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.
Thursday, 25 June 2026
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.
This seminar is part of a series
Environmental Law Reform: The EPBC Act Overhaul and Australia’s New Federal Framework
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.
View series listing
