In the media – National
Delivering the next generation of Green Star rating
tools
A new report claims green star-rated buildings emit around a third
of the greenhouse gas emissions and use a third of the electricity
when compared with the average Australian building, and also use
half the water of buildings that simply meet minimum industry
requirements (20 June 2013).
More...
EPBC Act amendment gets through and science the
winner
The Senate has passed the Environment Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act amendment bill known as the
"water trigger amendment", which now means the
Commonwealth has legal authority for ensuring water systems are not
impacted by major coal seam gas and coal mining projects (24 June
2013). More...
In the media – Victoria
A new era in planning policy commences on 1
July
A new era in Victorian planning policy and building industry
regulation will commence this Monday 1 July, with the introduction
of Victoria's Reformed Residential Planning Zones and the
commencement of operation of the Victorian Building Authority (VBA)
(28 June 2013).
More...
EPA cleanup powers and cost recovery under the
Environment Protection Act
The Environment Protection Act contains a range of principles and
powers dealing with the cleaning up of polluted or contaminated
sites in Victoria. This document details the parties that EPA may
pursue to recover the costs of any cleanup it conducts (26 June
2013).
More...
In the media – Queensland
UNESCO wants more info about Queensland
ports
An advisor to the World Heritage Committee says it wants more
information from Australian authorities about plans to expand ports
along the Great Barrier Reef (25 June 2013). More...
New plan promises farmland protection
The Queensland Government says towns and prime agricultural land
will be protected as part of a new regional plan for the Darling
Downs (28 June 2013).
More...
McArdle warns council to fix Lenthalls Dam
floodgates
Queensland's Water Minister says the Fraser Coast Regional
Council cannot keep avoiding responsibility for failed floodgates
at Lenthalls Dam, south-west of Hervey Bay (27 June 2013).
More...
Commonwealth Games Village shortlist
announced
Three developers have been shortlisted to build the Gold Coast
2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) Village. The site was declared a
Priority Development Area (PDA) on 1 February 2013, to fast-track
the development (27 June 2013).
More...
Ecotourism to open up Queensland national
parks
The Newman Government is set to make Queensland the number one
nature-based tourism destination in Australia, with another step
towards making national parks more accessible to the public now
underway (27 June 2013).
More...
Townsville economic blueprint set for
take-off
A new five-year economic plan for Townsville will focus on the
expansion of the city's airport. The plan, which will be
released today, will also outline ways to attract aviation service
companies to north Queensland (25 June 2013).
More...
Brisbane's sustainable airport set to take
off
Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) has registered its Property
Development Master Plan to achieve a Green Star – Communities
PILOT rating. The Plan will be assessed against best practice
benchmarks for liveability, economic prosperity, environmental
sustainability, design excellence, governance and innovation (24
June 2013).
More...
Public comment sought for Brisbane precinct
redevelopment
An online survey has been launched for community feedback on how
the Brisbane Government Precinct can be redeveloped. Private sector
investment is required to revitalise the areas through a mix of new
uses which could include retail, quality hotels, cultural
activities, entertainment and convention facilities (19 June 2013).
More...
Published – articles, papers, reports – National
The Value of Green Star: A decade of environmental
benefits
Author: Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA)
Analyses the data from 428 Green Star-certified projects occupying
5,746,000 million square metres across Australia and compares it to
the 'average' Australian building and minimum practice
benchmarks (June 2013).
More...
Getting gas right: Australia's energy
challenge
Author: Tony Wood, Lucy Carter; Grattan Institute
The report examines the creation of an east coast gas export
market – which will join with Western Australian exports to
produce an estimated $50 billion-a-year industry by 2017 —
and Australia's role in a gas revolution created by surging
demand in Asia and new discoveries of shale gas in the United
States (16 June 2013).
More...
In practice and courts – Queensland
Qld Department of Natural Resources and
Mines
Fees will increase for land title, land valuation, land
acquisition, building, mining ,surveying, foreign land-use, water,
vegetation searches from 01 July 2013 (28 June 2013).
More...
Brisbane Government Precinct online
survey
The Queensland Government has launched an online survey for
community feedback on how the Brisbane Government Precinct can be
redeveloped, which is open until 2 September 2013. For details on
community events, community reference group and access the online
survey visit www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/precinct
(19 June 2013).
In practice and courts – Victoria
Fire Services Property Levy - Rates from 01 July
2013
From 1 July 2013, the Victorian Government replaces the existing
insurance-based fire services levy with a property - based levy.
The Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) will be based on a fixed
charge of $100 for residential properties or $200 for
non-residential properties, plus a variable cost calculated on the
property's capital improved value (CIV) (30 June 2013).
More...
Cases – Victoria
Singh v Adventure Tourism Pty Ltd (Retail Tenancies)
[2013] VCAT 934
Retail lease – re-entry – preliminary ruling requested
by parties as to validity of re-entry - s.146 Property Law Act
– notice required before re-entry – service required
– "last known address" – meaning – no
sufficient evidence of service of notice before re-entry –
entry contrary to s.146(1) – unlawful. More...
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