Environment

The Commonwealth has sued 3M, seeking over $2 billion in damages for the costs of remediating PFAS contamination stemming from the use of the company's firefighting foam at 28 Defence bases across Australia.

The federal government is moving forward with a plan under recently passed changes to the environmental laws that will help speed environmental approvals on major projects.

Magic Circle firm Clifford Chance, which boasts one of the leading projects and energy transition teams in the UK, is deepening its expertise in Australia, hiring a lawyer from HSF Kramer to build an environment and planning team. 

The Victorian government has approved an environment effects statement for WestWind Energy's Warracknabeal energy park, which will be the largest wind farm in the Southern Hemisphere.

The owners of Sydney's historic Emu House have lost their appeal of a decision rejecting their bid to relocate a function building as well as allow outdoor dining and extended hours. 

In the first climate change case to reach its doors, the High Court has been urged to reject Mach Energy’s “strict approach” to considering the local impacts of its Mount Pleasant coal mine extension under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.

A judge has tossed an environmental group's bid for judicial review of a minister's approval of plans to build water regulating structures at the Nyah Floodplain in Victoria, saying the approval was contingent on plans to offset effects on the Regent parrot.

A landmark case over the expansion of Mach Energy’s Mount Pleasant coal mine will go to the High Court next week, marking the first time the court considers whether planning authorities have to consider the local climate impacts of fossil fuel projects.

Only one of six witnesses of explosive blasts at Whitehaven's Maules Creek coal mine, which is the subject of criminal EPA proceedings, will give evidence by audio-visual link at trial, with a court finding their credit may be in issue. 

Adani has asked the court to toss a class action by First Nations landowners over media statements made during a dispute over the Carmichael open cut mine in Queensland.