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 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

On 15 December 2021, the much anticipated Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Bill 2021 (WA) (the Bill) passed the upper house of the Parliament of Western Australia as introduced. The Bill has been updated since the previously circulated Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Bill 2020 (WA) (Exposure Draft), and has been designed to replace the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 … Read more

The NSW Legislative Council’s Standing Committee on Social Issues has published its report on its review of the Heritage Act 1977 (NSW). The report makes 26 recommendations and agrees with the key recommendations we made in our submission. The NSW Government will respond to the report by April 2022. Read more

The Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia has released the much anticipated ‘Final report into the destruction of Indigenous heritage sites at Juukan Gorge’. In this post, we provide an overview of the key findings and recommendations of the report. Read more

On 25 August 2021, the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment (Economic Empowerment) Bill 2021 (the Bill) was introduced into Australian Parliament. The Bill aims to empower Northern Territory Aboriginal peoples by activating the economic potential of their land. Read more

The Heritage Act 1977 (NSW) is under review and we have made a detailed submission. While there are parts of the Heritage Act which may benefit from review, we consider that wholesale repeal or revisiting of the Act is not necessary. What we would like to see is a benchmarking exercise to develop a cohesive, … Read more

On 13 May 2021, the NSW Legislative Council’s Standing Committee on Social Issues commenced a review of the Heritage Act 1977 (NSW) (Heritage Act). The proposed changes are intended to walk the fine line of making it easier and less expensive to own heritage property while also improving heritage outcomes. A tiered system for heritage protection and additional enforcement options are some of the items for consideration. The Committee is accepting submissions until 27 June 2021. Read more