Archived News for Green Sector Professionals

The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority has given the green light to the $A6 billion Oakajee port and 570-kilometre rail development.

Oakajee Port and Rail Pty Ltd sought approval for two projects – the construction and operation of iron ore handling and storage facilities and ancillary infrastructure at Oakajee, 24km north of Geraldton; and the construction and operation of a 570 kilometre railway and associated rail infrastructure from the North West Coastal Highway at Oakajee to the Jack Hills mining operations located 500 kilometres to the north east.

Tasmanian Government releases climate change reports

The Tasmanian Government has launched major reports to help Government, business and farmers better understand the impacts of climate change.

Draft planning framework for the Pilbara released

A new planning framework to guide development in the Pilbara has been released in response to many of the opportunities and challenges facing the region.

Built Environment Industry Innovation Council report released

Partnerships between Government, industry, academia, unions and small business have been demonstrated in a new report from the Built Environment Industry Innovation Council.

Report finds power bills hikes not related to renewable energy schemes

Sharp rises in household power bills are being driven by rising network costs and retailer margins not renewable energy according to new analysis.

Queensland announces new Wild Rivers initiatives

An Economic Development Mentor Support Network is part of package of new initiatives announced by Environment and Resource Management Minister Kate Jones as the next plank of the Bligh Government’s Wild Rivers program, aimed at providing Indigenous communities in the Cape with greater capability to capitalise on economic opportunities.

WA releases strategic energy discussion paper

WA Energy Minister Peter Collier has launched the latest initiative in planning for the State’s future energy needs.

Engineers Australia launches sustainability publication

Engineers Media, the publishing company of Engineers Australia, has launched Sustainable Engineering Australia, an electronic publication containing news and other information about one of the most important challenges for the engineering profession - sustainability.

Caring for Our Country review discussion paper released

A discussion paper on Australian Government investment in natural resource management has been released for public consultation, as part of the Caring for Our Country Review.

Economic and social impact of Murray-Darling Basin Plan paper released

ABARES has issued 'The economic and social effects of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan: recent research and steps'.

Coasts and Climate Change Council extended

The Federal Government has announced the extension of the Coasts and Climate Change Council until December 2011, saying its principal focus would be on advising government to ensure progress on coastal adaptation.

Life cycle inventory data for building products finalised

The Building Products Innovation Council (BPIC) has completed a three year project in partnership with the Federal Government to provide Australian life cycle inventory data for building materials.

The Building Products Innovation Council is Australia’s peak body representing the building materials sector. It aims to provide a unified and coordinated approach to the rapid pace and expanding scope of regulatory change in the Australian building industry and the need for better environmental outcomes.

The Building Products Life Cycle Inventory will assist life cycle assessment practitioners, architects, designers, engineers, builders, developers and regulators to more accurately assess the impact building products and buildings have on the environment.

It is freely available to all industry stakeholders from BPIC.

For further information go to www.bpic.asn.au

ASBEC calls for coordinated approach to urban management policy

Australia needs a federal Minister and Department for Cities and Urban Development to ensure the nation meets its urban challenges, according to the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC).

Romily Madew appointed as new World Green Building Council standards committee chair

The chief executive of the Green Building Council of Australia, Romilly Madew, has been appointed chair of a new committee tasked with overseeing consistent standards for global green building rating.

The World Green Building Council’s (WorldGBC’s) new committee will develop an international standard for quality assurance of global green building rating tools.

“Our immediate priority is to provide guidance on the Common Carbon Metric project, which is working towards a globally-accepted and consistent methodology for measuring the carbon performance of our building stock,” Ms Madew says.

“With Australia moving towards a price on carbon, robust carbon accounting within the built environment will become increasingly critical.

“We will also be complementing the work commenced by the South African Green Building Council on socio-economic criteria for green building rating systems.”

Other nations represented on the committee include the US, UK, Japan, Singapore, South Africa and Germany.

“I’m delighted to take on the role of Chair of this new committee. Australia’s property and construction industry should take this as further evidence of our leadership role in the formation and delivery of green building rating tools,” Ms Madew says.

“Being part of this new committee enables us to continue to play an active role in the evolution of the global green building movement,”

Amendments to NSW Coastal Protection Act come into force

The Regulation that supports the 2010 amendments to the Coastal Protection Act 1979 has come into force.

Updated estimates of Australia's emissions released

The Quarterly Estimates of Australia’s National Inventory: September Quarter 2010 has been released by the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.