The Northern Territory is unique for many reasons, not least because of its spectacular natural environment – from free-flowing rivers, waterfalls and desert landscapes to plants and animals that are found nowhere else in the world. Amongst these spectacular natural...
Appearances can be deceptive. It’s hard to believe that we’re in a water crisis when we are surrounded by lush green, and the rain just keeps on falling. But the climate crisis that is becoming increasingly apparent the world over is also a water crisis, writes...
The Murray-Darling is Australia’s largest and most complex river system, flowing through five states and territories and supporting diverse and iconic ecosystems. It is also now one of the most vulnerable water basins on Earth, writes lawyer Natalie Hogan. Earlier...
The Concerned Waterways Alliance (CWA) welcomes the release of the Discussion Draft of the Central and Gippsland SWS. The SWS will be an opportunity to relieve mounting pressures on our stressed rivers and wetlands from consumptive uses, over-extraction and the...
More than four years after the Minister for Planning first required an Environment Effects Statement (EES) be prepared for the Fingerboards mineral sands mine proposed in East Gippsland, Victoria, the public hearings to consider the proposal are about to commence. An...
This week, the Minister for Planning rejected AGL’s proposed Crib Point gas import terminal, saying it would result in “unacceptable environmental effects” to the internationally significant Westernport Bay. This is a huge win for the community who have been...
On March 11, EJA was in court on behalf of the Australian Conservation Foundation seeking the release of documents, which recorded meetings between the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and the Walker Group. The Walker Group sought to build a...
EJA is working with several community groups in Gippsland to improve environmental laws and governance impacting the Gippsland Lakes and catchment. EJA lawyers met with community group members in Bairnsdale last week to discuss the environmental issues facing the...
EJA is currently acting for Mine-free Glenaladale, a community group opposing the Fingerboards mineral sands mine in East Gippsland, Victoria. Mine-free Glenaladale is a volunteer-based group, representing residents, landowners and members of the community (local and...
Gippsland community groups have worked with EJA to design ambitious new legislative and policy reforms for the Gippsland Lakes and catchment. Throughout 2020, we worked with our community partners through a participatory design process (Gippsland Lakes) which has...
Designing protections for the Gippsland Lakes in partnership with the community In September 2020, we kicked off a project working on proposals to improve laws and governance around the Gippsland Lakes. Participatory design process The Gippsland Lakes project...
EJA is acting for several environment and resident groups opposing the AGL/APA gas import terminal and pipeline project proposed to be built at Crib Point, Westernport Bay, Victoria. Westernport Bay is recognised as a wetland of international importance under the...
Law and policy reform to protect the Yarra River (Birrarung) has been a long process but we might just be at the pointy end of the season. The Yarra Birrarung Act is, as readers may recall, a landmark piece...
The Yarra River – Birrarung – is the lifeblood of Victoria. Flowing 242 kilometres from the Yarra Ranges all the way through greater Melbourne and into Port Phillip Bay – Birrarung is a vital source of nourishment for so many Victorians. Large sections of the...
In late 2019, EJA represented the Chirnside Parks Residents Action Group in a two-week hearing addressing a proposal on Brushy Creek in the Shire of Yarra Ranges. The proposal was for nearly 50 residential blocks on land including both the escarpment of Brushy Creek...
- Bruce Lindsay, EJA Lawyer It has been a busy time over the past month for EJA’s work on rivers and waterways, both on the law reform and litigation fronts. Two Ministerial Advisory Committees (MAC) working on waterway issues are moving toward completion of their...
On 8 October, EJA hosted the first workshop in the upcoming Urban Rivers and Wetlands Workshop series, as part of our river laws program for 2019-2021. The workshop was held at the Community Hub at the Dock in Melbourne’s Docklands and focussed on restoration...
An extensive public inquiry process into Victoria’s most expensive infrastructure project wound up last week. An Inquiry and Advisory Committee (IAC) appointed to hear and make recommendations on the ‘reference design’ for the North East Link Project (NELP) completed...