Environmental and Planning Law Conference

Attend the full day and earn 7 CPD Units

Amidst the myriad of current and proposed environmental legislative and regulatory reform in Queensland, it is no wonder that practitioners might consider that practicing in this area can at times be like ‘walking a tight rope’. Our morning session assists those of you trying to apply these reforms into practice by providing a general overview of some important changes and considering their practical application and then in the afternoon, we will discuss some topical and important issues in environmental planning prosecutions and appeals.

SESSION ONE 9.00am to 1.15pm: Environmental and Planning Law

Chair: Rebecca Hoare, Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright

Queensland Environmental Law Reform

Part A: An Update on the Latest Legislative Changes

• State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (Red Tape Reduction) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2014
• The Mineral and Energy Resources (Common Provisions) Act 2014
• The Environmental Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2014

Presented by John Briggs, Partner, Ashurst

Part B: The Reforms and Approval Process: Understanding the Correct Environment Impact Statement (EIS) Pathway under the Reforms

• Overview of EIS processes for major projects
• Analysing what EIS process works best for a particular project

Presented by Kathryn Pacey, Partner, Clayton Utz

New Environmental Offsets Regime for Queensland

• What is the future: Environment Offsets Bill
• The mechanics of Environmental Offsets Regime:
• Reconciling Commonwealth, State and Local areas of significance
• Practices and calculators
• How to administer an offset? Biodiversity Offset Broker Agreement?

Presented by Henry Prokuda, Partner, Corrs Chambers Westgarth

Workings of the New Contaminated Land Regime

• Proposed changes to contaminated land provisions
• The role of auditors for contaminated land decisions 

Overview of the Regulatory Reforms: EPOLA Act

• The Environmental Protection and Other Legislation Act 2014 (EPOLA)
  • Overview of regulatory reforms
  • Increased penalties
  • Alternatives to prosecution: enforceable undertakings
• What is the Regulators approach?

Presented by Sarah Macoun, Partner, HopgoodGanim

Right of Appeal & Review: Contaminated Land and Environmental Management Registry Disputes

• Rights of review and appeal
• Seeking stay of orders
• Listing of land: implications and options

Presented by Andrew Skoien, Barrister, Queensland Bar

Objections to Resource Projects in the Land Court

• The objection process and the Land Court’s jurisdiction
• Recent amendments to the objection process
• Reflections on recent decisions

Presented by Damian Clothier QC, Level 27 Chambers and Michael Zissis, Senior Associate, Allens

Compliance and Enforcement Proceedings Update

• Latest cases
• Trends in environmental compliance and enforcement

Presented by Ralph Devlin QC, Halsbury Chambers