Productivity Commission Calls for Increased CoAG Role in Greenhouse Policy

The Productivity Commission has called for the Council of Australian Governments (CoAG) to immediately play a greater role in addressing the fragmentation and uncertainty of greenhouse gas abatement policies across jurisdictions which it believes are impeding investment in many parts of the economy.

The Commission has also proposed that natural resource management is one of two outstanding areas - the other being health care - that would benefit from nationally coordinated reform, and has called for COAG to initiate a review to identify areas of natural resource management other than those currently covered by NCP where the pay-offs from nationally coordinated reform could be high.

In a discussion draft report of its current Review of National Competition Policy Reforms, the Commission set out achievements under National Competition Policy (NCP) and outlined a proposed agenda for future reform.

For further information, go to http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiry/ncp/draftreport/index.html

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AGO and Oceans Office to Come Under DEH

Under new arrangements announced by the Prime Minister, John Howard, after the election, the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO) and the National Oceans Office (NOO) are to lose their status as independent executive agencies and will become divisions within the Department of Environment and Heritage.

The AGO was previously an Executive Agency within the Environment and Heritage portfolio, reporting to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources.

The NOO, also an executive agency within the Environment and Heritage portfolio, reported to the Minister for Environment and Heritage and its Oceans Board of Management provides advice to the National Oceans Ministerial Board.

Future arrangements will be determined following a review which will be completed in the next few weeks. The Prime Minister has announced that the NOO will remain in Hobart.

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New Parliamentary Appointments

The line up of ministers and shadow ministers in the new parliament has been announced.

The Opposition has a new Shadow Minister for the Environment, Anthony Albanese. Mr Albanese, formerly the Shadow Minister for Employment Services and Training and the Shadow Minister for Ageing and Seniors, takes the environment portfolio over from Kelvin Thomson, who has been assigned the regional development portfolio.

Under Labor's new arrangements, agriculture has been moved into the new, enlarged cabinet portfolio of Primary Industries, Resources, Tourism and Forestry, held by Martin Ferguson. Gavan O'Connor will remain junior shadow minister for Agriculture and Fisheries.

Under the government's new ministerial line-up, Senator Ian Campbell remains Minister for the Environment and Heritage, and Greg Hunt becomes the portfolio's parliamentary secretary. Warren Truss has been reappointed Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Ian Macdonald returns as Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation.

There is now no separate science portfolio, with science absorbed into the responsibilities of the Minister for Education, Science and Training, Dr Brendan Nelson.

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Sydney Water Plan Releaed

The New South Wales government has released its $1.4 billion, 25-year strategy for reducing Sydney's water demand, entitled Meeting the challenges - Securing Sydney's water future.

The strategy includes a plan to pump water 100km from the Shoalhaven River to Sydney's catchment area during floods, accessing water stored at the bottom of dams, sinking bores to access groundwater, and a private sector-funded recycling project in western Sydney.

The plan can be found at:

http://www.dipnr.nsw.gov.au/waterplan/pdf/waterplanbroadband.pdf

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Green Purchasing Network Launched

The Australian Environmental Labelling Association Inc (AELA) has launched the Australian Green Purchasing Network, established to promote green purchasing among consumers, companies, and government authorities in Australia.

Membership of the Network is limited to procurement officers, leading environmentally innovative companies, scientific and technical professionals and members of the Australian Environmental Labelling Association Inc.

The launch of the Network follows the release of the '2004 - The State of Green Procurement in Australia' report in association with Clean Up Australia which provides a comprehensive picture of green purchasing trends and behaviors in Australia, from consumers through to business, industry and all levels of government.

The Australian Green Purchasing Network and the 2004 State of Green Procurement Report can be accessed at http://www.greenprocurement.org.au.

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Postgraduate Courses at National Centre for Groundwater Management

The National Centre for Groundwater Management (NCGM) at UTS is recognised by the Federal Government through Land & Water Australia as a National Centre for Training, Research and Consultancy in Groundwater and Environmental Applications.

A comprehensive range of HECS-based postgraduate programs is currently offered:

• Master of Engineering and Master of Science (Coursework – full or part-time)
• Graduate Diplomas (Engineering or Science – full or part-time)
• Master of Engineering and Master of Science (Research – full or part-time)
• PhD (Full or part-time)

Areas of study in the coursework subjects include:

• Groundwater Contaminant Transport Modelling
• Quality and Quantity Optimisation Strategies for Water Resource Development
• Waste Management and Groundwater
• Contaminated Land Evaluation and Rehabilitation
• Bore Fouling and Maintenance
• Practical Areas of Hydrogeology
• Land and Groundwater Salinity

Courses are flexible, with options in full-time (block mode), part-time (block mode), and by distance mode.

Like to know more? For information and applications contact:

Dr Noel Merrick, Acting Director
or Lorraine Dixon, Administrative Officer
National Centre for Groundwater Management UTS,
PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007 Australia.

Tel: 02 9514 1984 Fax: 02 9514 1985
Email: groundwater.management@uts.edu.au
Website: http://groundwater.ncgm.uts.edu.au/ncgm/

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The first few decades of this millennium will see an increased emphasis on ecological, social and economic sustainability and environmental management.

Central Queensland University (CQU) research centres – such as the Institute for Sustainable Regional Development and the Centre for Environmental Management – provide a range of programs for students on the unique challenges and issues associated with regional and coastal communities.

CQU works with students and other clients to explore solutions that work in the real world without placing unrealistic pressures on our land and resources. CQU graduates effectively communicate the theories of sustainability and environmental management, and practically apply those concepts when evaluating natural resource management and social and economic development issues across all industries.

Graduates rate CQU among the highest in Australia for positive graduate outcomes, according to the Good Universities Guide 2005, and have the highest graduate starting salaries in Queensland.

For more information on undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Environmental Science or Sustainable Development, contact:

Tel: +61 7 4930 9054
www.isrd.cqu.edu.au

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For a competitive edge in the environmental job market or an introduction to the film and television industry…..

MASTERS IN NATURAL HISTORY FILM MAKING

At Flinders University

Enhance your knowledge of Australia’s biodiversity and gain the skills to communicate your experience through video and new media.

SKILLS IN:

• Writing
• Directing
• Producing
• Cinematography
• Editing
• Sound Recording
• Sound Editing

LEARN ABOUT:

• Conservation Biology & Genetics
• Palaeontology
• Ecotourism
• Australian Birds
• Australian Mammals
• Australian Reptiles
• Australian Frogs
• Fungal Biodiversity
• Australian Floral Diversity
• Marine Biodiversity

IDEAL FOR:
Industry professionals in Ecotourism, Conservation Management,
National Parks & Wildlife, Aquaculture & Science.
Documentary students / practitioners
Graduates who want to use film to communicate biodiversity concepts

Masters Degree
2 years full time (or part time equivalent)
10 topics over 4 semesters.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
http://www.flinders.edu.au/calendar/vol2/pg/MNat.Film.htm
contact: Cole Larsen (cole.larsen@flinders.edu.au; 08 82012697)
Alison Wotherspoon (alison.wotherspoon@flinders.edu.au; 08 82012290)

Biodiversity topics may also be taken as a MASTERS IN BIODIVERSITY (2 years full time)

or

• Graduate Diploma in Biodiversity (1 year full time)
• Graduate Certificate in Biodiversity (6 months full time)

Part-time study options available. For details, visit our web site
http://www.scieng.flinders.edu.au/courses/biodiversity/postgrad/
Or contact: Dr Don Driscoll (don.driscoll@flinders.edu.au; 08 82012165)
Professor Michael Bull (michael.bull@ flinders.edu.au; 08 82012263)

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3rd Annual

AUSTRALIAN WATER SUMMIT 2005

28 FEBRUARY – 2 MARCH 2005
EDEN ON THE PARK, MELBOURNE

The Australian Water Summit 2005 is Australia’s premier water event, bringing together leaders in the water industry to reflect on the developments of the past year and assess the needs of the future. The Australian Water Summit provides up to date presentations and case studies on all areas of the National Water Initiative and best practice water management. Hear experts from governments and water utilities address important topics such as:

• Update on the CoAG agreement and the National Water Initiative
• Water pricing & trading developments
• Environmental concerns and initiatives
• Securing future water supply through infrastructure development and design
• Demand management and effects of population pressure and climate variation

The program includes three interactive panel sessions and a presentation from world leaders in water recycling, the San Diego City Council , with a detailed case study of the San Diego Water Recycling Project.

The two day conference will be followed by three post-conference workshops, where expert workshop leaders will lead interactive sessions in water recycling strategies, water trading and entitlements and investment planning for water companies.

Endorsed by the Water Industry Alliance, the Australian Water Summit 2005 will provide you with a unique opportunity to network, share experiences, overcome common issues and keep abreast of the latest trends and advancements in the water industry.

For more information or to register CALL TODAY on 02 9923 5090 or visit www.australianwatersummit.com.au

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2nd Riverina Biodiversity Forum – “Biodiversity in Modified Landscapes”

9-11 February 2005, Griffith NSW

In February 2005, Griffith NSW will host the 2nd Riverina Biodiversity Forum, “Biodiversity in Modified Landscapes”. Following on from the hugely successful first forum held in 2002, the 2005 forum will again bring together scientists, farmers, resource managers and the community to discuss issues relating to biodiversity and agricultural systems. This is an important opportunity to share ideas and coordinate efforts to manage biodiversity, particularly in irrigation systems.

The Forum is supported by organisations across the Riverina cooperating in their planning for the future of biodiversity in the region, primarily in irrigation areas. The Ricegrowers Association of Australia Inc (RGA) is providing the point of contact for the coordination of the event.

Registrations are now open for the Forum and details can be downloaded from the Forum Webpage. http://www.rga.org.au/environment/biodiversity-forum.asp

Abstracts for papers/posters for the Forum will be accepted until 24th November 2004

Outcomes of the Forum will be coordinated by Dr Dedee Woodside and distributed as proceedings, and in addition, selected papers will be published as a cluster of papers in a peer reviewed journal.

If you have any queries please feel free to contact Janelle McGufficke at the RGA office on 6953 0433 or by e-mail jmcgufficke@rga.org.au

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Pilbara Coastal Water Quality Consultation Project

The Western Australian Department of Environment launched the Pilbara Coastal Water Quality Consultation project in September. You can have your say on what the long-term objectives for the quality of marine waters from Exmouth to Port Hedland should be.

For copies of the consultation kit or for further information, please contact us by phoning 1800 071 844 (free call WA) or via email: PilbaraCoastalWaters@environment.wa.gov.au
Please visit our website at: http://pilbaracoastalwaters.environment.wa.gov.au

Submissions close on Friday November 26, 2004

The project is jointly funded by the Western Australian and Commonwealth governments under the Natural Heritage Trust.

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