Environment and Planning Insights

19 December 2006

Welcome to the December edition of P+E Insights. Climate change sceptics have had a hard time of late. Al Gore's new film has helped make climate change a BBQ stopper, the Stern report has put a price on the different impacts of climate change, and there's fresh litigation to force the US Government to act to halt climate change.

Locally, the States and Territories continue to move ahead with a National Emissions Trading Scheme absent Commonwealth Government involvement. How long it remains outside the process is unclear as it recently announced the establishment of an emissions trading working group, albeit limited to industry participation.

On behalf of all of the partners and staff here in Planning and Environment I'd like to wish you season's greetings and a healthy and prosperous new year.

Court puts brakes on streamlined approval process

By Peter Briggs and Nick Thomas.

The decision in Gray has gotten a lot of media attention, but what does it really mean, ask Peter Briggs and Nick Thomas.

Too good to be true?: Draft bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and NSW under the EPBC Act

By Brendan Bateman and Rachelle Hoare.

Brendan Bateman and Rachelle Hoare discuss the proposed Agreement between the Commonwealth and NSW to eliminate some of the duplication in planning laws.

New director liabilities in WA environmental audit compliance reports

By Brad Wylynko and Fleur Newman.

Brad Wylynko and Fleur Newman explain why changes to WA's environmental licences regime could lead to more prosecutions for environmental offences.

Little things that matter - more changes to NSW planning laws

By Nick Thomas and Vanessa McBride.

The NSW Government's stated goals for establishing the Part 3A approvals process are brought out more by recent changes to the EPA Act, say Nick Thomas and Vanessa McBride.

Contaminated land in Victoria and landlord liability

By Sallyanne Everett and Chris Wiseman .

Sallyanne Everett and Christopher Wiseman explain why and how a landowner can be responsible for cleaning up someone else's mess.

New Prescribed Projects and Voluntary Environmental Agreements

By Kathryn Pacey.

Queensland has streamlined its approval process to ensure that projects of significance to the State can be assessed and approved in a timely manner. Kathryn Pacey examines the details.

NSW Government seeks to boost renewable energy sector

By Claire Smith and Callan O'Neill.

Claire Smith and Callan O'Neill discuss the new Renewable Energy targets scheme in NSW, which they say will assist growth in the renewable sector.

National Emissions Trading Scheme: Where are we?

By Claire Smith and Callan O'Neill.

Australian States' and Territories' are looking at implementing a National Emissions Trading Scheme with or without Commonwealth Government support. Claire Smith and Callan O'Neill find out how far they've gone down that road.

Green groups launch climate change lawsuit against Bush administration

By Peter Briggs and Claire Smith.

Peter Briggs and Claire Smith look at how a coalition of environmental groups has filed a lawsuit against the Bush Administration for failing to produce a report on the impact of global warming on the US, which they say shows the measures that environment groups are prepared to take to force more proactive steps.

Round-up

Our round-up of what's happening around the country.

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