A group of Australian teenagers has filed a class action against the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment, and is seeking an injunction to prevent the Minister approving a proposed coal mine expansion. The claim alleges that approving the mine would breach the Minister’s common law duty of care to young people. The case follows the recent landmark proceedings alleging that the Commonwealth and others failed to properly disclose information about climate change risks to prospective investors in government bonds. We provide a snapshot of the issues and implications of these proceedings. 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

The Cooperative Research Centre of Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment, in consultation with the National Remediation Framework Steering Group, has released the National Remediation Framework. The Framework is intended for use by land owners and managers, government agencies and site contamination practitioners as a reference point for best practice methods and approaches to remediation. Read more

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the Victorian Government has announced that the commencement of the State's new environment protection regime will be postponed until 1 July 2021. However, consultation continues on guidance and subordinate legislation to support its implementation. Read more

The Victorian Government’s recent circular economy strategy outlines a bold plan to transform Victoria’s relationship with waste and recycling. The Recycling Victoria strategy represents a fundamental change of mindset and will require changed behaviours from industry and consumers. Businesses operating in this space should be aware of the investment opportunities presented by the changing waste landscape. Read more

More complex, taking longer, and less certain. The Productivity Commission confirms that there is scope for improvement for regulatory processes, including reduced duplication of Commonwealth and State assessments and approvals. 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 new Bill introduced into the Victorian Parliament seeks to update the habitat compensation arrangements within Melbourne’s growth corridors, providing additional funding to support State government acquisition of land for conservation area reserves given increases in land values. Read more