27 April UWA Environmental Protection Law: Online Short Course April 27, 2020 By AMPLA Admin Environment, General, Training Western Australia, Environmental Law, Legal Education 0 This short course is for legal practitioners and other professionals interested in the environmental protection regulatory framework in Western Australia, in its national and international contexts. The course will give a thorough insight into the State and Commonwealth law for the prevention of pollution and environmental harm and for environmental impact assessment in Western Australia law. We study the key legislation, including the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA), Contaminated Sites Act 2003 (WA) and the Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth), and the developing body of case law. The course gives a foundation in core principles, notes significant recent developments and addresses reforms. In the COVID-19 circumstances, the course will be conducted entirely on-line over the period 18 – 29 May. Reading materials and pre-recorded lectures will be available from 18 May and a series of interactive on-line sessions with expert guest contributors will be conducted via zoom in the week beginning 25 May. Details and Registration Dates: Venue: Time: Cost: 18-29 May 2020 The UWA, on-line, using the Learning Management System, pre-recorded lectures and Zoom 90 minutes zoom sessions will be held in the mornings and afternoons of 25, 26, 28 & 29 May $1,365.00 for whole course (plus Eventbrite fee); registrations may be shared. Read More Related Articles Implications of the Interim report on Commonwealth environmental protection laws Professor Graeme Samuel recently released his Interim Report of the Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act). The report is highly critical of the EPBC Act, reporting that it neither ensures effective environmental and biodiversity protections nor efficiently regulates business. In the report, Professor Samuel makes several recommendations, some of which have already become priority areas for the government. These have significant implications for the energy and resources industry. Victoria’s new environmental laws On July 1, amendments to the Environment Protection Act 2017 (Vic) came into effect that impact most businesses operating in Victoria. Final Report of the Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act The Final Report of the Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) has now been released to the public. The report, delivered by Professor Samuel, contains 38 individual recommendations to be implemented over two years. In a recent media release, the Minister for the Environment, Sussan Ley, said that 'the Government was committed to working through the full detail of the recommendations with stakeholders.’ ARELJ - Case Note - Judgement Clarifies Extent of Non-Conforming Use Protections Potential changes to Environmental, Social and Governance reporting Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) isn’t new to Australia, but it’s expected to become a more important aspect of business in the coming years. With shareholders and institutional investors paying close attention to business activities with an ESG lens we can expect more focus on this area. A recent example is the HESTA superannuation fund choosing to very publicly vote against the AGL demerger proposal on ESG grounds. FORREST AND FORREST PTY LTD AND MINISTER FOR ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS [2023] WASAT 28 Western Australia’s State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) has rejected a review, by Forrest & Forrest Pty Ltd, against the refusal of consent to impact an Aboriginal site in constructing weirs across the Ashburton River. A unanimous three-member panel published its decision in April 2023. SAT’s decision and reasoning has direct significance and use for anyone involved in processes for a s 18 consent under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 and broader relevance for the law around protection of Aboriginal heritage in Western Australia. With the WA Government announcing the reversal of recent statutory changes and a return to the 1972 legislation, SAT’s decision has increased relevance. Showing 0 Comment Comments are closed.