This article has been prepared by our colleagues in Johannesburg to provide an update on energy-related matters in South Africa. The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries appears to be taking proactive measures to expedite the regulatory processes which underpin the development of energy related infrastructure. Read more

The Victorian Government will establish a truth and justice process to formally recognise historic wrongs, and address ongoing injustices, for Aboriginal Victorians. Read more

In response to industry feedback, the Queensland Government has included temporary amendments to the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Qld) (EP Act) in their Justice and Other Legislation (COVID-19 Emergency Response) Amendment Bill 2020 (Response Bill), which was introduced on 19 May 2020. Read more

Hydrogen is heating up with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) offering $70m in a new funding round. Read more

On 18 November 2019, the updated version of the Equator Principles (EP), EP4, was adopted by the Equator Principles Association. EP4 will apply to mandated transactions from 1 July 2020. This article discusses the key amendments made. 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

On 17 October 2019 the Commonwealth government introduced the Native Title Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 (Cth) (Bill) to amend (amongst other legislation) the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (NTA). The Bill proposes the same amendments to the Act as an earlier amendment bill introduced in February 2019 and which lapsed with the federal election. The proposed amendments to the NTA are the most substantive since the ‘Wik’ amendments in 1998.  To assist project proponents in understanding the potential impacts of the Bill, the table below sets out proposed key amendments with the likely implications for existing and future development. 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