Archived News for Green Sector Professionals
The Australian Government has abandoned its Contract for Closure Program, announcing that it will not be offering financial support to close emissions intensive power stations under the Program and ceasing negotiations with the electricity generators involved.
Five generators participated in the Contract for Closure Program discussions:
- Alinta Energy (Playford B in Port Augusta, South Australia);
- HRL (Energy Brix in Morwell, Victoria);
- Hazelwood Power Partnership (Morwell, Victoria) (91.8% owned by International Power GDF Suez Australia);
- RATCH-Australia (Collinsville, Queensland); and
- TRUenergy (Yallourn, Victoria).
Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson, said the Government could not be satisfied that entering into such arrangements would achieve value for money against the Contract for Closure Program objectives.
Queensland engineers develop remotely piloted aircraft for bushfire surveillance
Avionics engineers at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) are developing technology to enable remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) for use in detecting bushfires.
WA boosts funding for coastal management
The Western Australian Government has increased its funding for the Coastal Protection Program by $4 million for the 2013-14 round.
ACT cuts greenhouse gas emissions
Almost 3.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gases have been pulled from the ACT's atmosphere according to the latest snapshot on carbon emissions in Canberra.
Carbon Farming Initiative offsets projects approved
The first offset projects under the national Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) have been approved, with four landfill sites set to reap environmental rewards by capturing harmful greenhouse gases from waste.
NWC releases aquatic systems in water planning report
The National Water Commission has released a new report, Recognising the broader benefits of aquatic systems in water planning: an ecosystem services approach.
Vertessy appointed to lead BOM
Renowned water scientist Dr Rob Vertessy has been appointed director of Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology.
Dr Vertessy, who was appointed Deputy Director of the Bureau (Climate and Water) in 2007, has been acting as Director since December last year.
After a career spanning more than 20 years as a senior water scientist and leading researcher, Dr Vertessy joined the Bureau in 2007 and led the expansion of the Bureau’s role in providing the hydrological information central to the delivery of national water reform.
Queensland takes axe to Natural Resources and Mines
The Queensland Government’s overhaul of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines will see the loss of 413 positions and around 360 retrenchments.
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.