Archived News for Green Sector Professionals
The Queensland Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection Andrew Powell has announced an overhaul of the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP), with 220 job losses announced in the State budget.
Law introduced to stop super trawler operating in Australian waters
Legislation has been introduced in Parliament to extend the legal powers of the Environment Minister, Tony Burke, over the super trawler FV Abel Tasman, (formerly FV Margiris), to prevent the vessel from fishing in Australian waters.
NSW Strategic Regional Land Use Policy released
The NSW Government has unveiled its Strategic Regional Land Use Policy, outlining 27 new measures designed to control competing land uses, with a focus on the impacts of coal seam gas mining on land and water resources.
Research targets methane emissions from coal mine shafts
University of Newcastle researchers led by Associate Professor Michael Stockenhuber are exploring more efficient and safer methods of ventilation air methane (VAM) oxidization – a technique used to destroy methane in the exhaust air released from underground coal mine shafts.
Tasmania launches Threatened Species Link website
A new website has been launched to provide information about threatened species in Tasmania and their protection.
Tasmania plans to separate commercial and non-commercial forestry
The Tasmanian Government is proposing to establish an independent statutory body to manage commercial forests as part of the restructure of Forestry Tasmania.
Victorian Water Board appointments announced
The Victorian Water Minister Peter Walsh has announced the appointment of 55 directors to Victoria's 19 water corporation boards, including Melbourne Water.
Dirty electricity compensation plan abandoned
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.
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.