Ocean Legal acts as consultant in matters under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and Regulations 2000. It is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation which commenced 16 July 2000.
The objectives of the EPBC Act are to
- provide for the protection of the environment, especially matters of national environmental significance
- conserve Australian biodiversity
- provide a streamlined national environmental assessment and approvals process
- enhance the protection and management of important natural and cultural places
- control the international movement of plants and animals (wildlife), wildlife specimens and products made or derived from wildlife
- promote ecologically sustainable development through the conservation and ecologically sustainable use of natural resources
- recognise the role of Indigenous people in the conservation and ecologically sustainable use of Australia’s biodiversity
- promote the use of Indigenous peoples’ knowledge of biodiversity with the involvement of, and in cooperation with, the owners of the knowledge.
Engaged as consultant to groups concerning Part 9 Applications under the EPBC Act and requirements relating to matters of national environmental significance, requiring approval for activities in World Heritage Listed areas, National Heritage, Wetlands of International Importance, Threatened Species and habitat conservation and Marine areas.
Legal Advisor to Save Fraser Island Dingoes for 10 years, Founder of Association for Conservation of Australian Dingoes and Fraser Island Dingo Conservation.