The Appeals Convenor’s role is to investigate and report to the Minister for Environment on most appeals made under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. Where an appeal is against a decision of the Minister, those appeals are considered by an Appeals Committee.

The Minister for Environment is the Hon Reece Whitby MLA.

Who we are

The Appeals Convenor is a statutory office established under section 107A of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Appeals Convenor is appointed by the Governor for a maximum term of five years and is eligible for reappointment. 

The Appeals Convenor is supported by a small team of professional staff with backgrounds in environmental regulation, native vegetation, law and engineering who are employed under the Public Sector Management Act 1994. The Office of the Appeals Convenor is separate to and independent of the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and the Environmental Protection Authority.

What we do

Our role is to investigate appeals efficiently and effectively. This includes actively seeking opportunities to resolve issues in dispute through agreement. If the matters in dispute cannot be resolved by consent, we report to the Minister for Environment, whose decision is final and without appeal.

For more information on how we investigate appeals, see What to Expect 

Legal cases involving the Appeals Convenor

The following cases consider the role and function of the Appeals Convenor:

 
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