Insights

Stimulating biodiversity credit creation in NSW

Will the new approach to developer charges be the answer?

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Varying Development Standards: A Case for Change

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) is seeking feedback on its proposed reforms to clause 4.6 of the Standard Instrument – Local Environmental Plan (Standard Instrument)...

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Should creating environmental planning instruments be subject to greater Parliamentary oversight?

Last week, the Regulation Committee of the NSW Legislative Council announced it was conducting an inquiry into whether State Environmental Planning Policies, or SEPPs, should be made disallowable...

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One step closer to single-touch environmental approvals under the EPBC Act

Less than a month after the release of the Final Report of the Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act), the Government has sought to...

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Federal Government releases Final Report of the independent review of the EPBC Act

A comprehensive agenda for reform comprising of 38 individual recommendations to be implemented over a two-year period has been delivered.

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A single-touch approach to environmental approvals: First tranche of EPBC Act reforms introduced

This latest review commenced on 19 October 2019 and examines the operation of the EPBC Act and the extent to which its objectives have been achieved.

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Independent review of the EPBC Act

Earlier this week, Professor Graeme Samuel AC released his Interim Report of the Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act).

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Aboriginal Heritage Act Reform

The blasting at Juukan Gorge, which has received considerable media coverage during the past month, has again brought to the fore what some regard as apparent issues with the Aboriginal Heritage...

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The NSW Government provides clarity on its position on the future of coal exploration and mining

The NSW Government published a ‘Strategic Statement on Coal Exploration and Mining in NSW’ (Statement) which provides much needed clarity for the coal industry and the community in relation to the...

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Investors give bright spark to first Renewable Energy Zones in NSW

The NSW Government has received a highly positive response from investors following the plans to release the first renewable energy zone in New South Wales.

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The convergence of human rights law and environmental and climate change litigation in Australia

In the past 18 months the Australian legal landscape has seen novel challenges to planning decisions in the area of greenhouse gas impacts of projects and the resulting impact on climate change...

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A shake up of planning and development laws in New South Wales

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred a considerable amount of recent activity by Planning Ministers all over Australia. This article provides an overview of these recent activities as well as an...

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Biodiversity Offset and Credit Schemes

A biodiversity offset is a measure used to compensate for impacts on biodiversity resulting from development or vegetation clearing if there are no other means available to avoid, mitigate or...

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Waste, resource recovery and recycling

In Australia, waste management and resource recovery is primarily the responsibility of state and territory governments.

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Modern Slavery

At its simplest, modern slavery is any instance of slavery, servitude or forced labour to exploit children or other persons which may occur in the supply chains or internal operations of government...

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Native title in Australia

‘Native title’ refers to the communal or individual rights and interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in relation to land or waters, held under traditional law and custom...

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Business and Human Rights in Australia

The proliferation of rights language in the corporate sphere is a relatively new phenomenon, however traces of it can be seen over the centuries.

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Climate change and COP26

World leaders met at Glasgow for the 26th annual Climate Change Conference of the Parties for the purpose of accelerating the goals of the Paris Agreement and UNFCCC.

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WA EPA releases its revised guideline on the assessment of greenhouse gas emissions

The EPA has released an updated guideline on its approach to GHG emissions assessment.

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Polluter pays? Draft Financial Assurance Guideline and Policy out now for consultation

In March 2020 the NSW EPA released its Draft Financial Assurance Policy (Policy) and Draft Guideline on Estimating Financial Assurances: Independent Assessment of Costs (Guideline) for public...

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Quick guide to new modern slavery laws

New Modern Slavery laws are now in place and you may be legally required to submit an annual modern slavery statement.

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Resources sector revamp? Productivity Commission announces 12-month review

On 5 August 2019 the Federal Resources Minister, Matt Canavan MP announced that the Productivity Commission will conduct a 12-month review of the regulation of the resources sector.

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