This week, EIANZ announced that our Rules of Association are going to be updated to maintain best governance practices, pending member approval at this year’s AGM. Join us for an overview of the draft changes and ask questions to help shape our future on Monday 25 August 2025 at 12:00pm AEST via Zoom.
The EIANZ Board's proposed changes to our Rules of Association focus on:
- Modernising administrative processes and language
- Enhancing procedural fairness, particularly in disciplinary matters
- Expanding our certification and accreditation framework
- Improving governance and operational efficiency
All proposed changes have been reviewed and approved to ensure legal compliance, and have been endorsed by the Advisory Council. Learn more about the proposed changes below:
We encourage all members to provide their input on the proposed changes by Wednesday October 1 2025.
Register for the member consultation on proposed changes →
The Australian Government announced this week that the Nature Repair Market is officially up and running. The first project greenlit under the program is a cattle grazing property in the Mid North Coast region in New South Wales, which will plant trees and shrubs to support native ecosystems. The 438 hectare-project area is equivalent to approximately 200 MCG fields, or a whopping 600 footy fields.
The Biodiversity Market Register was also launched, offering public access to project data, approved biodiversity methods, and geospatial files. The scheme allows creation and trading of biodiversity certificates, designed to mobilise private capital towards measurable environmental restoration. The project is being closely watched by industry, conservationists, and financiers as a test case for how private capital will flow into biodiversity restoration in Australia.
Learn more →
This week, The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) announced they will be investing $2.8 million to help protect captive populations of threatened species from H5 avian influenza (bird flu).
Delivered by the Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA), this funding will help protect more than 20 threatened species. While Australia is the only continent free from this serious and contagious strain of bird flu, preparing for its potential arrival is crucial.
The funding is supported by an Australian Government grant that falls under a broader $100 million package. The package includes $35.9 million for environmental measures.
Learn more→
Two exciting discoveries have been made about Australian birds this week.
After being tracked by researchers from the University of Adelaide, it was discovered that endangered plains-wanderers are thriving in habitats previously considered unsuitable. Plains-wanders were thought to only thrive in well-managed native grasslands in Victoria and NSW. New research challenges this view after finding more than 250 plains-wanderers living in Boolcoomatta Station Reserve, 100km west of Broken Hill in semi-arid rangeland.
Read the article →
The second exciting discovery this week revealed that about 5% of common Australian wild birds, including kookaburras and lorikeets, could have undergone a “sex reversal” where their genetic sex does not match their reproductive organs. The study, conducted by University of the Sunshine Coast, is thought to be the first to find widespread sex reversal across multiple wild bird species. The cause of the phenomenon is not yet known.
Read the article →
Today, members received an invitiation to attend EIANZ's upcoming Board position information session for potential candidates.
EIANZ conducts Board elections every two years and will be inviting nominations as of Wednesday 3 September 2025. Nominations will be open for all seven positions:
- President
- Vice-President (Australia)
- Vice-President (New Zealand)
- Treasurer
- Secretary
- Two Ordinary Board Member positions
To ensure potential candidates have all the information needed to make an informed nomination decision, current EIANZ Board members will host a free information session at 1:00pm AEST on Wednesday 3 September 2025.
Register for the information session here →
The Australian Government has approved a 135 MW solar farm with a 135 MW/2-hour battery on a former coal mine in Muswellbrook, NSW – enough to power approximately 60,000 homes. The project was assessed in 40 business days under the NSW–Commonwealth bilateral process.
Learn more →
There are just two weeks to go until the 2025 EIANZ Impact Assessment Symposium!
This symposium seeks to shift the debate from efficiency of process to achievement of outcomes, and asks a simple question – how can IA deliver better environmental and social outcomes? The five key subthemes of the symposium will focus on:
- Developing IA intended outcomes
- Barriers to outcomes-based approaches
- Ensuring integrated assessment
- Impact Asssessment follow-up
- The role of strategic environmental assessment and regional planning
Thanks to our gold sponsors Niche, Ausecology (a Niche company) and WSP; silver sponsors aarc, Attexo and biosis (APEM Group); and networking event sponsor bd infrastructure.
Read the program here →
Register for the Impact Assessment Symposium →
Several EIANZ members have alerted Central Office of scam emails they've received referring to the upcoming Impact Assessment Symposium.
In the lead up to marquee events there can be an increase in these types of emails. Members whose information is on the membership directory are often those most likely to be affected. Central Office asks that if members receive any communications referring to an EIANZ event that does not come from an official EIANZ email address (ending in @eianz.org) to disregard and block the sender. Rest assured, EIANZ will never sell lists of members nor event attendees.
If you are unsure whether an email you have received is a scam please contact Central Office at office@eianz.org.
The Australian Senate has established the Select Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy to investigate the prevalence and impacts of climate and energy misinformation and disinformation. The Committee Secretary has asked EIANZ to prepare a submission, due on September 12, 2025.
EIANZ members with relevant qualifications and experience are encouraged to contribute to our submission. Please contact communication@eianz.org if you have any questions or if you would like to get involved. The committee will present its final report by February 4, 2026.
Learn more→
As part of EIANZ’s governance update program, a revised By-law 9: Fellowship and Honorary Membership came into effect this week after endorsement by the Advisory Council and approval by the Board. Updates to the By-law include clarification of Honorary Fellow criteria and the Fellow nomination process, as well as removal of some duplication. We welcome members to familiarise themselves with the revised By-law via the link below.
Read By-law 9: Fellowship and Honorary Membership →
Aotearoa New Zealand’s Department of Conservation (DOC) Te Papa Atawhai, with Ngāi Tahu and volunteers, have released 148 juvenile kakī (black stilt) into the Te Manahuna/Mackenzie Basin. The release is part of a long-running recovery programme combining predator control, captive breeding and habitat restoration.
Learn more →
DOC have also announced a need for more habitat for black robins (kakaruia/karure) due to success of bringing the species back from the brink of extinction. There are only two populations of black robins in the world – on two reserve islands in the Chatham archipelago, 800 km offshore from mainland New Zealand. Following intensive conservation efforts in 1980, the population has increased to 445 birds, with approximately 45 birds on Mangere Island and another 400 birds on Rangatira.
Learn more →
On a fun and final note, DCCEEW is hosting its annual Bake Off. This year, the Bake Off will coincide with Threatened Species Day on 7 September 2025. The Threatened Species Bake Off will run for two weeks and encourages participants to whip up a tasty creation that represents one of the 110 priority species in the Threatened Species Action Plan.
Join in the fun by baking, hosting an event or attending an event on Threatened Species Day. More details via the link below.
Learn more →
Of interest
Australia
Triple whammy: how 3 types of drought crippled southern Australia this year
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‘No clinical benefit’ to blood test for Pfas, government says, after ‘forever chemicals’ found in Blue Mountains
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Safe no more: off-the-charts marine heat has severely damaged Ningaloo and other pristine coral reefs
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Indigenous knowledge is key to saving the great desert skink and other species
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‘Deceptively cute’ ancient whale with razor-sharp teeth and eyes the size of tennis balls discovered in Australia
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We tracked one of Australia’s most endangered birds into strange new habitat
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New Zealand
Controversial West Coast Te Kuha Mine's fast-track bid stalled
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Dagger beaks and strong wings: new fossils rewrite the penguin story and affirm NZ as a cradle of their evolution
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Last minute RMA changes ‘cave to farm lobby’
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Te Arawa Lakes Trust calls for stronger partnership to protect Rotorua lakes
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Kakī release crucial to species’ survival
Learn more →
Global
Tracking sea turtles is a long, slow process that just might keep them alive
Learn more →
Stark warning for US as hurricane 'traffic jams' 10x more likely to form
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Economic Benefits of Decarbonization Highlighted in New UN Climate Report
Learn more →
If you'd like to respond to any of the news, contact us at office@eianz.org to find out how we can assist.
Professional development
Upcoming EIANZ events
| Date |
Location |
Event name |
| 19 August |
NSW and online |
Carbon, Nature and Pathways to a sustainable future |
| 25 August |
Online |
Member consultation on proposed changes to the EIANZ Rules of Association | Registrations now open! (Free) |
| 26 August |
NSW |
Social Impact Practitioners Gathering – Connect, Reflect, Reinvigorate | Registrations now open! (Free) |
| 27 and 28 August |
Marquee event |
EIANZ 2025 Impact Assessment Symposium | Two weeks to go! |
| 29 August |
Online |
The ICJ's Climate Advisory Opinion and the Australian Pabai case: Implications for Australia and New Zealand | Registrations now open! |
| 3 September |
Online |
EIANZ Board position overview meeting | Registrations now open! (Free) |
| 3, 4 and 11 September |
NSW |
Enviro Drinks | Held in five locations (Free) |
| 4 September |
Online |
Leaving a biodiverse Olympics legacy: Why dry rainforests and vine thickets are reservoirs of largely untapped urban tree potential | Registrations now open! |
| 8, 10, 15 and 17 September |
Online workshops |
Environmental Leadership: Tools they don't teach | Workshop 4 | Sellout expected! |
| 8, 10, 15 and 17 September |
Online workshops |
More Effective Impact Assessment: Tools for stronger argument and clearer writing | Workshop 52 | Registrations now open! |
| 9, 11, 16, and 18 September |
Online workshops |
Online workshop | Meaningful public participation and Impact Assessment: Tools for effective engagement and communications | Sellout expected! |
| 24 September |
Online workshops |
Artificial Intelligence: Black belt training | Workshop 5 | Registrations now open! |
| 8 October |
Online |
Webinar 5 in the Wind Farm Series: Offsets and species case studies | Registration now open! |
| 22–24 October |
Marquee event |
EIANZ 2025 Annual Conference | Program now available! |
| 23-25 March 2026 |
Marquee event |
ANET 2026 | Save the date! Details to follow. |
View all upcoming EIANZ events →
Upcoming AGMs
Upcoming partner events
Open for submission
If you'd like to contribute to an EIANZ submission, contact us at office@eianz.org to find out how.
New
Select Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy | The Australian Senate | 12 September 2025
Learn more →
ACCU Scheme Savanna Fire Management Methods Consultation | The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water | Consultation period opens October 2025
Learn more →
Still open
Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Resource Management and Administration ) Regulations 2011 remake: exposure draft | The Department of Industry, Science and Resources | Closes 15 August (deadline extended from 8 August)
Learn more →
Gas Market Review Consultation | The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water | Closes 15 August
Learn more →
Application for a Marine Mammal Permit by Eventes Event Management Limited | Department of Conservation | Closes 18 August
Learn more →
Australasian Catchment Water Improvement Standard (ACWIS) Consultation | EcoMarkets Australia | Closes18 August
Learn more →
National Consumer Energy Resources (CER) Roadmap - Data Sharing Arrangements – M2 | Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water | Closes 20 August 2025
Learn more →
National Consumer Energy Resources (CER) Roadmap - Redefine roles for market and power system operations – M3/P5 | Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water | Closes 20 August 2025
Learn more →
Application for a lease, licence, easement concession at Ruapara Bay | Department of Conservation | Closes 22 August
Learn more →
2025-26 National and Commonwealth heritage nominations round | Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water | Closes 29 August 2025
Learn more →
Sustainable investment product labels | The Australian Treasury | Closes 29 August
Learn more →
Australian Heritage Council: Expressions of interest now open | Australian Heritage Council | Closes 31 August 2025
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Have Your Say: First Nations Clean Energy Program | The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water | Closes 31 August 2025
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2025 Issues Paper Consultation | The Climate Change Authority | Closes 1 September 2025
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Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade Route National Heritage Assessment | Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water | Closes 2 September
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Proposal to approve a reduction in the width of a marginal strip adjoining Opanuku Stream | Department of Conservation | Closes 5 September
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Offshore carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) under the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981 | Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water | Closes 12 September 2025
Learn more →
Greenwashing Inquiry | Parliament of Australia: Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications | Closes 12 September 2025
Learn more →
Read EIANZ's previous submission →
Algal blooms in South Australia | Parliament of Australia: Environment and Communications References Committee | Closes 28 October
Learn more →
Select Committee on PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances) | Parliament of Australia: Select Committee on PFAS | Closes 19 November
Learn more →
Aotearoa New Zealand’s World Heritage Tentative List | Ministry for the Environment | Closes 30 January 2026
Learn more →
Opportunities for the development of a hemp industry in Australia | Parliament of Australia: Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee | Closes 30 July 2026
Learn more →
Jobs board
Explore the newest opportunities advertised on our Jobs Board
View all jobs →
In case you missed it - headlines from last week's issue
Institute Insider #430
EIANZ Divisions kick off their AGMs
IUCN releases the Cambridge Handbook on Climate Litigation
DCCEEW seeks expressions of interest to help deliver First Nations Clean Energy Program
The Climate Change Authority seeks input on 2025 Annual Progress Report (APR)
The Minister for the Environment and Water sees expressions of interest from natural heritage experts to join the Australian Heritage Council
Aotearoa New Zealand PM announces plan to reform the Conservation Act
Hawke's Bay fund opens, offers $500K in grants for predator control and species replanting projects
UNSW offers discount for EIANZ members on Managing Urban Heat short course
The CEnvP Scheme completes five-yearly audit – exceeds compliance standards
Read Institute Insider issue #430 here →
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