Legal cases
Environment Victoria vs the EPA on coal pollution
The Victorian coal pollution case On behalf of our client, Environment Victoria, we are challenging Victoria’s EPA and coal power generators AGL, Energy Australia and Alinta in the Supreme Court over coal pollution. The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) is...
WOTCH vs VicForests: protecting threatened species after the bushfires
Legal caseWOTCH v VicForests: Protecting threatened wildlife after the bushfiresCase update: March 2023 We’ve just finished closing submissions in the Victorian Supreme Court, representing a community group of citizen scientists – Wildlife of the Central Highlands...
Five brave young Australians’ UN human rights complaint
Five brave young Australians’ UN human rights complaintMeet the young Australians fighting for climate justiceEveryone has the right to a healthy environment and a safe climate. Our kids deserve a bright future with equal opportunity, a say in what will determine...
Rivers of the West
Rivers of the WestThe rivers of Melbourne’s west are vital to communities in the suburbs and upstream, but their protection and regeneration has been constrained by weak and fragmented laws. Off the back of a campaign that provided Melbourne's Yarra River significant...
Holding Adani to account for breaching pollution controls
Holding Adani to account for breaching pollution controlsIn August 2021, on behalf of our client Mackay Conservation Group, we lodged a complaint with the Queensland government about continued erosion and sediment pollution and potential breaches of environmental...
Representing a 17-year-old snorkel guide opposing Clive Palmer’s mine
Representing a 17-year-old snorkel guide opposing Clive Palmer’s mine Ava, a 17-year-old snorkel guide and year 12 student from Port Douglas, is taking on mining magnate, Clive Palmer, and Federal Environment Minister, Sussan Ley. She is deeply concerned about the...
Challenging Australia’s Freedom of Information laws for fast-tracked environmental projects
Legal caseChallenging Australia’s Freedom of Information laws for fast-tracked environmental projectsIn March 2021, on behalf of our client, the Australian Conservation Foundation, we challenged Environment Minister Sussan Ley’s refusal to release documents relating...
EPA and EnergyAustraila in VCAT over Yallourn pollution controls GIPA
Legal caseUncovering the truth about Yallourn’s pollution controls Victoria’s coal-fired power stations are among some of the most polluting in the world. Coal-fired power stations in most other countries are required to install a suite of pollution control equipment...
The possums case
Legal caseThe case to stop VicForests logging critical habitat for our threatened possumsVictoria’s tall montane ash and mixed species forests in the Central Highlands provide some of the last remaining habitat for the critically endangered wollert (Leadbeater’s...
The case to stop a mineral sands mine in Gippsland
Legal caseThe case to protect community from the impacts of a mineral sands mine in GippslandThe Fingerboards mineral sands mine project is a proposal for a huge (1,600+ hectare) open-cut mine in very close proximity to two major waterways that flow into the Gippsland...
Protecting the Barwon River
Protecting the Barwon River system The Barwon River system (Barra Wallee Yulluk) is vital to the communities of the Geelong region, the Otways, the Moorabool Valley and all of the diverse creatures that call it home. The Barwon river system – including the Moorabool...
Stopping AGL’s gas import terminal to protect Westernport Bay
Legal caseStopping AGL’s gas import terminal to protect Westernport Bay Mangroves Westerport Bay, Victoria In 2017, AGL proposed to build a gas import terminal at Crib Point in Westernport Bay, southeast of Melbourne. Westernport Bay is recognised as a wetland...
Toondah Harbour Wetlands
Legal caseUncovering secret documents to protect the Toondah Harbour wetlandsEJA is representing Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) in their appeal of a federal department’s decision to refuse access to documents relating to Walker Corporation’s plans for...
Zero Waste Victoria wins stricter conditions on waste-to-energy plant
Legal caseReducing pollution from waste-to-energy plant in the Laverton communityEven though burning rubbish in backyard incinerators was banned about 40 years ago, a number of companies in Australia have moved to restart the practice by burning waste in industrial...
The case to stop VicForests logging precious old-growth forests
Legal caseThe case to stop VicForests logging precious old-growth forestsThe ancient forests of far East Gippsland, Victoria, are home to rare rainforest found nowhere else on Earth, along with endangered owls, potoroos and gliding possums. But vast tracts of these...
Community group secures tougher permit conditions for Australian Paper’s Maryvale waste incinerator
Environment East Gippsland vs Vic EPA on Maryvale Mill waste incinerator Even though burning rubbish in backyard incinerators was banned about 40 years ago, a number of companies in Australia have moved to restart the practice by burning waste in industrial...
The 23-year-old who took $50bn REST super fund to court over climate change
Legal caseThe 23-year-old taking a $50bn super fund to court over climate change Most Australians want to see action on climate change. But the vast majority is unaware that the banks, superannuation and insurance funds that manage our money almost exclusively invest...
Greater protections for trees in farming landscapes
Legal caseThe VCAT case for to protect endangered trees in a farming landscape The ongoing clearing of native vegetation for farming activities is a significant issue in Victoria. Vast swathes of native vegetatian have been cleared. Where clearing continues today in...
A new law to protect the Yarra Birrarung
A new law to protect the Yarra BirrarungIt’s one of Melbourne’s iconic waterways and an important green corridor. Yarra Birrarung is culturally significant and loved across the state, but for decades it was treated as little more than a drain. Its flows have been...
Climate change risk disclosure case goes before the Federal Court
Legal caseShareholder group takes Commonwealth Bank to court in bid to discover climate risk Most Australians want to see action on climate change. But the vast majority is unaware that the banks, superannuation and insurance funds that manage our money almost...
Defending the brave people who defend our forests
Legal caseDefending the brave people who defend our forests The Kuark forest in Victoria’s East Gippsland contains rare rainforest and provides crucial habitat for threatened species including the Greater Glider and the Long-footed potoroo. It is also home to three...
The Federal Court case to stop the expansion of Melbourne’s urban growth boundary
Legal caseThe Federal Court case to stop the expansion of Melbourne’s urban growth boundary Senator Birmingham, the former Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, approved the expansion of Melbourne’s urban growth boundary in the South-East of Melbourne under...
Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility takes Commonwealth Bank to court over climate risk
Legal caseAustralasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility takes Commonwealth Bank to court over climate risk Corporations are among the most powerful institutions in the world, and their power is growing. Governments are held to account at the ballot box, but there...
The case to stop cattle grazing in the Alpine National Park
Legal caseThe case to stop cattle grazing in the Alpine National ParkThe Alpine National Park is the largest national park in Victoria and crosses state boundaries to protect most of the Australian Alps. It is rich in beauty with dramatic mountain landscapes, wild...