The Environmental Defence Society have analysed this Bill and made a scathing submission, which you can read here and crib to produce your own. Their analysis states that:
“This Bill makes further changes to the already undemocratic Fast Track Approvals Act to severely constrain community and NGO participation, by further limiting when panels can invite input from groups other than councils. Currently, panels can seek input from any person or organisation they consider appropriate. Under the Bill, panels will only be allowed to invite comment from others if local councils don’t intend to provide their own feedback. Communities and environmental groups will be largely shut out. Councils are already under intense time pressure and resource strain. They cannot be expected to speak for everyone who has a stake in these projects. Even if panels do invite others to provide comment, those people will no longer be able to appeal on points of law to the High Court. Access to justice is being slashed, and we can expect to see community anger being funnelled into judicial review.”
This Bill is being rushed through with only a week for submissions. Please send in a submission and stand up for nature. The deadline is 17 Nov. You can do it here.