About NELA

NELA is a multi-disciplinary organisation serving the needs of practitioners in law, planning, natural resources and environmental management, environmental science and environmental impact assessment, to obtain and exchange information on issues relevant to environmental law and policy.

NELA was established in 1982, following the success of the first Environmental Law Conference in Sydney in 1981. NELA was incorporated in 1989.

NELA is a member of The World Conservation Union (IUCN), and has official NGO status with the Australian Government.

NELA maintains cooperative relationships with the UK Environmental Law Association, Resource Management Law Association of New Zealand, Environmental Defender's Offices, The Australian Conservation Foundation, LawAsia, Environmental Institute of Australia, Royal Australian Planning Institute and many other organisations with similar values and aims.

NELA also comments on proposed legislation and contributes to the development of environmental law and policy through submissions to, or appearances before, committees of enquiry.

Strategic plan

In 2004, NELA adopted its Position Paper on promoting the harmonisation of Australian environmental law, with its mission to do so set out in the NELA Strategic Plan which is regularly reviewed and updated as necessary. The National Executive is currently working towards achievement of a number of goals through its 2008 Business Plan.

Publications detail

NELA's Bulletin is an in-house quarterly newsletter containing information about activities in each State/Territory and forthcoming seminars and conferences.