Gain a clear, practical understanding of the most significant environmental law reforms in a generation. Australia’s federal environmental laws are undergoing the most significant transformation in decades. For practitioners, proponents and regulators alike, the reforms reshape how projects are assessed, approved and delivered. This three‑part webinar series provides a comprehensive, practical roadmap to Australia’s new federal environmental framework.
Description
Attend the full series and earn 3 CPD units in Substantive Law
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
If you register for the full series as a live online product after the date of an individual session, you will be sent the recording for the sessions that have passed. Alternatively, you can register for individual sessions by following the links below.
Environment Protection Reform Act: New Standards, New Enforcement
Thursday, 11 June 2026
Gain a clear, practical understanding of the most significant environmental law reforms in a generation. Learn how the new EPBC standards framework, the “no regression” principle and how the expanded powers of the National Environment Protection Agency will operate in practice, and importantly, what this means for approvals, compliance and enforcement risk. Walk away confident in advising clients and stakeholders as the new regime takes shape.
1.00pm to 2.00pm The New Environment Protection Reform Act: New Standards, New Enforcement
- Understand key amendments made to the EPBC Act by the Environment Protection Reform Act 2025 (Cth)
- Examine the new standards framework and its “no regression” principle
- Practical implications and update on the progress of ongoing consultation in relation to the detail proposed to be including in the standards
- Examine the role of the National Environment Protection Agency (NEPA) and its enforcement powers
Presented by Lucy Shea, Partner, Clayton Utz
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Substantive Law
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Chair:
Peter Holt, Partner, HWL Ebsworth Lawyers, Accredited Specialist in Planning & Environmental Law
Presenters
Peter Holt, Partner, HWL Ebsworth LawyersPeter Holt Peter is a partner in HWLE Ebsworth's planning and environment team. Peter is recognised as an Accredited Specialist in Planning and Local Government law by the Law Society of NSW. Peter is a highly respected and influential thought leader on environmental, planning and building matters in New South Wales. Peter regularly acts for private developers, accredited certifiers, councils and NSW State government agencies. Peter has over eighteen years’ experience working on policy development and the implementation of innovative legislative reform initiatives. This includes being responsible for the policy and legal framework behind the New South Wales Government’s ePlanning program; overseeing the expansion of the BASIX certification scheme; and the preparation of parts of the Planning Bill 2013 relating to development contributions and building and subdivision.
Lucy Shea, Partner, Clayton Utz
Lucy specialises in environmental, planning and government law, and helping clients to navigate the breadth and complexities of project regulation and approval requirements in Western Australia. Lucy advises clients from all sectors, including energy and resources, industrial, agribusiness, infrastructure, government and property development clients. Her practice covers a very broad range of subject matters relating to project approval and regulation, including advice on matters such as water, native vegetation and fauna, emissions, animal welfare, dangerous goods, Aboriginal heritage, Native Title, contaminated sites, compulsory land acquisition compensation, planning and noise. Lucy provides clear and practical advice and assistance at all stages of a project, from inception to operation and then end of life, including: up-front advice about the application of approval and regulatory requirements and the risks associated with commencement/purchase; assistance obtaining planning approvals, including planning appeals in the State Administrative Tribunal; advice in relation to ongoing regulatory compliance; assistance with response to environmental incidents and regulatory investigations; and environmental prosecutions.
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Climate and Land Impacts Under the New EPBC Regime
Thursday, 18 June 2026
Better understand how the latest EPBC Act reforms reshape the assessment of climate emissions and land impacts at the federal level. You will be equipped with the knowledge needed to advise on the new mandatory disclosure requirements for direct emissions, including what must be disclosed, when, and how this information will be scrutinised during approvals.
Chair
Joshua Palmer, Partner, Pikes & Verekers Lawyers
1.00pm to 2.00pm Climate and Land Impacts Under the New EPBC Regime
- Assess reforms mandating disclosure of direct emissions
- Navigate the tightened controls on land clearing and deforestation
Presented by Alistair Knox, Partner, Pikes & Verekers Lawyers, Accredited Specialist – Planning & Environment Law
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Substantive Law
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Presenters
Alistair Knox, Partner, Pikes & Verekers LawyersAlistair is part of the local government and planning law team at Pikes and Verekers, acting for both private and public clients. Alistair worked at the Land and Environment Court during his legal studies. During this time, Alistair worked in various roles through the registry as well as doing work for various Judges and Commissioners of the Court. This role required Alistair to be familiar with all classes of the Court’s jurisdiction. Through his studies, Alistair also gained valuable experience working in other areas of the law including regional practice (family, conveyancing, personal injury), legal aid (criminal) and work as a tipstaff at the Industrial Relations Commission.
Joshua Palmer, Partner, Pikes & Verekers Lawyers
Joshua has extensive experience in local government and planning and environmental law, regularly acting and appearing for local government, private developers and accredited certifier clients in both Class 1 and Class 4 of the Land and Environment Court’s jurisdiction. His experience appearing for and advising parties on all sides of local government, planning and development issues enables Joshua to adopt a whole-of-matter approach that allows for creative yet simple solutions to complex problems. Joshua enjoys applying an intellectually rigorous approach and a thorough analysis of all problems to work towards outcomes that are specifically adapted to his clients' objectives.
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Offsets and First Nations Engagement: Changes Under the EPBC
Thursday, 25 June 2026
Receive practical, up‑to‑date guidance on navigating the reformed federal framework for environmental offsets, restoration contributions and First Nations engagement. Gain a clear understanding of the new offsetting regime, including the shift to a “net gain” requirement, the strengthened mitigation hierarchy and the expanded use of biodiversity certificates from the Nature Repair Market.
Chair
Joanna Ling, Partner, Thomson Geer; Accredited Specialist in Planning & Environmental Law
1.00pm to 2.00pm Offsets and First Nations Engagement: Changes Under the EPBC
- Receive practical guidance on the new legal framework for environmental offsets, including the draft National Environmental Standard for Environmental Offsets, the shift from “no net loss” to the new “net gain” test, a strengthened mitigation hierarchy, the newly permitted use of biodiversity certificates from the Nature Repair Market for environmental offsetting, and the introduction of restoration contributions
- Explore best practice approaches to cultural engagement, discuss legal risks (including the absence of a statutory consultation requirement under the Reform Act), and share expert recommendations for effective practitioner strategies
- Analyse the key changes from the previous regime, with a focus on new requirements for environmental offsets and First Nations engagement
- Identify legal risk areas for practitioners, proponents, landholders, First Nations peoples and local communities, and provide practical tips to ensure compliance, robust project delivery, and strong environmental offset outcomes
Presented by Julieane Materu, Special Counsel, Norton Rose Fullbright and Jessica Rusten, Special Counsel, Norton Rose Fullbright
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Substantive Law
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Presenters
Joanna Ling, Partner, Thomas GeerJoanna advises and acts for major Australian companies and individuals in all areas of planning, development, environment, contaminated land, heritage, water, pollution, waste, and compulsory acquisition. She has extensive experience of acting for both consent authorities and proponents across a range of development types throughout all stages of property use and development. Joanna became an Accredited Specialist in Planning & Environment Law in 2020. She was recognised as 'One to watch' in Best Lawyers for 2024 and 2025 and as a Rising Star in Doyle's Guide for 2024.
Jessica Rusten, Special Counsel, Norton Rose Fullbright
Jessica is a corporate energy and resources lawyer based in Brisbane. She advises her clients on strategic issues and operational requirements, including: corporate, energy and advisory matters, such as joint venture arrangements, offtake arrangements and organisational structuring; multi-jurisdictional and multi-asset mergers and acquisitions within the energy, resources and renewables sectors; complex contract drafting and negotiation, including strategic supply agreements and infrastructure contracts; rail and port infrastructure access and pricing, including haulage agreements and access to export facilities; First Nations and ESG law, including native title and Aboriginal cultural heritage; corporate governance advice and arrangements; and social performance of companies, including compliance with international business obligations.
Julieane Materu, Special Counsel, Norton Rose Fullbright
Julieane Materu is an environment and planning lawyer based in Brisbane. Julieane has 15 years’ experience advising government and private sector clients in the energy, resources, infrastructure, transport, industrial, waste, and property development sectors on environmental and planning laws in Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory. Julieane advises on all stages of major project delivery, including environmental impact assessment; environmental, water, and planning approvals; operational requirements such as incident management, regulatory audits, investigations, and environmental enforcement; and decommissioning, remediation, rehabilitation and redevelopment. She represents clients in specialist courts including the Planning and Environment Court, Land Court of Queensland, Land Appeal Court, and Supreme Court of Queensland. Before joining Norton Rose Fulbright, Julieane worked at a top-tier Australian law firm and at the Federal Environment Department. She holds a Master of Laws from the Australian National University and has a particular focus on the energy transition and renewable energy projects.
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