1. EIANZ Set to Launch Environment Certification Scheme

In a move aimed at bolstering community and business confidence in environmental professionals, the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ) is only months away from launching the nation's first certification scheme for environmental practitioners.

In a front page story in the latest issue of the monthly Environment Business newsletter, the peak body, which represents around 1400 environmental professionals announced that it had been planning the Certified Environmental Professional (CEnvP) scheme for the past 18 months. The EIANZ National Council gave the formal go ahead to the CEnvP last October.

The first certification intake is planned for early July and it is expected that the initial participants will take around three months to `graduate' from the program.

Nigel Murphy, the Chair of the EIANZ's Certification Working Party, said that EIANZ members have responded enthusiastically to the certification proposal. State and Federal Government agencies have also responded positively.

Mr Murphy said that the certification scheme aimed to generate confidence in business, government and community circles about the competency and character of people undertaking skilled environmental work.

"The reality is that there are a few rogues, a few cowboys in the profession. People know who they are, and this certification system will be a way of isolating those people who do not meet the standards and benchmarks of reputable professionals".

He said that because the environment profession was a multi disciplinary one, the certification process was not aimed at assessing the depth of an individual's technical knowledge. Rather it was aimed at establishing that the person had a broad and recognised competency, a track record of performance, and the attributes and character expected from a professional.

To obtain a complimentary copy of the April issue of Environment Business, please contact Emma Stirling on 03 9530 8900 or estirling@halledit.com.au

For more information see the EIANZ website on http://www.eianz.org or contact the Environment Institute on 03 9654 7473.

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Call for Comment on the National Water Initiative

The Federal Government has released a discussion paper as the basis for public comment on proposals being considered for the National Water Initiative.

As a result of the COAG meeting in August last year, two intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) are being prepared – one for the National Water Initiative and a separate agreement between the Australian Government and the Governments of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory to set out arrangements for investing the $500 million over five years to address water overallocation in the Murray Darling Basin, also announced at COAG in August 2003.

Work on the IGAs is being undertaken by the Senior Officials Group on Water, which comprises officials from the Australian Government, each State and Territory Government and the Australian Local Government Association.

In relation to the National Water Initiative, issues that the Senior Officials Group is seeking comment on:

• secure and nationally compatible water access entitlements (including the open ended or perpetual shares basis and statutory recognition for environmental water);
• identification and assignment of risks between governments and water users of possible future reductions in water availability, including at the ‘rollover’ of water plans;
• responsibilities of water users to the environment and other users;
• improving water trading, to expand water markets to their widest practical geographic scope, including removing barriers to trade and further pricing reform;
• improved water planning and accounting processes and pricing policies;
• accountable, outcomes focused provision and management of environmental water, and addressing overallocated systems; and
• improved water use in our cities.

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3. Reef Zoning Plan to Enter Force Mid-Year

Legislation for the Representative Areas Program for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park has passed through Parliament with bipartisan support, allowing it to come into effect on July 1st this year.

The new rezoning plan will raise the proportion of no-take areas in the Great Barrier Reef from 4.6% to around 33%, and is intended to ensure that all habitat types of the Reef are adequately protected, including non-reef (ie seagrass meadows) and reef habitats. It has also incorporated measures to protect threatened species, including dugongs and marine turtle populations, through reduction of threatening activities and restriction on the use and entry of important areas.

The Representative Areas Program will complement the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan announced late last year by the Federal and Queensland Governments that aims to halt, and then reverse, the decline in the quality of water entering the Reef lagoon within a decade.

The Federal Government has also announced the appointment of former Australian Fish Management Authority Managing Director, Mr Geoff Gorrie, to head a four person Independent Panel to develop terms of reference for a structural adjustment package for commercial fishers adversely affected by the new rezoning. The package will become available once the Plan comes into effect.

For further information about the RAP, go to http://www.reefed.edu.au/rap/

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4. AUSTFA Sets Greenhouse Boundaries

Legal analysis of the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (the AUSFTA) has shown that while the recently-signed agreement will present new avenues for the development of non-Kyoto market-based alternatives in Australia, it may also present obstacles to the establishment of an Australian-based emissions trading scheme.

According to John Taberner, environmental law partner at Freehills, the conclusion of the AUSFTA will make the development of non-Kyoto market-based alternatives in Australia, involving the US, more viable. Under the AUSFTA, market-based approaches to environmental protection have been recognised by the parties as being important, and article 19.4 of the AUSFTA places emphasis on the development and implementation of flexible and voluntary mechanisms (Article 19.4).

A number of possible non-Kyoto alternatives could emerge under the AUSFTA including: an Australian-United States emissions trading exchange, simular to that mooted by the Council to the North America Agreement on Environmental Cooperation in June 2002; joint initiatives between Australian and American state governments; and joint initiatives between private entities.

Using Article 11.17 of the AUSFTA, emissions trading schemes and tradeable emissions units could be established between the two countries under the broad term “investment”. This could allow investment by Australian companies in already established emissions trading markets in the US, and the establishment of similar markets in Australia for US investment in them.

These aspects of the AUSFTA present opportunities for the NSW, Victorian and other State Government to explore in developing their State-based the emissions trading options in Australia.

They also present potential obstacles. under the AUSFTA, Australian companies cannot be restricted to participating solely in an Australian-based trading scheme; and Australian States will not be able to force Australian companies into an exclusive Australian-based trading scheme without breaching the AUSFTA.

For further detail about the implications of the AUSTFA on carbon trading, contact John Taberner on 02 9225 5427 or john.taberner@freehills.com

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5. Nippon Seeks End to Logging Issue

The continued presence of environmentalists in the Styx Valley in Tasmania, protesting against the logging of the state’s old growth forests, has resulted in the major purchaser of woodchips - Nippon Paper Industries - asking the Tasmanian Government and logging group Gunns to resolve the issue and relieve the pressure from environmentalists.

Nippon Paper Industries president Takahiko Miyoshi has written to Gunns and Tasmanian Premier, Paul Lennon, asking them to resolve the dispute over logging in Tasmania's old-growth forests because they don't want to be dragged into their fight with Greenpeace and the Wilderness Society.

In his letter to Mr Lennon, Mr Miyoshi wrote: "Our business relationship is based on trust . . . and I believe that Tasmanian forests are managed properly on a sustainable basis and that RFA (the Regional Forest Agreement) is supported by most Tasmanian residents.

"It is therefore most regrettable that Nippon Paper Industries as the largest customer for woodchips from Tasmania are being pulled into this debate.

"Our genuine request for you is to try to resolve the current matter quickly and effectively, then by all means we wish to continue our established relationship in Tasmania and further build on it."

The company has sought a settlement from Greenpeace Japan and the Wilderness Society, who have been placing concerted pressure on all of Gunn’s major customers.

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6. Correction to Kyoto Ratification Protocol Report Story

In the last edition of EnviroInfo, we ran a story on the tabling of majority report of the Kyoto Protocol Ratification Bill 2003 by the legislation committee of the Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Committee.

The majority report has come out strongly in favour of non-ratification - going so far as to say that Kyoto proponents are willing to allow damage to the economy in order to proceed with ratification.

However, a dissenting report by ALP, Democrats and Greens members of the Committee has argued that the Protocol should be ratified for a range of reasons, including the need to send a message to business and the community about the urgent need to reduce greenhouse emissions; that if Australia intends to meet the Kyoto targets anyway, it is economically preferable to do so within the framework; and that, having insisted on special treatment under the protocol, Australia's failure to ratify is insulting to nations who have ratified.

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7. Implementing Environmental Management Systems: One Day Workshop

The recognition and management of environmental risk has become of paramount importance for organisations to remain credible both to their customers and the regulatory bodies. This workshop will assist organisations implement and refine and environmental management system to manage risks in accordance with ISO 14001 Standard.

This workshop is designed for environmental managers and personnel responsible for implementing management systems in their organisation.

Implementing an EMS involves incorporating environmentally responsible practices into everyday business processes. An effective EMS enables the identification and control of environmental risk while creating measurable improvements in performance. Organisations with an effective EMS have discovered how to reduce waste, make more efficient use of resources and ultimately improve their bottom line.

Event is scheduled in:

Adelaide - 20 May
Perth - 21 May
Brisbane - 25 May
Sydney - 26 May
Melbourne - 28 May

Visit http://www.sai-global.com or email training@sai-global.com for further information.

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8. Business Water and Energy Efficiency Seminar - Saving Watts and Drops

Thursday April 29, 2004

9am – 3:30pm

State Library, Metcalfe Auditorium, Macquarie St Sydney

Are you doing enough to manage your water and energy consumption?

“Saving Watts and Drops”, a seminar developed by the NSW Government’s Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) and Sydney Water, explores the initial steps to reducing energy and water costs and how to ensure that these savings are sustained.

Frank Sartor, Minister for Energy and Utilities, will open this first seminar in the business seminar series for 2004. The Minister will highlight the NSW Government’s focus on forwarding demand management for energy and water resources.

In particular, the seminar will outline:

• Technology options for commercial and industrial applications;
• Steps to introducing an energy management system;
• The NEW best practice guide for cooling towers;
• Best practice refrigeration systems;
• A case study from Arnotts Snackfoods, a successful Energy Smart Business partner and “Every Drop Counts” partner, on how they achieved water and energy efficiencies.

Who should attend?
Facilities Managers, Asset Managers, Maintenance staff, Operations Manager, Engineering Managers, Consultants, Product Suppliers, Environment Managers

Download a program
http://www.energysmart.com.au/wes/images/pdf/flyer_final.pdf

For further information please contact Sonya Williams at SEDA on ph 02 9249 6122 or email swilliams@seda.nsw.gov.au

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9. HazMat 2004 - "Understanding the Population-Environment Debate: Bridging Disciplinary Divides"

A two-day conference on the latest directions and compliance requirements for Dangerous Goods, Hazardous Substances, Global Harmonisation, NICNAS, Prescribed Waste Disposal, Emergency Response, Security, Liability Issues, etc

5-6 May 2004 Rydges Riverwalk – Melbourne

HazMat 2004 is presented by Fire Protection Association Australia.

The Hazmat 2004 Conference is designed to help keep you up-to-date, raise issues and provide good networking opportunities.

Chemicals are subject to a wide range of legislative and good practice requirements covering import, storage, handling, transport, manufacture, emissions and disposal. Now all these areas have added "Security" as a key issue.

The conference program has been designed by FPA Australia and the key Chemical Industry and Professional Associations to provide those who need to know, in companies and authorities, with information on developments and issues in this field.

The program has two key focuses:
Day 1: International and Australian Chemical Management.
Day 2: Chemical Incident Prevention and Response.

Cost: Non Members $770, Members $660, Distance Registrations $550
This conference has proved to be a very successful event in the HazMat Calendar and continues to grow each year.

For further information: http://www.fpaa.com.au/events/events.htm
Fire Protection Association Australia
P O Box 1049, Box Hill VIC 3128
T: 03 9890 1544 F: 03 9890 1577 E: events@fpaa.com.au

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10. Environmental Defender’s Office (NSW) Annual Conference 2004

Pollution Management: Contemporary Challenges and Regulatory Innovation

On Friday 14 May 2004, the Environmental Defender’s Office (NSW) will host a one-day conference in Sydney exploring issues in pollution law and policy.

Conference sessions will provide an overview and evaluation of pollution management laws, policies and programs, with an emphasis on identifying strategic directions for future improvements in law and policy.

In particular, the conference will address:

• recent developments and initiatives at a state government, local government and community level;
• public participation and access to information;
• urban and rural and regional issues;
• the relationship between planning and pollution; and
• innovative enforcement and compliance mechanisms.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Professor Neil Gunningham of the Australian National University
• The Honourable Justice RN Talbot, Judge, NSW Land and Environment Court
• Mr Simon Smith, Deputy Director General, NSW Department of Environment and Conservation
• Ms Brooke Flanagan, Executive Officer, NSW Nature Conservation Council
• Ms Zada Lipman, Director, Pollution and Hazardous Waste Program, Centre for Environmental Law, Macquarie University
• Ms Nicola Franklin, Deputy Director, Australian Centre for Environmental Law, University of Sydney

The conference will provide an important forum for dialogue between government agencies, community organisations, industry representatives, legal practitioners, academics, researchers and consultants.

Conference Details

Date: 9.00am – 5.00pm, Friday 14 May 2004

Location:
Blake Dawson Waldron
225 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000

Cost:
Government / Corporate: $180
NGO / Individual: $90
Concession / Student: $45

To download registration forms visit http://www.edo.org.au/edonsw/site/conferences.asp

or contact Christine Palomo on christine.palomo@edo.org.au

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11. 2004 Fenner Conference on the Environment, hosted by the Australian Academy of Science, Shine Dome,Canberra, 24-25 May 2004.

http://www.science.org.au/conferences/fenner/index.htm

When it comes to the Population and Environment debate, traditionally the various disciplines have talked past one another, at cross-purposes or simply gone around in circles. This has led to a certain frustration and lethargy regarding this important topic and has perhaps also led to it not being given the serious attention it deserves.

For the 2004 Fenner Conference on the Environment we do not wish to rehearse old, discipline-bound, orthodoxies. Rather, we want to get representatives of the disciplines that are key to the debate to meet and discuss the priorities, strengths, assumptions and limitations (blind spots) of their disciplinary perspectives on this topic.

The conference aims to improve the level of the population-environment debate through understanding disciplinary differences and fostering an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach. Another aim is the production of a conference Communiqué or Action Plan. A program of well-regarded experts has been drawn together and the format is designed for a high level of interactivity with delegates.

A welcome and opening by Professor Frank Fenner and the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Heritage, a specialist Media Panel session, and an entertaining Conference Dinner are other important features of the event. Please make your contribution by participating in this important and timely event – the program and online registration form are available on the Academy's website.

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12. Bushfire in a Changing Environment: New Directions in Management, 2004 Bushfire Conference

Presented by the Nature Conservation Council of NSW

About the Conference:
After several years of devastating fires, numerous inquiries and much debate, NCC is taking the opportunity to reflect on what has been learnt, where we are and where we should be heading.

This year’s conference, Bushfire in a Changing Environment: New Directions in Management, will focus on practical initiatives in management, innovative strategies for planning and tackle the emerging issues. The conference will provide an important forum for information sharing, discussion and debate at a time when bushfire management is at a crossroads.

NCC invites you to share with other bushfire managers, land managers, farmers, conservationists, indigenous people, academics, builders, developers, consultants and volunteers, to take advantage of the opportunity to further the responsible and effective management of NSW’s natural resources.

Where: The Faculty of Nursing, Sydney University, Mallet St, Camperdown
When: 24th and 25th June, 2004
More information: Draft agenda and registration form available at http://www.nccnsw.org.au/bushfire or contact Matthew, msparks@nccnsw.org.au

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13. International Conference on Sustainability Engineering and Science

The International Conference on Sustainability Engineering and Science, to be held 6-9 July 2004, in Auckland, New Zealand, has taken up the challenge of bringing together those from industry, business and government, along with engineers and scientists to discover the leading edge of sustainable technologies, the application of sustainability engineering and the tools that can be used to measure sustainability.

Being able to secure such speakers as Dr Robin Batterham, Chief Scientist for Australia, and Professor Leo Jansen, Commander in the order or Orange Nassau, formerly of Delft University of Technology, and David Runnells of the International Institute of Sustainable Development in Canada, to name just a few, is significant, and representative of the respect this Conference is accorded. From the remaining notable speakers, whose profiles you can read on our website, there is a good balance between academic research and consulting practitioner backgrounds.

With over 80 parallel papers accepted for presentation, this Conference will provide the forum to outline achievements in application and research, discussion on directions for product and service design, corporate management, and new research which will lead towards sustainability engineering.

The New Zealand Minister for the Environment, The Hon Marian Hobbs, is opening the conference, and the General Manager for the Ministry’s Sustainability Group, Bill Bayfield, is also speaking at the conference.

Registrations forms are available through the website at http://www.nzsses.org.nz or contact the Conference Manager, Vicky Adin, at vickya@kiwilink.co.nz for further information.

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14. RainBank® Making a Real Contribution to Saving Water in Australia

The First Product to Enable Metropolitan Consumers to Use Tank Water for
Laundry and Toilet Applications Automatically

RainBank®, an innovative water controller, is the first product to automatically enable home owners to utilise rain water for laundry and toilet applications, thereby making a significant contribution to water conservation in Australia. With continued droughts and water restrictions sounding a wake-up call about the real value of water in Australia, Australians are looking for ways to contribute to preserving our most precious yet scarce natural resource.

RainBank® is produced by Davey Products, Australia’s leading designer and manufacturer of water pumps for rural, metropolitan and industrial applications and for the pool and spa markets.

A unique water controller, RainBank® automatically switches the water source from the domestic mains to rainwater in the tank when a toilet is flushed or a washing machine used.

RainBank® can save up to 40 per cent of a household’s drinking quality water.

RainBank® incorporates easily into the design of a new home or can be installed into existing properties. The environmentally friendly water controller is designed for ease of use and ensures that there is no risk of backflow into the mains. This prevents potential contamination of the mains water supply.

With the design of rainwater tanks becoming slimmer and easier to fit into small spaces, metropolitan home owners can become significant water savers.

David Cleland, Managing Director of Davey, advises that studies of typical domestic water use show that toilets and washing machines are the major consumers of drinking quality mains water inside the home.

“Most people, especially those in metropolitan areas, only envisage using rainwater for garden watering or washing the car. They don’t realise that the tank may be empty when they need to water the garden due to lack of rain. RainBank® will save water all year round, especially in winter and reduce water consumption by up to 40% inside the house. By using RainBank® consumers can really make a contribution to Australia’s water conservation”, states Mr Cleland.

A typical installation including RainBank® controller, rainwater tank, pump and plumbing will cost between $1,200 and $2,200 after Government rebates, depending on whether it is fitted to a new or existing home.

RainBank is WaterMark approved under ATS 5200.466 licIPC20009. And has been successfully tested against AS3500 & AS4020.

More information on RainBank® is available from the Davey Customer Service Centre on 1300 367 866 or by visiting http://www.davey.com.au/rainbank

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