TRANSCRIPT
Community driving environment policies
Kate Ritchie, BRR Media
Brad Wylynko, Partner, Clayton Utz
Kate Ritchie
We're joined by Brad Wylynko, who's a Partner in the Environment and Planning Team at Clayton Utz; Brad thank you for joining BRR Media.
Brad Wylynko
Thank you.
Kate Ritchie
Now Brad last year we saw major changes to the environment sector, what do you think is driving that?
Brad Wylynko
Clearly what's driving that along is community engagement. People want to be involved in the decision that affect their lives and we're seeing that more and more often in government decision making as that desire comes through. We're seeing that in example from the Abel Tasman fishing vessel where a specific legislation was made just targeted at that vessel. We're seeing that in recent NSW decisions around coal seam methane, and even out in Western Australian with fracking.
Kate Ritchie
And if you were to look to 2013, what are your predictions for the environment sector?
Brad Wylynko
I think that that community engagement will only continue to increase. People want to be involved, they're getting involved through things like social media, through joining action groups, and what we're seeing is that - the governments have to respond to that type of involvement. And clearly policy is changing; the question is whether good policy can be made along with good politics.
Kate Ritchie
Some interesting insights there thanks for joining us Brad.
Brad Wylynko
Thank you very much.