The NSW Government is exhibiting a proposal to remove existing business and industrial zones in local environmental plans (LEPs) throughout the State and introduce five new employment zones. Read more

A draft Strategic Guide to Planning for Natural Hazards and a supporting toolkit has been prepared to help build the State’s natural hazards resilience through strategic planning. Read more

The NSW Government is seeking feedback on a package of reforms to fast-track more types of low-impact, complying development in business and industrial zones. Read more

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment is seeking feedback on how to improve the way clause 4.6 (exceptions to development standards) operates and provide certainty to councils and the development industry. Read more

A draft Construction Noise Guideline has been released by the NSW Environment Protection Authority for public consultation. Private and public construction proponents, contractors, engineers and other stakeholders are encouraged to make a submission on the draft guideline by 30 April 2021. Read more

The High Court has upheld an appeal against New Acland Coal’s applications to extend the New Acland open-cut coal mine. The applications must now be determined afresh as a result of apprehended bias in the Land Court of Queensland. Read more

A number of provisions of the Environmental Protection Amendment Act 2020 (WA) came into operation on 3 February 2021, following proclamation on 2 February 2021. We briefly touch on some of the noteworthy changes. Read more

Professor Graeme Samuels has released the Final Report on the Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act), finding that Australia’s ‘current environmental trajectory is unsustainable’ and that the ‘EPBC Act is ineffective’. The Final Report proposes wide-ranging reforms, including the introduction of legally enforceable National Environmental Standards (NES), … Read more