USQ hosts Law and Sustainability conference

In a bid to address the legal ramifications associated with the booming Queensland mining industry, USQ will jointly host a Law and Sustainability Symposium in March.

The Law and Sustainability Symposium 2011 will be held in Brisbane on Friday 11 March and will be presented by USQ. Local law firm McNamara and Associates Solicitors are sponsoring the event and have provided the Law School with a Green Fund for Environmental law research.

USQ Law lecturer, Dr Noeleen McNamara is convening the conference and said it’s appropriate for USQ to hold the event due to its leading research in the Surat Basin.

'Given USQ’s dominance in research in the Surat Basin, it is timely to look at the legal and policy issues surrounding the development of this resource as well as more general environmental and planning issues affecting Queensland,' she said.

Head of USQ Law School, Professor Mike Robertson, said an important element of the Symposium was giving USQ law students an opportunity to interact and discuss topical issues with industry professionals.

'The Law School has combined with USQ’s Australian Centre for Sustainable Business and Development to bring local and interstate experts together. The Symposium will be attended by members of the legal profession, government officers and NGOs and the Law School is offering sponsorship to a number of law students to assist them in attending the event,' he said.

USQ Professor Cole and His Honour Judge Michael Rackemann will commence the event with an overview of the legal and governance issues in Queensland. This will then be followed by a session exploring the legal consequences of the mining industry’s competition for geology and space.

During the day an overview of the scientific issues associated with coal seam gas extraction and underground carbon gasification will be provided by Dr Peter Stone from the CSIRO. Phillip Bangerter will also provide a discussion about property rights.

'USQ is particularly fortunate that Justice Brian Preston, Chief Judge of the NSW Planning and Environment Court has agreed to attend. Justice Preston will speak on the enforcement of environmental and planning laws in New South Wales. This will be followed by an analysis of Queensland’s environmental and planning laws highlighting the pressing issues to be addressed – infrastructure and development and planning for climate change,' Dr McNamara said.

Date: Friday 11 March 2011
Where: Sebel and Citigate, King George Square, Brisbane
RSVP: Friday 4 March 2011

For further information or to register please visit Law and Sustainability Symposium Registration. For assistance or enquiries, please contact USQ School of Law on 07 4631 1575 or email Paula deKeyzer.