Environmental Counsel to the Board of the Environment Protection Authority | Expressions of Interest

12/09/2022

The New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is seeking expressions of interest from practising barristers (including senior and junior counsel) to be engaged as Environmental Counsel to the Board of the EPA for a term of three years from 1 January 2023.

Section 17 of the Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991 (POEA Act) provides that the EPA is to engage Environmental Counsel approved by the Minister for Environment and Heritage for a specified period. The functions of Environmental Counsel include:

• advising the Board on any matter referred to Environmental Counsel;
• advising the Board on whether there is sufficient evidence capable of establishing the commission of serious environment protection offences so the Board can determine whether to institute proceedings for those offences; and
• appearing for the EPA in the criminal and civil proceedings to which it is a party.

To apply, please forward your resume and a short cover letter outlining your interest and suitability for the role to Damon Anderson, EPA Director Litigation, via email at damon.anderson@epa.nsw.gov.au. For further information, please contact Mr Anderson on (02) 9995 5014.

Expressions of interest close at 5 pm on 5 October 2022.

Please note that engagement as Environmental Counsel does not constitute a retainer, and counsel engaged as Environmental Counsel will be separately briefed on each matter based on availability and expertise, with brief fees to be negotiated based on counsel’s experience, the requirements of the brief and the Attorney General’s approved rates for legal representation.

The EPA is the primary environmental regulator for NSW. We partner with business, government and the community to reduce pollution and waste, protect human health, and prevent degradation of the environment. Further information about the Board of the EPA is available here and the EPA’s most recent annual report is available here.