March 2026
David Salim
CEO & Principal Solicitor, Hetherington
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
For the fifth consecutive year, Hetherington proudly sponsored the Environment Award at the 2025 AME Awards, held in Perth in December 2025. I had the pleasure of presenting the award to Bellevue Gold, recognising the company’s outstanding commitment to sustainable environmental practices.
EVENTS
Hetherington champions sustainability at AMEC Awards
Reflecting on the evening, it was the perfect way to finish the year, and hands down the best AMEC Awards Dinner I have attended to date. The event brought together Hetherington clients and colleagues from across Australia, offering a vibrant setting to celebrate industry achievements and strengthen professional connections.
Fighting for a case: Turner Ward gets our support
Non-Executive Director Vivian Salim and I were delighted to attend the Executive Fighter Charity Event, an evening dedicated to raising funds for the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation (SCHF). The event supported vital services for children and their families, providing a wonderful opportunity for friends and the community to come together for a meaningful cause.
TEAM NEWS
Cane Toad Workshop brings industry together
Hetherington was pleased to sponsor the Cane Toad Workshop held on 4 February 2026, facilitated by the Pilbara Environmental Offsets Fund in collaboration with the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA.
Out and about at the RIU Explorers Conference
Julia Catalano and Alyx Akroyd attended the RIU Explorers Conference in Fremantle, WA, on 18 and 19 February 2026. This is one of the key events on the exploration calendar, where industry comes together to share updates on exploration and production activity, technical developments and corporate performance.
INDUSTRY NEWS
NSW Net Zero Commission report raises questions over coal expansion
A recent report by the NSW Net Zero Commission has warned that approvals for new coal mine expansions may be inconsistent with the state’s legislated emissions targets, reigniting debate over the future of coal in NSW.
WA’s new State Development Act to speed up major projects
Western Australia has passed the State Development Act 2025, creating a clearer and faster pathway for major projects across the state. The law is designed to make it easier for important developments to get approvals without cutting corners on environmental, social or cultural standards.
RECENT REGULATORY UPDATES
EPBC Act Reforms: what's changed and what's coming
The Australian Government has been working through a significant overhaul of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (“EPBC Act”), and in February 2026, the first tranche of those reforms came into effect.
New WA petroleum laws bring greenhouse gas and hydrogen regulation into focus
Western Australia’s Petroleum Legislation Amendment Act 2024 (PLAA2024), which received Royal Assent in May 2024, has introduced significant changes to the state’s petroleum sector.
WA launches online tool to report illegal prospecting
The Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration (DMPE) has introduced an online complaint form to simplify the reporting of suspected illegal or unauthorised mining activities across Western Australia.
