Archived News for Green Sector Professionals - August, 2012
The Queensland Government’s overhaul of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines will see the loss of 413 positions and around 360 retrenchments.
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps said the restructure minimises the impact on rural and regional Queensland and maintains investment in mine safety.
“I am satisfied that, in consultation with senior Departmental managers, our savings program will protect the frontline services this Department offers to all Queenslanders, and that we have minimised job losses in the bush.”
Australian shipping emissions identified
Ship engine exhaust emissions make up more than a quarter of nitrogen oxide emissions generated in the Australian region according to a recently-published study by CSIRO and the Australian Maritime College in Launceston. Nitrogen oxide is a non-greenhouse gas, unlike similarly named nitrous oxide.
Engineer develops electricity-free home cooling system
A researcher at the Queensland University of Technology is developing a solar cooling and heating system for the home that will run independently of the electricity grid and generate domestic hot water as a by-product.
New lab to improve building heating and cooling
University of Sydney researchers will be looking for ways to slash energy consumption for the heating and cooling of buildings at Australia's first comfort laboratory, a research facility that will also improve homes and workplaces in Australia and internationally.
NSW Wild Dog Strategy released
The strategy can be found here.
Victorian Planning Framework thwarts wind energy future
Australia’s clean energy goals could be thwarted by recent amendments to the Victorian Planning Framework for wind farm developments, a study by the University of Melbourne Law School has found.
New NRM centre at Mt Gambier
The South Australian Government has announced the opening of a new Natural Resources Management Centre in the state’s South East region.
WA tightens petroleum regulations
The Western Australian Government has announced new petroleum environment regulations which mandate public disclosure of any chemicals introduced into a well or formation.
Government announces climate change adaption funding
The Federal Government has announced $8 million in funding under the NRM Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Research Grants Program, aimed at fostering research projects between institutions and region Natural resource Management (NRM) organisations.
Government outlines ETS integration
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Cobmet, and the European Commissioner for Climate Action, Connie Hedegaard, have announced that Australia and Europe will be linking their emissions trading systems.
MDBA plan inches closer
Federal Minister for Water, Tony Burke, has announced that his office will continue to work closely with the Murray Darling Basin Authority in releasing its final plan following an agreement with all Basin States.
SA releases final Marine Park consultation phase
The South Australian Government has opened the final consultation phase of the planned formation of the network of marine parks around the state.
WA announces waste management funding boost
The Western Australian Government has allocated $17 million in funding to the Waste Authority to start improving the state’s recycling and waste diversion record from 30 per cent to in excess of 50 per cent over the next five years.
Victoria announces fraccing moratorium
The Victorian Government has announced a moratorium on all hydraulic fracturing as part of a suite of reforms aimed at providing greater certainty on the impacts of the coal seam gas industry’s effects on the environment.
Environment war of words heats up
The long standing animosity shared between Federal Minister for the Environment, Tony Burke, and the Queensland Government has culminated with the Minister accusing the State Government of 'environmental vandalism'.
Panel of seven assist in allocating millions
The Federal Government has announced the appointment of seven leading businessmen to assist Innovation Australia in delivering $200 million worth of grants under the Clean Technology Innovation Program.
Government approves Alpha mine
The Federal Government has announced its approval of the Alpha coal mine and associated rail works in Queensland, paving the way for construction of the country's largest coal mine.
South Australia launches new climate change action framework
The South Australian Government has launched a new framework to shape the state’s climate change action by Government and the community in the State.
EPA satisfied over Yallourn Mine discharge
The Victorian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has found that discharges from the Yallourn Mine are having no serious effects on the surrounding lakes and waterways.
GE announces clean tech innovation challenge
GE has announced a $10 million funding initiative to help find, fund and bring to market technological innovations that help the company reduce its carbon footprint.