Nicholas Wood

A community group has lost a legal challenge to a 50-60 km underground pipeline that will connect Santos’ $3.6 billion Narrabri gas project to the Hunter gas pipeline. 

The High Court has taken up an appeal by the Victorian planning minister in a row with IGA that seeks guidance on the jurisdictional reach of the state Supreme Court in planning disputes.

Santos has failed to convince a judge that it should not provide documents relied on by NOPSEMA to approve the company’s environmental plan for its Reindeer gas field in judicial review proceedings.

An activist group has asked the High Court to overturn a decision finding it does not own the copyright for grim footage secretly obtained by trespassing at a Victorian slaughterhouse, arguing the case has consequences for press freedoms.

The High Court has been asked to clarify the jurisdictional reach of the Victoria Supreme Court to hear planning disputes, in a spat between the state and supermarket operator IGA.

Two elections and three different Environment Ministers later, and a heritage application to protect Murujuga rock art from Woodside's activities on the North West Shelf remains undecided -- a delay blasted by a judge as unreasonable and perverse.

A heritage bid to protect Murujuga's rock art in Western Australia has languished with the environment minister for more than three years, a court has heard, leaving gas giant Woodside to continue to threaten the sacred spot.

IGA can pursue its Victoria Supreme Court challenge to a decision allowing up to four supermarkets to operate in Shepparton, with an appeal bench finding the court can review planning decisions for jurisdictional error.

An activist group which unsuccessfully challenged the government’s approval of a wind farm in North Queensland because of its effects on rare birds has lost its bid to dodge costs on public interest grounds, with a judge saying both sides sought to advance the public interest.

The High Court has rebuffed the CFMEU’s constitutional challenge to legislation used to facilitate its takeover by the federal government, rejecting an argument that the laws were enacted with the illegitimate aim of suppressing the union’s political activities.