Federal Energy Statement Released

The Federal Government has decided against increasing the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target, choosing instead to focus on technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its recently announced energy statement.

Contained within the eight-year energy plan, is the launch of a $500 million fund to drive $1 billion of investment in technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This fund will provide support for demonstrating new low-emissions technologies with significant longterm abatement potential. This will include those renewable technologies that can demonstrate the potential for wide uptake.

There will also be the provision of $134 million to target strategic research and development of renewable energy and to remove impediments to the commercial development of renewable techologies; $75 million for a Solar Cities trial to help urban households install solar energy systems for water and electricity, $20 million to improve energy storage technologies; and up to $14 million for improved wind forecasting.

There is also an overhaul of the fuel excise system, to reduce excise costs on business and households by $1.5 billion over the next eight years.

The Government has also set down new requirements for businesses to better manage emissions and wants large energy users (those using more than 0.5 petajoules) to undertake efficiency assessments every five years and publicly report the outcomes.

Companies which receive more than $3 million in excise credits a year will be required to participate in to the government's Greenhouse Challenge Program, which had previously been a strictly voluntary program.

The government will seek to attract investment in the development of energy resources by improving land access approval processes to maintain the nation’s position as a low-risk investment destination; working with the state and territory governments to ensure that Australia; maintains its world-class provision of pre-competitive geoscience data; and ensuring that greenhouse gas emission requirements for new energy projects are commensurate with those imposed on other sectors of the Australian economy.

The energy white paper can be found at www.pmc.gov.au/energy_future

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Donation Raises Questions About Murray Flows Advice

A revelation that Murray Irrigation Limited donated $40,000 to the Institute of Public Affairs, just prior to the Institute’s recommendation that the return of water to the River be delayed has raised questions about the information given to the Federal committee, according to the Deputy Chair of that committee.

The Institute’s recommendation was central to the House of Representatives’s Agriculture Committee’s decision to delay the return of water to the River.

According to the Deputy-Chair of the committee, Tasmanian Labor MP Dick Adams, the committee disregarded the contributions of a large number of scientists who advocated the return of the water, instead choosing to accept the advice of two dissenters - IPA environment unit Director Jennifer Marohasy and a Murray Irrigation Ltd-sponsored scientist.

Mr Adams told the Australian Financial Review that the decision to do so was a “terrible process”and said that he felt that the committee members had been “hoodwinked,” when details of the donation emerged.

Mr Adams issued a dissent when the report was released, which stated that “The Living Murray Initiative is based on extensive scientific research and I think we should acknowledge this research rather than dismiss it out of hand.”

“The roundtable discussion the committee held with certain scientists did indicated that there was scope for more research but in my view the discussion, on balance, did not make a case for the previous research and auditing to be set aside.”

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Recycled Water Doubts

The future of recycled water may come under scrutiny following a decision by Sydney Water to dump its biggest water recycling initiative, which it had originally trumpeted as a cornerstone of its Waterplan 21, the blueprint on which to make Sydney’s water use sustainable by 2021.

Sydney Water has acknowledged that the project has been significantly modified due to lack of demand for recycled water, with $90 million removed from the original project cost of $212 million.

The revised project will ensure that the sewer system was expanded to meet population growth in the south west of Sydney, as well as providing "some future reuse potential in the immediate region."

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Mitsubishi Corp Looks to Sustainable Woodchips

Mitsubishi Corporation, a major importer of Tasmanian old-growth woodchips, has warned that it will not continue to purchase the product if the practice is shown to be unsustainable.

It has signalled that it intends to purchase woodchips sourced from plantation and regrowth forests.

The Corporation imports about 400,000 tonnes of Tasmanian woodchips each year for resale to Mitsubishi Paper Mills.

"While we have concluded the vast majority of the woodchips we buy from Tasmania are from second-growth forests or plantations, we want it to be clearly understood that we do not condone unsustainable logging from old- growth or high-conservation value forests in Tasmania," Mitsubishi Corp said in a statement.

In April of this year, Nippon Paper Industries wrote a letter to Gunns and Premier Paul Lennon requesting a resolution to the debate.

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Daintree Council Ceases Development

All housing development north of the Daintree River in Queensland has been stopped after a decision was made by the Douglas Shire Council to protect the rainforest ecosystem in the area.

Land owners will have to prove that any housing development will not increase traffic movement or harm biodiversity, and have immediately been offered compensation based on the value of their land, plus an extra 10 per cent to sell their land.

While the plan has come into force immediately, it is contingent on $5 million in federal funding to boost the $10 million the council and the State Government had set aside to compensate landowners, and is also being undertaken on the proviso that the State Government extends mains power north of the river.

The decision was made after a preliminary results from a study commissioned by the council showed the World Heritage-listed lowland rainforest in the Daintree generated $370 million in tourist revenue a year. The study found over development north of the river had the potential to erode the areas tourism revenue stream.

The council also faced outlaying $148 million on better roads, a bridge over the Daintree River and fire services and other infrastructure for a small population.

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New Program to Audit Murray-Darling Basin's Rivers and Streams

A new $11 million six-year program to audit the health of the Murray-Darling Basin’s rivers and streams has been announced by Murray-Darling Basin Commission.

Launching the program, Murray-Darling Basin Commission President, Ian Sinclair, said that the Audit will collect data about the 23 river valleys of the basin over the next 6 years.

“The Audit will provide river managers and Basin communities with the first geographically comprehensive understanding of the health of the Basin’s many rivers and streams and will do much to inform future public discussion about the changing state of our rivers,” Mr Sinclair AC said.

The Audit will use scientific indicators to determine the current status of river health. The information gained will help determine priority areas for attention and protection.

According to MDBC’s SRA Project Manager Jody Swirepik, the Audit will detect any ongoing large scale change to rivers rather than changes happening at a particular site or point in time.

“For the first time, it will provide us with a standard framework for comparing health information across rivers and times. While there are many ongoing programs by state or territory agencies investigating parts of the Basin’s rivers, the Audit will provide the bigger Basin picture of our rivers’ health,” Ms Swirepik said.

The Audit is likely to stimulate further investigations into the causes of poor river health and will provide the community with better information to inform debate about regional river management and planning.

Mr Sinclair said the Audit would also help implementation of current natural resource programs like the Native Fish Strategy.

“The Audit’s results will guide investments and actions needed to support the ongoing use of the Basin’s river resources while protecting rivers’ ecological values,” Mr Sinclair said.

I n its first six-year cycle, the Audit will collect information on fish communities, macroinvertebrates (small animals such as aquatic insects) and hydrology (the patterns of river flow).

In its first three years, the Audit will also investigate the use of streambank vegetation, the physical shape of rivers and the floodplain as further indicators of river health that could be added in later years.

State and territory agencies will collect the initial data for assessment under the guidance of a technical taskforce. The MDBC will coordinate the Audit and assist with analysing and reporting results. An independent group of ecologists (Independent Sustainable Rivers Audit Group) will review all the results and interpret and report to the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council on an annual basis.

For SRA background information, photographs and a diagram:
http://www.mdbc.gov.au/news_room/media_release/SRA-bkg-notes.html

For general information about the Murray-Darling Basin Commission MDBC):
www.mdbc.gov.au

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New Chief Executive for MDBC

Dr Wendy Craik has been announced as the new Chief Executive for the Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC).

Dr Craik’s initial appointment is for five-years and will begin in August.

In announcing her appointment, Murray-Darling Basin Commission President, Ian Sinclair, said “Dr Craik is an outstanding candidate with strong management skills and would bring valuable skills and qualities to the position of leading the MDBC, particularly with her considerable expertise and experience in natural resource management and managing intergovernmental bodies."

“I am looking forward to working with her in this unique and vital position.”

Currently the President of the National Competition Council (NCC) and Chair of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), Dr Craik succeeds Mr Don Blackmore who retired as MDBC Chief Executive on March 29 this year.

Since Mr Blackmore’s retirement the MDBC’s Deputy Chief Executive Mr Kevin Goss has acted in the position. Dr Craik will continue as NCC President until she takes up the MDBC appointment in August. Dr Craik has given assurances that she will not be involved in NCC processes and decisions related to the functions of the MDBC and related water issues during the period until she takes up her new responsibilities, Mr Sinclair said.

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IWES Earlybird registrations close Friday 25th June. 

Implementing an Environmental Management System

• Learn how to implement a practical, organisation-specific, environmental management system

• The workshop is structured around a case study and explores the practical aspects of EMS development and implementation

Odour Assessment and Management

• Provides a practical grounding in the principles of odour monitoring (ambient and source), assessment and control

• Regulatory frameworks for odour assessment and management are examined

Ecological Risk Assessment

• Covers problem formulation, risk analysis and risk characterisation and how this information can be used to develop a risk management plan and adequate monitoring programs

• Case studies will be used to illustrate the main points

Principles of Wastewater Treatment

• Learn the key enabling scientific and process engineering fundamentals which underpin wastewater treatment processes

• Real wastewater treatment problems and case studies

• The most popular wastewater fundamentals course offered in Australia

Water Re-use

• Learn how to plan, design and implement reclamation and re-use schemes

• Presentations and case studies, covering the range of legislative, regulatory, technical, financial and community issues associated with water reclamation and re-use

Principles of Air Quality Management

• Learn the principles of air quality monitoring (ambient and source), modelling, assessment and emissions control

• Case studies illustrate the main issues

Optimising an Environmental Management System

• Extending an EMS to actually realise the corporate objectives and potential benefits is not often demonstrated. This course addresses this issue using a series of real-world case studies

Click here for a full list of 15 courses

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New Graduate Certificate in Sustainability

Second semester enrolments are now open for the Graduate Certificate in Sustainability at Swinburne University of Technology.

The course was developed to respond to a strong industry demand for staff with skills and knowledge in the field of sustainability, and addresses the key sustainability challenges in terms of environmental, economic and social issues.

Core units (next offered in first semester 2005) will introduce students to general principles of sustainability, and equip them with skills that should enable them to successfully implement sustainable strategies and initiatives in a variety of contexts.

The following electives are being offered in second semester 2004:

1.integrated land and water management
2.sustainable energy
3.eco-design

Since the course is delivered in a fully flexible manner, with on-line delivery and occasional face-to-face workshops, it is ideal for those working full-time or located outside Melbourne.

The full course can be completed over a 12-month period on a part-time basis – 2 units per semester. Single units may also be undertaken.

Second semester commences in late August 2004.

More information: http://www.ncsustainability.com.au/?id=courses

Enrolments & enquiries:
National Centre for Sustainability @ Swinburne
Phone: (03) 9214 5997
Email: ncs@swin.edu.au

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WATER INFRASTRUCTURE - Australia's only dedicated water infrastructure conference

24 - 26 August, Brisbane.

The WATER INFRASTRUCTURE conference brings together leaders within the water industry to debate issues such as regulation, pricing, investment and risk management. Targeted case studies provide an opportunity to hear first hand from peers about their own experiences and how they are tackling complex infrastructure projects.

Presenters include leading figures in the water industry:

• Peter Noonan, CEO, SunWater
• Shaun Cox, Director, Gold Coast Water
• Neil Burns, Executive Director Operations, Coliban Water Authority
• Jon Cobden, Regional Director, Pratt Water Group
• Jo Bourke, Chairperson, Wimmera Catchment Management Authority
• Paul Kelly, Director - Water, Economic Regulation Authority, WA
  …and many more!

The two-day conference is followed by two interactive workshops at which our expert facilitators will take participants through PPS for Water Infrastructure and Security Risk Management Planning for Water Infrastructure.

WATER INFRASTRUCTURE promises to be an outstanding event that will enhance the professional development of all attendees.

For more information or to register CALL TODAY on 02 9923 5090 or email: info@iir.com.au or visit www.iir.com.au/infrastructure.

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2nd Coastal Zone Asia Pacific Conference

The 2nd Coastal Zone Asia Pacific Conference will be held in Brisbane from 5-9 September. Marine and coastal professionals can register online at: www.coastal.crc.org.au/czap04/

Early bird registration (before July 16) is $435.

The conference program includes keynote presentations, social activities, poster sessions, trade exhibits, marine park tours, catchment field trips and workshops. There is a strong emphasis on building collaborative linkages between agencies, programs and professionals working in the region.

More than 250 researchers, coastal managers, marine educators, policy makers, tourism operators, community leaders, university students, government and non-government staff from more than 40 countries will attend the conference. Supporting organisations are listed at: www.coastal.crc.org.au/czap04/supporting_organisations.html

Conference themes include ecosystem management; poverty and sustainable livelihoods; community participation; protected areas; resource economics; integrated management; and communities and cultures. Selected papers will be published in the international Journal of Coastal Management.

The conference is sponsored by CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Cooperative Research Centre for Coastal Zone, Estuary and Waterway Management, Queensland Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceans Office, AusAID, and supported by the Department of Environment and Heritage.

Further information contact Sally Brown Conference Connections, email: sally.brown@uq.net.au

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16th Australia New Zealand Climate Forum - 'Climate and Water'

Monday 8 - Wednesday 10 November, 2004

Cumberland Lorne Resort, Lorne, Victoria, Australia.

'Climate and Water' is the theme for the 16th Australia New Zealand Climate Forum (ANZCF2004), at a time when water supply and water usage is of great national interest.

This biannual forum brings together researchers of climate sciences and users of strategic climate information. Previous participants have included the Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO, NIWA (New Zealand), state agricultural departments, students, and private consultants.

ANZCF2004 sessions will include:

• Understanding and Predicting Climate Variability and Climate Change
• Impacts of Climate Change and Variability on water resources and water management
• Observations and lessons from southern Australia
• Applications of climate information for water management 

The Forum will be held at the Cumberland Lorne Resort in Lorne, Victoria; one of Australia's premier four and a half star regional resorts, with excellent conference facilities.

Abstracts are due by Friday 30 July 2004. Registration and accommodation must be booked by Friday 10 September 2004 for earlybird special rates. Accommodation specials include $100 per person twin share per night (in a two bedroom apartment) with breakfast included.

Full details available on the website - click here

Queries to anzcf2004@bom.gov.au

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Smart Approved WaterMark Scheme – Second Round of Applications

The Smart Approved WaterMark is the nationally endorsed water conservation labelling scheme that recognises products, services and organisations which are assisting all Australians to help save our most precious resource - water!

The Smart Approved WaterMark Scheme is managed by Australia's peak water agencies: the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA); the Nursery and Garden Industry of Australia (NGIA); the Irrigation Association of Australia (IAA); and the Australian Water Association (AWA).

The key objectives of the Smart Approved WaterMark scheme are to assist in the reduction of per capita water consumption – especially in the areas of outdoor water-use via the labelling of appropriate water using/saving products and water related services and organisations.

Products that may be included under the scheme include: trigger hoses; tap timers; rainfall sensors; mulch and weep hoses.

Services that may be included under the scheme include: retrofit services; water efficient design services; education and training programs; and information advisory services. Organisations that may be included under the scheme include: schools; local government; new urban developers; and retail outlets.

The Smart Approved WaterMark scheme is not-for-profit, voluntary and applications are assessed by an independent expert panel. The second round of applications closes on Friday 13 August 2004.

For further information on the scheme go to www.smartapprovedwatermark.info

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Murray-Darling Basin - Seeking Future Leaders

People with a passion for rural communities are invited to participate in the third Murray-Darling Basin Leadership Program.

Program Coordinator and Chairman of the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council’s Community Advisory Committee, Ms Leith Boully, said they are now looking for 15 participants who can demonstrate a track record in bringing about real change and improvements in the management of the Murray-Darling Basin.

“Both the quiet achievers and more visible personalities are encouraged to apply.”

“If you think your community would benefit from having someone develop new skills, networks and perspectives then encourage people to apply.”

Ms Boully said the program would be delivered by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) and would comprise a total of around 22 days over a six month period.

ARLF Director Programs and Development, Rob Patrick said course sessions would explore the concept of Integrated Catchment Management, the biophysical, social, economic, and cultural nature of the Basin, as well as the human dimension of natural resource management.

Mr Patrick said participants would also be challenged at a personal level with a range of topics which include leadership, values, ethics, change management, networking, strategic thinking, communication, negotiation and teamwork.

“At the end of the course participants will be equipped with the practical leadership skills to help them make a positive contribution to the future development of the Murray-Darling Basin region,” he said.

The ARLF has a decade of experience in designing and running leadership programs for people in rural and regional Australia, including the Murray-Darling Basin Leadership Program.

Application forms are available by contacting the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, ph: (02) 6281 0680, fax (02) 6285 4676.

You can access information about the Murray-Darling Basin Leadership Program and the application form via the Foundation’s website at www.rural-leaders.com.au.

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New Murray-Darling Basin Toolkit

Funded by the Murray-Darling Basin Commission, the toolkit focuses on involving people for engagement so that robust long-term decisions can be made about a community’s natural resources. It offers ommunity, government and industry ways to foster good practice engagement in the increasingly sensitive area of managing natural resources

Written by Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS) senior scientist Dr Heather Aslin and Australian National University’s (ANU) School of Resources, Environment and Society visiting fellow Professor Val Brown, the toolkit recognises that agreement between parties is not always possible.

The toolkit will be distributed to members of the CAC, catchment management groups, Murray-Darling Basin Rural Leadership Program participants and other relevant organisations and individuals.

The toolkit was developed from reviews of previous work, interviews with Basin stakeholders and from observing events. A wide range of people attended a development workshop for the toolkit, including members of the Community Advisory Committee.

For a copy: Phone MDBC on 02 6279 0141 or publications website: http://publications.mdbc.gov.au/

For further information: Alison Reid on 02 6279 0121, Email: alison.reid@mdbc.gov.au

For general information about the Murray-Darling Basin Commission: www.mdbc.gov.au

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