dated February 2018 by Professor Peter Shergold and Ms Bronwyn Weird (Report). The Report addressed the compliance and enforcement issues faced by the building and construction industry in NSW following serious defects with newly built apartment towers in Sydney. Read more
A draft bill to amend the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA) was released yesterday for public consultation. The draft bill reflects a wholesale review of the Act and proposes the most significant amendments since it was enacted. All land users in WA whose current and future activities are regulated by the Act should closely follow these reforms. Read more
Proponents of new and expansion coal mine projects face increased scrutiny to facilitate ecologically sustainable development and ensure that the cost of environmental effects is not disproportionately borne by future generations. We explore the refusal of an open cut and underground coal mine in Bylong Valley, NSW. Read more
Recently, the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape in Victoria became the first site in Australia accepted onto the UNESCO World Heritage List solely for Aboriginal cultural significance. The occasion presents a chance to reflect on what World Heritage listing means and how Australian environmental and cultural heritage legislation applies to Aboriginal cultural landscapes. Read more
Consultation closes this Friday, 20 September on the draft Compliance and Enforcement Policy of the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER). The policy is expected to guide DWER’s actions in relation to compliance and enforcement for environmental and water-related regulation. The policy will also assist industry in engaging with DWER on such matters and understanding DWER’s approach and the likely consequences of non-compliances. Read more
This week, the Victorian EPA and DELWP released draft regulations and other subordinate instruments required under the Environment Protection Act 2017 for public input, providing insight into the EPA’s proposed approach to many features of Victoria’s new environment protection framework. Read more
Climate change considerations have been pivotal to a recent State Administrative Tribunal decision in Western Australia: Two Rocks Investments Pty Ltd and Western Australian Planning Commission [2019] WASAT 59. This decision is the first of its kind in Western Australia. Read more
