Latest news - National
Local councils to lead in the delivery of NBN-enabled services
19 October 2011
The Minister for Broadband,
Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, and
the Hon Simon Crean have released the final program guidelines for
the Digital Local Government program. The program will provide
funding of up to $375 000, initially to the first eight councils to
benefit from the NBN. Funding will progressively be made available
to other councils according to the NBN rollout schedule
More...
Cities report sets platform for change
20 October 2011
The Property Council of Australia and
the Residential Development Council welcome the Federal
Government's release of State of Australian Cities 2011 saying
it provides a foundation from which to build and grow sustainable
and productive cities of the future
More...
Planning body warns of power shortages amid threats to renewable energy sector
18 October 2011
Infrastructure Australia has warned
of threats to power supplies in the resource states and major
capital cities unless investment certainty is assured to the
renewable energy sector
More...
Legislation for Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)
12 October 2011
Legislation to create the Australian
Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has been introduced into the
Commonwealth Parliament. ARENA will be established on 1 July
2012 and will oversee around $3.2 billion in Australian Government
funding for renewable energy such as solar (including large scale
solar), biomass, biofuels, ocean and geothermal. $1.5 billion is
committed to existing projects and $1.7 billion is uncommitted
More...
Australia's Clean Energy Future legislative package
12 October 2011
The Gillard Government has welcomed
the passage of the Clean Energy legislative package through the
House of Representatives. The Bills, comprising the Clean Energy
legislation and the Steel Transformation Plan Bill, represent one
of the most important environmental and economic reforms in this
nation's history, according to the government
More...
Latest news – Victoria
Sunland plans 200-lot residential development in Victoria
21 October 2011
Sunland has entered into an
unconditional contract to acquire a 7.2-hectare land parcel in
Springvale, Victoria for $19 million. The Springvale site
complements Sunland's acquisition in Chirnside, Victoria, 33
kilometres north-east of Melbourne, which will deliver a further
190 houses More...
Submissions sought on retirement village contract disclosure
19 October 2011
Consumer Affairs Minister Michael
O'Brien releases a discussion paper about the information
disclosed around retirement village contracts. The paper seeks
feedback on issues including what information should be provided to
prospective residents, contract content and condition
reports.
Minister releases Labor's noise report
19 October 2011
Minister for Planning Matthew Guy
releases the Noise Impact Assessment Report commissioned under the
Labor Government for the Regional Rail Link. The report has been
completed to the satisfaction of an independent Peer Review Panel,
and the Minister.
Latest news – New South Wales
Australia's urban water sector final report released by Productivity Commission
12 October 2011
The report on Australia's urban
water sector has been released, and follows a year-long inquiry
established to consider the case for further reform in the sector.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water said
the urban water sector plays an important role in providing the
vast majority of drinking water, recycled water and wastewater
services in Australia
More...
Latest news – Queensland
Government releases 20-year transport vision unveiled for SEQ
23 October 2011
The Queensland Government's
Connecting SEQ 2031 transport plan unveils a sustainable transport
vision for the next 20 years. Transport Minister Annastacia
Palaszczuk and Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace said this is a
20-year blueprint to further develop South East Queensland's
busy transport system to ensure we meet the needs of this rapidly
growing community
More...
Environmental fears for Xstrata coal terminal
18 October 2011
Xstrata Coal is currently preparing
an environmental impact statement for its plans to build a terminal
on Balaclava Island south of Rockhampton. But a community group
says plans to dredge central Queensland's Fitzroy River delta
to make way for a new coal terminal places the local environment at
risk
More...
Waste reforms to cut Queensland's landfill in half
12 October 2011
Landmark new laws to slash major
amounts of waste going into landfill have been passed by the State
Parliament. The waste reform package introduces a landfill levy on
non-recycled commercial waste that will fund a comprehensive set of
support programs for business, local government and the community
More...
Amberley aerospace and defence hub tenders called
12 October 2011
An $150 million world-class aerospace
and defence hub at Amberley is now one step closer with the State
Government calling for business case and master plan tenders to
develop the industry support centre. The centre is tipped to be a
master-planned, commercially-orientated high technology hub for
companies and organisations servicing and supporting Queensland
aerospace and defence industries
More...
Articles – National
State of Australian Cities 2011 report
Author: Department of Infrastructure
and Transport, Major Cities Unit
The latest 'report card'
builds on last year's inaugural publication, providing
comprehensive analysis of the progress and performance of the
nation's 18 biggest cities (October 2011).
Guide to Standards - Energy Efficiency
Author: SAI Global: Standards
Australia
Provides a snapshot of information on
Standards and Certification schemes and covers topics such as: Good
management practice; Climate change; Alternative energy sources
including wind turbines and solar energy; Energy efficiency for
buildings ; Energy efficiency for electrical equipment; and much
more. This guide is a valuable resource for organizations who are
increasingly faced with the challenges concerning energy efficiency
and climate change (10 October 2011).
Australia's Urban Water Sector: Inquiry report
Author: Productivity Commission of
Australia
The Productivity Commission found
that efficiency gains are likely to come from a range of areas,
such as improving the performance of institutions, transparent and
consistent regulation, and competitive procurement of supply and
pricing, with the benefits of reform expected to flow to consumers
and communities (12 October 2011) More...
Clean Energy Future: What the academics say
Author: Sophie Vorrath
Climate Spectator, 14 October
2011
The response from Australia's
academic and scientific community to the government's CEF
package More...
Articles – Victoria
The Regional Rail Link Section 1 – Noise Impact Assessment Report
October 2011
Provides an analysis of the likely
noise levels in the vicinity of the rail corridor from Moonee Ponds
Creek (North Melbourne) to Deer Park, including in residential
areas, and an evaluation of the effectiveness of proposed and
potential mitigation measures
Department of Planning and Community
Development's website More...
Articles – Queensland
Clean Energy future plan: household modelling
19 October 2011
Author: Ben Phillips, Matthew Taylor;
The National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling
This report provides updated
estimates of the household impact of the Government's Clean
Energy future package and shows that the estimed impact of the
carbon price will be lower than that estimed by Treasury
More...
Clean Energy (Household Assistance Amendments) Bill 2011|
18 October 2011
Author: Luke Buckmaster, Peter Yeend;
Australian Parliamentary Library This digest explains the key
features of the Clean Energy Bill
Practice notes/directions – National
Applications for Liveable Cities Program Launched
20 October 2011
On 20 October 2011 the Minister for
Infrastructure and Transport announced the guidelines for the
Program, and has called for applications from State and Territory
governments, and local governments located in the 18 major
cities. Applications will close on 15 December
2011
Applications will be assessed under
the criteria set out in the
Program Guidelines.
Enquiries regarding the Program may be directed to More...
Enquiries regarding the Program may be directed to More...
Commercial Building Disclosure program -November 1 lighting tool deadline
18 October 2011
The Department of Climate Change and
Energy Efficiency has released more information on the expanded
Commercial Building Disclosure program. New rules start on 1
November, requiring a lighting assessment of affected office space
before it can be sold or leased.
Click here to download the quick guide to CBD.
Click here to
access video and presentations from the
Department's recent seminar series.
STC Renewable Energy Target Costs Increase
14 October 2011
As foreshadowed in May 2011 as part
of the 2011/12 Budget and within the
consultation paper released on the Department's website on
1 September 2011, regulations for the increase in registration fee
for small-scale technology certificates (STCs) for small generation
units (SGUs) have been made. The regulations apply the increased
fee to all STCs created for SGUs from 17 October
2011. Details are on the website at Office of the Renewable Energy
Regulator
Public Comment on Reform of the EPBC Act - National environment law reform
On 24 August 2011 the Minister for
Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
released the government response to the independent
review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) as part of a broad
package of reforms for Australia's national environment
law.
The reform package includes the
following documents that are open for public comment.
National Centre for Cooperation on Environment and Development
– Call for Expressions of Interest by 1 November
Consultation Paper on Cost Recovery under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) - Comment period closes 31 October
Consultation Paper on Cost Recovery under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) - Comment period closes 31 October
New ATO property webpage
12 October 2011
Tax Commissioner
Michael D'Ascenzo has launched the ATO's new one-stop
webpage Property. The ATO's
Property page outlines information on property topics
including: Income Tax; Capital Gains Tax (CGT); Goods and
Services Tax (GST); Residential rental properties; Property used in
running a business; Property development and Building and
renovating
More...
Current Draft Policies and Plans, Announcements
The Planning Institute of
Australia's annual Thriving
Neighbourhoods Conference is on next week, focusing on the role
of local governments in creating liveable, sustainable and healthy
communities.
Currently Inviting Public Submissions
The
Potentially Contaminated Land Advisory Committee reviewing
existing planning controls and processes has prepared an Issues and
Options Paper. Submissions are invited by 1 November 2011.
Practice notes/directions – Queensland
Current Draft Policies and Plans, Announcements
Reminder: Time running out for pool registration
Homeowners have just over two weeks
to ensuring all pools are registered and meet safety
standards to avoid a fine of up to $2000. Pool owners need to
at www.dlgp.qld.gov.au/poolsafety
by 4 November 2011
More...
Public Consultation: Temporary State Planning Policy for floodplains
As a contribution to Operation
Queenslander the department has been working with the Queensland
Reconstruction Authority (QRA) to develop the
Temporary State Planning Policy 2/11: Planning for stronger, more
resilient floodplains (TSPP 2/11). This temporary state
planning policy together with the associated guidelines and
floodplain mapping is open for public consultation until
Friday 11 November 2011. To make a submission on
TSPP 2/11, email the QRA at floodplain@qldra.org.au
Legislation Commonwealth
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Regulations 2011 (No. 1) SLI 2011 No. 191
These Regulations amend the
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Regulations 2000 to
determine that grazing of domestic stock within the Australian Alps
National Parks and Reserves has a significant impact on the
National Heritage values of that place (21 October 2011) More...
Cases – Victoria
Giurina v Moreland CC [2011] VCAT 1916
Application under Section 82 of the
Planning and Environment Act 1987 (the Act) to review a decision to
grant a permit. Residential 1 Zone. Road Zone (Category 1). Clause
52.29 Land Adjacent To A Road Zone, Category 1, Or A Public
Acquisition Overlay For A Category 1 Road. Clause 55 Two or more
dwellings on a lot and residential buildings. State and Local
Planning Policy Framework. Zone Purposes. Neighbourhood character.
Streetscape. Back yard amenity. Landscape. Car parking, Traffic.
Cultural Heritage Management Plan exempt due to significant ground
disturbance More...
Rujanoski v Whittlesea CC [2011] VCAT 1914
Section 77 of the Planning and
Environment Act 1987; Whittlesea Planning Scheme; Residential 1
zone; Four dwellings on a lot; Proximity to neighbourhood activity
centre; Saturation of multi unit dwellings; Secluded private open
space; Car parking; Front setbacks; Neighbourhood character
More...
Friends of Mallacoota Inc. v Department of Planning and Community Development (General) [2011] VCAT 1889
Freedom of Information Act 1982
– request for Departmental and Ministerial correspondence
– partial access to documents – further documents later
discovered –exemptions claimed - internal working documents,
legal professional privilege, public interest – application
dismissed - inadequacy of document searches – respondent to
pay applicant's costs in respect of further searches More...
Noonan v Owners Corporation No 2 PS 409115E and Anor (Owners Corporation) [2011] VCAT 1934
Summary dismissal application –
proceeding by lot owner against owners corporation and another lot
owner which are parties to a lease of common property and to a
building management agreement – majority of committee members
are proxies for the other lot owner – principles applicable
to summary dismissal application – Victorian Civil and
Administrative Tribunal Act s 75(1). Standing – the new
right of a lot owner to take proceedings on behalf of an owners
corporation – Owners Corporations Act 2006 ss 163(1A),
165(1)(ba). Jurisdiction – whether the proceeding
challenging the validity of a renewal of the lease and the entry
into the other agreement is "an owners corporation
dispute" – Owners Corporations Act 2006 s 162.
Option to renew lease of common property – option exercised
– whether owners corporation is required to resolve to
"accept" the exercise of option. Agreement for
provision of services – whether a special resolution is
required to authorise entry into the agreement – Owners
Corporations Act 2006 ss 12, 46, 47. Committee members
– duty to act in good faith – whether a corporate lot
owner can be a committee member – whether proxies' breach
of duty is a breach by the lot owner – immunity of committee
members – Owners Corporations Act 2006 ss 103, 117, 118
More...
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