Category: MIL-OSI

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Draft Council Plan 2025-2029 released for public comment

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

The draft Council Plan 2025-2029, outlining how Council will guide Greater Bendigo’s growth, development and wellbeing over the next four years, has been released for public comment.

This important strategic document has been created following extensive consultation with the Greater Bendigo community, City partners, local stakeholder groups, and Greater Bendigo Councillors.

Public consultation has included a community-wide survey, a series of focus groups, meetings with community representative groups, and information from the City of Greater Bendigo’s online engagement platform Let’s Talk and customer requests.

In March 2025, the City hosted a community panel with 42 people participating in sessions over three days. The panel included people from over 20 local areas and many different ages, genders and backgrounds.

Collectively, the panel produced community guidance for Councillors to use when making decisions on behalf of the whole community.

The draft Council Plan is a comprehensive blueprint for improving and developing Greater Bendigo over the next four years and includes the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan.

It outlines the 2025-2029 priorities and guides all detailed complementary documents, including the Revenue and Rating Plan, the Financial Plan, and the Annual Budget.

The draft Council Plan is structured around four themes, linked to 12 goals and 34 priorities. The themes are:

  • Responsible – Running an effective, fair, and efficient organisation
  • Healthy – Protecting and improving our physical, mental, and environmental health
  • Thriving – Managing our growth, including businesses, housing, heritage, and creativity
  • Welcoming – Celebrating and including everyone in our community

Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf encouraged the community to provide feedback on the draft Council Plan.

“After months of engagement and plan development, it’s now time to check in with the community to make sure the draft Council Plan reflects the feedback received from the community,” Cr Metcalf said.

“The Council Plan is an important document that will guide the work of Council and City staff over the next four years, investing in our future. It will provide a positive and exciting roadmap for Greater Bendigo.

“We want to be on the right track before the draft Council Plan is put forward for consideration at a future Council meeting in 2025, so your feedback is important.

“I wish to thank community members for their time and energy in providing input into this plan. Engagement was extensive, including in-person meetings and a comprehensive survey. A diverse and enthusiastic community panel, with representation from across the region, shared their top priorities on what they value most about living in Greater Bendigo, its challenges and how best to shape its future.”

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The highs and lows of working in public housing support

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

After meeting Louise, Senior Director Tenant Experience at Housing ACT, it’s clear to see that she’s someone who is genuinely committed to helping people.

“What fundamentally keeps me with housing is because I’m a real people person. There are lots of opportunities to engage with and support really wonderful and fascinating members of our community who have unique and interesting stories of their own,” she says.

We have a dedicated staffing group that works tirelessly seven days a week to make sure we can be responsive to our clients. “But just like with any industry, there can be not-so-positive interactions. Particularly given current cost of living pressures and the importance of having stable housing” Louise says.

“When there’s financial hardships or homelessness, sometimes clients can take those frustrations out on our staff. So that’s really hard when people are turning up, day after day, to do a job and they’re being abused. The staff have done nothing to deserve those levels of anger or frustrations or threats,” she says.

“We would love nothing more than to house everyone straight away and not have waitlists, but unfortunately there is a supply and demand issue. And that can be terribly frustrating when you’re talking to and listening to members of the community who really are in dire straits. There are so many things that can be a pressure point in not having housing, so we certainly understand that.”

As a born and bred Canberran who grew up with a single mother living in public housing, Louise understands firsthand the pressures faced by her clients. So when it came time to find a job, she jumped at the chance to give back to the community and work with the ACT Government in Housing Assistance – and 26 years on, she’s still there.

“I just fell in love with the different roles and the work that we do in housing that supports so many members of the public,” says Louise.

From an entry-level position, Louise has worked her way up, taking on a range of different roles, and now leads a team responsible for looking after tenants.

“You get exposed to really diverse members of the community, and it’s really rewarding to support these people at times when they need that little bit of extra assistance with housing support, or if there’s a crisis in their current situation and to be able help them stabilise it, so you can see them excel in their lives.”

Working in tenant experience is similar to working in property management, including managing rent accounts, inspections and complaints. But Louise says the main difference is they bring a “social landlord lens” and work hard to support people to sustain their tenancies.

“A large amount of the work we do is understanding our tenants, their needs and looking to help them with what they need,” she says.

Louise believes social housing can get a bad rap in the media and greater community, and she’s passionate about changing that narrative.

“Sometimes it’s frustrating to me that we can’t tell all the good stories, because of privacy laws,” she says. “But there are a lot of good things we do behind the scenes that aren’t publicly known. For example, during heat waves, we call up older tenants to make sure they’re alright. And that’s resulted in us identifying a medical emergency and getting them assistance.”

Louise says that due to the occupational violence experienced, Housing ACT have a range of measures in place to support and protect staff, like regular communication and specialist training programs. They’ve also introduced duress devices for frontline staff, and have a range of follow-up supports in place for staff if an incident occurs.

But Louise says it really is only a few people who become aggressive.

“We don’t want to stop people raising concerns or telling us what they think. But it’s about doing it in a way that’s not aggressive or violent towards us. You can express your dissatisfaction, but use the mechanisms available to you, like lodge a complaint.”

“By far, tenants are lovely. So it’s one of those things where a handful can really ruin it,” she says.

And as for her career, if you want to work somewhere where you really know you’re making a difference, Louise says working in housing assistance is incredibly rewarding, with a good mix between field work and office work.

“For people who don’t see themselves stuck behind the desk from nine to five and love client engagement, there’s that real mix, and we have that flexibility,” she says.

“If you like working in a team with people, and have value-driven outcomes, this would be the job for you. Every single day, I go home thinking, ‘I’ve done something today that has helped someone’.”

* For personal privacy, surnames of interviewees have been removed.

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Shopping the sales online? Read this first

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Make sure you research the retailer you’re buying from.

In brief:

  • The end of the year is a time when people tend to shop more.
  • This story includes a few details to be aware of to help avoid shopping disappointment

As Black Friday sales start and Christmas shopping begins, we’re exposed to lots of advertising. Whether you’re at the shops or browsing online, here are our tips for a smooth shopping experience.

Do your research

Read product reviews, shop around and ensure that a sale really is a bargain.

Read the terms and conditions of your purchase. Ensure you understand any fees you’ll be charged if you cancel or change your order.

Always make sure you ask for a receipt and keep it somewhere safe.

Know who you’re buying from when shopping online.

When buying a product or service online, research the retailer you’re buying from. Only buy from websites that:

  • are well known and legitimate
  • have a good reputation
  • display clear processes for solving problems.

Always check the website is secure, and screenshot or save any documentation, receipts or confirmation emails.

Some businesses sell products that they don’t have in stock, instead they have another business supply you the product. When deciding who to buy from, ask the business whether it holds the stock itself.

Check delivery timeframes

Before you make a purchase, check delivery timeframes, including Christmas cut-off dates.

Be aware of possible delays and always give yourself plenty of time to ensure the gift arrives in time.

Be cautious with overseas websites

Overseas online businesses that provide goods or services directly to consumers in Australia must follow the Australian Consumer Law. However, you aren’t covered by the Australian Consumer Law if the business doesn’t directly offer their products and services in Australia.

If a business is overseas, you may have difficulty getting a refund, repair, or replacement for your product.

Understand your rights

If you don’t get what you paid for with a product or service, you have rights. This applies even when an item is on sale.

Always check the store’s returns policy. Refunds aren’t always an automatic right. Businesses don’t have to give you a refund if you:

  • change your mind
  • buy the wrong size, or
  • buy the wrong colour.

Some businesses still offer refunds in these situations. This is their choice to provide good customer service, and not a legal requirement.

You are entitled to a refund, repair or replacement if a consumer guarantee is not met. The remedy you’re entitled to will depend on whether the issue is major or minor.

If you do experience a problem with a product or service, you should always talk to the business first. Most traders want to do the right thing and fix any problems for their customers. If you are unable to resolve the problem, Access Canberra may be able to help.

Get help with a consumer issue.

For more information about your rights as a consumer, visit the Access Canberra website.

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A ‘drastic intrusion’: appointing provisional liquidators to a solvent company

Source: Allens Insights (legal sector)

To protect, preserve and investigate: the role of provisional liquidators 5 min read

In a recent Federal Court decision,1 Justice Cheeseman declined to set aside the appointment of provisional liquidators which had been made pursuant to s472(2) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the Act). The case serves as a useful reminder of the principles relevant to the appointment of a provisional liquidator, including in circumstances where the company is (or is assumed to be) solvent.

Key takeaways

  • The appointment of a provisional liquidator remains an important tool, whether in or outside of the context of insolvency, to preserve the status quo and continue any legitimate business while commencing investigations.
  • Evidence of corporate governance failure or the shirking of statutory obligations may increase the prospect of a provisional liquidator being appointed.
  • Akin to other forms of interim preservation, the court must be satisfied that there are good prospects of the plaintiff obtaining a winding up order and that the assets of the company are in jeopardy to justify what is otherwise a drastic measure.

Background

The liquidator of various corporate plaintiffs commenced substantive proceedings against certain corporate defendants and individuals alleging (among other things) breaches of directors’ duties, including by a shadow director of each defendant company, where the company had become exposed to a penalty for tax avoidance. The liquidator also sought the winding up of certain related companies on the ‘just and equitable’ ground under s461(1)(k) of the Act.

On the same day that the substantive proceedings were commenced, the liquidator made an urgent ex parte application seeking the appointment of provisional liquidators to some defendants (as well as an interim receiver to another). The evidence relied on by the liquidator included evidence that there was a risk of asset dissipation due to funds being ‘cycled’ between related companies.

The liquidator succeeded on his application. However, less than two weeks later, some of the defendants sought to set aside the appointment of provisional liquidators (and the interim receiver).

Provisional liquidators

Section 472(2) of the Act provides that the court may appoint a liquidator provisionally:

  • after the filing of a winding up application and before the making of a winding up order; or
  • if there is an appeal against a winding up order, before a decision in the appeal is made.

Similar to a liquidator, a provisional liquidator has:

  • the power to carry on the company’s business (s472(4)(a)); and
  • the powers that a liquidator of the company would have under paragraph 477(1)(d), subsection 477(2) (except paragraph 477(2)(m)) and subsection 477(3) if the company were being wound up in insolvency or by the court (s472(4)(b)).

There is a range of circumstances that might constitute sufficient grounds to appoint a provisional liquidator. The court has wide discretion in this regard and its function is to balance the intrusion into the affairs of the company against the desire to preserve the status quo.2 If other measures are adequate to preserve the status quo, then the balance would be against the appointment of a provisional liquidator.3

As stated by Justice Cheeseman:

The appointment of a provisional liquidator is a drastic remedy and serious intrusion into the affairs of the company.4

Relevant factors the court will consider when deciding whether to appoint a provisional liquidator include;

  • public interest considerations either for or against appointment.
  • whether the affairs of the company have been conducted casually without due regard to the law.
  • whether the assets of the company will be dissipated in the interim before winding up orders may be made.
  • the likelihood that there would be further acts detrimental to creditors or shareholders.
  • whether there is a lack of control over the assets of the companies arising from the intermingling of monies between the respondent companies.
  • whether there are proper books in circumstances where money has been lent between respondents.
  • whether the affairs of the company are being controlled by persons other that the de jure directors.
  • whether a provisional liquidator might be able to undertake investigations that might be fruitful.

Decision

Justice Cheeseman upheld the appointment of the provisional liquidators, having particular regard to:

  • the good prospects that the companies would be wound up on the just and equitable ground.
  • the public interest in preserving the status quo and to protect company assets for the benefit of creditors.
  • the facilitation of an effective investigation to enable the identification and preservation of assets.
  • the fact that none of the directors put on evidence to address the claims against them.
  • the fact that the companies appeared to be controlled by a shadow director, not the de jure directors appointed to them.
  • the fact that the companies appeared to be conducting their affairs in a casual manner, in neglect of their obligations under the Act.
  • the lack of corporate governance, and failure to comply with taxation obligations.
  • the risk of dissipation inherent in the dishonest nature of the alleged conduct, including the cycling of funds through a network of companies, and the failure to provide information and documents in respect of the external administrations of the companies.

Interestingly, in this case the appointment of provisional liquidators was made in the absence of insolvency, or at least on the presumption of solvency. Solvency generally weighs against the appointment of a provisional liquidator. However, solvency is not a bar to the appointment of provisional liquidators where there have been serious and ongoing breaches of the Act, as in this case where Justice Cheesman noted:

In the present circumstances, there is a justifiable lack of confidence in the conduct and management of the companies’ affairs and the evidence supports a conclusion that there have been serious and ongoing breaches of the Corporations Act by the relevant companies.5

Rather than basing the application on insolvency, the substantive application for winding up was made on the just and equitable ground. There is significant overlap between the matters relevant to the just and equitable ground and the matters that weigh in favour of the appointment of a provisional liquidator.6

In relation to the balance of convenience, Justice Cheesman recognised the appointment of provisional liquidators would have a seriously adverse effect on the companies and risked reputational harm, but weighed these factors against the need to protect, preserve and investigate the asset position of the companies for the benefit of creditors. A lesser form of relief was considered inadequate to provide such protection.

Final thought

This judgment provides a timely reminder that the appointment of provisional liquidators remains a useful interim preservation tool, even where a company is assumed to be solvent. It also highlights the risks of poor corporate governance and the willingness of the Court to intervene in circumstances where there is substantial non-compliance with the Act.

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Allens advises ACEN Australia on major renewable energy portfolio financing

Source: Allens Insights (legal sector)

Allens has advised ACEN Australia, a key player in the Australian energy transition, on the $750 million platform financing for its renewable energy portfolio. The two seed assets are the 400MW New England Stage 1 Solar and 400MW Stubbo Solar projects.

The financing establishes a platform to support the continued development of ACEN Australia’s pipeline of renewable energy assets across the country, including approximately 8 GW of solar, wind, battery energy storage systems and pumped hydro projects.

With Macquarie Capital as financial adviser, the financing included a syndicate of 11 Banks comprising ANZ, Cathay United Bank, Commonwealth Bank, CTBC Bank, DBS Bank, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, MUFG, SMBC, UOB, and Westpac,

A cross-disciplinary team, comprising lawyers across Banking & Finance, Projects, Corporate and Real Estate, Environment and Planning, advised on all aspects of the financing and due diligence.

‘We are proud to have advised on this significant milestone transaction for ACEN Australia, which will help facilitate the development of new renewable energy projects across Australia.’ said lead Partner Scott McCoy.

‘This portfolio financing platform is a prime example of the innovative funding structures being developed to support the sector’s growth, offering greater flexibility in managing individual projects, future growth and risk mitigation.’

This transaction builds on Allens extensive expertise in renewable energy  portfolio financings having advised on recent transactions for clients including Neoen, Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, Global Power Generation Australia , CWP Renewables and Atmos Renewables.

Allens legal team

Finance, Banking & Debt Capital

Scott McCoy (lead Partner), Jamie Guthrie (Managing Associate), Flynn O’Byrne-Inglis (Senior Associate), Maya Bahra (Lawyer), Nick Walker (Lawyer)

Projects

Andrew Mansour (Partner), Kip Fitzsimon (Partner), Amy Ryan (Senior Associate), Sara Pacey (Associate), Jeanne Shu (Lawyer), Amelia Rebellato (Lawyer), Esther Khor (Lawyer), Emma Cottle (Lawyer), Saleem Al Odeh (Laywer)

Real Estate, Environment & Planning

Michael Graves (Partner), Naomi Bergman (Partner), Nathaniel Jende (Associate), Samuel Mursa (Associate), Ankita Rao (Lawyer), Alexander Murphy (Lawyer)

M&A and Capital Markets

Harry Beardall (Managing Associate), Matthias Laubi (Lawyer)

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How to mitigate construction risks and avoid disputes in pumped hydro projects

Source: Allens Insights (legal sector)

Given the geographical scale and requirements for PHES projects, appropriate sites are often situated on or near to culturally significant sites and/or land subject to Indigenous claims. This means PHES developments are particularly susceptible to legal challenge to licences and approvals, on the basis that developers have failed to adequately consult with Indigenous stakeholders in satisfaction of domestic ESG regulations. This risk can materialise as a result of activism by public interest groups, formal complaints to regulators and/or judicial review proceedings. Efforts to address complaints by Indigenous stakeholders and consequent litigation will not only lead to inflated costs, but also likely disrupt the project or halt progress entirely.

Developers are also subject to stakeholder scrutiny for compliance with their own ESG policies, voluntary commitments and published representations, which may go further than domestic ESG regulations. Increasingly, stakeholders, shareholders and activists expect companies to align with both international laws and voluntary soft law standards like the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).

In addition to project, legal and cost consequences, failure (or perceived failure) to comply with ESG policies and commitments can lead to reputational damage and loss of social license (ie support from the community).

Case study: Queensland Hydro Project

The project area for the Borumba PHES project holds significant cultural importance for the Kabi Kabi people, the traditional landowners.

The developer is reported to be in negotiations with the Kabi Kabi people, which may lead to the need to downsize the project to avoid sensitive sites.

As part of these negotiations, an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) has been agreed between the Kabi Kabi people and the developer to allow exploratory works to be carried out.12

Case study: Barossa Gas Project (Northern Territory, Australia)

In 2022, Tiwi Island traditional owners filed a lawsuit against the developer and the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA). They argued that the developer had failed to adequately consult them about the project’s potential risks to their food sources and spiritual connection to the sea. In September 2022, the Federal Court ruled in favour of the traditional owners, invalidating the developer’s drilling approval and ordering the cessation of drilling activities.13 The developer was required to resubmit fresh approvals and was only able to recommence in early 2024 after almost 16 months of delay and another round of litigation with the Tiwi Island traditional owners.14

Contracts should be clear around who bears the cost and time risks associated with any legal challenges. In order to mitigate against time and cost implications of potential challenges, it is essential that parties consult traditional owners early and transparently, and engage compliance policies to ensure ESG regulations and internal ESG policies and commitments are met.

One strategy to achieve this is to design robust complaints and grievance mechanisms and deploy them as early as possible in the project. These mechanisms should allow traditional owners and other stakeholders to lodge complaints prior to design and development. This allows developers to make changes and negotiate agreements while it is still reasonably quick and inexpensive to do so.

In 2024, the Clean Energy Council published a best practice guide for the renewable energy industry to support their engagement with First Nations. This included discussion of key principles of best practice for renewables projects with First Nations peoples, including respectful engagement, preservation of cultural heritage, ensuring economic and social benefits are shared and embedding land stewardship and cultural competency. The guide is a useful source of discussion on minimum and best practices around PHES projects.

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121-2025: Scheduled Outage: Wednesday 16 April to Thursday 17 April 2025 – PEBS

Source: New South Wales Government 2

14 April 2025

Who does this notice affect?

All importers of plants, cats and/or dogs who will be required to use the Post Entry Biosecurity System during this planned maintenance period.

Information

Due to scheduled system maintenance, the Post Entry Biosecurity System (PEBS) will be unavailable from 23:00 Wednesday 16 April to 00:00 Thursday 17 April 2025 (AEST). 

Action

Clients are advised to await the completion of this maintenance period…

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Fire restrictions to end in West Wimmera and Horsham

Source:

As restrictions lift, CFA is urging residents to remain fire-aware, as dry Autumnal conditions combined with strong winds can still lead to fast-moving grassfires.   

CFA District 17 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Chris Eagle said low fire activity over the past few weeks and the cooler conditions has allowed fire restrictions to ease in the area. 

“Conditions are still dry, however fuel loads have been significantly reduced thanks to livestock and the breakdown of the crop and grass,” Chris said. 

“Despite the lifting of these restrictions we are urging residents to be extremely careful if they are planning to undertake private burn-offs and have appropriate resources on hand to contain it.  

“We haven’t had a lot of rain in the region, so it is important the proper precautions are taken before igniting any burns and the weather conditions are suitable.” 

To prevent unnecessary emergency callouts, landowners must register their private burn-offs. If smoke or fire is reported, it will be cross-checked with the register to avoid an emergency response and allow 000 call-takers to prioritise emergency calls.  

Burn-offs can be registered online at Fire Permits Victoria at www.firepermits.vic.gov.au. 

Where possible, landowners should also notify neighbours and those nearby who may be sensitive to smoke.  

Residents travelling to other parts of Victoria are reminded to remain vigilant, as fire danger periods in other regions may still be active.  

Burn-off safety checklist  

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The only thing sizzling this Easter should be a BBQ, not the bush

Source:

As families head outdoors for Easter adventures, nothing beats toasting marshmallows over a warm fire. However, fire and land authorities are warning if people are not careful, a campfire or fire pit can go from a cozy glow to a full-blown bushfire faster than you can say ‘Easter egg hunt’.

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Russia

Source:

We’ve reviewed our travel advice for Russia and continue to advise do not travel. Foreigners, including Australians, are at risk of arbitrary detention or arrest. Russian authorities make strong, negative comments regarding Western countries, including Australia. Local authorities may adopt a more negative attitude towards foreigners in Russia and arbitrarily enforce local laws. Avoid any protests or demonstrations and avoid commenting publicly on political developments.

There’s a high threat of terrorism. Terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda and Daesh-aligned groups, continue to call for attacks in Russia. Attacks can be indiscriminate and may occur on or around seasonal, festive, or religious events in public places, including popular tourist sites. Attacks could occur with little or no warning. Always be alert to possible threats. Military activity is underway in the regions of Kursk and Belgorod. Russian authorities introduced a federal state of emergency in these regions. The security situation could deteriorate with little warning.

If you’re in Russia, leave immediately using the commercial options available or private means if it’s safe to do so. Departure routes from Russia may become disrupted at short notice. Have an alternate exit plan. Review your personal security plans and carefully consider the safest means and route to depart. You’re responsible for your own safety and that of your family.