Hydraulic fracking for oil and gas has the potential to affect drinking water but in America there are few cases where this is known to have occurred, according to a major draft study by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
A Federal Government report, issued today, reveals plans to 'streamline' federal hazardous waste laws and to use mutual recognition arrangements to manage federal, state and territory threatened species lists.
Environment ministers have largely endorsed the recommendations of a review that concludes the process for setting nationally-consistent environment standards is inefficient, overly-constrained and ripe for reform.
Tasmania's Supreme Court has overturned a planning tribunal ruling that the EPA could not direct a business to put in place containment measures for hazardous chemicals.