Archived News for Green Sector Professionals
The NSW Government is seeking to appoint a chairperson, board members and a Chief Environmental Regulator as part of its overhaul of the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
The appointments follow the announcement on 5 October 2011 that the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) would be ‘modernised’ as an independent, statutory authority, “rebuilding its identity as a strong regulator with the community’s interest at heart”.
The Environment Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 was introduced into Parliament on 11 October to give effect to the decision.
Brisbane Climate Change study warns of many years of life lost
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in conjunction with CSIRO has conducted a world-first study into the potential impact climate change will have on 'years of life lost' in Brisbane.
Lead from old inner city roads a major source of airborne contamination
An international research study published last week in the journal Atmospheric Environment has found that re-suspended roadside soil dust is a major source of atmospheric lead in old inner city areas.
Tasmanian forest conservation agreement signed
The Federal and Tasmanian Governments have announced the signing of a new Conservation Agreemenet that forms the next step in progressing the Tasmanian Forsts Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA).
New appointments to Conservation Commission of Western Australia
Six new members have been appointed to the Conservation Commission of Western Australia, including new chairman, Brian Easton.
Federal Clean Technologies Supplier Advocate appointed
Clean technologies developer, Dr Marc Newson, has been appointed as the Federal Government's Clean Technologies Supplier Advocate.
Draft protection plan for Swan Canning Riverpark released
WA Environment Minister Bill Marmion said the draft River Protection Strategy (RPS) sets out how to achieve safe, equitable and sustainable management of the Riverpark. The plan acknowledges the key river managers, including State Government agencies, local governments and the community while recognising the need to better coordinate initiatives across key partners.
“The draft strategy outlines ways of better managing commercial and recreational activities, preserving river ecology and improving public amenity of the Swan Canning Riverpark as a recreational space,” Mr Marmion said.
“The Riverpark is important to users for many reasons including its environmental, social and economic values.”
“The draft RPS has been developed to foster a collaborative management approach for the Riverpark. Local government makes an enormous contribution to river management and support from the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) has been critical.”
The WA Government made a $14.1million contribution to the Swan River Trust this year. This commitment will enable the trust to continue testing end-of-catchment wetland treatment systems, build a third oxygenation plant on the Canning River and continue erosion control infrastructure at 13 riverbank project sites.
The draft strategy is available here.
Pest management funding for Western Queensland's wild rivers
The Queensland Government has announced $600,000 in funding to protect the recently declared wild rivers of Western Queensland from pests and weeds.
Queensland consultation on marine mammel protection extended
The public consultation period for Queensland’s Marine Mammal Legislative review has been extended to 31 January 2012. The review is considering proposed changes to the laws protecting whales, dolphins and dugongs along the Queensland coast.
Response to Queensland's Flinders Karawatha Green Corridor to be considered
Fifty-five submissions have been received on Queensland’s proposed Flinders Karawatha Green Corridor, a 60km tract of bushland running from Karawatha in Brisbane's south to Flinders Peak south of Ipswich and on to the Wyaralong Dam.
$4.4 million in NSW funding for Great Eastern Ranges Initiative
The NSW Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Robyn Parker has announced funding of $4.4 million to establish the NSW section of a 3,600 kilometre conservation corridor between far north Queensland and the Grampians in Victoria.
Progress on Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative
The first of two large free-flowing wells in the Great Artesian Basin’s west have been sealed as part of the third phase of the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative, a $2 million partnership between the State and Federal governments to conserve and manage groundwater across the basin.
City of Sydney reports record e-waste recycling
The City of Sydney has reported a record number of residents taking part in the last electronic waste collection for the year, with over 20 tonnes of old televisions, computers, mobile phones and electronic devices handed in.
Report on Derwent River calls for long-term strategy
A report card looking at the health of the Derwent River in Tasmania has found that investments to improve water quality are paying off, but that a broader scope may be needed to sustain river health in the longer term.
WA deal to use building waste for roads
A new agreement has been finalised between Main Roads WA and the WA Waste Authority that could see more than one million tonnes of recycled construction and demolition (C&D) waste diverted from landfill and used to build roads.
Proposed Margaret River coal mine knocked back
“In making my determination, I’ve decided it’s likely there would be significant impacts or risks from the proposed mine on the Leederville and Sue aquifers and on significant environmental values which these aquifers support,” Mr Marmion said.
In May, the EPA reported the proposal would be environmentally unacceptable, due to serious risks to important environmental values in the Margaret River region. Five appeals were received in objection to the EPA’s report, including one from the proponent.
After considering the appeals and a report from an independent Appeals Committee, the Minister formed a view that the conclusions of the EPA were justified, particularly noting the uncertainty of risks to surface and groundwater in the Margaret River area.
In coming to his decision, Mr Marmion concluded that further assessment was unlikely to significantly alter the level of uncertainty.
“Margaret River is a unique region with important environmental values which should be protected. From an environmental perspective, this project is too risky,” he said.
Having formed the view that the project is environmentally unacceptable, the Minister is required under section 45(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 to now consult with relevant decision making authorities on whether or not the proposal may be implemented based on broader social and economic factors. This process will commence as soon as possible to provide the proponent and local community with certainty regarding the proposal.
Victorian BushTender funding awarded
Sixty landholders across four target areas in Victoria have been awarded a total of $4 million to improve their properties through the 2011 round of BushTender funding from the Victorian Coalition Government.
The successful landholders will manage vegetation on their land in central Victoria, north-east Victoria, sections of the Murray River and an area stretching between the Wimmera and Mallee.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith said there had been a good response from community members and another BushTender was now open for expressions of interest in the Avoca Plains region and to the north of Epping.
The Bushtender program is run as a competitive process in which tenders are awarded to bids which offer the best value for money. Successful landholders are paid for managing and conserving the native vegetation on their properties through work such as weed and pest control.
More information is at www.dse.vic.gov.au/bushtender.
Government launches $200 million renewable energy venture fund
The Federal Government announced that Southern Cross Venture Partners has been appointed fund manager of the country’s largest renewable energy venture capital fund, making available a total of $200 million to support renewable energy companies from early next year.
Draft Energy White Paper Released
The Australian Government has released a draft Energy White Paper for public consultation, alongside the release of the 2011 National Energy Security Assessment and the Strategic Framework for Alternative Transport Fuels.
SOE report calls for federal leadership
The fourth Australia State of the Environment has been released, providing an overview of the current condition of the environment and its outlook, and calling for a strong leadership role from the Federal Government.
Queensland releases Greenspace Strategy
The Queensland Government has releaseds its Greenspace Strategy 2011-2020, aiming to assist the State Government in reaching its target of 50 per cent increase in land protected for conservation and recreation.