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

Proponents of new and expansion coal mine projects face increased scrutiny to facilitate ecologically sustainable development and ensure that the cost of environmental effects is not disproportionately borne by future generations. We explore the refusal of an open cut and underground coal mine in Bylong Valley, NSW. Read more

Our new Climate Change: Succeed in a lower-carbon future report, which gathers insights from our global experts, considers the political, regulatory and commercial pressures arising from climate change, looks at the steps for ensuring that risk management practices measure up to the climate change challenge, and examines the benefits for businesses in all sectors that lead the transformation and innovate toward a lower-carbon future. Read more

Recently, the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape in Victoria became the first site in Australia accepted onto the UNESCO World Heritage List solely for Aboriginal cultural significance. The occasion presents a chance to reflect on what World Heritage listing means and how Australian environmental and cultural heritage legislation applies to Aboriginal cultural landscapes. Read more

Wind energy facility proponents should take note of recent developments in the regulation of noise impacts from wind energy facilities in Victoria, which signal increased scrutiny of noise impacts from operations. Read more

On 11 July 2019, the Climate Change Authority released a Consultation Paper regarding the Authority’s update of its previous advice to the Commonwealth Government on the policy toolkit required to meet Australia’s greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments under the Paris Agreement. Submissions on the Consultation Paper may be made until 23 August 2019. Read more

The Victorian government has today released the new Solar Energy Facilities – Design and Development Guideline (Guidelines), reflecting the similar policy approach to wind energy facilities. A planning scheme amendment is now expected to occur imminently to introduce the Guidelines to the Victoria Planning Provisions which will require all applicants for a solar energy facility to, as relevant, consider and follow the Guidelines prior to, and when, making a planning permit application. Read more

What’s new in waste this new financial year? Effective from 1 July 2019, many State governments have introduced or increased waste levies at their landfills and collection depots. Read more