Archived News for Green Sector Professionals
SunWater has been given environmental approval by Queensland Coordinator-General Keith Davies to develop the $1.2 billion Connors River Dam and Pipeline project, which would feed the Bowen Basin coal industry and develop new water storage to increase the region's water supply.
The proposed Connors River Dam and Pipelines Project was identified in the 2006 Central Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy (CQRWSS) as the preferred medium to long-term water supply solution to meet future water demands in and around the Bowen Basin region.
IBES joins the Green Touch
The University of Melbourne’s Institute for a Broadband-Enabled Society (IBES) has become a member of a new research consortium - the Green Touch™ Initiative - which brings together leading Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry players and researchers to fundamentally re-invent the network and reduce ICT energy consumption up to a factor of 1000.
Research connects CSG to methane emissions
Researchers from Cornell University in the United States have found a connection between hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, and the release of substantial amounts of stored methan gas.
Rio's Cape York bauxite mine proposal challenged
Rio Tinto’s $1.4 billion bauxite mine expansion on Cape York could be subject to reconsideration by the Federal Government following pressure from environmental groups for Rio Tinto to be prosecuted for failing to identify threats to the Great Barrier Reef resulting from the passage up to 700 ships annually between Cape York and the Gladstone alumina refinery.
ABS consults on green building
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has been conducting research intao how it can contribute to the statistical measurement of green growth focusing on green building. draft consultation paper has been produced that reports the findings of that research and makes suggestions as to measuring green building.
Call for Biodiversity Fund applications
Applications for Round One of the Federal Government’s Biodiversity Fund will close on 31 January.
NSW to review waste levy
The NSW Minister for the Environment Robyn Parker has announced an independent review of the waste and environment levy. The review was identified as a priority action under Goal 23 in the strategy, ‘NSW 2021: A plan to make NSW number one’.
Appointments to new NSW EPA advertised
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).
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.