In the media
Commonwealth
Will Australia follow the European sustainable
investment boom?
In the first quarter of 2021, €120 billion flowed
into sustainable funds in Europe. By comparison, Australia's
entire sustainable investment universe accounts for only $25
billion in asset under management, over half of which is in passive
products (03 August 2021). More...
Victoria
Visy applies for development licence
Environment Protection Authority Victoria has received an
application for a development licence from Visy Industries
Australia Pty Ltd, to expand their glass recycling operation at
Laverton (04 August 2021). More...
Locals drive Melbourne Greenfield Project sell out
Prominent Melbourne-based developer Jeff Xu has
capitalised on a post-Covid-19 boom in the city's greenfield
market, selling out the first stage of a $120-million house and
land development (29 July 2021). More...
Mirvac picks up rejected Brunswick site
Mirvac has snapped up the site of a rejected mixed-use
development from JWLand with plans to expand its residential
pipeline in inner Melbourne (28 July 2021). More...
EPA lays charges over Torquay chemical incident
Victoria EPA has laid a total of three charges against
Torquay company I, C & J Santospirito Pty Ltd. (Santospirito)
under the Environment Protection Act 1970. EPA alleges that
Santospirito improperly used a fumigant resulting in the production
of methyl isothiocyanate (28 July 2021). More...
Southbank Tower's extra height wins approval
Plans to add extra storeys to a proposed Southbank
apartment tower have been approved by the City of Melbourne despite
numerous objections. The major concerns surrounded the tower's
height, shadowing and its appropriateness (26 July 2021). More...
NSW
Billbergia lodges four-tower residential precinct
plan
Sydney developer Billbergia has lodged plans for a
four-tower residential precinct in Arncliffe near Sydney Airport.
Planning for the site has been guided and fast-tracked by the
Bayside West Precinct 2036 Plan (03 August 2021). More...
Queensland
Misled, conflicted and wedged: Study reveals how mining
approvals have failed
A report from QUT has been deeply critical of the mining
approval system showing deep mistrust among stakeholders who
believed they had been misled. (05 August 2021). More...
New climate plan on road to renewables
The Department of Environment and Science has released a
new climate plan outlining the State's blueprint for reaching
emissions and renewables targets in the years ahead. Minister for
the Environment, Meaghan Scanlon said Pathways to a climate
resilient Queensland (Queensland Climate Adaptation Strategy
2017–2030) aimed to establish the State as a national leader
in a low-carbon economy. (03 August 2021). More...
Queensland launches climate action, jobs plan
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Environment Minister
Meaghan Scanlon have unveiled the online-based Climate Action Plan
2030, to be driven by investment in energy, resources,
manufacturing, transport, land and agriculture, tourism and
climate-resilient infrastructure – and by a team of ministers
led by her (30 July 2021). More...
Federal government to run review of new Brisbane runway
aircraft noise
The Australian government-owned organisation Airservices
Australia will run a review of noise complaints and flight
timetabling after Brisbane's new parallel runway was opened 12
months ago (30 July 2021). More...
Brisbane running out of land for new homes, with less
than 3 years' supply
As the state faces a tightening housing market, some areas
of south-east Queensland have just one year's supply of lots
ready to go (28 July 2021). More...
$140 million Ferny Grove Station upgrade kicks off
Another Queensland jobs boost is underway with major
construction underway on Ferny Grove's $140 million landmark
suburban Transit Oriented Development. The $140 million mixed-use
development at the Ferny Grove Train Station will be delivered by
Queensland-based developer Honeycombes Property Group (27 July
2021). More...
Logan City Council embarks on $9 million project to
develop a new planning scheme
The 'heart of south-east Queensland' begins work
on a new planning scheme to guide its growth over the next decade
(26 July 2021). More...
In Practice and Courts
Is a 'green recovery' the key to post-COVID
housing stimulus?
AHURI Brief: International Housing Policy Exchange Series:
29 July 2021 – this AHURI Brief investigates how economic
stimulus measures that support transitions to more energy efficient
housing and lower carbon outputs can offer social, economic and
environmental benefits. More...
PCA: Draft Recovery Plan for the Koala
released for public consultation
The Federal Government has released the draft National
Recovery Plan for the EPBC Act-listed Koala, identifying strategic
actions to support recovery of the nationally threatened species.
The public consultation period is open until 24 September
2021.
The draft conservation advice listing assessment for the koala is
also open for consultation until 30 July 2021. This document will
be incorporated into the draft National Recovery Plan as
well.
For more information on the draft national recovery plan, please
click here.
For more information on the draft conservation advice and listing
assessment for the koala , please click here.
Register of Foreign-owned water entitlements
The Commission will seek further information and feedback
following the release of a draft report in August 2021. Draft
report expected to be released in August 2021. More...
Victoria
Designated bushfire prone areas (BPA) map updated
On 6 July 2021, BPA Review 18 updated the mapping in 15
municipalities. The Planning Property Report and VicPlan reflect
the changes. The next review is now open from 08 July 2021. More...
Victoria naming rules review
Geographic Names Victoria has completed the first
consultation phase of the 2020-21 naming rules review. The
consultation and engagement process, has received more than 450
contributions, including over 400 from members of the public. In
July 2021 with an anticipated release of the finalised document in
December 2021. You can continue to track the progress of the review
on Engage Victoria.
Bellarine Peninsula distinctive area and landscape:
Draft statement of Planning Policy (SPP)
DELWP invites written submissions on the Draft Bellarine Peninsula Statement of Planning
Policy. The draft SPP has been prepared by DELWP in
collaboration with Traditional Owners the Wadawurrung, the Borough
of Queenscliffe, the City of Greater Geelong and relevant
government agencies. The draft SPP will guide the future of land
use and development on the Bellarine Peninsula for the next 50
years. For further information please visit Engage Victoria. Submissions must be lodged by
20 August 2021.
Queensland
Pathways to a climate resilient Queensland (Queensland
Climate Adaptation Strategy 2017–2030)
Department of Environment and Science: Released 03 August
2021 [2017]
Aimed to establish the State as a national leader in a low-carbon
economy and would be driven by investment in energy, resources,
manufacturing, transport, land and agriculture, tourism and
climate-resilient infrastructure. The Government's Strategy can
be accessed at this PS News link.
Queensland climate action consultation
Open until 27 August 2021; Department of Environment and
Science
Have your say on the future of Queensland's climate action. More...
Proposed citywide amendment to Brisbane City Plan 2014
(Amendment K)
Brisbane City Council is now seeking public consultation
on proposed changes to Brisbane City Plan 2014 – Major Amendment
package K. Public consultation is still underway to provide
comment on the Our Productive City Brisbane's Industrial
Future. Consultation is open until 16 August 2021
Land Restoration Fund seeks advisers to offer carbon
farming advice
The Queensland Government's Land Restoration Fund
(LRF) has announced funding for a
new investment round.
It is now calling on service providers, including lawyers,
to become accredited as LRF Approved Advisers and help meet the
growing need for specialist carbon farming advice in Queensland
(updated 30 July 2021).
Cases
Queensland
Upan Company Pty Ltd v Gold Coast City
Council [2021] QPEC
37
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT – APPEAL AGAINST REFUSAL OF
OTHER CHANGE APPLICATION – where original application
concerned stepped form high rise residential development –
where appellant seeks approval of other change application for
built form residential development – where proposed other
change concerns reductions of storeys, increase of building
height
WHERE PROPOSED OTHER CHANGE RAISED NUMEROUS ISSUES – whether
proposed other change application complied with provisions of
planning scheme concerning bulk, height, and form – density
– character and streetscape – landscaping and deep
planting – shadowing, privacy and views
CONFLICT WITH PLANNING SCHEME – whether proposed development
results in unacceptable impacts in respect of setbacks and site
cover – landscaping, de-planting and streetscape outcome
– loss of stepped design – building height transition
– density – wind – whether proposed development
can be appropriately conditioned to achieve compliance Planning Act
2016 Qld s 45, 60, 78, 82; Planning and Environment Court Act 2016
Qld s 43.
Legislation
Regulations
Australian Renewable Energy Agency
(Implementing the Technology Investment Roadmap) Regulations
2021
29/07/2021 – this instrument expands the operating
remit of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to permit it to
invest in a wider range of technologies for the deployment of
initiatives announced in the 2020-21 Budget.
Victoria
Statutory Rules
No 92 Environment Protection Amendment
(Wind Turbine Noise) Regulations 2021
27 July 2021 – these Regulations come into operation
on 1 August 2021.
This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.