Archived News for Green Sector Professionals - June, 2011
The Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke has approved Inpex's Ichthys Browse Basin project, including a gas field facility, pipeline and processing facility, under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999, subject to environmental conditions
Inpex Browse proposes to develop the Ichthys Gas Field in the Browse Basin off the North West Shelf of Australia to produce liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and condensate.
The proposal includes offshore processing in the Browse Basin, an 850-935 kilometre pipeline from the gas field to Darwin Harbour and an onshore processing facility at Blaydin Point, Darwin.
Windsor Inquiry and CSIRO disagree on environmental flows
The Windsor Inquiry, the federal political committee charged with guiding the future of the Murray-Darling river complex, has arrived at an impasse with the CSIRO over the necessity of end-of-system-flows.
World heritage listing for Ningaloo Reef
Western Australia's Ningaloo Reef has been officially recognised as world heritage site following the World Heritage Committee's vote in Paris.
Parsons Brinckerhoff achieves A+ for sustainability report
Parsons Brinckerhoff’s Australia-Pacific operations have achieved an A+ rating for its third annual sustainability report.
Greens announce federal portfolios
Federal Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown has announced his party’s portfolio responsibilities as they prepare to take control of the country’s Upper House.
Poll shows waning support for climate action
Only 41% of Australians believe that addressing climate change is a serious and pressing issue according to the results of a poll conducted by the Lowy Institute.
NSW to trial soil carbon trading scheme
The New South Wales Government is sponsoring a trial soil carbon trading scheme in the Lachlan Valley.
South Australia extends solar rebate at lower rates
The South Australian Legislative Council has passed changes to the State Government’s solar power tariff scheme, reducing the feed-in tariff from 54 cents per kilowatt hour to 44 cents.
Melbourne Business School to drive better, greener management practices
The Melbourne Business School (MBS) will drive change and improvements to management practices in small to medium businesses under the Federal government’s Leadership 21 program.
Coastal infrastructure gets $4.5 million to offset climate change risk
The Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, has announced a funding injection of $4.5 million to ‘support practical approaches’ in managing climate change impacts on crucial coastal infrastructure and critical assets.
WA releases Kimberly Science and Conservation Strategy
The Western Australian Government has released the state’s Kimberly Science and Conservation Strategy, with funding of $63 million over five years.
Report into future energy security
Geoscience Australia has released its Toward Future Energy Discovery, detailing the outcomes and achievements of the Australian Government’s five-year, $134 million Energy Secruity Initiatve.
CSIRO launches emissions website
The CSIRO has launched its emissions tracking website which allows public users to see how greenhouse gas emissions have steadily increased over the last 35 years.
100% Electric Renault in Australia in 2012
French car manufacturer Renault and electric network supplier Better Place have confirmed their partnership to bring over the all-electric version of its Fluence sedan, the Fluence ‘Z.E’ (zero emission).
Carbon tax plebiscite dispute
The Federal Government and Opposition are embroiled in a bitter dispute over the proposed carbon tax, with the Opposition proposing a non-binding $80 million plebiscite over the issue.
$750 million for solar power stations
The Federal Government will provide more than $750 million to help build two of the largest solar power stations in the world.
Solar thermal research hub launched
Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson and Member for Newcastle, Sharon Grierson officially opened the CSIRO Solar Tower which will focus on solar tower research, development and commercialisation in the Hunter Region.
Tasmania slashes NRM funding
The Tasmanian Government has announced that it is slashing funding for the three Tasmanian Natural Resource Management (NRM) bodies.
Visy plans green energy division
Packaging and recycling company, Visy, is planning investment of up to $500 million in clean energy plants around Australia.
Government hails carbon bill a win for regional Australia
The Federal Government has welcomed the passage of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Bill 2011 through the House of Representatives today, saying farmers, Indigenous Australia and the environment stand to gain the most out of the bill's passage.