In the media – National
Solar panel companies fined for deception Two solar panel
companies have been fined $125,000 by the Federal Court after
falsely claiming the panels they supplied were made in Australia
when they were made in China. The fines follow action taken by the
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (17 January 2014).
More...
Reporting obligations for importers and
exporters
A company that failed to report its imports and exports of ozone
depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases – and
equipment containing those gases – has been found to have
breached its responsibilities, under the Ozone Protection and
Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 and the Ozone
Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995
(10 January 2014).
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Property confidence at record high
The confidence level of the nation's property industry has hit
a fresh high as the sector expects to benefit from strong house
price growth, the Property Council/ANZ Property Industry Confidence
Index to March 2014 has found. The uptick in confidence was driven
mainly by New South Wales and Queensland (16 January 2014).
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In the media – Victoria
Landowners welcome State Government changes to
controversial bushfire building laws
The Victorian Government has confirmed it is changing a
controversial planning law, introduced as a result of the Black
Saturday Royal Commission, that has prevented thousands of people
from building on their land (17 January 2014).
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In the media – New South Wales
New homes and infrastructure for south-west
Sydney
The housing boom in NSW is continuing with a further 3,200 new
homes to be delivered in Sydney's south-west as part of the NSW
Government's commitment to boost housing supply with the
announcement of the rezoning of the Catherine Field site (28
December 2014).
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In the media – Queensland
Public comments on Reef Strategy closing
soon
The Government announces there are only two weeks left to provide
feedback on the draft Great Barrier Reef Strategic Assessment
ensuring the world heritage site remains one of the best managed,
well preserved reef systems in the world. "There are two parts
to the comprehensive strategic assessment – a marine
component and a coastal zone component (17 January 2014).
More...
Tourism developers in running for Integrated Resort
licences
Acting State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Minister has
announced the first Expression of Interest documents were issued
today to parties interested in the Queen's Wharf development in
Brisbane, and two other Integrated Resort Developments in regional
Queensland (17 January 2014).
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Community input sought on Redlands
transformation
Draft plans for two new residential and tourism hubs promising to
grow small business and jobs in the Redlands region were released
today. "Development opportunities include mixed use and medium
density residential developments at both sites and, for Toondah
Harbour, tourism and retail developments, dedicated ferry
terminals, a possible private berth marina and new public open
spaces (10 January 2014).
More...
Have your say on proposed agricultural
hub
Queenslanders can have their say on the draft terms of reference
for the environmental impact statement of a proposed new
agricultural hub in North Queensland. "The proposal includes
240,000 hectares of grazing land, 65,000 hectares of cropping land,
18,000 hectares for water storage, and 2,000 hectares of
infrastructure (11 January 2014).
More...
New era for water planning in Queensland
The Queensland Government has launched a new era for water
resource planning in Queensland with the joint release of the Boyne
River Basin Water Resource Plan (WRP) and Resource Operation Plan
(ROP). The WRP and ROP provide a framework for responsible
management of surface water entitlements, including the
entitlements of existing water users (02 January 2014).
More...
Queensland has four new councils
Today marks a new chapter in Queensland's local government
history with the start of four new councils in Noosa, Livingstone,
Douglas and Mareeba announced by the State Government (01 January
2014).
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In practice and courts – Queensland
State Revenue Office: Revenue Ruling DA.026 (version 2)
- aggregation provisions
The released Aggregation of dutiable transactions and the
exception from aggregation for domestic builders where residential
premises are to be constructed, reflects the amendments to the
aggregation provisions of the Duties Act 2000. These
amendments removed the Commissioner's discretion not to
aggregate and replaced it with a specific exemption for
transactions involving vacant land purchased by domestic builders
(17 January 2014). More...
City of Brisbane: Natural Assets amending Local
Law
Brisbane City Council has passed by resolution on 19 November
2013, local law entitled the Natural Assets Amending Local Law
2013, amending the Natural Assets Local Law of 2003. The Natural
Assets Amending Local Law 2013 commence on 27
January 2014.
More...
Cases – Victoria
Spirovski v Univest Assett Merchants Syndicators Pty Ltd
& Anor [2013] VSC 728
RETAIL LEASES – definition of key-money – goodwill
– leave to appeal from orders made by Victorian Civil and
Administrative Tribunal – a question of law and a question of
fact – estoppel in the face of a statute – Federal
Commissioner of Taxation v Williamson [1943] HCA 24; (1943) 67 CLR
561 – Kok Hoong v Leong Cheong Kweng Mines Ltd [1964] AC 993
– Binder v Alachouzos (1972) 2 QB 151 – Retail Leases
Act 2003, s 23, s 94. More...
Green v Hobsons Bay CC (Includes Summary) (Red Dot)
(Correction) [2013] VCAT 2091
Applications under Sections 77, 80 and 82 of the Planning and
Environment Act 1987. REASONS WHY DECISION IS OF INTEREST OR
SIGNIFICANCE. LAW – issue of interpretation or application.
Appropriateness of conditions requiring Development Contributions
in the absence of a Development Contributions Overlay, Section 62
Planning and Environment Act 1987. APPLICATION – significant,
interesting or unusual use or development; application of policy,
provision or principle; or circumstances. Redevelopment individual
lots within the former Port Phillip Woollen Mills area,
Williamstown, strategic redevelopment area, considerations of
affordable housing, need for development contributions,
consideration of location opposite a Major Hazard Facility,
demolition of Oriental Hotel. More...
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