Updates
Speak up for Aboriginal cultural heritage
Where the Murray River meets the Barmah Lakes in the south-east of this continent, you’ll find the largest river red gum forest in the world. This is Yorta Yorta country – cared for by traditional custodians for over 65,000 years. But recent actions by a pro-feral...
Toxic coal ash dumps leave Latrobe Valley communities at risk
AGL Energy has plans to expose the Latrobe Valley community to coal ash pollution for another 20 years. The company wants to build another six enormous coal ash dumps where waste from coal production is mixed with groundwater, creating a cocktail of lethal heavy...
Water management and the emergence of treaty-making in Victoria
For a long time, Victorian Aboriginal communities have engaged in debates around water and advocated for their water rights. In this drought-prone state, crisscrossed by rivers and wetlands, water is hotly contested by irrigators, cities and ecologists. Unlike other...
Toxic coal ash dumps leave Latrobe Valley communities at risk
Environment Victoria and lawyers from Environmental Justice Australia say EPA Victoria needs to outright reject AGL Energy's plans for a massive expansion of toxic coal ash dumps and enforce laws to protect the local community. AGL Energy has sought approval to...
Problematic plans to flood Hazelwood mine pit to be scrutinised
The federal government has agreed Engie’s plans to take billions of litres of river water to flood the old Hazelwood coal mine will be scrutinised under federal law. This is a huge win for the community and environment, and for every person who took the time to make...
An update on Delta’s plans to mine more coal
Thanks to the community raising its voice, Delta Coal’s plan to mine more coal will undergo thorough scrutiny by the NSW Independent Planning Commission! Last month, we asked you to make a submission on Delta Coal’s proposal to expand its Lake Macquarie mine, keeping...
Update: Hearing on Murray River wetland artificial engineering projects
EJA senior specialist lawyer and ecosystem team lead, Ellen Maybery, has spent the past few weeks appearing at a hearing about the Victorian government’s plans to artificially engineer the Murray River at two key wetlands. Representing Environment Victoria , EJA...
Frequently asked questions: Delta Coal’s Chain Valley Colliery Consolidation
Until Friday, 16th December you can make a submission on Delta Coal’s plans to consolidate two of their mines at Lake Macquarie, which would produce another 9.5 MILLION tonnes of coal. EJA is making a submission on behalf of our client, the Nature Conservation Council...
It’s time to get our new environment laws right
ELLEN MAYBERYEJA SENIOR SPECIALIST LAWYER AND ECOSYSTEMS LEADWe don’t often have the opportunity to completely overhaul our national environment laws. As environmental lawyers, we know just how urgently it’s needed. Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has...
Have your say: Murray River floodplains
The iconic Murray Darling Basin is in strife. Climate breakdown, politics, industry and agriculture have left this incredible river system one of the most vulnerable water basins on the planet. Now, the federal and Victorian state governments plan to “reengineer” nine...
Two landmark court wins for our forests in two weeks
The Supreme Court of Victoria has handed down two landmark judgments, both finding state-owned logging agency VicForests has logged illegally. In a win for forests and community, both judgments will require VicForests to survey for and protect threatened species. In...
Living Wonders legal intervention update
Have you heard the news? Minister Plibersek has just announced she has accepted our client's game changing climate legal intervention as valid, and will reconsider 18 coal and gas proposals currently awaiting federal approval. This is huge! Back in July, on behalf of...