Environmental law enforcement in WA is on the uptick

The Perth Magistrates Court recently found gold miner Bellevue Gold Limited liable for two environmental offences relating to a hypersaline spill after enforcement action by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. Bellevue was fined $41,000 in total for the offences. Read more

Queensland passes amendments to the Environmental Protection Act 1994

The Environmental Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 (Qld) (EPOLA Bill) was passed yesterday. The EPOLA Bill amends the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Qld) with wide ranging implications for Queensland operators, in particular for the resources sector. It also makes minor amendments to the Waste Reduction and recycling Act 2011 (Qld) and the Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993 (Qld). Read more

Treaty on maritime biodiversity finalised

On 4 March 2023, the UN Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (Conference) reached agreement on the text of a new treaty which seeks to protect the marine environment. The Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological … Read more

Environment and climate features in 2023 Federal Budget

The 2023 Federal Budget has promised increased funding and programs supporting climate and environmental initiatives. Snapshot This is the first Federal Budget since the Government committed Australia to a 43% emissions reduction target by 2030 and net zero by 2050 and the release of the State of the Environment Report.  The Budget contains key funding … Read more

New Government, new Minister, new Federal environmental laws?

Going into the recent Federal election, the Australian Labor Party committed to establishing an independent Environment Protection Agency and providing a full response to the review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth). With the new Ministry now sworn in, we look at what changes these commitments might bring. Read more

The election and the environment: what happens next?

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