Skip to main content
Home / Sections / Impact / Environment
Environment

In September 2022, Federation made a submission to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water on the National Biodiversity Market (NBM) and its potential for opportunities and impacts on the interests of Victorian Traditional Owners.

This submission highlights a range of measures that could be incorporated into the design of the National Biodiversity Market mechanism that would enhance outcomes for Country and for Traditional Owners in extending their ability to manage Country in a way that meets their cultural obligations, and to avoid potential perverse outcomes of further limiting these aspirations.

View our submission on the NBM.

 

In May 2016, Federation made a submission to the Victorian Government’s draft Biodiversity Plan Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2023. Our submission seeks to ensure high levels of protection for cultural and natural values; maximise economic development opportunities for Victorian Traditional Owners and work in partnership with Government to manage Country.

View our submission on the draft Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2036

In December 2018, Federation made a submission to the Independent Expert Panel on Interim Targets, regarding the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy. Our submission focuses on the third aspect of the Panel’s work – Potential opportunities across the Victorian economy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the most cost-effective manner in each interim target period.

View our submission to the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy

In August 2023, the Federation made a submission to the federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy about the Proposed Offshore Renewable Energy Infrastructure Area- Southern Ocean Region.

Our submission raises significant concerns about the potential cumulative impacts on culturally and spiritually significant landscapes, cultural heritage, culturally significant species, and current and future economic activities. Additionally, we seek formal engagement with Traditional Owners as partners, based on acknowledgment of their sovereignty and unceded sea Country rights, at an earlier stage of this process, so that concerns regarding impacts on culturally significant sites and seascapes could have been adequately reflected in the proposed area.

Link to the FVTOC submission

In August 2022, Federation made a submission to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, providing feedback on the Offshore Wind Policy Directions Paper and contributing to the approach to best develop the offshore wind energy sector in Victoria. Our submission focuses on the opportunity for expansion of the renewable energy sector incoming decades to decarbonise the Victorian economy, and also be part of a holistic approach to rebuilding the economic base of Traditional Owners in a way that recognises, and is consistent with, their unceded rights and interests.

Link to the FVTOC Submission Offshore Wind Paper

Also in August 2022, Federation made a submission to theDepartment of Environment,Land, Water and Planning, through the Victorian Transmission Investment Framework consultation. Our submission looks at the ways in whichTraditional Owners are seeking to be engaged as partners in renewable energy developments.

Link to FVTOC submission Transmission Investment Framework

In December 2018, Federation made a submission to the Independent Expert Panel on Interim Targets, regarding the Renewable Energy Roadmap for Victorian Traditional Owner Groups. Our submission focuses on the third aspect of the Panel’s work – Potential opportunities across the Victorian economy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the most cost-effective manner in each interim target period.

View our submission to the Renewable Energy Roadmap for Victorian Traditional Owner Groups.