Posted 8/8/10 

Latest From EDO

EDO Victoria eBulletin
No. 14 of 2010, 6 August 2010

In This Bulletin:

News & Commentary

•  Climate change legislation
• Bushfires Royal Commission releases report
• Amendment to extend Melbourne’s UGB

EPBC Act – Notices of interest

• New bridge construction and road works at Hamilton

• Residential developments at Warragul

Jobs

•  General Counsel, Australian Conservation Foundation

Events

•  Waste Law Seminar
• VCAT Planning & Environment Appeals Workshop – August

To make a donation in support of our work as the environment’s legal team, please visit www.givenow.com.au/edovic

NEWS & COMMENTARY

Climate change legislation

The Victorian Climate Change Bill was introduced into Parliament on 27 July 2010. The Bill will implement some of the measures announced in the Climate Change White Paper which was released last Monday. The Bill includes:

• A legislated emission reduction target of 20% of 2000 levels by 2020.
• Amendments to the Environment Protection Act to allow the EPA to regulate greenhouse gases as a waste through works approvals and licences.
• A requirement for decision-makers to take climate change into account in a limited number of government decisions.

The White Paper also states that the amendments to the EP Act will be used to require new power stations to have emissions of less than 0.8 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per MWh.

A brief summary of the Bill is available on our Environmental Law Online site and a detailed briefing note is available on our website.

Bushfires Royal Commission releases report

The Bushfires Royal Commission handed down its final report on 31 July 2010.

The EDO will make available its analysis shortly.

The report and interim reports are available on the Commission's website.

Amendment to extend Melbourne's UGB

On 29 July 2010, Amendment VC68 to expand Melbourne's Urban Growth Boundary, create grassland reserves and plan the alignments for major transport initiatives including the Regional Rail Link and the Outer Metropolitan Ring/E6 Transport Corridor was passed by both houses of parliament. The amendment will not become operational until it is gazetted.

The Brimbank, Casey, Greater Geelong, Hume, Melton, Mitchell, Moorabool, Whittlesea and Wyndham planning schemes will soon be amended to incorporate the changes.

For more information about the Urban Growth Boundary, see Environmental Law Online.

We also note that the proposals for Wyndham at Truganina South have been re-exhibited by the Growth Areas Authority (GAA)for consultation. Affected people are invited to make a submission on the revised parts of the amendment by 31 August 2010. For more information see Growth Areas Authority website.

EPBC ACT – NOTICES OF INTEREST

Public comments are invited on the following Victorian referrals made under the EPBC Act:

• New bridge construction and road works at Hamilton
  VicRoads propose construction of a new bridge and road alignment works at Muddy Creek Bridge on the Henty Highway, 6.5km south-west of Hamilton.
  Comments due: 18 August 2010
•  Residential developments at Warragul
  Baw Baw Developments Pty Ltd propose new residential development, including subdivision, construction of roads and other infrastructure at Warragul. Strzelecki Gum trees and other protected fauna may be affected.
  Comments due: 18 August 2010.

JOBS

General Counsel, Australian Conservation Foundation

Full-time position based in Carlton for a lawyer confident with general business practice and with some exposure to environmental law. For details, see the ACF website.

EVENTS

Waste Law Seminar

24 August 2010

Confirmed speakers:

• John Merritt, Chief Executive Officer, Environment Protection Authority
• Harry van Moorst, Director, Western Region Environment Centre
• Elizabeth O’Shea, Lawyer, Maurice Blackburn

More information about this seminar will be announced early next week, check our website for details.

5.45pm for 6pm start BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
 

RSVP: EDO Victoria (03) 8341 3100 or edovic@edo.org.au

60L Green Building Ground floor, Meeting Room 2 60 Leicester Street, Carlton 7.30pm expected finish

VCAT Planning & Environment Appeals Workshop – August

The next VCAT Planning & Environment Appeals workshop will be held at The 60L Green Building on Thursday 19 August 2010 from 5.30pm–7.30pm.

Individuals and community-based conservation groups can learn how to most effectively participate and represent themselves in planning and environment matters before VCAT. This 2 hour workshop presented by an EDO lawyer, gives members of the community practical and legally-focused information about VCAT proceedings and hearings with plenty of opportunity and encouragement for questions and participation.

RSVP: EDO Victoria (03) 8341 3100 or edovic@edo.org.au. For more details and future dates, see our website.

Please note: These workshops are not intended as professional development training.

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The Environment Defenders Office is an independent, not for profit, community legal service, specialising in public interest environmental law. With your support we can provide access to justice for people fighting for an environmental cause on behalf of their community. To join the EDO, please go to edo.org.au/edovic/membership.html or to donate, please visit www.givenow.com.au/edovic