The High Court is set to determine whether New Acland Coal’s application for an extension of the New Acland open-cut coal mine (Stage 3 Project) must be determined afresh as a result of bias on the part of the Land Court of Queensland. Read more

A community group of bushfire survivors has commenced proceedings in the NSW Land and Environment Court against the NSW Environment Protection Authority to encourage or compel the development of policies to address NSW’s greenhouse gas emissions. Read more

The Bylong Valley Protection Alliance has been joined as a party in judicial review proceedings in the NSW Land and Environment Court challenging the refusal of development consent for a coal mine in Bylong Valley, NSW. Read more

Government’s intent to reform the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA) has been formalised with the tabling of the Environmental Protection Amendment Bill 2020 (WA) on 16 April 2020. While framed as a modernisation of the Act, the substantive reform proposed in the Bill is modest in nature and not comparable to the wholesale reform elsewhere in Australia. However, a number of the amendments will see far greater clarity and real procedural efficiencies, particularly in the Part IV and Part V assessment and approval processes. Read more

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

If you are a property owner in South East Queensland, you should consider whether you need to make a submission on the: result of your property’s Koala Habitat Map Report (if your property has been developed) by 22 December 2019; and Draft SEQ Koala Conservation Strategy 2019 – 2024 (Draft Strategy) by 31 January 2020. … Read more

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has provided insights into relevant considerations for proposed solar farms in three recent decisions, in which three of the five projects considered were refused. 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