Queensland’s latest environmental reforms are now in force, affecting project proponents, resource tenure holders, environmental authority holders, councils, bore owners and landholders. Further changes to the State’s environmental licensing framework are still to come.…
Stay Ahead with the Landholder Update! In this edition of our Landholder Update, we explore evolving environmental authorisations for coal seam gas activities, carbon farming opportunities, new social requirements for renewable energy projects, a Land Court ruling with a human rights dimension, and the uptick in CSG exploration in the Taroom Trough.…
Characterising use is not always a straightforward proposition. It requires analysis of the activities and premises in question, in the context of the applicable legislation and planning instruments. In this cheat sheet, we provide guidance about how to undertake that exercise.…
We produce the Native Title Newsletter to keep native title holders informed about what’s happening in the native title space — and what it means on the ground. In this issue, we cover: • New Queensland renewable energy social impact and community rules — what native title landholders need to know • How the Queensland Human Rights Act has been used to protect springs • P&E Law’s submissions to the ALRC review of the future acts regime • Updates on carbon farming and biodiversity projects • Highlights from the First Nations Clean Energy Symposium 2025, held on Kabi Kabi Country. If decisions are being made about land, energy, and future opportunities, having the right information matters. Download the latest issue of the Native Title Newsletter and stay informed.…
The concept of “need” is a key consideration in Queensland’s development assessment process. Assessing need is not a formulaic exercise but a flexible, context-dependent process. We have a cheat sheet to assist with understanding the concept.…
P&E Law has provided a submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s Review of the Future Acts Regime (Discussion Paper 88), drawing on decades of experience representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients in future act negotiations. Our submission supports the ALRC’s call for reform, highlighting that the current regime under the Native Title Act 1993 is no longer fit for purpose.…
This legal cheat sheet outlines the rules for development approvals under the Planning Act, covering when they become active, their standard expiry periods, what must be done to prevent them from lapsing, and how to apply for an extension.…
This cheat sheet offers a brief and practical overview of the law and key principles regarding the powers of development conditions.…
Rural land is often well-suited for both petroleum activities and renewable energy projects. Landowners will often agree to both types of companies developing their separate projects on the same land. The law does not currently require any coordination of those projects, creating potential problems for landowners.…
P & E Laws’ agribusiness and planning team has provided a submission on the proposed amendments to the MERCP Act. Our submission highlights that in terms of arresting potential damage and further potential liability the draft legislative is lacking. It does not address the subsidence impacts on lineal and other infrastructure. Those impacts and the ongoing intermittent and regular subsidence impact on farming land will continue long after the companies responsible for the subsidence have gone.…
P & E Law’s agribusiness and planning teams have provided a submission to the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning about the proposed amendments to the Regional Planning Interests Act 2014. The submission has focused on impacts on priority agricultural areas above the Walloon coal measures in the Condamine Alluvium. The examples given relate particularly to that area and are mostly directed to impacts on farms in priority agricultural areas for priority agricultural land uses.…
What is unreasonable dog barking and what options are available to address a pesky barking dog when encountered? This article examines the growing issue of barking dog complaints. It provides an analysis of what constitutes unreasonable barking from a legal perspective, practical steps for out of court resolution and outlines the legal framework governing noise nuisance dispute between neighbours.…
Is your local council area struggling to provide enough accommodation for its residents? In the interests of the community P&E Law has drawn up a Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) template that can be adopted by any local government to give IMMEDIATE relief to the housing shortage issue in a local government area. Whilst long term solutions are needed for the housing/rental shortage crisis, the time taken for more housing to be built is lengthy in the current market where there are significant labour and construction material shortages. This TPLI provides various opportunities for immediate housing accommodation. …
What are your rights to object to land resumed for roads, railways and electrical works? What compensation are you entitled for land acquisitions? This article explains the basics of the land acquisition process. …
Is the short-term letting local law too divisive and can a better balance be achieved by a Good Neighbourhoods local law? As part of our commitment to the local community we drafted a proposed amendment to Noosa Council’s Local Law 3 to promote good behaviour in the community. The council in its 12-month review of the short-term letting local law is now considering a Good Neighbour Policy.…
This cheat sheet provides a quick overview on the legistion and process for Minor changes to approvals.…
Native title compensation has become a popular talking point over the last three years with many of our clients interested in learning more about what to do and consider if lodging a compensation claim. This article provides some guidance and considers two compensation claims that were recently struck out.…