Welcome to the fourth edition of the Environmental Law Handbook!

Finding out about the law can be a difficult task. There are more and more new laws that deal with the environment, and large numbers of government departments and authorities that deal with those laws.

Various laws provide opportunities for citizens to have a say in what happens in their environment, including discussing development in your area, reporting pollution offences or nominating new areas to be protected in reserves. But all of these avenues are of limited benefit if the community is unaware of them.

This Handbook will help you to understand your obligations in relation to environmental protection, your rights and how to use the available opportunities to have your say about decisions that will affect you.