In the media

National

Snowy Hydro faces action over dispatch dispute
The AER has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia against government-owned Snowy Hydro for alleged contraventions of the National Electricity Rules. The AER alleges that Snowy Hydro failed to follow dispatch instructions issued by the Australian Energy Market Operator (04 July 2014). More...

Victoria

Working towards rollout of 20 Million Trees
Work towards the commencement of the 20 Million Trees Programme is continuing to progress and the Government is now seeking feedback from organisations who may wish to be involved in the rollout (04 July 2014). More...

EPA North East enforcement action May 2014
A Beechworth development firm was one of several companies and individuals that were subject to enforcement action from EPA Victoria last month for breaches of Victoria's environmental laws. The company which generated the waste, HLM Developments, was aware their waste was being transported to an unlicensed rural property (30 July 2014). More...

Melbourne approves first super tall building
The Victorian Government has given the green light to a $900 million, 100-level tower at 70 Southbank Boulevard, one of three new skyscrapers approved for the city (26 June 2014). More...

New South Wales

Free waste and recycling audits as part of $4.7million EPA Bin Trim grants
Thousands of businesses across NSW will be able to tap into new opportunities to reduce waste to landfill and boost recycling with the Environment Protection Authority (01 July 2014). More...

NSW government cost recovery decision to increase state water charges
The ACCC has released its Final Decision on pricing for bulk water supplied by the State Water Corporation in the NSW Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) in the 2014-17 period. The decision will increase State Water bills for Murray and Murrumbidgee customers (26 June 2014). More....

Sydney's newest homes linked to transport hub and jobs
Two former industrial precincts in Sydney's North-West will be transformed under a plan set to create 7,700 new homes close to a new regional transport hub. These include the Wentworth Point development and The Herring Road urban activation project . Both projects are set to benefit from the North West Rail Link and WestConnex transport developments (26 June 2014). More...

Queensland

Self-read meters deliver savings for irrigators
Queensland irrigators in un-supplemented water areas could save up to $120 a year by reading their own water meters as part of a new Queensland Government initiative. The statewide roll out of self-reading of water meters (where water is taken from a bore or watercourse) begins June 30, 2014. The first readings are due by 14 July 2014 (26 June 2014). More...

WaterQ: a plan for Queensland's water future
Queensland families will have safer, more secure and more affordable water with the launch of a 30 year strategy for the Queensland's water sector (24 June 2014). More...

Published – articles, papers, reports – New South Wales

Climate of the nation 2014 - Australian attitudes on climate change: are Australians climate dinosaurs
Author: Kristina Stefanova, John Connor, Tim O'Halloran; Climate Institute
This report, which benchmarks Australian attitudes to climate change, argues that political leaders risk being stuck in the past as public attitudes on climate change and its solutions are on the rebound (23 June 2014). More...

Impact of increased scrutiny of High Value High Risk Projects
Author: Victorian Auditor-General's Office
This audit identified gaps and inconsistencies in Victoria's approach to identifying projects to be subject to High Value High Risk (HVHR) review, and the need for improved management of the process (26 June 2014). More...

In practice and courts – Queensland

Water Act 2007 Review
The overarching focus of the Review is to consider whether the Water Act is delivering on its objectives effectively and with the minimum necessary regulatory burden imposed on the water industry, water managers and irrigators. Submissions close 4 July 2014. More...

Cases – Victoria

Moorabool SC v Mitrakas [2014] VCAT 755
Unauthorised use of land for Place of Assembly (Function centre) and Accommodation contrary to clause 35.03-1 of the Moorabool Planning Scheme. From the date of this order, the owner must ensure that the land is not used for the purpose of a Place of Assembly (including Function centre) or Accommodation, except in accordance with relevant provisions of the Moorabool Planning Scheme. More...

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.