What We Do

We provide the people of Australia with the assistance they need to protect the places they love. The law can be a powerful tool in a community’s efforts to protect the environment and ensure development is sustainable. But environmental laws can be complex and bewildering. Legal advice from an EDO can ensure that people are better equipped to use the law appropriately. Initial telephone advice is free or provided at low cost. Expert advice provided by EDOs has helped thousands of clients achieve positive environmental outcomes right across Australia.

A unique approach to environmental protection

We provide the Australian people with access to environmental justice. We can tailor our services to meet the particular needs of our clients. We offer a range of services that are not provided by any other organisation, including:

  • A skilled team of lawyers able to assist clients with preliminary advice through to court cases on a wide range of matters relating to protection of the environment.

  • A network of scientists and other professionals able to provide expert advice on the technical aspects of environmental issues.

  • Community educators skilled in providing workshops, legal guides and other tools to help ordinary Australians understand the law and participate in legal processes to protect the environment.

Broad environmental expertise

Nowhere else in Australia can you find the breadth and depth of skills in public interest environmental law that is found within EDOs of Australia. Our staff has extensive experience across a wide range of environmental issues, including:

  • Climate change and energy

  • Biodiversity and threatened species protection

  • Aboriginal culture and heritage and access to country

  • Water management

  • Urban planning and heritage protection

  • Mining and coal seam gas

  • Forestry and native vegetation management

  • Protected areas

The EDOs are accredited members of the National Association of Community Legal Centres – independently operated not-for-profit community organisations that provide legal and related services to the public. EDO NSW is also the Australian coordinator of the Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (E-LAW) – a global alliance of lawyers, scientists and others collaborating across borders to build a sustainable, just future.