A new independent scientific body will provide advice on the likely water and groundwater effects of CSG and large coal projects, under the terms of a deal between Labor and key independents.
'Strategic assessments' conducted under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act have significant ramifications for business, yet they are still poorly understood, according to Norton Rose environmental lawyer Alexandra Guild.
A crucial set of amendments to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act is now expected to be introduced to Federal Parliament before next April, the environment department's Kimberley Dripps said today.
A new EPBC Act regulation lays the foundations for halting Victoria's Alpine grazing 'trials', but a letter from Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke obtained by CE Daily shows that's a major backdown on his original plan to strengthen protection for all Australia's national parks.
Environment Minister Tony Burke today granted EPBC Act approval to BHP Billiton's Olympic Dam expansion, on the same day that the South Australian Government gave it the go-ahead, with the Greens warning the project would create a 'carcinogenic mountain'.
