Overview of "The Environmental Law Handbook" by Peter Williams

Title and Edition: The book is titled "The Environmental Law Handbook" and is in its 7th edition. It is edited by Dr. Peter Williams from the School of Law at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney.

Key Themes:

• Complexity of Environmental Law: The book clarifies the complexity of environmental law for a wide range of readers, including practising lawyers, students, planners, engineers, and environmental scientists.
• Dynamic and Expanding Field: Environmental law is a dynamic and expanding area, with active parliaments and courts generating a complex and interconnected web of legislation and regulations.
• Balancing Environmental Issues and Developmental Imperatives: The book addresses the challenges that arise from government attempts to balance environmental issues and developmental imperatives.

Plot Summary:

The book is structured into 20 chapters, each covering a specific topic area in environmental law. The content has been heavily reorganized and rewritten for the 7th edition, reflecting substantial changes in environmental law since the 6th edition in 2016. Key updates include:

• Pollution Law: Extensive revision of pollution law with significant new and updated material following statutory amendments and new case law.
• Forestry and Plantations, Agriculture, Water Supply, and Crown Land: Extensively revised discussions on these topics.
• Land Use Planning, Development, NSW, and Commonwealth Environmental Assessment and Biodiversity: Major rework of these topics.
• Judicial Interpretation and Legislative Change: Thorough updating for judicial interpretation and legislative change.

Critical Reception:

While specific critical reviews are not provided in the sources, the book is described as a valuable resource for its clarity and detail. It is intended to be useful for both practising lawyers and students, as well as for planners, engineers, and environmental scientists seeking a good grasp of the legal responsibilities in this complex field.

Publication Details:

• Publisher: The book is available from various retailers, including Thomson Reuters, The Nile, Booktopia, and Unishop.
• Price: The book is priced at $140.00 AUD.

In summary, "The Environmental Law Handbook" by Peter Williams is a comprehensive guide to environmental law, updated to reflect the latest changes in legislation and case law. It is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of environmental law in Australia.