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A N N UA L R E P O R T

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PROTECT ING THE ENV IRONMENT THROUGHTHE LAW

EnvironmentalDefender’sOffice(ACT)2AllsopStreetCanberraACT2601GPOBox574CanberraACT2601Telephone:(02)62433460Email:edoact@edo.org.auwww.edoact.org.au

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OVERVIEWOFTHEEDO(ACT)’SOBJECTIVES

Vision: Toempowerthecommunitytoprotecttheenvironmentthroughthelaw.

Mission: Toprovideacommunitylegalaidservicetoprovidelegalservicesonenvironmentalandrelated matters to persons whose interests should be pursued as a matter of publicinteresttakingintoaccounttheirfinancialmeans.

Values: Toaddressthedisempowermentthatresultsfromaninabilitytoaccesslegalservicesinrelationtomattersaffectingthenaturalandbuiltenvironmentandtopromoteaccesstothelegalsystemforpersonsseekingtoprotecttheenvironment.

Objectives: ToprovideacommunitylegalservicespecialisinginenvironmentallawforthebenefitofpersonsintheCanberraregionwhoseinterestsshouldbepursuedasamatterofpublicinteresttakingintoaccounttheirfinancialmeans.

To ensure that the EDO (ACT) is able to operate effectively and is accountable to itsfundingbodies

THEROLEOFTHEEDO(ACT)

TheEDO(ACT)hasthreemainfunctions:

• providing legal advice and representation on environmental lawmatters to members of thecommunityandcommunitygroupsinterestedinpreservingtheenvironment;

• undertakingcommunityeducationaboutlegalissuesrelatedtotheenvironmentandplanning;• researchingandmakingsubmissionstogovernmentaboutreformsoflawsandpoliciesaffecting

theenvironment.

SpecificEDOservicestotheACTandregionalcommunityinclude:

• providing legal advice and representation to people and groups seeking to protect theenvironment;

• presentingenvironmental lawseminarstothecommunity,andpresenting individuallytailoredtalkstoschoolsandenvironmentalgroups;

• providingenvironmentandplanning law information to thegeneralpublic, suchas theEDO’senvironmentallawfactsheetsandtheACTEnvironmentalLawHandbook;

• researchingpublicinterestmattersinenvironmentallaw;and• promoting lawsand law reformthathelps toprotect theenvironment includingworkingwith

other ACT community legal centres, indigenous groups and environmental groups to makesubmissionsproposingimprovementstoenvironmentandplanningpoliciesandlaws.

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ENVIRONMENTALDEFENDERSOFFICE(ACT)INC.

CHAIR’SREPORT

Thisreportisformallyforthefinancialyear2014/15,butitisbeingwritteninNovember2016aftertheAustralianFederalElection,theACTElectionandindeedtheUSPresidentialElection.Itwouldmakelittlesensenottoaddresstheseeventsuntilanotheryearhadpassed.MostsignificantlyfortheEDO(ACT),theACTElectionresultinOctober2016,andpre-electioncommitmentsfromtheACTGreensandtheACTLaborPartyhavegiventhisorganisationarealopportunitychancetoestablishasustainableplaceintheCanberracommunity’slegallandscape.

Thefirstfewmonthsofthe2014/15financialyearsawtheEDO(ACT)publishthethirdeditionoftheACTEnvironmentalLawHandbook,concludeanindependentreviewoftheWorldHeritageCommitteefortheWILDFoundationandbeginaseriesofEnvironmentalLawClinicsfortheANULawSchool.

TheHandbookwasasignificantupdatetoakeyreferencebookthatisreliedon by ACT and Australian Government officers, legal practitioners andcommunity members. It was launched at a public event that combined afundraisingauction,addressedbyCEOof350.org,BlairPalese,andpastACTChiefMinisterJonStanhopeAO.

The review of the World Heritage Committee was independently fundedinternationalworkbroughtinbyEDOACT’spreviouschairHannahJaireth,amemberofourstronglegalandenvironmentalnetworkofexperts.

Principalsolicitor,CamillaTaylorconductedtheEDO’sfirstenvironmentallawclinicfortheANUinsecondsemesterof2015.Wehavehassinceconductedtwomore,andthefeedbackhasbeenstrongandpositive.Itisanimportantand effectiveway the EDO can contribute to environmental education andstrengthen the capacity of the ACT’s legal community to protect theenvironment.

Nonetheless,bythetimeweheldthelastAGMinNovember2015,weknewour financial resources were diminishing, despite all our inventive andproductivework.TheACTGovernmenthadbeenunabletofindongoingfundstocovertheinevitableshortfallthatcamewiththeAustralianGovernment’s2013decisiontoterminatesupportforEDOsacrossAustralia;theinevitablylimited funding available through the ACT Law Society’s statutory interestaccount,andthefrustratinginabilityofACTGovernmentpartnerstocontractagreedprojectwork,suchastheproductionofasuiteoffactsheets.

Themost practical and realistic hope for the EDOwas the reinstatement of Commonwealth fundingfollowingachangeofgovernmentattheFederalElectioninJuly2016,gainingapoliticalcommitmentforsupportforEDOACTintheleaduptotheACTElectioninOctober2016or–lesslikely–achangeofstancefromtheACTGovernmentinthecontextoftheTerritorybudgetdeliveredinJune2016.

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Thisisnottosuggestwenarrowedouroptions.AsidentifiedinthePrincipalsolicitor’sreport,theEDOhas been involved in the development of a number of partnership proposals with other EDOs, hasexplored further work with business and community organisations, and investigated downsizing,amalgamating and warehousing its operations. It has alsomaintained strong relationships with localcommunitypartnersandcontinuedtodeliveronitsmissiontoprovideaccessiblelegaladviceinordertoprotect the environment through the law,with the knowledge thatwewould continue to seek theirsupportaswemovedtowardsalesscertainfuture.

OneofthekeylessonsforthoseofuscommittedtotheEDO,isthateventhosepeoplewhodependonandrefertoitsadviceandinformationdon’treallyunderstandorappreciateitsvalue.Andoverthepastyearalotoftheworkthatwe’vedone,Camillainparticular,hasbeentobecomeprogressivelyclearerandmoreexplicitaboutEDO’svalueproposition:throughgrantapplications,publiccampaigning,politicallobbyingandintheeverydayworkoftheOffice.

Itisalsoworthreflectingbrieflyonthepracticaljourneyofthepast18months.TherehasbeenquiteaturnoverintheEDO’sCommitteemembers,andthosewhohavestuckbytheorganisationhavedonesomoreoutoftheirownvaluesandcommitmentthanwithanyconfidenceorambitionfortheEDO’sfuture.The ongoing contribution of outgoing deputy chair Julia Pitts and other long time members KasyChambers,LeeNelson(Treasurer),andSusanBell(Secretary)areofparticularnote,giventheturmoilofthepastfewyears.IamalsopleasedtoacknowledgecommitteemembersJasonParsons,GabrielleHo,KarlGoiserandmostrecentlyDeborahNesbitt.

CamillaherselfhashadtotirelesslyreframeopportunitiesfortheEDOtodeliverfactsheetstotheACTGovernmentandservicesforthecommunity,continuetoruntheANUclinic,contributetothenationalandlocalenvironmentallawnetworks,sustainthecommunitylegalservicedrawingonandsupportingtheworkofanumberofcommittedvolunteers(theyareacknowledgedformallyattheendofthisreport).

InMay2016,CamillaofferedtomovetoparttimeinordertoensuretheEDOACTofficecouldremainopenuntilaftertheACTelectionandtotheendofthe2016SecondSemesterANUclinic.Aroundthesametime,internalchangesintheLegalAidOffice,whichhashostedEDOACTformanyyears,sawusmovetosmallersharedspacesinthesamebuilding.

After the delivery of adisappointing ACT 2016Budget, EDO drew on thegenerous offer of supportfrom local Not-for-Profitstrategist, AndreaSimmons, topull togetheranelection campaign thatbuilt on our strengths,connections andcapacities.Itishardtosaywhich elements of thatwork, the widercommunity support it

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harnessed,andthepoliticalweightoftheACTGreenshadthemostimpact,buttheeffectiveunderwritingoftheEDOhereintheACTforatleastthenexttwoyearsisbothareliefandanopportunity.

Itwillbecleartothereaderthenthatthelastfewmonthsweremoreaboutcoordinatingthatcampaignforourongoingsurvivalanddeliveringonbasicservices(includingtheclinic)thaninbeingapartofany

coordinatedactioninregardstothelocalorglobalenvironment.Thatisnottosaythatwehaven’tbeeninvolvedinmattersofenvironmentalconcern,asthePrincipalSolicitor’sreportmakesclear,buttherehasbeennospaceuntilnowforamorestrategicapproach.

Itisclearhowever,thatwhiletheACTpopulationremainsprogressive,thereisanongoingthreattoenvironmentalprotection–andlegalactionrelatedto it – from theAustralianGovernment, fromother players inAustralianpublic life and (as the election of Donald Trump in the US indicates) abroaderstepbackfromenvironmentalvaluesandglobalresponsibility.

TheACTGovernment’songoingsupportbringswithitbothanopportunityandaresponsibilityforustobuildalongertermplanforEDOACTthatdrawsonitslocalnetworkandcontext,andseekstoreinforcetheincredibleimportanceofcommunitybasedlegalactionforenvironmentalprotectiontotheultimatebenefit,intheshorttermandthelongterm,ofallpeopleandthediverserichlifeofourplanet.

MythanksagaintoallmembersoftheCommittee.IwishJuliaPittswellasIknowshewillnotstandforelectionatthe2016AGM.Juliahasbeenathoughtful, insightfuldeputyChairandherknowledgeandpassionwillbesorelymissed.IwouldalsoliketothankPrincipalsolicitorandCEOCamillaTaylorwhohasworkedhard,long,inventivelyandresilientlyoverthepastyearstogrowtheEDOwherepossible,tolookforanddeliveronnewopportunitiesand–intheend–tokeepusalive.

Finally,Iwouldliketothankthefollowingvolunteer/internswhoplaysuchanimportantroleinthedaytoday,andmonthtomonth,operationoftheservice:KatherineDuffy,AaronBroekhuyse,GabrielleHo,QuintinGravatt,BronwynWrigley,TiffanyChung,LaurenEvans,MaxButler,MaclarenWall,ClareKim,ElsaMerrick,IsabellePurdy,DeborahNesbitt,IsabelleComfort,AlexRoss,SeanMcDonaldandPercySu.

RolandMandersonChair,EnvironmentalDefendersOffice(ACT)22November2016

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ENVIRONMENTALDEFENDERSOFFICE(ACT)INC.

CEO’SREPORT1

Introduction

TheACTEnvironmentalDefenders'Office[EDO]isanindependent,not-for-profit,communitylegalcentre.TheEDOisdedicatedtothedevelopment,promotionandapplicationoftheACTenvironmentallawsinmatters involving thepublic interest.TheEDOoffersa rangeof legal services thatareunique in theirpublicinterestfocusviatheimplementationofourcoreobjectivesoutlinedonpage2ofthisReport.

Inthe2015–2016year,EDOfocuseditslimitedresourcesonachievingtheseobjectivestoadvise,educateandencourageincreasedpublicinterestandparticipationintheenvironmentallaw.TheissueoffindingasustainablefundingpathremainedaliveasithassincetheAbbottfederalgovernmentterminatedallEDOfundinginDecember2013.2Thisimportantelementofourworkpresentedmanychallengesin2015-16,chiefofwhichcomprisedthebalancingofcompetingneedstoraisefundstosecurefutureviabilityforthe office and deliver on the EDO mandate to provide free and independent advice about the ACTenvironmentprotection laws. This issuebecame increasinglypressingasEDOstaff and itsCommitteewatchedtheEDOfundscontinuetoshrinkthroughoutthe2015-16year.

AsnotedintheChair’sreportabove,thequestionoftheEDO’suncertainfuturewasansweredbytheACTGreensPartyandtheACTLaborPartywhenboththesepartiesmadeaninitialfundingcommitmentpriortotheACTgovernmentelection(heldinOctober2016).AsimilarcommitmentwaslaterincludedintheParliamentaryAgreement2016whentheGreenandLaborPartiesformedthe9thLegislativeAssemblyfortheACT.

Thiswelcomednewsprovidedmuch relief and satisfaction to theEDOmembers and supporterswhogreatly assisted the EDO in communicating strongmessages to theACTelection candidates that theyexpectedtheirgovernmentelecttosupporttheEDOandtoenableittocontinueitsimportantcommunitywork.

WhydoestheACTneedtheEDO?

AlthoughtheACTisaleadingjurisdictioninAustraliaforitsclimatepoliciesandlegislatedtargets,3astheACTpopulationrisesand itsurbanfootprintcontinuestoexpand, thenaturalenvironment in theACTfacesincreasingdevelopmentpressures.Insomecases,thispressureisunprecedentedasCanberralookstoitsborderswithNSWinwhichtocontinueitsgreenfieldexpansion.4 Inturnthisexpansionrequiresmore landand threatens the ‘bushcapital’s’ valued ruralandbush settingaswell as theconnectivitybetweenitsecosystems.

1TheEDO’sCEOandPrincipalSolicitor,CamillaTaylorcanbecontactedonedoact@edo.org.au.2In2013/14IgaveadetailedreportabouttheFederalGovernment’ssurpriseannouncementthatitwasterminatingitsfundingagreementswithalltheEDOsnationally.Previously,thesupportprovidedbytheCommonwealthwasEDOACT’sprimarysourceoffunding.3LukeKemp,PennySackettandFrankJotzo(2015)‘Sub-NationalClimatePolicies:HowdoestheACTcompare?’,AustralianCapitalTerritoryClimateChangeCouncil,p.25. 4http://www.planning.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/895076/2012_Planning_Strategy.pdf,p.33.

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TheEDOistheonlyaffordablelegaloptionforcommunities,landholdersandinterestgroupswho,whenconfrontedwithmajordevelopmentprojects,wishtoprotecttheirlocalbiodiversity,indigenousculturalvalues,farmland,cleanwaterwaysand/orotherpublicinterests.TheEDOassiststhesepartiestousethelawtoimproveenvironmentaloutcomesandprovidesavitalaccesstojusticeserviceforpeoplewhowishtostandupandprotecttheirenvironment.

Apublicly fundedEDOprovidesexpert legalsupportatnocostand fillsagapnototherwiseprovidedanywhereintheACTorAustralia.Defendingthediversevaluesofthenaturalandculturalenvironmentisotherwise unaffordable for many Australians and the EDO is the only place where the bulk of ourpopulation can go to obtain legal advice on publicinterest environmental law matters when they feelthreatenedoraffectedbyadevelopment.

IncreasingtheEDOfunding

This issuehasbeenaddressedcomprehensively in theChairandTreasurer’s report,however this sectionwillbrieflyaddressthenatureoftheEDO’sresponseto itsfundingcrisis.TheEDOspentasignificantamountofthetime it would otherwise dedicate to assisting thecommunity with its legal needs, towards raising itsprofileand seekingopportunities toaccessalternativesources of funding. As the office faced closuresomewhereinthemiddleofthe2016-17financialyear,becoming financially viablebecame theEDOsultimateobjective as closure would mark an end to anymeaningfulcommunityassistance.

In2015-16,theEDOstaffandCommitteeplannedandput into action various fundraising strategies andopportunities. These included the completion of an independent report into the World HeritageCommittee on behalf of theWILD Foundation; 5 lodging grant applications; and inOctober 2015, thefinalisingandlaunchingoftheACTEnvironmentalLawHandbook(3rded.2015).ThelaunchwascombinedwithanexcitingliveandonlineauctionandwasalsoattendedbyVIPspeakersBlairPalese(350.org)andJon Stanhope AO (ACT Chief Minister 2001-2011). In June 2015, the EDO entered into an ongoingarrangementwiththeANUtoofferitslawstudentsanenvironmentallawclinicalprogram.TheEDOisgratefultoAssociateProfessorDrTonyFoleyandProfessorDonRothwellforthesupporttheyhavegiventheEDOinestablishingtheclinicandcontributingtoitsongoingsuccess.In2015-16theEDOalsoplacedanincreasedfocusedonraisingitsprofileamongsttheACTcommunityandbecameincreasinglyactiveusingsocialmedia(FacebookandTwitter)aswellasissuingvariousmediastatementsandengagingwithCanberramedia including666ABCCanberra,andTheCanberraTimes. Importantly,EDOengagedwithseveralmembersoftheACTLegislativeAssemblythroughoutthe2015-16year,includinggivinginputtothe ACT government’s Budget 2015/16 Consultation process. In short, the EDO requested the ACT

5TheEDOisgratefultoourformerChairDrHannaJairethforthisopportunity.

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governmentprovidetemporaryfundingtoenabletheofficetostayopenandtoprovidetheofficewiththe extra time needed to source alternative and permanent funding arrangements. Initially oursubmissionwasnotacceptedduringtheACTcabinetprocess,howeverasnotedaboveandintheChair’sreport,theACTgovernmentultimatelysupportedtheEDO’sbidforbudgetaryassistance.

Othersupport

TheACTLawSocietycontinued toprovide funding to theEDO in the2015–16year from its statutoryinterestaccount.TheEDOvaluesitsrelationshipwiththisimportantorganisationandisverygratefulfortheLawSociety’songoingsupport.

TheEDO is co-locatedwithACT’s LegalAidofficeandwearealso very grateful for thegenerousandcontinuedsupportofferedbyLegalAidanditsCEO,DrJohnBoersigPSM,includingnotonlytheuseoftheirexcellentofficefacilities,butprovisionofinformationtechnologyandcommunicationservicesunderasemi-commercialleasingarrangement.ThissupportallowstheEDOtooperateeffectively,andprovidesaconvenientlocationforourclients,environmentalstakeholdersandthegovernmentsectorinboththeterritoryandfederalspheres.

The EDO ACT received valuable pro bono assistance this year from the AGS while updating its ACTEnvironmental Law Handbook and financial support from SoftLaw Community Projects and the ACTGovernmentfortheproductionoftheHandbookincludingtheprintinganddesignwork.

OnbehalfoftheEDOACT,Iwouldespeciallyliketothankourmembers,supportersandgenerousdonors(notablytheFieldNaturalists'AssociationofCanberraandNationalParksAssociationoftheACT)fortheircontinued and valuable support around the various appeals EDO conducted throughout 2015-16, forexample,ourend-of-financial-yearappeal,Christmasappealandpre-electionappeals.

IwouldalsoliketothankthegeneroussupportofbusinessandcommunityleaderswhogavetheEDOtheirvaluabletimeand/oradvicethroughouttheyearincludingPetaSpender(ACAT),ProfessorMurrayRaff(UC),DrJamesPrest(ANU),RogerIlitch(ACFEC),ProfessorBenBoer(USyd),TimBonyhady(ANU),AndrewMcIntosh(ANU),KirstenMiller(DeptofEnvironment)JudyLambert(EDOsofAustraliaProjectOfficer),MartijnWilder(BakerandMcKenzie),PeterSutherland(SoftLaw),JohnBoersig(CEO,LegalAid),DrHannaJaireth(LawCouncilofAustralia),CharlesWaterstreet(barrister),DrPeggyDwyer(barrister),PhillipBoultenSC,MichaelWill(HWLEbsworths),AndreaSimmons(not-for-profitconsultant),AssociateProfessorMatthewZagor,JuliaPitts(Vice-ChairEDO),andcartoonistJudyHoracek.IamalsoverygratefulfortheongoingsupporttheEDOanditsenvironmentalclinicreceiveseachsemesterfromtheNSWLandandEnvironmentCourt, includingJusticesRachelPepper,JohnRobson,NicolaPain,ChiefJusticeBrianPrestonandhisstaffEdwinaChapmanandTristanOrgill.AspecialthanksalsogoestoJudithPreston.

EDOservicesThe EDO typically provides three main services to the ACT community: legal advice and assistance,communitylegaleducationandlawreform.

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Legaladviceandcasework

Aswithpreviousyears,therehasbeenanincreasingdemandforEDOservices,namelyenvironmentallawadviceand informationabout theenvironmental issues facing theACTcommunity.Despite its limitedresourcesandpressingneedtofocusonfundraisingactivities,theEDOcontinuedtomeetthisdemand.Most environmental issues in the ACT are a consequence of increasing planning and developmentpressures,andmostlyinvolveacommunity’sconcernfortheimpactofplanningonthreatenedspecies(floraandfauna),indigenousculture,protectedtreesandheritageissues.

In2015-16,legaladvicewassoughtbyawidevarietyofindividuals,communitygroupsandenvironmentorganisations on an equally broad range of matters. The EDO assisted these clients by providingrepresentation,writtenadvices,one-offlegaladvices,mediation,appearancebeforeACAT,informationandongoingcaseworkassistance.Thisadviceandinformationwasdeliveredbytelephone,facetoface,andinwrittenform.

Asmentionedabove,muchoftheEDO’sadviceandcaseworkfocussedonplanninganddevelopmentissueswithanemphasisontheimpactsofbiodiversity conservation in the face of development pressures; theenvironmental impact assessment process; the development approvalprocess, including EPBC approvals; and access to information andaccountabilityofenvironmentalandplanningdecision-makers.

TheEDOalsoprovidedadviceonarangeofothermatters,includingtreeprotection, heritage protection, noise and air pollution, Non-ViolentDirectAction(akaprotestaction),solaraccessissuesandvariationstotheTerritoryPlan(rezoning).

The EDO ACT provided ongoing assistance to many of the ACT’sCommunityCouncilsinrelationtoanumberofmattersincludingtheimpactsofresidentialdevelopment,the rezoningof landuse tomakeway fordevelopment, theprocessofdevelopmentapplicationsandamendmentstotheNationalCapitalandTerritoryPlans.TheEDOACTstrivestoassistthecommunityinunderstandingthelegalprocessesandrequirementsforsuchprojects.

Communitylegaleducation

In 2015–16, the EDO continued its important community legal education and development work. Asignificant project this year was the rewriting, editing and publishing of theACT Environmental LawHandbooknowinits3rdedition.TheupdatewasnecessaryduetotheACTgovernment’sownreviewandupdateofmostoftheACTlegislationandpolicywhichimpactstheACTenvironment(forexample,theNatureConservationAct,2014,theEnvironmentProtectionAct1997,andanoffsetspolicy)ThisprojectwasahugetaskforsuchasmallofficetocompleteandtheEDOisgratefultotheAGSandtothemanyvolunteersandinterns(listedintheChair’sReportonpage5)whocontributedtheirvaluabletimeandexpertisetomakethisprojecthappen.TheHandbookisnowavailableinhardcopyandonline.AspecialthanksalsogoestoartistJohnPrattwhogenerouslyprovidedhiswonderfulillustrationsfortheEDOtouseintheHandbook.

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OnlinefactsheetsabouttheACTenvironmental lawsarealsoavailableonourup-to-datewebsite(seebelow). Subject to resourcing constraints, the office also provides newsletters, environmental newsupdatesandcommunityforums.

Website

TheEDO’swebsiteisanessentialcommunityeducationtool.ThewebsiteprovidesthecommunityaccesstotheACTEnvironmentalLawHandbook(3rded.2015);ourfactsheets;lawreformsubmissions;reports;events andother environmental news. Thewebsite also acts as anoticeboard forourmembers andsupportersandthisprovedanimportanttoolforourcommunicationofthevariousissuesandchallengesfacedbytheofficethroughout2015/16.

SincetheEDOACTlaunchedanupdatedwebsiteinJanuary2015,thewebsitehasreceivedanaverageofjustover1,500uniquevisitorseachmonth.Figure1illustratesthemonthlyvisitationstatisticsandFigure2showswhichpagesaremostpopular.

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Factsheets

TheonlinefactsheetsareanimportantresourcefortheACTcommunityanditcontinuestobethemostutilisedfeatureoftheEDOwebsite.ThecollectionoffactsheetsfocusesmostlyonACTenvironmentalandplanninglaws.

Communitydevelopmentwork

TheEDOcommunicatesregularlywithitsnetworkofkeystakeholdersintheACTenvironmentalspaceandworks closelywith community groups, including theACT community councils. TheEDOassists itsclientstounderstandtheplanningprocessaswellasopportunitiesforinvolvement,andwherepossibletheEDOassiststhecommunityintakingeffectiveactiontoimprovedecision-makingandimproveall-overoutcomesfortheACTenvironment.

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SummernatsFestival

Access to the noise-pollution factsheets spikes in January each year in response to the annualSummernatsfestivalandtheEDOpublishesitspopularSummernatsfactsheettomeetthisdemand.Overthecourseofthe4-dayfestivalin2016,theSummernatsfactsheetwasaccessedover100times.

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In2015/16,theEDOrespondedtoinquiriesabouttheACTenvironmentallegislationandgavelawreformandpolicyinformationtointerestedstakeholdersincludingtheopportunitiesprovidedbylegislationtoparticipateinenvironmentaldecision-makingandhowthisprocessmightimproveoutcomes.

TheEDOattendednumerousmeetingsandforumsthroughouttheyearwheretheenvironmentalpolicychangesandlegislativeamendmentswereexplained.

Community education and development was also provided through contributions to the ACT RecentDevelopmentssectionoftheNationalEnvironmentalLawReview’smonthlyBulletin.TheEDOcontinueditscooperativeworkingrelationshipwithothercommunitylegalcentres,thegovernmentsectorandlegalaidserviceproviders intheACT.TheACTcommunity legalcentreshaveregularmeetingstoexchangeinformationandcollaboratetoensureeffectiveandholisticserviceprovision.TheEDOparticipatesintheACTLegalAidForum(ACTLAF)whichprovidesausefulopportunitytocollaboratewithotherlegalserviceprovidersandassistswithappropriatereferralsandopportunitiesforallcommunitylegalcentresintheACT.

Communityseminars

TheEDOheldaneventattheANUbroadcastingawebcastoftheDirectorofUrgendaFoundation-MarjanMinnesma-speakingaboutherorganisation'shistoricwininaDutchcourtagainsttheDutchGovernment(thecourtorderedthegovernmenttoincreaseitsemissionsreductiontarget).TheEDOalsopresentedatasessionattheUniversityofCanberra’sIsaacsLawSocietyCareersFair.

Lawreformandpolicy

TheEDOcontinuedtocontributeexpertandbalancedlawreformandpolicyadvicetoboththeACTandfederalgovernmentsbothasanindividualofficeandaspartoftheEDOnetwork(EDOsofAustralia).

Federal

In2015-16theFederalGovernmentcontinuedtoerodeAustralia’sclimateandenvironmentallaws.Forexample,in2015theAbbottGovernmentreducedtheRenewableEnergyTarget(RET)from41,000GWhto 33,000 GWh, and it was further weakened through exemptions and the removal of reviewrequirements.6Australiaalsoannounceda26-28%emissionsreductiontargetaheadofParisCOP21,atarget“substantiallyweaker”thanthatrecommendedbytheClimateChangeAuthority.7InAugust2015,a Bill to revoke environmental groups’ standing under section 487 of the EBPC Act 1999 (Cth) wasintroduced to federal parliament and this is an ongoing concern.8 The tax-deductibility status ofenvironmentalgroupsremainsunderthreat:inMay2016,theHouseofRepresentativesEnvironmentalCommitteerecommendedthattheRegisterofEnvironmentalOrganisationsbeabolishedandthatinstead

6AnnabelleWorkmanandAnitaTalberg(23June2016)'Timeline:Australia'sClimatePolicy',TheConversation,https://theconversation.com/timeline-australias-climate-policy-59984.7Ibid.8SophiePowerandJuliTomaras(3November2015)'BillsDigestno372015-16:EPBCAmendment(standing)bill2015',ParliamentofAustralia,http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1516a/16bd037#_Toc434311647;CristyClark(18August2015)'TheGovernmentvsTheEnvironment:LawfareinAustralia',TheConversation,https://theconversation.com/the-government-vs-the-environment-lawfare-in-australia-46205.

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decisions on individual groups’ tax-deductibility status should be referred to the ATO.9 This too is ofconcernfortheEDOascurrentlyoursupportersobtainataxdeductionfortheirimportantdonations.

Inthefaceofthesethreats,theEDOsofAustraliacontinuedtobeastrongvoicefortheenvironmentinthe federal sphere. EDOs of Australia contributed to submissions on a range ofmatters. Federal lawreformworkfromEDOACTinvolvedinputtotheEDOsofAustralia’ssubmissiontotheSenateInquiryinto

theEPBCAmendment(Standing)Bill2015;consultationwithEDONSWfortheirsubmissioninvolvingeachstateand territory’s greenhouse gasemission reduction target;consultation with EDO NSW for asubmission on third party meritsreview rights for planning andresource projects; and minorconsultationwith EDONSW re theirsubmission on the WaterAmendment (ReviewImplementation and OtherMeasures)Bill2015.

ACT

Thepreviousyear(2014-15)sawEDOACTworkonalargenumberofsubmissionsregardingthemanybillsandpoliciesproposedbytheACTGovernmentthatsignificantlyamendedtheACT’senvironmentalandlegislativeframework.AcombinationoftheEDO’slimitedresourcesanditsneedtoincreaseitsprofiletochasefundingopportunitiesresultedinadeliberatecutbackoftimespentonpolicyandlawreformwork.AllsubmissionscanbeaccessedviatheEDOACTwebsite.10

StaffIn2015–16theEDOemployedonefull-timestaffmember-CamillaTaylor,PrincipalSolicitorandCEO.Duetotheabovedescribedfundingconstraints,thisrolewasdowngradedtoapart-timepositioninMay2016.JasonParsonscontinuedtoprovidetheEDOwithhisvaluableservicesasapart-timebookkeeperandadministrator.

9ConorDuffy(20April2015)'EnvironmentalgroupsfacetaxdeductibilitylossinGovernmentpush',ABC7:30,http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2015/s4214478.htm;SidMaher(5May2016)'Crackdownurgedontax-deductiblestatusofenvironmentalgroups',TheAustralian,http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/crackdown-urged-on-taxdeductible-status-of-environmental-groups/news-story/10e6691e6adbc607f630a85a7f0c46bb.10www.edoact.org.au.

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EDOManagementCommittee

TheEDO’sManagementCommitteecontinuedtomeetregularlyandworkedeffectivelyinter-sessionally.Mostmembers of the Committee contributedduring the year to the EDO’s successful operation, butspecial thanks aredueparticularly to theEDOofficebearers JuliaPitts (Vice-Chair),MeghanThomas-Richards (Secretary)and laterSueBell, LeeNelson (Treasurer)and JasonParsons (PublicOfficer)whoconsistentlyprovidedanenormousamountofsupportanddedication.EDOChair,RolandMandersonwasespeciallyinfluentialthisyearandIwouldliketomakeaspecialmentionofhisincrediblework.ThisyearRolandworevarious ‘hats’andperformedeachdistinctrolewithacertainsangfroidcombinedwithalargedoseofcharacterthatonlyRolandcanachieve.Rolandattractedsupportforthisofficeanditssolesolicitor though his many guises, including as an accomplished lobbyist, editor, script writer, and,surprisingly, live auctioneer. Roland’s standing in his community influenced successful outcomes andprojectsfortheEDOincludingsecuringdonatedprizes,theuniqueartworkforourHandbook(someofwhichisalsofeaturedinthisReport),publishingsupportthroughSoftLaw,dedicatedEDOcartoonsfromrenownedcartoonistDavidPopeandultimatelyfinancialsupportfromtheACTgovernment.

ACTElectionCampaign–toOctober16,2016

CommitteemembersDeborahNesbitt,JuliaPitts(Vice-Chair)andRolandManderson(Chair)workedwithlobbyingexpertAndreaSimmonstodevelopanACTElectioncampaignstrategy,writethekeydocuments,constructaquestionnaireforcirculationtopoliticalpartiesandprovidethestructurethatallowedothercommitteemembersandvolunteerstomakeanimportantcontribution.TheoutcomeoftheACTElection–withacommitmentfromtheACTGreensandACTLabortoprovideoperationalfundingfortheEDO-isarealbreakthroughintermsofthestatusandsustainabilityoftheoffice.

Volunteersandinterns

TheEDOcouldnotprovideitsservicestotheACTcommunityasbroadlyandaseffectivelywithouttheconstant support provided by the many reliable and dedicated EDO volunteers and interns. EDOvolunteersarepredominantlyuniversitystudents,membersoftheEDO’sManagementCommitteeandmembersofthelegalprofession.Thecontributionofvolunteersamountstomanyhoursperweekandenables the EDO to fulfil all its core objectives and functions evenwith its extremely limited staffingresources. In 2015–16, the EDOcontinued itsvolunteerprogramwith the Australian NationalUniversity (ANU) and theUniversity of Canberra (UC)providing ongoing opportunitiesforstudentstoworkasparalegalsorinterns.

Iwould liketoacknowledgeandthank all the volunteers alreadymentionedintheChair’sreport.

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Officeactivities

Awiderangeofotheroperationalandmanagementactivitiesareperformedbystaff,butnotmentionedhere.Thiswork,however,isimportanttokeeptheEDOofficefunctioningandaccountable.Alotoftimeisdevotedtothemanagementaspectofthebusinessandthisincludescompliancewiththeconditionsoffunding, reporting to fundingbodies,preparationof financial documents,book-keeping, lodginggrantapplications, participating in the annual audit held pursuant to the professional indemnity insurancescheme, Community Legal Services Information System (CLSIS) data entry, reporting and supervisingvolunteers.

During2015-16thisoffice(andallEDOsinAustralia)consultedwithWestwoodSpicewhichassistedanEDOsteeringcommitteetoprepareastrategicevaluationexaminingthedifferentpotentialmodelsforprovidingsustainablepublicinterestenvironmentallawservicesacrossAustralia.TheEDOisgratefultotheReichsteinFoundationandothermembersoftheAEGNforthesupportitgavetodrivethisproject.

ConclusionTheEDOACTwillcontinuetobeanimportantvoicefortheenvironmentandislookingforwardtothe2016-17yearwhere,withACTgovernmentsupport,itwillfinallybeabletofocusonwhatitdoesbest–assistthecommunitytoprotecttheenvironmentthroughthelaw.Itwillcontinuetoseekreplacementfundingthatwillenableittobecomefinanciallyviableandindependent.TheEDOACTlooksforwardtoachieving its objectives and strategic priorities as well as continuing its engagement with the ACTgovernmentconcerningtheenvironmentalchallengesthatwillariseasCanberracontinuestogrow.TheEDOlooksforwardtoexpandingitsrelationshipswithmembersoftheACTcommunity,toassisttheminengagingwith the processes contained in theACT’s environmental legislative framework and to helpachieveimprovedenvironmentaloutcomes.TheEDOwillbefurtheringitsmandateintheimportantareaof law reform and policy work, specifically to provide the ACT and Federal governments with anauthoritativeandreliablevoiceformattersconcerninglegislativechangesandtheirimportantinfluenceontheenvironment.

CamillaTaylorPrincipalSolicitorandCEO,EnvironmentalDefendersOffice(ACT)22November2016

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ENVIRONMENTALDEFENDERSOFFICE(ACT)INC.

TREASURER’SREPORT

One of the fundamental responsibilities of any Management Committee is to monitor the financialperformanceoftheorganisation.TheEDO(ACT)iscontinuallyreviewingitsfinancialreportingsystemstoenabletheManagementCommitteetomakepro-activedecisionsaboutexpenditureofgrantsandself-generatedincomeinlinewithitsstrategicdirections.Keygoalsare:

• improvingtheaccuracyandtimelinessofreporting,and• providingmeaningfulinformationinresponsetoCommitteeneeds.

The2015/16financialyeargeneratedadeficitof$50,213.ThisdeficitistheresultofcontinuingFederalGovernmentpolicynottosupporttheEnvironmentalDefendersOfficenetworkinanyjurisdiction;andrecentACTGovernmentpolicynottosupporttheEnvironmentalDefendersOfficeintheACT.Itisgreat

newstolearnthattheACTGreensandACTLaborParty have included a specific fundingcommitment for the EDO (ACT) in theirParliamentaryAgreementandrecognizetheneedfor community access to public-interestenvironmentallaw.

This means that the ACT Government will nowprovide the EDO (ACT) with its core funding,supported by grants from the ACT Law Societyand other contracted activities. Last, but notleast, contributions from the community havegone a long way to keeping the office activeduring this difficult period.We look forward tocontinuing our productive relationship with allourpartners.

Wemoveinto2016/17withabudgetreflectingtheprecariousnatureofourfinances,atleastuntilACTGovernmentsupportresumesin2017.ConservativedecisionsbytheManagementCommittee,judiciousconsiderationintheemploymentoftheorganisation’slittleequity,builtupovermanycarefulyears,willcontinuetobeakeyconcern.TotalequityatJune2016is$43,667.

TheCommitteeandstaffarecommittedtofindingnewavenuesoffundingfortheEDO(ACT).Submissionswillcontinuetobemadetogovernmentsandrelevantorganisationsforincreasesinrecurrentfundingforcoreanddedicatedservices.

As Treasurer, I would like to express my gratitude for the commitment of ourmembers, volunteers and staff,withoutwhose support for the organisation anddedicationtodefendingtheenvironment,wecouldnotcontinuetooperate.

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As Treasurer, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jason Parsons, the EDO (ACT) OfficeAdministrator,forhisdedicationandguidanceinallthingsfinancialoverthispastyear.

LeeNelsonTreasurer,EnvironmentalDefendersOffice(ACT)22November2016

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ENVIRONMENTALDEFENDERSOFFICE(ACT)INC.

COMMITTEE’SREPORT

YourcommitteememberssubmitthefinancialstatementsoftheEnvironmentalDefendersOffice(ACT)Inc.forthefinancialyearended30June2016.

CommitteeMembersThenamesofcommitteemembersthroughoutthefinancialperiodandatthedateofthisreportare:

SBell 1July2015-30June2016KChambers 1July2015-30June2016KGosier 24November2015-30June2016 GHo 1July2015-30June2016 DNesbitt 14June2016-30June2016 JParsons 1July2015-30June2016 JPitts 1July2015-30June2016 RManderson 1July2015-30June2016 LNelson 1July2015-30June2016 MThomas-Richards 1July2015-December2015

PrincipalActivityTheprincipalactivityoftheEnvironmentalDefender’sOffice(ACT)Inc.duringthefinancialperiodhasbeentheprovisionofapubliclegalaidserviceonenvironmentalmatters.

SignificantChangesNosignificantchangehasoccurredinthenatureoftheEnvironmentalDefender’sOffice(ACT)Inc.’sactivitiesduringthefinancialperiodotherthananincreaseinthefundraisingactivitiesduetothewithdrawalofCommonwealthfundingforwhichnoticewasgiventotheEDOACTon17December2013.

OperatingResultTheoperatingprofitNIL.

SignedinaccordancewitharesolutionoftheMembersoftheCommittee.

RolandManderson LeeNelsonCommitteemember(Chair) Committeemember(Treasurer)22November2016 22November2016

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CertificateofCompliance

ThisScheduleisestablishedinrespectofthe2015-2016FinancialYear

Organisation:EnvironmentDefenders’Office(ACT)Inc.

ContactOfficer:CamillaTaylor,Telephone:62433460

Theabove-namedOrganisationcertifiesthat:

(i) TheFundshavebeenusedforthepurposeforwhichtheywereprovided;

(ii) TheTermsandConditionsofthisAgreementhavebeenmet;and

(iii) TheAuditedFinancialStatementsinrespectoftheFundshavebeencertifiedbyapersonwhoisregisteredasanauditorinaccordancewiththeCorporationsAct2001andareattached;and

(iv) SalariesandallowancespaidtopeopleemployedusingtheFundsareinaccordancewithawardsalaryratesorthegeneralratesinforceattheOrganisation.

SIGNEDforandonbehalfofthe

EnvironmentDefenders’Office(ACT)Inc.

byRolandManderson

inthepresenceofLeeNelson

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