National Affairs

Federal Government’s water buy-back scheme comes under fire

Shadow Water Security Minister, John Cobb, has labelled the Rudd Government’s $50 million water buy back as an “expensive con-job” which he says will not resolve the current water crisis affecting the Murray River.

Mr Cobb says 40% of the water bought under the Rudd Government’s water buy-back scheme has come from the Lachlan, Macquarie and Gwydir Valleys “where even in a good year not one drop will reach the Lower Lakes at the Mouth of the Murray”.

According to Mr Cobb, the government received almost 1000 offers to sell water but pursued only about 120 of those to obtain 34 gigalitres of water entitlements.

The Opposition water spokesman’s comments follow findings released by ACIL Tasman in a report the consulting company prepared for the Crane Group about the role of infrastructure and water buybacks in recovering environmental flows to the Murray-Darling System.

The report finds that the Federal Government’s current closed tender arrangements for water buybacks are “probably well-suited” to acquiring modest volumes of water at prices below those that could be expected on an open market, its states that it is “likely” that the government will need to change its water buy-back strategy over time in order to meet its targets for the volume of water it wants to acquire. To view the report, visit here.

The Inland Rivers Network and the Australian Conservation Foundation have offered their own solution to help solve water shortages in the river system, identifying six properties with big water storages in the Darling Basin that they say could be purchased by federal or state governments to help revive the struggling Murray-Darling system

According to the Australian Conservation Foundation, several of the properties are already on the market. The ACF says the properties would provide a combined total of at least 300 gigalitres that could be used to address the water crisis in the Lower Lakes and the Coorong.

The ACF and the IRN have provided governments with a paper outlining the amount of water available on each of the six properties. The paper says a targeted water purchase approach can be used immediately to help avert the ecological crisis unfolding in the Ramsar-listed Lower Lakes and Coorong.

ACF healthy rivers campaigner Dr Arlene Buchan says buying the properties would be a “win-win-win” for the environment, for the communities in the Basin and for willing sellers.

“There is actually a lot of water in the northern basin and the Government has a golden opportunity to buy that water from willing sellers and transfer it through the system, so that it can inject some life back into the Lower Lakes and the Coorong,” says Dr Buchanan.

Meanwhile, the South Australian Branch of the Wilderness Society has called for the release of “hundreds of gigalitres” of water held in New South Wale’s Menindee Lakes, which it says could be flushed through the river to improve the health of the Lower Lakes and the Coorong.

However, NSW Minister for Water, Nathan Rees, has ruled out any additional water transfers from the Menindee Lakes to support the Lower Lakes in South Australia, saying the water in the lakes is already fully committed to meet critical human, stock and irrigation needs in all three Murray Valley states, including South Australia.

According to the NSW Government, transferring water from Menindee Lakes via the Darling and Murray rivers to the Lower Lakes would result in high transmission losses, with CSIRO estimates stating that evaporation and transmission losses could account for up to 50% of any such transfer.

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NAFI releases new forestry strategy

81 million tonnes of CO2 could be abated each year and more than $19 billion in new investment by 2020 could be achieved if current tax breaks for the forestry industry are retained according to a new strategy document by the National Association of Forestry Industries.

The NAFI strategy says forestry could contribute even more if the Rudd Government extended forest plantation tax breaks and succeeded in persuading other countries that carbon stored in trees felled to make timber products should also count towards reduction targets.

The strategy says there is an urgent need for the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to build on the National Forest Policy Statement (NFPS) it endorsed in 1992 to meet the new economic conditions facing Australia.

In its strategy, NAFI says that under current taxation arrangements for forestry plantations, including managed investment schemes, new plantations could sequester one-fifth of the emissions required to meet a 20 per cent reduction target by 2020, providing 4500 new jobs.  Those emission reductions could be substantially increased if the Government amended the tax breaks for managed investment schemes to encourage investment in longer-growing forests that produce sawlogs, rather than only in plantations harvested for woodchips.

NAFI strongly supports Australian government efforts to change the Kyoto Protocol rules, which do not recognise carbon stored in wood products made from harvested timber.

“Issues in the forest sector requiring the policy attention of Governments include climate change, renewable energy, water sustainability, skills shortages, Indigenous forestry, infrastructure and regional development, forest product innovation, taxation arrangements and sustainable forest management,” the strategy concludes.

“Properly aligned policy arrangements will facilitate the capital investment required by the forest product industries to reduce Australia’s systemic $2 billion annual trade deficit in forest products that is contributing to upward pressure on interest rates.”

The strategy is available as a PDF here.

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Chemicals and Plastics Regulation research report released

A national approach to chemicals and plastics regulation in Australia would reduce unnecessary costs for industry and improve compliance, according to a report released by the Productivity Commission.

The report responds to a request by the Australian Government to examine the effectiveness and efficiency of the regulatory framework, and to provide input to a special Ministerial Taskforce that has been asked to develop a streamlined system of chemicals and plastics regulation. COAG has already agreed to a number of recommendations contained in the Commission's draft report, which was released in March this year.

The Commission proposes a four-tiered governance model for chemicals and plastics regulations, which would allow all governments to participate in developing and implementing regulation.

The Commission says that the standards would be flexible enough to accommodate circumstances facing individual governments, while achieving national uniformity in many instances.

Key recommendations in the final report include:

• establishment of a standing committee on chemicals to promote consistency in chemicals related policy settings across portfolios;
• giving the scheduling of poisons the separate consideration it warrants;
• consolidation of control-of-use regulation of agricultural and veterinary products under the APVMA, but delivered through service level agreements by the states and territories;
• avoiding placing other chemicals of security concern under the current inconsistent framework used to regulate security sensitive ammonium nitrate.

The report is available here.

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Greenhouse & Energy

Report shows natural forests play hightly significant role in carbon storage

South-east Australia’s natural forests are among the most carbon dense in the world and store three times more carbon than Australian and international climate change experts realise, according to a new report by The Australian National University.

The largest stocks of carbon are found in the tall wet eucalypt forests of Victoria and Tasmania. These forests support trees up to 80 metres tall and can contain more than 1200 tonnes of carbon per hectare, which is up to 10 times more carbon per hectare than previously realised.

ANU scientists have calculated that the average amount of carbon stored in unlogged natural eucalypt forests is about 640 tonnes per hectare. According to the leading Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the average carbon stock in temperate forests is only 217 tonnes of carbon per hectare. 

The authors of the report, Green Carbon - Professor Brendan Mackey, Dr Heather Keith, Dr Sandra Berry and Professor David Lindenmayer – found that a new approach is needed to account for carbon stored in natural forests.

“Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries has been the focus for the international community since the United Nations climate change conference in Bali last December, but this is also an issue for Australia,” Professor Mackey said.

About half of Australia’s forests have been cleared in the last 220 years and the carbon stocks in more than 50 per cent of the remaining unprotected forests have been degraded by land use activities such as logging. Professor Mackey said the research should alert Australian governments and international agencies of the urgent need to protect the carbon stored in natural forests as part of the suite of measures needed to solve the climate change problem.

The report is available to download here.

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Impact of Emissions Trading Scheme on state budgets report released

The state and territory governments are set to lose up to $1.4 billion per year to the  Federal Government as a result of the introduction of the Carbon Emission Reduction Scheme, according to research undertaken by The Australia Institute.

A paper entitled ‘The Impact of an Emissions Trading Scheme on State Government Budgets’, by David Richardson and Richard Denniss, shows how the cost of energy, transport and wages paid by state and territory governments will increase as a result of the Commonwealth Government’s plan to tackle climate change.

The paper finds that the cost of emissions permits will impose a large burden on state and territory governments likely to be close to $1.5 billion in 2010-11 when the CPRS is planned to come into effect. That represents a charge of $1.5 billion on the state governments by the Federal Government. That is the equivalent of more than 15,000 teachers, nurses and police officers. The states have a strong claim for compensation from the Federal Government.

The paper highlights the need for an additional class of compensation payments that do not appear to have been considered in the debate so far, namely, payments to compensate the state and territory governments for the likely increase in the costs they will face in delivering services to their residents.

“Everybody knows that the cost of electricity, fuel and food will rise for consumers, but what this paper shows is the impact of those same increases on the states and territories when they are trying to provide schools, roads and hospitals,” said Dr Richard Denniss, Executive Director of The Australia Institute.

“The problem is not that some costs will rise, but that at the moment there is no discussion of the need to compensate the state and territory governments. Nearly one and a half billion dollars per year could employ more than 15,000 teachers or nurses. The Commonwealth has said that it will compensate households and polluters, but it looks to us as though the state governments have got a much stronger case for compensation than the big emitters,” he said.

“Australia needs an emissions trading scheme, but what we also need is for the Government to provide compensation to those who require it the most. Unless the Commonwealth puts compensating the states ahead of compensating the polluters then those who rely most heavily on government services will miss out the most.”

The report is available at www.tai.org.au

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Managing Climate Variability charperson appointed

Queensland farmer and horticulturist Paul Ziebarth has been appointed as chair of Managing Climate Variability, the country’s leading research and development program tasked with helping farmers and natural resource managers manage climate variability risks.

Mr Ziebarth has previously been chair of Growcom, Queensland’s peak industry body representing almost 3000 fruit and vegetable growers. He has also been on the boards of the Horticultural Research and Development Corporation and the Tropical Plant Pathology Cooperative Research Centre. 

Managing Climate Variability is a collaborative research and development program between the Grains, Rural Industries and Sugar Research and Development Corporations, the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Dairy Australia, Meat & Livestock Australia and Land & Water Australia. Australian Wool Innovation Limited and the National Farmers' Federation are associate partners.

The program’s research objectives are to: improve seasonal forecasting – accuracy, lead time and ease of use; provide tools and services for managing climate risk; and increase adoption of climate risk management.

Further information is available at http://www.managingclimate.gov.au/

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New report raises questions about Productivity Commission's proposal to scrap Renewable Energy Target

The Productivity Commission's proposal to scrap support for a Renewable Energy Target could cripple the government's ability to achieve pollution reduction goals, a new report has found.

Commissioned by WWF and produced by Climate Risk, the report finds as well as a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, complimentary measures such as a renewable energy target are necessary to combat the threat of global warming.

Industrial Constraints to Significant Emission Reductions by 2050 revealed such measures will be essential to avoid industrial constraints, such as major skills shortages, and ensure low emission industries are competitive and introduced on a broad scale.

The project analyses physical industrial constraints by using a computer-based model to calculate the rates at which low emission technology and service industries need to grow to provide energy and other commodities required by an increasing population while attaining greenhouse gas emissions reductions of 60%, 80% and 90% respectively, by 2050. The model then compares that output with the findings of international industrial development literature.

This literature suggests that industry growth rates of more than 20% per year are possible, though difficult to achieve year on year, but that industry growth rates of more than 30% per year are generally unsustainable (the most common exception being growth rates achieved by small fast moving electronic consumer items like mobile phones and consumer electronics).

The modelling finds that there are sufficient low emission energy resources, energy efficiency opportunities and emissions reduction opportunities in non-energy sectors to achieve reductions of 60%-80%, and even emissions reductions of 90% or more if livestock emissions are reduced; and that there is sufficient time for the low emission technologies and services to grow at sustainable rates if development starts promptly. The model finds that a sequential approach to low emission industry development (lowest-cost technology first, next-lowest-cost technology next and so on) requires much higher growth rates for each industry than one that grows a number of technologies/industries concurrently.

The modelling also finds that emissions reductions beyond 60% cannot be achieved using a sequential approach to low emission industry development without pushing industries to implausibly high levels of annual growth. If emissions reductions of beyond 60% are required, a concurrent approach to low emission industry development is essential. In particular, the “dual carbon budget” proposed by the Garnaut Climate Change Review (whereby Australia offers to make deeper cuts if other countries do likewise) is very vulnerable to failure due to industrial growth constraints. However, this can be overcome by promptly and concurrently fostering a wide suite of low emission technologies and industries.

Other findings of the project are that deep reductions can only be achieved if Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is used to capture industrial process emissions (including from iron and steel, cement).

The model finds that the existing Renewable Energy Target scheme, or a similar industry deployment scheme, is an essential element of the national response to climate change. The model also finds that the Renewable Energy Target scheme could be made more sustainable, in industrial growth terms, by “banding” or quarantining proportions of the scheme to foster the growth of the important resources such as geothermal, solar photovoltaics and solar thermal industries from the commencement of the scheme. These are all industries in which Australia is likely to have a strong resource or comparative advantage. Biomass, another low emission industry in which Australia is likely to have a strong comparative advantage, should be able to compete under the Renewable Energy Target scheme without further assistance.

The report is available here.

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Worley Parsons announces plans to built world's largest solar thermal power plant

Australia could host 34 solar thermal power stations by 2020, according to the country's largest engineering company, WorleyParsons, which plans to build the world's largest solar thermal power plant over the next three years.

Peter Meurs, managing director of WorleyParsons' EcoNomics unit, said the company was undertaking a study, funded by resources giants including BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Woodside Energy, Wesfarmers Resources and Fortescue Metals, to find potential sites for its first $1 billion, 250-megawatt solar thermal power station, as part of the company's plans to produce 40% of Australia's renewable energy needs via solar thermal power by 2020, at a total investment of up to $34 billion.

Mr Meurs said the profitability of the plants would rely on extra revenue provided under the government's renewable energy certificate regulations and the cost to be placed on carbon emissions. That would make the process competitive for supplying electricity during daytime peak-demand periods, he said.

"Our vision is big but it makes sense. We want to see 34 stations by 2020," he said.

"We could become the absolute world leader at about number eight and that would be a wonderful place to be at. This is a real solution with serious players and proven technology."

Further information is available at www.worleyparsons.com

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$1 million for small wind turbine test centre

Federal funding of $1.05 million has been provided to the Research Institute for Sustainable Energy at Murdoch University to build a national Small Wind Turbine Test Centre.

The Small Wind Turbine Test Centre will be funded under the Australian Government’s Renewable Remote Power Generation Program.

The Centre is designed to be a one-stop-shop for certification, standards and training to develop a stronger small wind turbine industry in Australia, and it is anticipated it will drive the development of independent renewable power generation in the Australian electricity market.   It will test small wind turbines (up to 50kW) in accordance with recommended testing practices being developed by the International Energy Agency and implement wind turbine labelling similar to the Energy Rating Labels of household electrical appliances. 

Murdoch’s small wind turbine expert Dr Jonathan Whale, who sparked the idea for the Centre, said the funding meant the University could lead the way in national standards development, training and accreditation for small wind turbine systems.

“Murdoch is ideally positioned to lead the way in this area given its 10-year experience in testing wind turbines and links with international standards and testing agencies,” Dr Whale said. 

“The timing of the new Centre is important considering the rapidly increasing interest in small wind turbines for domestic use.

“Unlike the large wind turbine industry, small wind turbines do not currently have to undergo the same stringent certification procedures - with no safety or performance standards, product failure could severely damage the reputation of the small wind turbine industry and prevent future uptake.

“By working together with the International Energy Agency the Centre will test small wind turbines to standard and provide both manufacturers and end users with a design review of the turbine and credible performance data.”

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Business & News

Plant research centre launched

A unique Australian plant research centre designed to help tackle major global challenges such as climate change, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation and future food production has been launched.

The High Resolution Plant Phenomics Centre is part of an initiative of the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) supported by the ACT and South Australian governments, CSIRO, ANU and the University of Adelaide.

Co-located at ANU and the CSIRO’s Black Mountain site, the High Resolution Plant Phenomics Centre will attract plant scientists from across Australia and the world to Canberra by providing them with access to the next generation of robotic and imaging plant research tools.

According to CSIRO Plant Industry Chief Dr Jeremy Burdon, the Centre will house sophisticated growing environments, glasshouse automation technologies, and leading edge digital imaging technologies and sophisticated software to measure plant growth and development.

“This equipment, resources and associated expertise and services are currently not available in Australia, but the Centre will make them readily available and affordable,” Dr Burdon said.

“The Centre will lead to the development of new and improved crops, healthier food, more sustainable agricultural practices, and improved maintenance and regeneration of biodiversity,” he said.

The Centre is Canberra’s node of the Australian Plant Phenomics Facility located at CSIRO Plant Industry and ANU. The Plant Accelerator will be the Adelaide node of the Facility located at the University of Adelaide’s Waite Campus.

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Fleet management changes with NGER Act

Dramatic changes in how companies approach their fleet management are imminent as a result of the first reporting stage for the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act (NGER Act), according to Australian fleet management specialists Interleasing.

Michael Mitrovits, Managing Director of Interleasing, said one key area under the microscope will be company car fleets.

"The Act will hold businesses accountable for their green claims, and will create opportunities for companies to rally to the ‘green’ cause, allowing them to move forward into new environmentally friendly products and solutions," Mr Mitrovits said.

“The increased demand of knowledge on how to report on these services in the Australian business market may reveal a relative scarcity of experience in this area. The Act may create casualties if companies are slow and resistant to these new changes,” he said.

Interleasing believes that the NGER Act is an evolution of the framework surrounding the management of environmental corporate social responsibility (CSR).

“The reporting will no doubt see an increase in demand from companies for fuel efficient fleet vehicles, as a way to meet their targets. In turn, this will drive car manufacturers to produce these vehicles, and for fleets, that means lower operating costs. This will have a significant impact on the fleet industry as there will be a larger demand for fuel efficient fleets, transforming how we and our clients have operated in the past,” Mr Mitrovits said. 

With the implementation of this legislation, larger organisations and also those that contract with large players will be required to become involved in the reduction of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

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Local Government

Group of councils leads sector in generating credits for emissions trading

A group of seven metropolitan Perth councils is believed to be the only local government body in Australia to trade greenhouse gas abatement credits under a voluntary Federal Government carbon emissions trading scheme.

The Southern Metropolitan Regional Council became a verified provider of greenhouse gas abatement credits under the Federal Government’s voluntary ‘Greenhouse Friendly’ program about three years ago.

A spokesperson for the SMRC says he thinks the council is the only local government in Australia to generate credits under the program. However, he says the SMRC’s actions could provide an example for other local governments wishing to generate and sell carbon dioxide abatement credits.

The credits sold by the SMRC each equal one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. The regional council generates its credits from the greenhouse gases it has prevented from entering the atmosphere at its waste composting facility.

The SMRC recently put 57,000 verified abatement credits to tender for purchase by companies, organisations and individuals wishing to offset their carbon emissions or become carbon neutral in their operations. It is the third round of tenders for abatement credits that has been offered by the council.

While the SMRC is not able to reveal the price of the carbon credits due to commercial confidentiality, the council has revealed the highest bids for the credits increased from last year.

SMRC Chairman, Cr Doug Thompson, says the market for carbon credits in Australia is increasing rapidly, and the SMRC attracted “strong tenders” for its latest allocation.

The money generated from the sale of abatement credits is used by the SMRC to generate an income stream and help offset the costs of running the waste facility.

It is not known at this stage how the Commonwealth Government’s planned mandatory Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme will impact upon the regional council’s ability to generate carbon credits or the waste facility operated by the SMRC. For more information, contact the Southern Metropolitan Regional Council on (08) 9329 2700.

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Sea level rise decision could have implications for all coastal councils

A decision by Victoria’s Civil and Administrative Tribunal to overturn South Gippsland Shire Council’s approval of the development of six coastal homes due to the potential impact of rising sea levels could have ramifications for coastal councils across Australia.

The tribunal's decision sends a strong message to Victorian coastal councils that the predicted impacts of climate change should be taken into account when considering development applications in coastal zones.

Environment Defenders Office Victorian Principal Solicitor, Brendan Sydes, says the tribunal’s decision that the likelihood of sea level rises should be considered by councils when making planning decisions could have significance within Victoria and nationally.

Mr Sydes says VCAT’s decision may be an indication of the approach planning tribunals nationally could take when considering planning decisions made in coastal areas.

South Gippsland Shire Council CEO, Paul Bawden, says the decision by VCAT not to allow the construction of the dwellings in the coastal zone due to predicted impacts of climate change is “potentially significant” for all coastal councils.

Mr Bawden says the case demonstrates a need for councils to obtain scientific information to assist them to make planning decisions that could be affected by the predicted impacts of climate change.

He says there is a need for councils to work with the State Government to develop standards and principles - including standard sea level rise figures - that councils can use when assessing development applications in coastal areas.

The case before VCAT involved the assessment of six planing permits granted by the regional South Gippsland Shire Council for dwellings located in a farming zone close to the coast.

In making its decision to overturn the council’s planning approval of the dwellings, VCAT considered the potential impact of sea level rises caused by climate change on the proposed developments.

To this end, the tribunal found increases in the severity of storm events and rising sea levels would create a “reasonably foreseeable risk” of inundation of the land and proposed dwellings, which VCAT deemed to be “unacceptable”.

While the tribunal noted the relevance of climate change considerations to planning decision-making processes is presently in an “evolutionary phase”, it concluded that sea level rise and the risk of coastal inundation are “relevant matters to consider in appropriate circumstances”.

The tribunal said climate change would lead to extreme weather conditions beyond the historical record that planners rely on when assessing the potential future impact on proposed developments. To view VCAT’s decision, visit here.

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Melbourne releases plan to become one of world’s most sustainable cities

A reduction in per capita greenhouse emissions and water use are key priorities in a draft plan designed to improve Melbourne’s liveability so it can become one of the world’s top 10 most sustainable cities.

The 'Future Melbourne' draft plan, recently released by the City of Melbourne, targets reductions in greenhouse gas emissions of 35% per resident and 59% per worker in the city by 2020.

The draft plan sets a target to by 2020 reduce per capita drinking water use by 40% per resident and 50% per worker compared to 2000 levels.

An increase in sustainable transport is outlined in the draft plan, with a target to have 90% of people travel to work in the Melbourne CBD by walking, riding bicycles or using public transport by 2020.

Future Melbourne sets out six key goals for the Victorian capital, including: a city for people, a prosperous city, an eco-city, a knowledge city, a creative city and a connected city. The draft plan has identified 10 targets to measure progress towards achieving the goals by 2020, including those for greenhouse gas emissions reduction, cuts to water use, and sustainable transport.

Other targets outlined in the plan focus on the provision of affordable or social housing; affordable internet access; and gaining international recognition for the city as a centre for research and higher education.

The draft plan also sets a target to have at least 140,000 people living in the municipality of Melbourne by 2020.

About 15,000 businesses, organisations, community groups and individuals from Melbourne and overseas have participated in consultations to develop the draft plan. Further information on the Future Melbourne plan can be found here.

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Household sustainability program could be replicated by other councils

Two Queensland councils have successfully completed the pilot of a program to assist households to become more environmentally sustainable, which has the potential to be replicated by other councils in the state.

The trial of the program to help local households make lifestyle changes to become more sustainable in the areas of water, energy, waste and transport use was commenced by the former Noosa and Caboolture shire councils in about mid-2007.

As of July this year, 221 households in the new Sunshine Coast Regional Council and Moreton Bay Regional Council areas were participating in the ‘Living Smart Homes’ program.

Sunshine Coast Regional Council Manager of Environmental Services, Ben McMullen, says the councils remain keen to develop the Living Smart Homes program to the point that it could be easily replicated by other councils.

However, Mr McMullen says the councils’ present focus is to expand the program to more households within the two municipalities.

The councils' Living Smart Homes program is presently working with a local community group to expand the program’s uptake within the municipalities on a street-by-street basis.

The program operates by giving each household that joins a sign to place on the outside of their house to show their participation in the program. Each sign will be updated as each house completes tasks to improve its sustainability in each of the four areas.

Participating households receive information on how to make lifestyle changes in the four key areas of water, energy, waste and transport use through support workshops and on the Living Smart Homes website, here.

As a direct result of participation in the program, the 221 participating households have to date collectively saved almost 8930 kilograms of greenhouse gases annually, reduced their collective water use by 183 kilolitres per year, and diverted 1.65 tonnes of waste from landfill per year.

The Living Smart Homes program was established by the former Noosa and Caboolture shire councils in partnership with the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency, Queensland University of Technology and South East Queensland Catchments.

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Organic and electronic waste collection pilot initiatives to commence in Perth

The results of two waste collection initiatives to be undertaken by a number of metropolitan Perth councils could potentially be used by other local governments to develop systems for the collection of household organic and electronic waste.

The Western Australian Government recently announced it will provide $95,000 funding towards the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council’s organic waste trial, and $35,500 towards a project to be undertaken by the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council and Southern Metropolitan Regional Council to conduct a study of electronic waste collection models.

The results of both projects are expected to be made available to other local governments both in Western Australia and interstate that are interested in implementing similar organic and electronic waste collection programs.

The organic waste collection trial will involve the introduction of a three-bin waste collection system for 300 houses in the municipalities. If the trial proves successful, the organic waste collection system could be rolled out across Perth’s eastern metropolitan region.

The format of the trial, which is expected to run for about two or three months is presently being developed. It is anticipated that the trial will commence within the next few months.

The collection of organic waste could result in the diversion of about 60% of household waste away from landfill.

The two regional councils, which comprise 13 separate local government areas, will immediately commence the study that will examine electronic waste collection models that have been used interstate and overseas, and assess how they could be applied in the Perth area.

The final report of the study is expected to be completed in December this year. It is expected the results of the study will be used to guide the development of a pilot project in the region.

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Qld councils close to gaining approval to conduct cost-saving joint waste tender

A group of regional Queensland councils is close to gaining approval to proceed with a joint tender for waste services that is expected to generate cost savings to the municipalities.

If final approval for the joint tender is granted to the four councils by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission they could join a slowly growing number of councils that have gained approval from the ACCC to implement joint waste tenders over about the past six years.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission recently issued a draft determination proposing to allow Rockhampton, Gladstone, Central Highlands and Isaac regional councils to move forward with a tender for the provision of waste and recycling services.

ACCC Chairman, Graeme Samuel, says the commission considers the joint tender is likely to deliver cost savings to ratepayers, and could also create environmental benefits through the introduction of best practice recycling and the diversion of waste from landfill.

It is anticipated the joint approach for the provision of waste services will encourage the submission of tenders by waste service companies that may have in the past been reluctant to tender for rural-based contracts due to the lack of waste volume and prohibitive transport costs involved with entering into waste service contracts with individual rural-based councils.

It is expected the ACCC will make its final decision on whether to approve the joint tender by the end of August.

Since 2002, the ACCC has granted approval to five separate groups of councils in the Sydney area to enter into joint contracts for the provision of waste services. Another group of Sydney councils recently also submitted an application to the ACCC for approval to conduct a joint tender for the disposal and processing of the region’s food and garden waste.

Despite the growing number of councils that have gained approval from the ACCC to conduct joint waste tenders over recent years, it is believed that all such applications will still need to be approved by the commission on a case-by-case basis. To view the ACCC’s draft determination, visit here.

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Trial of local and state government water saving program begins in SA

The trial of a free showerhead exchange program established under a water saving agreement between South Australia’s local government association and the State Government is underway.

The trial, which will see householders trade in old showerheads for free low-flow models on designated days in each municipality, will run in 10 local government areas over about two months.

South Australian Minister for Water Security, Karlene Maywald, says if the trial is successful, the initiative will be offered to all councils in the state by the end of this year.

About 300,000 low-flow showerheads are expected to be made available to households during the anticipated three year life of the showerhead exchange program. It is understood the success of the scheme will be measured by its take-up by residents.

South Australia’s local government association and the State Government earlier this year signed a Memorandum of Understanding that commits the association to encouraging councils to work with their local communities on water conservation issues, including setting local water conservation targets, and supporting councils to become more active in promoting sustainable water use in their communities.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by South Australian Minister for Water Security, Karlene Maywald; SA Water Chief Executive, Anne Howe; and Local Government Association of South Australia President, Joy Baluch.

The local governments participating in the trial of the showerhead exchange program are: Marion, Mitcham, Charles Sturt, Campbelltown, West Torrens, Unley, Onkaparinga, Salisbury, Victor Harbor and Port Augusta city councils.

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New South Wales

Contract signed for supply of renewable energy to Sydney desalination plant

Sydney Water has signed a contract that will see the Sydney Desalination Plant powered by renewable wind energy for 20 years.

The water authority has signed 20-year contracts with Babcock and Brown Wind Partners and Babcock and Brown Power to supply the desalination plant with 100% renewable energy .

Babcock and Brown are presently building, and will operate, a 63-turbine wind farm at Bungendore near Queanbeyan in regional New South Wales.

Sydney Water will buy Renewable Energy Certificates to demonstrate that the desalination plant is powered from an accredited renewable energy source.

The NSW Government recently announced that construction of the desalination plant is 30% complete, and that the project is proceeding on schedule and on budget.

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Private sector can now supply water and sewerage services

New licensing regulations that allow private sector involvement in the supply of water and sewerage services to the metropolitan Sydney area are now in force.

The New South Wales Water Industry Competition Act 2006 and Water Industry Competition (General) Regulation 2008 provide a licensing regime for private companies that supply water and sewerage services to the Sydney and Hunter regions.

In addition to allowing private companies to enter the market to provide water and sewerage services, the regulation contains provisions designed to protect consumers, water quality and the environment.

Under the regulations, private companies will be required to meet the same standards and requirements imposed on public water utilities for the provision of the same water and sewerage services.

The regulations also contain requirements that are designed to ensure all services are delivered in a safe, reliable manner, with minimal environmental impact, and that drinking and recycled water meet Australian standards and are “fit for purpose”.

The licensing scheme is to be managed by the state’s Independent Prices and Regulatory Tribunal. To view the New South Wales Water Industry Competition Act 2006, visit here.

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Funding available for NSW coastal councils to undertake dredging projects

The New South Wales Government is seeking expressions of interest from coastal councils to obtain a share of $1 million funding to undertake strategic navigation dredging projects.

The funding will be made available to councils on a dollar-for-dollar basis for projects that keep harbour and river entrances open for the safe and navigable passage of boating traffic.

NSW Minister for Lands, Tony Kelly, says the proposals submitted by councils for funding will be assessed based on factors including the potential to deliver multiple benefits by undertaking the dredging works, and the type and intensity of boating activities in the area.

The assessment of the proposals will also take into account environmental and other risks that could be caused by any dredging works.

Mr Kelly says bids for funding submitted by councils will be assessed on a priority basis, with councils that submit a successful expression of interest to be required to submit a further detailed proposal as part of their funding bid.

A spokeperson for the NSW Department of Lands says no closing date to submit funding proposals has been set, but councils are being advised to lodge proposals as soon as possible due to anticipated high interest in the funding program.

Councils wishing to apply for funding are being advised to contact their local Crown Lands Office. Contact details for local Crown Lands offices in NSW can be found here.

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Victoria

Sugarloaf Pipeline route approved by Victorian Government

The route for the $750 million Sugarloaf Pipeline that will pump a share of water savings generated from the Food Bowl Modernisation Project to Melbourne has been approved.

Victorian Planning Minister, Justin Madden, has given approval to the preferred corridor for the 70km pipeline, which will connect the Goulburn River north of Yea to the Sugarloaf Reservoir.

Mr Madden says the pipeline corridor he has approved is “generally in line” with the alignment recommended by Melbourne Water and the independent Advisory Committee.

The minister says he has set a number of conditions for the project to ensure it is developed with minimal environmental impact. The conditions include:

• The submission of an overarching Environmental Management Framework and individual Environmental Management Plans for the various route sections approved by the Planning Minister in consultation with the Environment and Climate Change Minister;
• Payment of a bond for the re-instatement of environments affected by the construction works, to be determined by the Environment and Climate Change Minister; and
• The appointment of an external EPA accredited environmental auditor to facilitate procedures around environmental monitoring, auditing and reporting.

Construction of the pipeline cannot commence until the Federal Government has made a decision on matters of national environmental significance potentially impacted by the project under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conversation Act 1999.

The $2 billion Food Bowl Modernisation Project is intended to recover 425 billion litres of water currently lost through evaporation, seepage and system inefficiencies. It is expected Melbourne will receive about 75 billion litres of the water savings through the Sugarloaf Pipeline.

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Dredging project breaches environmental standards

The first breach of the environmental standards set for the Port Phillip Bay dredging project has been reported to the Victorian Office of the Environmental Monitor.

The Port of Melbourne Corporation (PoMC) has alerted the Environmental Monitor that clean up operations at the entrance of Port Phillip Bay may not have met the environmental standards established for the project under its Environmental Management Plan.

The breach, which occurred on 20 July, was reported to the Environmental Monitor by the PoMC on July 30. According to the Office of the Environmental Monitor, the PoMC knew about the breach on 28 July.

The Office of the Environmental Monitor is presently investigating the circumstances of the incomplete dredging clean up, and has received the results of the PoMC’s own review of the incident as part of its investigations.

The Office of the Environmental Monitor will provide advice to the PoMC and the Channel Deepening Project’s regulators at the conclusion of its investigations.

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Victorian Government establishes climate change advisory group

The Victorian Government has established a reference group that will provide it with independent, expert advice about climate change issues and policies.

The Climate Change Reference Group will advise the State Government on the development of climate change policy in relation to the national Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, as well as the opportunities for innovation, technology and industry that may arise as a result of the impacts of climate change.

The reference group will also advise the Victorian Government about the type of support and assistance that will be needed to transition vulnerable communities to a low-carbon economy.

The reference group will be chaired by Professor David Karoly, Federation Fellow at the University of Melbourne’s School of Earth Sciences.

The other members of the Climate Change Reference Group are:

• Tony Nicholson, Executive Director of the Brotherhood of St Laurence;
• Professor Amanda Lynch, Federation Fellow with the School of Geography and Environmental Sciences at Monash University;
• Bob Welsh, Chief Executive of VicSuper; Dr Peter Christoff, Coordinator, Environmental Studies Faculty at the University of Melbourne;
• Professor Robin Batterham, Group Chief Scientist with Rio Tinto Limited, and President of the Academy of Technological Sciences;
• Erwin Jackson, Director of Policy and Research at The Climate Institute; and
• Dr Kate Auty, Magistrate in Western Australia specialising in justice and equity issues, and Chair of the Victorian Ministerial Reference Council on Climate Change Adaptation.

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New program to reduce mercury discharge from dental surgeries

The Victorian Government has launched a new $1 million program to work with the state's dental and water industries to help prevent mercury from entering Victoria’s sewerage systems.

The voluntary program will provide rebates to dentists to install amalgam separators to stop mercury entering the sewerage system from their surgeries.

Under the program, a rebate of $1000 or 20% of purchase and installation costs (whichever is greater) will be offered to private sector dentists who install amalgam separators. The rebate will be on a sliding scale, reducing over a three-year period.

At the conclusion of the voluntary program in June 2011, the State Government will assess the uptake rates for the voluntary program before making a decision on whether it is necessary to introduce mandatory regulations.

Funding for the program is being provided by South East Water, City West Water, the Victorian Environment Protection Authority and the Victorian Water Industry Association Inc. The Victorian Branch of the Australian Dental Association will develop and implement the program.

It is estimated that in 2007 about 200 kilograms of mercury was discharged into Victoria’s sewers from the dental industry.

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Guide shows increase in carbon offset providers

Victoria’s Environmental Protection Authority and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) have found the number of Australian companies providing carbon offsets has jumped by more than 40% between March and June.

The online Carbon Offset Guide produced by the Victorian EPA and RMIT in March listed 36 carbon offset providers, but now lists 50 providers, with 42 of the listed providers able to provide certified offsets.

The updated guide also identifies a 41% increase in providers offering carbon offsets from overseas. All of the overseas providers are in a position to sell certified offsets that have been verified by an independent third party.

Global Sustainability at RMIT and the Victorian EPA launched the guide as a resource for businesses, government agencies, non-Government organisations and individuals seeking information about offsets. To view the guide, visit www.carbonoffsetguide.com.au.

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Two Melbourne waste plants could be under construction by 2010

The construction of two alternative waste technology (AWT) facilities to service metropolitan Melbourne's municipal waste could commence by 2010, under plans announced by the Victorian Government.

The government has announced a new $10 million initiative to investigate the use of alternative waste technology to process Melbourne’s municipal waste stream.

Through the new 'Victorian Advanced Resource Recovery Initiative', the State Government will work with the Metropolitan Waste Management Group, local government and the waste industry to develop a business case for the establishment of AWT facilities in Melbourne.

In developing the business case, the initiative will investigate the best alternative waste technologies to use to process Melbourne’s municipal waste stream, and the most effective ways to implement these technologies.

Victoria's Environment and Climate Change Minister, Gavin Jennings, says the government is aiming to commence construction of two alternative waste facilities for metropolitan Melbourne by 2010.

The establishment of AWT facilities to convert metropolitan Melbourne’s municipal waste into products such as clean energy and compost is expected to help meet a State Government target to recover 65% of municipal waste by 2014.

The announcement of the initiative follows the release of the draft Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Strategic Plan earlier this year, which identified the potential to establish up to seven new resource recovery facilities in Melbourne. The final version of the strategic plan is expected to be released later this year. The draft plan is available here.

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Queensland

Qld Government to narrow down potential SEQ desalination sites

The Queensland Government is to whittle down its list of potential sites to build desalination plants in South East Queensland from six possible locations to a shortlist of two or three sites.

The draft SEQ Water strategy earlier this year identified sites at Marcoola, Kawana, Bribie Island, Lytton, North Stradbroke Island and South Stradbroke Island for the potential construction of desalination plants to boost the region’s water supplies, if this is required in future.

The State Government has announced the commencement of investigations of the sites by environmental experts, engineers and planners, which will help the government to determine the two or three priority sites for the future development of a desalination plant.

The Queensland Government expects to finalise the assessment of the six sites by mid-2009, based on advice from the Queensland Water Commission.

The draft SEQ Water Strategy indicated there is not expected to be a need for any new water supplies for the region, including desalination plants, for at least twenty years.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says conducting the investigations now means that if the time comes when the construction of the plants becomes necessary, the process to do so will be quicker, cheaper and simpler.

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Qld Murray-Darling Basin water buyback process to begin next month

The Federal Government has announced the tender process for its purchase of water in the Queensland section of the Murray-Darling Basin will commence during September.

The water bought by the Commonwealth as part of the scheme will be returned to the river system in order to boost environmental flows.

Federal Minister for Climate Change and Water, Penny Wong, says the tender will be the first part of a $350 million commitment to purchase water in Queensland announced the recent Council of Australian Governments meeting.

Senator Wong says purchasing water in Queensland would benefit wetlands and rivers in the northern Murray-Darling Basin and increase flows down the Darling River.

In wetter years, it is anticipated that increased flows to the Darling River will make their way down to the Murray River. However, present dry conditions in the Darling River mean it is unlikely that any increased flows will at this stage reach the Murray River.

Further information on the Queensland water buyback, including program guidelines, is to be made available during September at www.environment.gov.au/water. The Federal Government is to widely advertise the buyback prior to commencement.

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Water pricing processes of 10 Queensland councils to be reviewed

The processes for setting water prices that are used by 10 south-east Queensland councils is to be reviewed by the state’s competition authority.

The State Government has requested the Queensland Competition Authority review and report upon the water pricing processes of Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Logan and Redland city councils, as well as the Lockyer Valley, Moreton Bay, Scenic Rim Somerset and Sunshine Coast regional councils.

In particular, the authority is to report upon the extent to which the local governments link increases in retail water prices to increases in bulk water grid costs; and whether the councils’ increases in retail water prices exceed the price that would be required to recover the costs of the increases in bulk water grid costs.

Submissions to the review are due by August 25. The Queensland Competition Authority can be contacted on (07) 3222 0555. For more information about the review, visit here.

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South Australia

Pilot desalination plant commences testing

Testing of desalination technology has commenced at Adelaide’s pilot desalination plant in preparation for the development of the planned full-scale $1.1 billion desalination plant for the city.

The $10 million pilot plant will monitor seawater quality and collect data on the performance of pre-treatment and filtration technologies required for the main 50-gigalitre plant

SA Water’s full-scale desalination plant is expected to be completed and operational in December 2011.

South Australian Minister for Water Security, Karlene Maywald, says SA Water has received “strong interest” in its call for expressions of interest from contractors to build the full-scale plant.

The closing date to submit expressions of interest for the tender is August 14. For more information about the tender, visit here.

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Research to determine economic value of SA water catchments

A new research project is to assess the economic value of water catchments managed by SA Water.

The University of South Australia has received a $100,000 research grant to conduct the project, which aims to determine how to value the environmental, social and economic potential of SA Water’s catchments to the community and investors.

University of SA’s Academic Director in Sustainable Business at the International Graduate School of Business and principal researcher, Geoff Wells, says the aim of the project is to develop a best practice framework to place a true value on water catchments and projected investment in them.

“We hope this framework will assist planners and policy developers to direct investment with precision and deliver the greatest value to all catchment stakeholders and users. This has to include the public’s stake in the environmental integrity of the watershed,” says Dr Wells.

The research grant will support the first year-long phase of the research. A subsequent research phase is projected.

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Decision on construction of temporary weir at Lower Lakes likely by late September

The South Australian Government is likely to by the end of September make a decision on whether to construct a temporary weir below Wellington at the entrance to the River Murray’s Lower Lakes, according to the state’s Minister for Water Security Karlene Maywald.

Ms Maywald says the Murray-Darling Basin Commission is expected to provide the results of its investigations into the management options for the Lower Lakes to the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council by the end of September.

“Also, by the end of September, all jurisdictions in the Murray-Darling Basin will have a better idea of the volume of inflows from winter and early spring rains and whether they will be sufficient to improve water quality and quantity,” says Ms Maywald.

While the minister has stressed the State Government has not yet made a decision on whether or not to construct the temporary weir, she says the government will need to have the relevant approvals and initial materials on stand-by as well as preliminary site access works completed prior to the outcome of the commission’s investigations, so if a weir does need to be constructed, works can start immediately.

If constructed, the weir is expected to consist of an embankment stretching 2.6 kilometres from Pomanda Island across to the eastern side of the river.

Ms Maywald says water quality is continuing to deteriorate in the Lower Lakes and at the bottom end of the river channel.

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Western Australia

Funding available for projects that reduce energy sector emissions

Projects that develop new technology designed to cut the amount of greenhouse emissions produced by the energy sector can now apply for funding from the Western Australian Government.

Up to $13.4 million funding will be made available by the State Government under the second funding round of its Low Emissions Energy Development Fund.

A minimum of $250,000 will be provided towards each funded project, with project proponents required to match each dollar of the LEED funding with three dollars of funding from other sources.

The closing date to submit applications for funding is September 11. The WA Government expects to announce the successful funding applicants by the end of 2008.

For more information on the funding guidelines and details of how to apply for funding, visit here.

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Company issued licence to identify sites for potential Albany wave energy facility

A Perth-based company has been granted an exclusive licence to identify suitable areas to establish a commercial wave energy facility off Albany’s coastline.

The Western Australian Government has issued a five year exclusive offshore licence and option to lease to the Carnegie Corporation with the aim of establishing a wave energy facility in the area. The licence covers more than 30,000 hectares of coast from the Albany Wind farm to West Cape Howe.

Carnegie Corporation has developed the CETO system to generate wave energy using a fully submerged unit that produces high pressure seawater from the movement of waves that can be used to drive a turbine generator to produce electricity.

Albany is one of a number of Australian and international sites that the Carnegie Corporation is assessing for the development of a planned commercial demonstration wave energy facility.

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Funding announced for Australia's seventh 'solar city'

The Federal Government has announced it will provide $13.9 million in funding for Australia’s seventh “solar city” trial of solar power technologies in urban communities, with the trial to involve a number of metropolitan Perth councils.

It is intended that the Perth Solar City trial will assist more than 6000 households and businesses in Perth to reduce carbon emissions through implementing measures such as low-flow shower heads, energy efficient lighting, insulation, home energy assessments, smart meters, and discounted solar panels and solar hot water systems.

Federal Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, says the seven solar cities participating in the trial are expected to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by more than 76,000 tonnes annually.

The consortium for the Perth Solar City project consists of 17 proponents, led by the Western Australian Housing Authority, and including the following local governments: the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council; the City of Bayswater; the Town of Bassendean; the City of Belmont; the City of Swan; the Shire of Mundaring; and the Shire of Kalamunda.

Consortia led by the councils of Blacktown, Townsville, Alice Springs, three Adelaide councils, a group of 13 central Victorian local governments and Moreland City Council have so far secured millions of dollars in funding through the Federal Government’s Solar Cities Program. For more information about the program and each of the trials approved for Commonwealth financial assistance, visit here.

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Wilderness Society wants protection for Kimberley rivers

In the lead-up to Western Australia’s September 6 election, the Wilderness Society WA has called on the state’s political parties to commit to protecting rivers in the Kimberley region.

The society wants the region’s rivers, especially the Fitzroy River, protected against developments such as canals and dams, and from overconsumption caused by irrigation.

Wilderness Society State Coordinator, Peter Robertson, says a statutory framework is required to protect the Kimberley’s Fitzroy River and provide a management framework to ensure sustainable use and jobs in river conservation.

The Wilderness Society WA has also welcomed an announcement by the state’s Liberal leader, Colin Barnett, that a future Coalition government would not build a water canal from the Kimberley to Perth.

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New program to monitor greasy waste discharges

Western Australia’s Water Corporation has commenced a new program that is designed to reduce the amount of wastewater system blockages and potential overflows into the environment caused by commercial greasy waste discharges.

The ‘Fats, Oil, Grease Management’ (FOGMan) program is designed to ensure the systematic management of greasy waste discharges into the Water Corporation’s wastewater system.

Under the FOGMan program, the maintenance of grease traps will be monitored to ensure they are pumped out at the appropriate frequency, with aim of reducing the amount of greasy waste that enters the wastewater collection system.

The Water Corporation’s FOGMan Liquid Waste Carrier Code of Practice states that the present unmanaged monitoring of grease arrestor maintenance has led to a rise in the number of customers failing to service their grease arrestors at the required frequency, if at all.

According to the code of practice, greasy waste from more than 5000 customers in Western Australia is presently discharged into the Water Corporation’s wastewater collection system. To view the FOGMan Liquid Waste Carrier Code of Practice, visit here.

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Tasmania

Tas Government calls for tenders to boost school energy efficiency

The Tasmanian Government has called for tenders from companies to design, supply and install energy efficiency measures and rainwater storage systems in the state’s public schools.

The selected tenderers will be required to assist schools with the supply, design and installation of items such as solar panels, rainwater tanks, solar or heat pump hot water systems, sky lights, and roof and wall insulation.

The tenders for the provision of energy and rain water saving measures are being sought as part of the National Solar Schools Program.

A separate tender is also being called for the supply and installation of innovative, energy efficient lighting options for government schools.

Submissions of bids for the energy and rain water saving tenders close on August 28. For more information about the tender, visit here.

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Forestry Tas seeks approval for sustainable forest management plan

Forestry Tasmania has presented a new framework for the sustainable management of Tasmania’s state forests to the State Government for approval.

The new Sustainability Charter would replace seven district forest management plans with a single document outlining Forestry Tasmania’s plans to manage the state’s forest estate for the next 10 years.

The charter outlines five key sustainability objectives that Forestry Tasmania would use to guide its management of the state’s forests. The objectives listed in the charter are:

• Sustaining biodiversity and habitat;
• Sustaining jobs for future generations;
• Sustaining carbon stores, clean air, water and healthy forests;
• Sustaining community access and heritage; and
• Sustaining science based stewardship.

The charter outlines a number of specific aims that Forestry Tasmania will seek to fulfil in order to meet its five main objectives. To view the charter, visit here.

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Laser technology mapping system assists in planning for forestry activities

Forestry Tasmania has successfully completed a 12-month trial using laser technology to more accurately and cost-effectively generate maps of the forest estate.

The trial, which commenced in July 2007, found that the ‘LiDAR’ laser technology system can successfully be used to generate estimates of standing timber volumes and carbon stocks. The data collected using the technology can then be used to generate maps, GIS datasets and reports.

Forestry Tasmania’s Executive General Manager, Hans Drielsma, says during the trial Forestry Tasmania found the LiDAR system can be used to accurately establish elevation models, map stream locations and map the location and characteristics of forest stands.

“This system will greatly improve the quality of our planning for forest harvesting. It will give us a much more accurate picture of what our forests look like using much fewer ground measurements,” says Dr Drielsma.

As a result of the trial, Forestry Tasmania has now signed a Memorandum of Understanding with specialist aerial survey company Digital Mapping Australia Pty Ltd to work collaboratively to provide commercial forest timber and carbon inventory services to forest related industries.

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ACT

Report highlights need for ACT to become more sustainable

The Australian Capital Territory’s sixth State of the Environment report has found the ACT is consuming natural resources at an unsustainable rate and that more efforts need to be made to address this issue.

The ACT’s State of the Environment Report 2007-2008 assesses the condition of the ACT’s environment and makes recommendations covering issues including climate change, air quality, biodiversity, water catchment quality, resource use and community wellbeing.

The report finds the average ACT resident’s environmental footprint in 2004 was nearly four times higher than the global average, and 17% higher than for the average Australian. The report describes the situation as being “clearly unsustainable”.

According to the report, Canberrans have reduced urban water consumption by about 20% due to water restrictions imposed as a result of ongoing drought conditions.
However, the report finds the ACT’s per capita use of both electricity and gas has continued to rise, with energy used to heat, cool and light buildings comprising 72.2% of the territory’s 2005 greenhouse gas emissions.

To this end, the report recommends the development and implementation of community sustainability awareness programs on topics such as waste minimisation and avoidance; smart use of energy and water; improved building design for better water and energy efficiency; and the relationship between climate change and sustainability.

In regard to waste, the report finds that Canberra’s total waste has increased by 87% between 1994-1995 and 2006-2007, while population growth has been around 10%. However, the report finds the ACT’s resource recovery rate has risen by 315% since the NoWaste Strategy was introduced in 1996.

The report recommends the ACT Government develop a plan for waste minimisation and avoidance that contains specific performance measures, and that NoWaste be used as an inspirational goal, rather than a target. The report also recommends the development of a waste reduction strategy for the commercial sector.

The report further recommends the ACT Government ensures it undertakes an effective response to climate change by giving a high priority to the implementation of its Weathering the Change strategy and action plan.

The report also recommends requiring ACT Government agencies to report annually on their water and energy consumption, waste generation, and proposed actions to become more sustainable.

The report recommends the addition of more areas to the ACT’s conservation estate in order to protect key ecosystems and habitats.

The report was produced by the ACT’s Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment, Dr Maxine Cooper. To view the report, visit here.

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ACT looks to remove stamp duty on green vehicle purchases

Proposed laws that would link the stamp duty paid by consumers when purchasing a vehicle to the vehicle’s environmental performance have been introduced to the ACT’s Legislative Assembly.

The ACT Government is seeking to introduce the Australian-first scheme to cut the cost of purchasing environmentally friendly vehicles through the removal of stamp duty taxes in a bid to encourage Canberra’s residents to make the shift towards purchasing “green” vehicles and cutting their transport emissions.

The ‘Green Vehicles Duty Scheme’ would see vehicles that achieve the highest environmental rating attract a 100% stamp duty discount, while vehicles with an above average environmental performance would also pay reduced stamp duty rates

Under the proposed scheme, the stamp duty rates on vehicles with an average environmental performance would not change, while vehicles with a below average environmental performance would pay a slightly higher duty rate.

The environmental performance ratings of vehicles would be determined using the Federal Government’s Green Vehicle Guide, which is available at www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au. Under the scheme, second-hand vehicle and motorcycle purchases would not attract a stamp duty discount.

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Northern Territory

Environment Minister loses seat at NT election

Northern Territory Environment Minister, Len Kiely, has lost his seat at the territory’s August 9 election.

Labor is yet to claim victory in the election, but the party appears likely to have retained government despite a swing against it at the polls. Country Liberal Party leader, Terry Mills, has conceded electoral defeat.

During the election campaign, the NT Labor Party pledged more than $3 million to spend on environmental initiatives, including:

• $1.8 million funding to establish the first stage of a conservation link between Northern Territory parks in Arafura and Alice Springs to help wildlife better adapt to climate change.
• Additional annual funding of $120,000 for the NT Environment Centre;
• A doubling of funding for the Arid Lands Environment Centre’s to $70,000 per year; and
• The introduction of a new $500 water tank rebate for the Territory, which would build on the Labor Government’s existing Waterwise Central Australia Rebate scheme.

While on the campaign trail, Labor also promised to require further land clearing applications on the Tiwi Islands to be subject to a full Environmental Impact Statement.

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Conferences

National Sustainable Procurement Conference

Register and pay by 15 August 2008 to save $100 on your registration fee!
Exhibition spaces available!

Hilton Hotel Brisbane
18 and 19 September 2008
www.sustainableprocurement.com.au

The program for the fourth National Sustainable Procurement Conference (formerly National Buying Green Conference) is now available. Keynote speakers include:

• Martin Sykes, Chief Executive, Value Wales, Welsh Assembly Government
• Barbara Morton, Senior Procurement Advisor, UK Government
• Maria Atkinson, Global Head of Sustainability, Lend Lease
• Joe Kremer, Managing Director and Vice President, Dell
• Tony Hawthorne, Global Procurement Manager – Sustainability and Risk, Fosters Group
• Christopher Browne, Senior Operator, New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development

Held only every two years you will not want to miss the ONLY conference in Australia dedicated to sustainable procurement. If you are committed to introducing sustainable policies and practices into your organisation or you are a supplier to government or large corporations this is a ‘must attend’ event!

This year’s theme is ‘integrate - connect - progress!’

• Integrating sustainability into procurement policy and practice
• Understanding how buyers and suppliers need to ‘connect’ or work together in order to develop sustainable products and markets
• How to make real progress in moving sustainable procurement from policy to mainstream practice

The conference is hosted by the Queensland Government, chaired by well known author and TV presenter Tanya Ha, and supporters include the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Australia and New Zealand, Australian Procurement and Construction Council and Ecospecifier and ECO-Buy.

For more information please visit the official conference website www.sustainableprocurement.com.au, phone 02 6583 8118 or email info@sustainableprocurement.com.au.

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National Economic Development Conference 2008

Economic development managers, councillors and senior managers from local government and regional economic development bodies will meet in Brisbane on October 8 & 9 for the 2008 National Economic Development Conference.

The two-day conference is focused on the theme of ‘Innovation in Sustainable Economic Development’. More than 250 delegates are expected to attend the conference and the Economic Development Excellence Awards Gala Dinner to be held in the evening of Day 1 of the conference.

International and local speakers at the conference will include Christian Saublens, the Executive Manager of the European Association of Development Agencies; Kay Rundle, CEO of the City of Greater Geelong; and David Jackson, the Economic Development Manager for the City of Brisbane.

More than 30 senior economic development managers and practitioners will address the two-day conference which is the peak annual event for ED practitoners. It will be hosted by Economic Development Australia, the professional body for economic development practitioners and managers in local, regional, state and federal governments.

Successful case studies in attracting knowledge-based industries, generating local tourism revenues, creating more sustainable local businesses, and building competitive advantages for local industry will be outlined, allowing delegates to immediately use that information.

Speakers include:

• TOWNSVILLE’S PLANS TO GENERATE CARBON CREDITS
  Andrew McEwen, Economic Development Manager, City of Townsville
   
• NEW PROJECT FUNDING MODELS TO BE ENABLED BY EMISSIONS TRADING
  Justin Wynn, Economic Development Unit – Environmental Industries City of Onkaparinga
   
• ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE BEST PRACTICE IN SMALL BUSINESS
  Imam Ali, Economic Development Officer for the Macarthur Regional Organisation of Councils
   
• COLLABORATIVE OUTCOMES: THE BUSINESS TREADING LIGHTLY PROGRAM
  Kirrily Martin, Events Manager, Business Treading Lightly, Southern Councils Group
   
• SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S SUSTAINABLE 1000 PROJECT
  Steve Harrison, Director, Business & Economic Development, City of Prospect
   
• THE ROLE OF PLANNING IN ACHIEVING BETTER ENVIRONMENTAL OUTCOMES
  David Keenan, Chair of the EDA, and Director, City Sustainability, Hume City Council
   
• THE GREATER SPRINGFIELD MODEL FOR REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
  Maha Sinnathamby, Chairman of the Springfield Land Corporation

It will provide a unique opportunity to network with economic development managers in local government and regional economic organisations from all parts of the country. Progress in developing the Professional Development (PD) program for Economic Development managers will be outlined. A Master Class will be held on the third day.

The agenda of the 2008 conference can be viewed at http://www.halledit.com.au/ed08  

For more information, please telephone the conference organisers, Hallmark Conferences on 03 8534 5000 or email denise.mcqueen@halledit.com.au

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Award-winning local government sustainable development projects in spotlight

Kogarah Council has pioneered Australia’s first local government sewer mining project to reduce the use of potable water and source an alternative supply of irrigation water.

The award-winning Beverley Water Reclamation Scheme has ensured all of Kogarah Council’s irrigation needs are met by efficient use of recycled water, replacing up to 140 ml/year of drinking water currently being used for irrigation.

The Scheme has also reduced the consumption of drinking water from Sydney’s dams by as much as 750 kilolitres per day in summer.

The Scheme, which won the Operations/Management Projects category of the 2008 International Water Association’s Project Innovation Awards, is just one of many award-winning case studies which will be featured at the Local Government Sustainable Development Conference 2008.

Other award-winning case studies to feature at the Conference include:
- City of Melbourne, Managing Drought in the City of Parks project (Local Government Award Winner, Banksia Awards 2008).
- Melton Shire Council (Winner of 2007 Sustainable Cities Award).
- Ipswich Council (Winner of environmental management category of the 2008 United Nations Association of Australia World Environment Day Awards). 

20 other leading-edge local government case studies will also be presented at the conference.

Over 30 speakers from local government, industry associations and research institutes will speak at the conference about addressing challenges of sustainability and the ways in which local governments from around Australia can achieve their sustainable development objectives in a cost-effective manner.

The Conference is being held on September 10th and 11th at Dockside Convention Centre in Sydney.

The conference agenda is available here or contact Denise McQueen on (03) 8534 5021 or denise.mcqueen@halledit.com.au

For further information about the Local Leadership in Sustainability awards, go to www.environs.org.au

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