Archived News for Green Sector Professionals - February, 2013
The CSIRO has announced the appointment of Paul Hardisty as the new Director of the Climate Change Adaptation National Research Flagship, and will commence the role in May based at Perth.
Rainforest research 'supersite' opens for business
After three years of intensive planning and research, the CSIRO has and the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN) have opened the country’s first large-scale rainforest research plot.
Victoria releases water quality trial
A new water quality information service is being trialed by the Victorian EPA and Life Saving Victoria that will deliver new water quality forecasting at four bayside beaches over the next four years.
Government hails Obama's pricing plan
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, has hailed US President Barrack Obama’s overtures for the establishment of a market-based carbon pricing mechanism.
Healthy Harbour panel announced
The Queensland Government has announced the formation of the new science panel tasked with providing independent expert advice on the long term management of water quality in Gladstone Harbour, with the panel preparing for its first meeting on 5 March.
SA soft plastics recycling starts
South Australians can now recycle their bread bags, biscuit packets, rice and lolly bags after Coles rolled an Australia-first recycling program at 42 supermarkets around metropolitan Adelaide.
Queensland approves oil shale industry
The Queensland Government has announced that it will allow the development of a commercial oil shale industry under ‘strict environmental conditions’.
CSIRO announces 'solar sponge' breakthrough
A team of CSIRO and Monash University researchers have created a ‘solar sponge’ which captures and then releases carbon dioxide using the power of natural sunlight.
Government grants conditional approval for projects
The Federal Government has granted conditional approval to the Maules Creek and Boggabri mine proposals, as well as the Gloucester coal seam methane gas project.
Ozone hole effects deep ocean currents finds research
New international research has found that the formation of the Antarctic ozone hole has caused significant changes to the way waters in the southern oceans mix, potentially impacting on future climate change.
Sustainable environment funding round opens
The Federal Government has announced that community groups around the country can now apply for funding under the second round of the Biodiversity Fund and the first round of Target Area Grants, under the Caring for Our Country program.
Clean power a major consumer question finds report
A new report released by the Total Environment Centre (TEC) has found that consumers are increasingly demanding to know how clean their power is.
Federal Government announces Tarkine listing
Tasmania’s Tarkine region will become the 98th area protected under the National Heritage List following the Federal Government’s final ruling.
'Historic' Murray-Darling legislation passes Parliament
Legislation that locks in the additional 450 gigalitres of environmental flow for the Murray-Darling Basin has passed the Lower House, meaning that the $1.77 billion in additional funding is set to flow through to the river.
Feds to recruit local staff to return Murray to health
The Federal Government has announced a new initiative that will see specialised local staff to work with the community to ‘restore the Murray-Darling Basin to health’.
Government appoints super trawler expert panel
The Federal Government has announced the appointment of a new expert panel tasked with assessing the environmental impacts of super trawlers on marine ecosystems.
Government incorporates Koongarra into Kakadu National Park
The Federal Government has introduced a Bill before Parliament that will repeal the Koongarra Project Act – which allows uranium mining at Koongarra – and incorporate the region into the Kakadu National Park.
Burke reiterates Great Barrier Reef commitment
Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke has reiterated the Federal Government’s ‘commitment to protecting the Great Barrier Reef’ following the release of the State Party Report on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
Environmentalist of the Year nominations open
Nominations for the Prime Minister’s Environmentalist of the Year and Young Environmentalist of the Year are now open.
Government calls for interest in waterway funding
The Federal Government has called on community groups around the nation to apply for Government investment in urban rivers and waterways.
Government to stop Rowley Shoals exploration
The Federal Government is reportedly planning to place a moratorium on oil and gas exploration around a large area of the Rowley Shoals coral atolls off the coast of Western Australia.