Archived News for Green Sector Professionals

HASSELL and Tract Consultants have become the first organisations in Australia to sign up to the Green Star Communities Supporter initiative developed by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).

The Green Star Communities Supporter program provides organisations with a formal opportunity to express their support and commitment to the Green Star Communities national framework and rating tool.

The Green Star Communities framework and rating tool will set national voluntary benchmarks for the planning, design and delivery of best practice sustainable community development projects across Australia.

The GBCA’s chief executive, Romilly Madew, congratulated HASSELL and Tract Consultants for demonstrating their leadership to the planning and design of sustainable communities and cities.

“Both HASSELL and Tract Consultants are determined to embody the principles ofthe Green Star Communities national framework in their work, which demonstrates to their clients, stakeholders and communities their commitment to best practice.”

Professor Ken Maher, chair of HASSELL, said the “the GBCA’s Green Star Communities project is a significant initiative focusing on the critical challenge of our time: sustaining life in our cities, towns and countryside through ensuring more informed and better design and planning. Successful outcomes will only be achieved through the GBCA’s commitment to collaborative engagement across academics, professionals, government, industry and a wide range of people involved in shaping our communities.”

Stephen White, managing director of Tract Consultants, said that “being an active participant in the development of the GBCA’s Green Star Communities project was important for a number of reasons, not the least being able to contribute to the development of industry best practice benchmarks. We congratulate the GBCA for seeking to enhance how industry approaches designing communities of the future.”

Federal Government gives go-ahead to Wandoan coal mine

The Federal Government has given conditional environmental approval to the Xstrata Coal's proposed mine at Wandoan on Queensland's Western Darling Downs.

NT Government releases draft vegetation management bill

The Northern Territory Government has released its proposed changes to the Pastoral Land Act and details of the planned Native Vegetation Management Bill for comment.

Carbon Farming Initiative legislation introduced

Legislation has been introduced to Parliament to establish the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) and start rewarding farmers and other landholders taking action to reduce carbon pollution.

Study calls for funding to save Kimberley species

A CSIRO-led study has concluded that up to 45 native species in Western Australia's Kimberley region will die out within 20 years if no action is taken.

Queensland Household Energy Survey released

A survey undertaken by the Queensland Government-owned energy companies Ergon Energy, ENERGEX and Powerlink Queensland has found that while Queenslanders are increasingly aware of the need to reduce energy consumption, the ownership and use of air-conditioning in households across the state is continuing to rise.

Product Stewardship Bill introduced

The Australian Government has introduced into Federal Parliament the Product Stewardship Bill, which will help manage the environmental, health and safety impacts of products including televisions and computers.

2011 Energy Report Released by ABARES

The Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics and Sciences has released its annual report into energy use and consumption throughout the country.

New CEO for Sustainable Business Australia

The CEO of Sustainable Business Australia (formerly Environment Business Australia), Fiona Wain, has stepped down from the position after 12 years due to ill health.

Duarte appointed director of UWA Oceans Institute

The University of Western Australia has appointed renowned oceans researcher Professor Carlos Duarte as Director of the Oceans Institute.

Australia strengthens solar technology research with Germany

The Australian Government has signed a new memorandum of understanding with Germany for research and development into solar technologies.

Garnaut update warns of climate change outlook

The Federal Government’s adviser on climate change, Professor Ross Garnaut, has released his update on the science of climate change finding that observations and research outcomes since 2008 have confirmed and strengthened the position of scientists who maintain that the Earth is warming and that human emissions of greenhouse gases are the primary cause.

New CSIRO environmental research clusters established

CSIRO has launched a new two new environmental research clusters.

Green Building Council assesses NSW performance

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), has assessed the NSW Government’s green building performance against five key criteria.

EPA gives green light to Oakajee development

The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority has given the green light to the $A6 billion Oakajee port and 570-kilometre rail development.

Tasmanian Government releases climate change reports

The Tasmanian Government has launched major reports to help Government, business and farmers better understand the impacts of climate change.

Draft planning framework for the Pilbara released

A new planning framework to guide development in the Pilbara has been released in response to many of the opportunities and challenges facing the region.

Built Environment Industry Innovation Council report released

Partnerships between Government, industry, academia, unions and small business have been demonstrated in a new report from the Built Environment Industry Innovation Council.

Report finds power bills hikes not related to renewable energy schemes

Sharp rises in household power bills are being driven by rising network costs and retailer margins not renewable energy according to new analysis.

Queensland announces new Wild Rivers initiatives

An Economic Development Mentor Support Network is part of package of new initiatives announced by Environment and Resource Management Minister Kate Jones as the next plank of the Bligh Government’s Wild Rivers program, aimed at providing Indigenous communities in the Cape with greater capability to capitalise on economic opportunities.