Alert

Who does this affect?

Victorian based companies, industries and agencies affected by issues relating to the environment, development vs flora and fauna, management of water resources, planning and climate change/carbon trading

What do you need to do?

Make a submission to the issues and approaches raised in the Green Paper for a direct opportunity to have a say in the direction that Victorian environmental legislation and policy will take in the next 20 to 50 years

Author
Radha Govil  
Solicitor

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Stephen Davis  
Partner
T +61 3 9643 4107

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This alert is to invite clients to make submissions to the recently released Green Paper called “The Land and Biodiversity at a Time of Climate Change".

The Green Paper and the White paper which follows it, will set the Victorian Government’s agenda and guide policy decisions in relation to land and biodiversity management over the next 20 to 50 years.

Clients affected by the issues relating to the environment, development vs flora and fauna, management of water resources, planning and climate change/ carbon trading are advised to make a submission to ensure that future systems dealing with these areas are practical and do not result in uncertainty, delays and undue expense.

A brief outline of the Green Paper

The Green Paper, published in April 2008, is the second phase in the development of a White Paper planned for release in the first half of 2009. The White Paper will establish policy and program directions, helping set the Victorian Government’s agenda and guide investment decisions in land management over the next 20 to 50 years.

The Green Paper content is based on an analysis of the submissions received from over 360 peak bodies, industries, conservation and farming groups, other government agencies and individuals who responded to the Consultation Paper put out by the State Government in April 2007. Some of the issues and suggested approaches discussed in the Green Paper include:

• Private Sector Investment - providing opportunities and reduce barriers to engage with business to facilitate private investment in land and biodiversity outcomes;
• Net Gain - expanding incentive programs such as BushTender to improve native vegetation;
• Water - considering all costs and benefits when accounting for uses of water;
• Public Land Values - increasing investment in the management of reserves that can provide refuge for biodiversity affected by climate change;
• Carbon - developing measures to improve biodiversity outcomes from carbon sequestration;
• Planning - using market based approaches to ensure that impacts on biodiversity, sustainable land and ecosystem service are considered in everyday land use change decision making;
• Government Service Delivery - reforming institutions, including management arrangements, legislation and program delivery, to better meet the objectives for natural resource management, water, biodiversity and a sustainable and viable economy.

Click here for a full copy of the Green Paper.

Feedback and discussions generated by the Green Paper will inform the development of the White Paper.

What does it mean for you?

Companies, industries and agencies affected by issues relating to the environment, biodiversity, water, planning and climate change/carbon trading who wish to participate in the shaping of new government laws, policies and initiatives in these areas should consider making a submission to the issues and approaches raised in the Green Paper.

This is a direct opportunity for key stakeholders to have a say in the direction that Victorian legislation and policy will take in the next 20 to 50 years

What is required?

The Victorian Government wants to hear your feedback on the issues and suggested approaches set out in the Green Paper. By preparing a formal submission to the Green Paper, you will have the opportunity for your views to be considered in the development of the White Paper. The closing date for submissions to the Green Paper is 30 June 2008.

The Mallesons Environment team is available to assist you to discuss in detail any of the issues and suggested approaches in the Green Paper. We are also able to assist you draft a well-crafted and persuasive submission to the Victorian Government.