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Featured pages Top judge urges lawyers to take stand on climate change , 17 January 2021
Lawyers have an obligation to follow the lead of climate-conscious practitioners and help repair a wounded planet, according to the nation s leading environment law judge. Justice Brian Preston, chief judge of the NSW Land and Environment Court, says that on top of advising their clients on legal issues, there are myriad ways for lawyers to follow the path of climate consciousness . Justice Preston says this could involve moral counselling with clients , in which lawyers might discuss the rightness or wrongness of the clientâs projects or business activities and the impact of those projects or activities on people and the planet, including the climate change consequences of different courses of action . The judge, who helped found the NSW Environmental Defende
Local farmers at anti-Santos demostration, Pilliga Forest. Photo David Lowe.
A community group has launched a legal appeal against the NSW Independent Planning Commission’s (IPC’s) approval of the controversial Narrabri Gas Project, in the state’s north west.
In September, in spite of overwheming community and expert opposition, the IPC granted staged approval for the Santos-owned project, involving hundreds of CSG wells over a 95,000-hectare area near Narrabri.
The 25-year Narrabri Gas Project would contribute greenhouse gas emissions in the order of 127 million tonnes (CO2 equivalent), at a time when the science says there is an urgent need for rapid emissions reductions.
“Merits appeal rights for those who oppose these projects are unavailable so, without an independent umpire, people and industries that are affected by mining have effectively got no say and no protection.”
Under NSW laws, communities lose their right to a merits appeal of decisions if the IPC holds public hearings on a project.
Stokes as the planning minister is responsible for making the decision as to whether a hearing is held.
Woods said Stokes had “stripped the IPC of its independence”. “It is now little more than an extension of the NSW Government and Planning Department, that rubber stamps anything that comes its way,” she said.
Farmers launch climate change court challenge against Narrabri coal seam gas project
By national science, technology and environment reporter Michael Slezak
Posted
WedWednesday 23
DecDecember 2020 at 12:41am
The Narrabri coal seam gas project received thousands of submissions in opposition to it, during the approval process.
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A controversial coal seam gas project in regional New South Wales is facing a new legal challenge, after farmers filed papers alleging the State Government s approval did not properly consider the impacts the project would have on climate change.
Key points:
A legal challenge will argue the commission failed to properly assess the project s emissions
Rural hardship : Farmers take Narrabri CSG approval to court Rural hardship : Farmers take Narrabri CSG approval to court
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Local farmers are challenging the approval for the Santos gas field project at Narrabri arguing NSW s planning commission incorrectly ruled that gas is a low emission energy source that will deliver environmental benefits compared to coal fired power.
The Mullaley Gas and Pipeline Accord, represented by the Environment Defenders Office, last night lodged judicial review proceedings in the NSW Land and Environment Court against Santos Narrabri coal seam gas project.
Part of Santos s Narrabri coal seam gas project in the Pilliga State Forest of north-western NSW.