Brad Wylynko, a senior associate of law firm Clayton Utz, will discuss recent environmental approval decisions and “highly relevant” legal cases, APPEA director of industry operations Mark McCallum said yesterday.

“He will also outline in plain English just what the changes to the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 mean for the oil and gas industry,” McCallum said.

“Brad’s presentation will be part of what APPEA sees as an essential update for the oil and gas industry; whether exploring, drilling, producing or decommissioning, Australia’s platform for prosperity depends on environmental excellence, and this latest information is critical for business development.”

Senior speakers from government, the oil and gas industry, WWF-Australia, the Australian Conservation Foundation and other environment-related organisations are among the other speakers that will address APPEA’s Environmental Excellence: A Platform for Prosperity conference.

Keynote speakers include Australian Conservation Foundation president Professor Ian Lowe and WWF-Australia conservation director Dr Ray Nias.

Representatives from BHP Billiton Petroleum, Woodside, Santos, ExxonMobil, BP Australia, Origin Energy, Apache Energy, ROC Oil, Oil Search, Strike Oil and APPEA are also included among various session speakers.

The conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Coolum on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast from November 19-21.

For more information and registration, go online to www.appea.com.au/EnvironmentConference/EventOverview.htm