Victorian Government demonstrates commitment to renewable energy with ambitious targets

The Andrews Government has demonstrated its commitment to the renewable energy industry and combating climate change by introducing a bill to the Victorian parliament last Thursday which will legislate ambitious new renewable energy targets. Partner Meg Lee and Senior Associate Kate Kirby report.   What is the target? The new Victorian renewable energy targets (VRETs) […]

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Setting the standard for PFAS management in Australia – PFAS NEPM consultation paper released

Australia and New Zealand have moved one step closer to establishing a framework to manage PFAS, a manufactured chemical which has emerged as a contaminant of concern worldwide over the recent years and this year has been the basis for two class actions in Australia. PFAS, short for per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, has become an issue […]

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No compensation for the developer after Court refuses application to convert non-trunk infrastructure to trunk infrastructure – Insights for developers and infrastructure providers

In brief –The Planning and Environment Court has for the first time decided an application by a developer to convert non-trunk infrastructure to trunk infrastructure. In a decision that has significant financial implications for developers and infrastructure providers, the Court refused the application and provided guidance on the determination of future conversion applications.   Implications […]

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Changes to a staged residential subdivision in Burnside were considered to be permissible changes

Highgate Developments Pty Ltd v Sunshine Coast Regional Council – What’s the case about? The Planning and Environment Court delivered a decision in the matter of Highgate Developments Pty Ltd v Sunshine Coast Regional Council [2017] QPEC37 which involved a permissible change request made by Highgate Developments Pty Ltd to the Sunshine Coast Regional Council […]

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Council was ordered to pay the applicant’s costs insofar as it related to a hearing to determine whether conditions ought to be included in a development approval for a residential development in Morayfield

The Planning and Environment Court in the matter of Wust v Moreton Bay Regional Council (No. 2) [2017] QPEC 36 made an order requiring the Moreton Bay Regional Council to pay Brian Wust’s costs of the appeal to the extent that the costs related to the disputed conditions. Otherwise, each party was to bear their […]

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Denial of procedural fairness – remit to a new Committee

Amos v Brisbane City Council – What’s the case about? The Planning and Environment Court delivered a decision in the case of Amos v Brisbane City Council [2017] QPEC 33 which involved an appeal by Edward Amos against the decision of the Building and Development Committee to allow the Brisbane City Council to give him an […]

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Approval of a subdivision of productive agricultural or rural land in Mothar Mountain

The Planning and Environment Court delivered a decision in the case of Wason v Gympie Regional Council [2017] QPEC 34, which involved an appeal by Lee Wason against the Gympie Regional Council’s decision to refuse a development application for a development permit for reconfiguring a lot (1 into 2) on land located in Mothar Mountain. […]

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Character housing is important to the community

Althaus & Anor v Brisbane City Council – What’s the case about? The Planning and Environment Court delivered a decision in the case of Althaus & Anor v Brisbane City Council [2017] QPEC 41 which involved an appeal by Nathan and Laura Althaus against the Brisbane City Council’s decision to refuse their development application seeking a […]

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Victorian Government implements first stage of environmental protection overhaul

The Victorian Government recently introduced a bill to parliament as the first stage of the long anticipated overhaul to Victorian environmental protection legislation.   1. Background In 2016, an independent ministerial advisory committee conducted an inquiry into the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA). As previously reported by Partner, Meg Lee, and lawyer, Linda Choi, the […]

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Enforcement orders issued to remedy significant risks posed by unlawful carport and photovoltaic solar panels structures

Gold Coast City Council v Bush & Anor – What’s the case about? The Planning and Environment Court delivered a decision in the case of Gold Coast City Council v Bush & anor [2017] QPEC 29 which involved an application made by Gold Coast City Council to the Court seeking an enforcement order under section 604 […]

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Approval of an extension request for multiple unit residential development – consistent with current planning scheme and sufficient community awareness

Lake Maroona Pty Ltd v Gladstone Regional Council – What’s the case about? The Planning and Environment Court of Queensland delivered a decision in the case of Lake Maroona Pty Ltd v Gladstone Regional Council [2017] QPEC 25 which involved an appeal by Lake Maroona against the Gladstone Regional Council’s refusal of a request for […]

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Land use code can still be incorporated to rating category description even though it is not approved by resolution

Ugarin Pty Ltd v Lockyer Valley Regional Council – What’s the case about? The Supreme Court of Queensland delivered a decision in the case of Ugarin Pty Ltd v Lockyer Valley Regional Council [2017] QSC 122 which involved a judicial review challenge by Ugarin Pty Ltd against the Lockyer Valley Regional Council’s decision relating to differential […]

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