Keeping AELERT in the North
On 7 - 8 February 2024, Darwin hosted a meeting of environmental regulators convened by AELERT - the Australasian Environmental Law Enforcement and Regulators neTwork.
AELERT is an internationally recognised and respected professional network for regulators across Australasia. Formally established back in 2003, AELERT’s current membership includes over 250 member agencies and more than 3,000 individual members drawn from regulatory agencies in local, state and National governments, including the NT’s Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security (DEPWS). AELERT membership comprises of both environmental and non-environmental regulators.
Held in the picturesque George Brown Darwin Botanical Gardens, the AELERT event brought together regulators from across Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory, and the Commonwealth. It provided a forum for impact assessment, energy and mining practitioners to connect with peers and workshop responses to the inter-jurisdictional challenges and opportunities they face.
After an insightful Welcome to Country address by Larrakia man and Larrakia Nation board member James Parfitt-Fejo, DEPWS’ Chief Executive Officer Jo Townsend outlined to participants the NT’s environmental regulatory context and the breath of activities undertaken. In her address Jo reiterated the strong support DEPWS has for AELERT, and internally how the department is fostering a community of support, learning and constant improvement for its regulators.
Dr Piers Gillespie was the key note speaker and his presentation and workshop on risk communication and outrage management was one for the ages. The masterclass covered the theory and practical elements of implementing effective risk communications strategies, including how to map the environment and stakeholders, relevance in the regulatory landscape, the link with organisational maturity and a number of relevant case studies.
Separate panel sessions on emerging issues in impact assessment and the boarder regulatory environment, and on emerging issues regulating the resources sector (gas, energy and mining), were very informative. Participating panellist included Dr Paul Vogel, Chair of the NT Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA).
The Darwin AELERT event provided a great opportunity to dive deep into some similar challenges faced by regulators, and tap into the skills, knowledge and experience across three jurisdictions. As always, there remains an unwavering commitment to improve upon respective regulatory regimes, so they are effective, risk-based, transparent, robust and fair, and provide certainty to business and industry.
For more information about AELERT, go to the AELERT website.
This article was initially published in our monthly newsletter, Finding the Balance. Subscribe to get future updates delivered to your inbox.
