#epbc — Public Fediverse posts

check the list of signatories https://savewoogarooforest.com.au/open-letter
#EPBC #WoogarooForest #SenMurrayWatt

Thai developer sends new big battery project to EPBC as storage takes centre stage in old coal country

Thai energy giant Banpu Energy Australia has submitted its largest project to the federal environment queue, as it…
#NewsBeep #News #Environment #AU #Australia #EPBC #nsw #Science
https://www.newsbeep.com/au/605351/

Come over, destroy our environment and then pay no tax #auspol #epbc

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DReCVmhCVJY/?igsh=eXp0dDQ1eWdsZHdv

Handy guide to the proposed amendments to the EPBC Act from Environmental Justice Australia
#EPBC #australia #auspol #environment #law
Deforestation- no meaningful improvement
National Standards - mixed
Independent Umpire - yes (but needs teeth)
First Nation Rights - no meaningful improvement
National leadership - worse than current law
Threatened species - mixed
Fair Transparent System - worse than current law

'Climate trigger' formally ruled out of environment laws https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-22/climate-trigger-formally-ruled-out-of-environment-laws/105919546 #auslaw #auspol #EPBC #EPBCAct #climate

Another story about environmental law reforms where the focus is on streamlining project assessment, saving business costs, & economic development with NO MENTION AT ALL about (improvements for) environmental protection & conservation #EPBC
#australia #auspol #environment #law
https://au.news.yahoo.com/time-money-overhaul-ageing-laws-100335458.html

No‑go zones are coming. Under reformed EPBC laws, the government will define areas where development mustn’t happen, alongside zones where projects get fast-tracked or automatic approvals—moving from project-by-project chaos to smarter, regional environmental planning. Proposed laws to land in Parliament by November.

#environment #EPBC #conservation #development #Australia #biodiversity #planning #policy

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-09/epbc-environment-laws-no-go-zones/105748644

Labor must protect environment while rewriting laws ‘written to facilitate development’, Larissa Waters says
Greens leader says redesign of ‘ridiculous’ Howard-era rules must include explicit consideration of climate https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jun/27/greens-leader-larissa-waters-labor-national-environment-laws #auslaw #auspol #EPBC #climate

#auspol #australia
#environment #climatechange #law #EPBC

https://envirojustice.org.au/email-prime-minister-albanese-dont-gut-our-environment-laws/

Albanese says federal EPA will not be ‘same model’ as earlier one he promised but didn’t deliver https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/31/albanese-says-federal-epa-will-not-be-same-model-as-earlier-one-he-promised-but-didnt-deliver
Detail not yet clear about new nature watchdog plan, which comes after previous attempt drew backlash from Western Australia #auslaw #auspol #EPBC

Conserving Australia’s biodiversity requires a national reckoning with this vast continent’s lands, seas and waters

"Australia’s wildlife and ecosystems are iconic, integral to our national identity and loved the world over. But they’re often disregarded, destroyed and are suffering decline at alarming rates. More than 100 species extinct and 2000-plus threatened species and ecological communities: This is Australia’s unenviable conservation record since European colonisation, about 240 years ago."

"A new federal government in 2022 brought promise of ending environmental neglect, commitments to being “nature positive”, and a stated goal of “no new extinctions”. Central to this was the reform of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)."

"It might seem a strange thing for a wildlife ecologist to say, but genuine progress for conservation in Australia does not hinge on more science. We know the threats and risks – we’re currently monitoring species to extinction."
>>
https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/opinion-and-analysis/2024/08/opinion-law-reform-for-nature/
#biodiversity #conservation #wildlife #EPBC #EPBCAct #NaturePositive #law #MoreData #EPBC #extinction #destruction #australia #SettlerSociety

Coal kills koalas

New report exposes huge risks to NSW and Queensland koala populations from new coal mines and expansions

"The research concludes that at least 26 proposed new coal mines will clear important koala habitat, including 23 projects that are being assessed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act and seeking approval from the Albanese government and three projects that have not yet been referred for EPBC assessment. The 26 coal mining projects plan to clear a combined total of 11,644 hectares of koala habitat if granted approval by the federal government, an area equivalent to 112 square kms, which is around 5,822 MCG sized sporting fields, or 41 times the size of Sydney’s CBD."

"The 26 proposed coal mines planning to clear koala habitat would be responsible for at least 8.2 billion tonnes of climate pollution."
>>
https://www.koalasnotcoal.org.au/new_report_exposes_huge_risks_to_nsw_and_qld_koala_populations_from_new_coal_mines

"Koala numbers have dropped by over 50% since colonisation, and they’re falling fast due to the twin threats of habitat destruction and climate change.The expansion of coal mining operations poses a significant double threat to koalas, directly through the destruction of their habitats and indirectly by exacerbating climate change."
>>
https://www.koalasnotcoal.org.au/coal_kills_koalas
#FossilFuels #coal #NSW #ClimateEmergency #ExtremeHeat #biodiversity #EPBC #koalas #extractivism

Australia is the only deforestation hotspot among developed nations and national laws are ineffective

We've done the south - Now for the north!
A case of filibusterism?

"Forests and woodlands across Australia’s south were deforested many decades ago. But our northern reaches have stayed far more intact – until recently. Most clearing took place without being assessed under Australia’s national environmental laws, which covers damage to threatened species and ecological communities. And state laws have many exemptions, especially in Queensland...Australia has promised to end deforestation. The problem is, our environmental laws and enforcement are failing to do so."
>>
https://theconversation.com/poor-compliance-and-broad-exemptions-mean-land-clearing-continues-apace-in-northern-australia-despite-our-laws-and-pledges-237030

"Our results showed that even a nation with a suite of mature environmental protection laws is falling well short of achieving international commitments regarding deforestation...Poor compliance and exemptions facilitate ongoing deforestation."
>>
Thomas, H., Ward, M. S., Simmonds, J. S., Taylor, M. F. J., & Maron, M. (2024). Poor compliance and exemptions facilitate ongoing deforestation. Conservation Biology, e14354. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.14354

Life in a Filibuster Society
America as Filibuster Society, By Nick Burns
>>
https://americanaffairsjournal.org/2024/08/america-as-filibuster-society/
#deforestation #loggingIndustry #laws #EPBC #EUDR #BiodiversityCrisis #SamuelReview #extinction #SettlerSociety #NT #WaterGrab #Queensland #Australia #NowForTheNorth #filibusterism

National environmental standards? "There is a very long way to go"

"Nature Positive" laws? 'Future Made In Australia' policy postponed (again)

"The government is soon to host an international "nature positive" summit, but can't get its own "nature positive" laws through parliament...Overhaul of environmental laws looks shaky, with 'nature positive' and industrial reforms delayed."
>>
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-21/nature-positive-environment-laws-shaky-delayed/104248868
#Biodiversity #Conservation #epbc #EPBCAct #law #NaturePositive #degradation #ExtinctionCrisis

In their decision, the chief judges said the case highlighted the "ill-suitedness" of the current environment laws when it comes to assessing the threat of climate change on the environment.
#environment #protection #law #legal #legislation #climatecrisis #EPBC
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-16/living-wonders-climate-court-appeal-dismissed/103855082?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=link

Our broken environment law
Honest Government Ad | How to rig our laws (EPBC Act)
>>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FLqYpD6eYw
#FossilFuels #coal #BigQuarry #koalas #laws #reef #ClimateBreakdown #nature #deforestation #logging #EPBCAct #EPBC #Australia

Fossil fuel giant ExxonMobil has announced plans to take 60,000 tonnes of steel & contaminated waste from offshore oil and gas facilities into internationally recognised wetlands in Gippsland for dismantling & recycling in 2027.
#auspol #environment #nature #pollution #EPBC #waste #gas #wetlands

https://www.theage.com.au/environment/climate-change/oil-giant-plans-to-move-60-000-tonnes-of-steel-rig-waste-to-un-listed-wetlands-20240502-p5fofh.html

A weakening of environmental protections and favouring fossil fuel interests.

"Sadly, environment policy took a step backwards today. An announcement by Minister Tanya Plibersek's about 'protecting the environment' was exactly what big coal and gas companies asked for. The Minister actually gave a free pass to fossil fuel companies. I'm writing to ask you to join me in calling or writing to Minister Plibersek and Prime Minister Albanese to demand stronger environmental protections."
>>
https://www.lyrebirddreaming.com/post/call-to-action-protecting-our-environment

Extinction crisis demands full reform of nature law
https://www.acf.org.au/extinction-crisis-demands-full-reform-of-nature-law
#FossilFuels #EPBCAct #climate #BiodiversityCrisis #conservation #law #NatureLaw #ExtinctionCrisis #wildlife #EPBC

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act
The law is fundamentally flawed.

abc/ 2020: "We have an Act that doesn't prevent extinction, even though that is the primary national Act to conserve our unique biodiversity. It's the classic death by a thousand cuts. You could lose the species because each of those threats have been assessed independently rather than at the same time...We are seeing our environment in a state of steady decline over the 20 years since the Act has been in operation."

"Australia currently has the worst rate of mammal extinction anywhere in the world." Professor Hughes
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-25/environment-protection-laws-fail-swift-parrot-conservationists/12574398

Why Australia's environmental laws aren't working | ABC News
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YMzxf2ZdBs
#EPBC #biodiversity #Conservation #DeforestationHotspot #Australia #extinction #koalas #TheGreatKoalaNationalPark #LoggingIndustry #regulation #governance

No new extinctions in Australia?
Australia’s new environment laws are being drafted behind closed doors
"Australia’s extinction rate is one of the worst in the world. About 100 of Australia’s flora and fauna species have been wiped out since colonisation, and there are now 1,900 threatened species at greater risk of extinction."
>>
https://www.crikey.com.au/2024/03/19/australia-new-environment-legislation-secret-tanya-plibersek/
#EPBC #law #biodiversity #SamuelReview #ThreatenedSpecies #NaturePositive #extinction

New environmental laws that actually protect nature?

"Overhauling this legislation only happens once in a generation. This is a critical moment to get Australia's new environment laws right. Until 30 March 2024, our federal government is taking public submissions on its proposed reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999."
https://envirojustice.org.au/legal-work/protecting-ecosystems/improving-australias-environment-laws/

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/epbc

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A00485/2014-03-27/text
#Biodiversity #law #EPBC #conservation #Australia

Australia is underperforming in its protection of #RamsarWetlands but coal and gas projects more likely to get approval.

"During the five years to 2019, however, 24 coal projects and 116 gas wells have been approved under the EPBC Act. Plibersek has personally greenlit four coal projects since 2022, principal adviser Mark Ogge from The Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy program noted.

“What is more concerning is that the rare decision to refuse a project as ‘clearly unacceptable’ under EPBC law seems to be disproportionately applied to renewable energy projects and never applied to fossil projects that are clearly unacceptable,” Ogge told Crikey."

#FossilFuels #AusPol #EPBC

https://www.crikey.com.au/2024/01/10/renewable-projects-veto-australia-environment-laws/

Well my day turned out differently than I had planned (and I'm not talking about this morning's asymmetrical haircut).

I had some time so I responded to the Australian government's consultation on its #NaturePositiveLaws

I used the ACF tool list and links to enable me which in turn linked to the government's resources and survey (including an epic 1.5 hour long 'nature positive' webinar ... which I consumed at 1.5x speed but didn't complete).

If the government can pull this off, then I'm kind of positive. It will be interesting though whether the new laws will prevent all new coal and gas development due to their scope 3 emissions. Australia has to start caring about it's role as a world fossil fuel dealer. Just because we don't burn the fuel here, doesn't mean we are not responsible.

I then let the ACF know that I had responded, which in turn offered another email to let my local federal member know that I care.

Time for a beer.

#AusPol #EPBC #SpeciesExtinction #Habitat #RamsarWetlands #ClimateEmergency

https://www.acf.org.au/have-your-say-nature-reforms

https://consult.dcceew.gov.au/australias-new-nature-positive-laws

Labor and Greens strike deal to establish nature repair scheme in a major update of Australia's environmental laws.. Government also committed to supporting fast-tracked legislation to strengthen the water trigger so that it applies to all forms of unconventional gas, such as fracking for tight gas like in the Beetaloo Basin.

#FossilGas #WaterTrigger #EPBC #EPBC2023 #climatecrisis #BiodiversityCrisis

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/05/labor-and-greens-strike-deal-to-establish-nature-repair-market

"Conservation groups challenge Labor over ‘lack of urgency’ on environment laws. Australia’s major conservation organisations have taken the Albanese government to task over what they say is a lack of urgency on environmental reform."

"The letter, signed by nine groups from the Places You Love alliance, including WWF Australia, the Australian Conservation Foundation, BirdLife Australia and the Wilderness Society, was sent a few weeks before the government announced it would selectively consult key stakeholders and experts instead of releasing draft legislation for public consultation before the end of the year."

Reforms "include a proposal that would give the environment minister powers to override a proposed decision from a new independent environment protection agency (EPA) and another that would allow developers to pay money into a fund rather than identify direct offsets to compensate for the destruction of habitat caused by their projects."

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/24/conservation-groups-challenge-labor-over-lack-of-urgency-on-environment-laws
#Law #EPBC #Biodiversity #conservation #PlacesYouLove #EPA #PYL #PublicConsultation #consultation #NatureRepair #NatureRepairMarket #offsets #destruction #ExtinctionCrisis