Some list readers may be interested in the
upcoming free environment courses in Canberra
described in the following email. CanberraBirds list maintainer, David
McDonald, has OK’d the posting of this message.
John Goldie,
Watson
From: Kirsten Miller
[
Sent: Wednesday, 21 January 2009
4:45 PM
To: EDOACT
Subject: EDO Environmental Law
Workshop and Seminars - Canberra,
4-18 February 2009 - Register Now
Please circulate this notice via
your personal and professional networks:
EDO Environmental Law Workshop and
Seminars – Canberra,
4-18 February 2009
Want to be a more effective
environmental advocate? Want to learn about ACT’s new planning and
development laws? Join us for a new community workshop and seminar series...
From 4-18 February, the Environmental Defender’s Office (ACT)
will be holding an environmental law workshop and seminar series in inner-city Canberra.
The workshop and seminars are open to the public, and are suitable for
anyone with an interest in using the law to protect the environment.
Topic 1:
Environmental
Planning
During this session, participants will be introduced to
environmental planning law in the ACT. In particular, this session will focus
on the land-use planning processes set out under the Planning and Development Act 2008 (ACT) and the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land
Management) Act 1988 (Cth). Participants will be introduced to the
Territory Plan and the National Capital Plan, and will learn about
opportunities to participate in land-use planning processes.
Topic 2:
Development Assessment
and Approval
In this session, participants will learn about environmental
impact assessment and approval of development proposals under the Planning and Development Act 2008 (ACT)
and the Environment Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth). The session will emphasise
the relationship between land-use planning and development approval, and will
explore opportunities for effective public participation in the development
assessment and approval process.
Topic 3:
Nature Conservation and
the Law
This session will focus on protected areas and protected
species, emphasising opportunities for the public to promote biodiversity
conservation using the Nature Conservation
Act 1980 (ACT) and the Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth). The session
will also discuss legal issues related to the management of public land,
including national parks and nature reserves, arising under the Planning and Development Act 2008 .
Topic 4:
Environmental Advocacy
and the Law
This session will introduce participants to a range of
legal issues related to environmental advocacy, including: access to
information; writing effective submissions; managing defamation risk; reporting
environmental breaches; seeking review of government decisions; incorporating a
community group; and, planning non-violent direct
action.
Topic 5:
Understanding Federal
Environmental Law
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation
Act 1999 (Cth) is Australia's
key federal environmental law. This session will explain the referral,
assessment and approval process for actions controlled by the Act, including:
actions on Commonwealth land; actions by Commonwealth agencies; and, actions
which may affect ‘matters of national environmental significance' (e.g.
listed threatened species and ecological communities, migratory species,
internationally listed wetlands, national heritage sites). The session will
emphasise opportunities for public participation in decision-making processes
under the Act, including listing of threatened species and national heritage
places.
The seminars will be held
at lunch time (12.30pm-1.30pm), and will cover five topics:
Wednesday, 4 February
Environmental Planning
Thursday, 5 February
Development Assessment and Approval
Monday, 9 February
Nature Conservation and the Law
Tuesday, 10 February
Environmental Advocacy and the Law
Wednesday, 18 February
Understanding Federal
Environmental Law
These topics will be repeated at a full
day workshop (10.00am-4.00pm) on Saturday,
7 February.
The seminars and workshop are free for EDO
members. Entry by donation for non-members.
For more information, see www.edo.org.au/edoact/workshops.htm.
Please register in advance
by email or
telephone (02 6247 9420).
The Environmental Defender’s
Office (ACT) is a community legal centre specialising in environmental law. The
EDO provides legal advice, engages in law
reform and delivers community legal education.
Kirsten
Miller
Principal
Solicitor
Environmental Defender's Office (ACT) Inc.
Level
1, Public Trustee House
4 Mort Street, Canberra City
GPO Box 574
Canberra ACT 2601
Ph: (02) 6247 9420
Fax: (02) 6247 9582
email:
website:
www.edo.org.au/edoact
EDO
ACT office operates on a part time basis. I am in the office Monday to
Wednesdays.
To
support the work of the EDO, consider donating
via our secure on-line facility
http://www.ourcommunity.com.au/environmentaldefendersofficeact
