Campbell Acknowledges Need for Worldwide Approach to Climate Change

The Minister for Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, has admitted that a worldwide approach to climate change, which includes the participation of the US and Australia, is required and should be a priority of the Federal Government.

However, Senator Campbell has reiterated the Federal Government's opposition to the Kyoto Protocol, which will come into force next month.

Speaking on the issue, Senator Campbell acknowledged the importance of climate change on Australia's biodiversity.

"Climate change is the pre-eminent environmental issue. We are spending billions of dollars fixing up rivers, restoring habits and wetlands, but then if you do nothing about climate change you won't have any wetlands left," he said.

"I have made a conscious decision to get the Government more onto the front foot on climate change."

"I think we need to engage the climate sceptics, those people who are pulling the doona up over their heads, and get past the debate over whether or not climate change is real. There is a dominance of science which does say that the massive increase in greenhouse gas emissions has contributed to human-induced climate change."

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ABARE Looks Underground

The use of carbon capture and geological storage technologies in the electricity sector is expected to reduce the costs of achieving reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, according a new report by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics.

The report said that while a limit on emissions could reduce the size of the economy by at least 6 per cent by 2050, the damage could be limited to 1.3 per cent if the use of geosequestration was adopted.

The findings are based on the assumption that by 2050, emissions are reduced worldwide by 32 per cent, which it believes would reduce global gross domestic product by 5 per cent.

The report is available at http://abareonlineshop.com/product.asp?prodid=12890

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NAP Audit Report

Administration of the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality has been characterised by delays that has affected all stages of implementation, and it has only been in the past year that substantial investment in on-ground initiatives has occurred, according to a report by the Australian National Audito Office.

The report found that reasons for the delays related largely to intergovernmental tensions over policy and funding matters. Agencies have indicated that they were seeking to achieve longer-term natural resource policy outcomes and that, consequently, there was little scope for compromise on the fundamentals of the agreements. However, further delays were then experienced at all stages of the rollout of the program.

As a result, expenditure the NAP has been significantly lower than intended and appropriated. Delays in the planning stage of the NAP, combined with the technical challenges in completing regional plans, have been particular constraints.

The report further concluded that the monitoring and reporting framework for the NAP is generally sound. However, to date, as with most stages of the program, there have been delays in establishing the framework. Performance reporting has been based on estimates rather than on actual performance. Greater attention to ensuring a consistent quality of actual performance outputs should be a high priority for the remainder of the program. It will be particularly important to report over time on the extent to which concentrated action under the program has lead to significant land or water use change.

The audit findings are available at here

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Botany Groundwater Contamination

The groundwater contamination resulting from chemical production by Orica at its Botany Industrial Park may be more extensive than first thought, with low levels of hydrocarbons found in bores in areas that were not thought to be affected.

While the levels do not breach drinking water guidelines, the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation, has asked Orica to extend its areas of testing.

The EIS released by the company late last year showed that it could take up to 30 years and $120 million to clean up the contaminated ground water.

Recent assessments of the groundwater contamination, resulting from the process of chemicals at the site until 1998, show that high concentrations of contaminants could reach the upper extent of Penrhyn Estuary in the first half of 2006. This would present potential risks to the recreational users in that area, the marine environment and protected migratory shorebirds in Penrhyn Estuary.

The environmental impact statement can be found at
http://www.oricabotanygroundwater.com/eis/executive_summary.htm

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Global Warming May Accelerate Coral Reef Growth

New research by Australian researchers has shown that, far from destroying coral reefs, global warming may in fact cause accelerated rates of growth, with coral reefs forecast to have increased by 35 per cent in 2100.

The research, from the University of NSW, the CSIRO and the Australian Institute of Marine Science, was conducted on major reefs, including those in Australia, Thailand, Hawaii, the Pacific and the Persian Gulf.

It showed that the greenhouse effect and warmer ocean temperatures will spark reef growth.

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IWES Sydney 2005 – Wastewater Treatment, Environmental Management, Solid Waste Management

http://www.iwes.com.au / FREECALL 1800 000 404

IWES Sydney is running from February 16-18 and is offering 7 courses, including 3 NEW COURSES.

The courses are:

Ecological Risk Assessment
This course (more info) covers the steps involved in an ecological risk assessment (problem formulation, risk analysis and risk characterisation) and how to use this information to develop a risk management plan and adequate monitoring programs. Case studies will be used to illustrate the main points.

Issues addressed
• Risk perception
• Stakeholder interactions
• Risk assessment & management
• Ecological effects of contaminants (e.g. salinity, nutrients)
• Priority setting
• Design of monitoring programs

Industrial Wastewater Treatment
Learn how to characterise industrial wastewater, how to specify appropriate technologies for treatment and re-use, and how to trouble-shoot industrial wastewater treatment problems. This is a practical course and uses many case studies and workshop sessions (more info).

• Review the principles of wastewater treatment
• Data collection / audits
• Primary treatment (precipitation, neutralisation, chemical oxidation)
• How to combine a set of appropriate technologies into an overall process flowsheet
• Secondary treatment – aerobic versus anaerobic treatment
• High rate aerobic and anaerobic processes
• Biological nutrient removal for industrial applications
• Advanced processes (ion exchange, membranes, colour removal)
• Water re-use
• Managing solid by-products
• Treatability studies

Principles of Solid Waste Management
Develop an understanding of the various Alternative Waste Technologies for the recovery of secondary resources and ultimate disposal of residual waste materials, and learn various tools and approaches to identify which technical solution is appropriate for a given situation.

The course (more info) introduces the principles of Solid Waste Management as applied to Urban Waste, and teaches techniques for identifying materials recovery and reuse opportunities. This is a practical course.

Introduction to Membrane Technology
Do you have an interest in the use of membrane processes to treat drinking water and municipal wastewater?

This course provides an overview of the fundamentals of membrane processes, explains the design of recent membrane plants, and provides a framework for interpreting the performance of membrane plants.

This is a practical course (more info) using industrial case studies.

Membrane Bioreactors and Advanced Water Re-use Technologies
Learn how to perform a basic MBR design, how to size MBRs, how to specify the ancillary facilities for MBR’s, and how to select appropriate advanced technologies for water re-use applications.

This is a practical hands-on course (more info), incorporating several MBR case studies from operating facilities. Participants will work on the design of an MBR plant for a given water quality and final effluent target.

Principles of Wastewater Treatment
This is the most popular wastewater fundamentals course offered in Australia.
The aim of this course (more info) is to teach the key enabling scientific and process engineering fundamentals which underpin wastewater treatment processes. These are taught via real wastewater treatment problems and case studies.

Fore more information:
http://www.iwes.com.au
FREECALL 1800 000 404

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• 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)

• 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

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Australian Training

1. 12th Getting to Know Groundwater & Surfacewater. Thurs 26 May – Fri 27 May 2005. University WA, Currie Hall WA
2. 4th NAPLs and Groundwater. Mon 27 – Thurs 30 June 2005. University of Melbourne, International House VIC 1800
3. 29th Australian Groundwater SchooL. Mon 11– Sat 16 July 2005. Adelaide University, Aquinas College SA 1500
4. 1st Geochemical and Reactive Transport Modelling: PHREEQC and PHT3D. Mon 29 Aug – Fri 2 Sept 2005.Yungaba Conference Centre, Brisbane QLD 1900
5. 4th Australian Groundwater Modelling School: Concepts; Application GMS; PEST.Tues 8 – Fri 11 Nov 2005. Yungaba Conference Centre, Brisbane QLD 1800
6. 2nd Groundwater Flow and Solute Transport Modelling: From Theory to Application. Mon 14 – Fri 18 Nov 2005. Yungaba Conference Centre, Brisbane QLD 1800
7. Joint NZ-Aust Workshop - Intro to GW Modelling or Intro to GW Chemistry. This will be run in association with the joint conference of the New Zealand
Hydrological Society and International Association of Hydrogeologists. Mon 28 November – Thursday 1 Dec 2005. Carlton Hotel, Auckland NZ TBA
8. 30th Australian Groundwater School. Mon 12 – Sat 17 Dec 2005. UNSW, New College NSW 1500.

CGS International Training
9. India-Australia Joint Course, - GW School/ ASR / Salinity / Fractured Rocks. October 2005. IIT Roorkee INDIA
10. Soil and Groundwater Pollution and Remediation – Taiwan EPA Visit/Training. Sun 7 – Wed 16 March 2005 (10 Days). Adelaide AUST
11. Vietnamese Hydrologists Visit/Training in Australia – UNESCO Funded. Sat 16 - Sat 30 April 2005 (15 Days). Adelaide AUST
12. Groundwater Assessment and Management. Feb 2005. PHILIPPINES

CONTACT: Centre for Groundwater Studies.
Phone: 08 8201 5632 Fax: 08 8201 5635
Email: karen@groundwater.com.au Web: http://www.groundwater.com.au

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Interested in postgraduate study in sustainable regional development?

The University of Western Australia offers fully online courses in regional development and rural development planning. The courses offer flexible online learning (with no need to attend campus) and are highly suited to people in rural and regional areas.

Courses offered:

• Graduate Certificate in Regional Development.
• Graduate Diploma in Regional Development.
• Masters in Regional Development.
• Graduate Certificate in Rural Development Planning.

For further information see: http://www.fnas.uwa.edu.au/for/postgraduates/coursework or contact the course coordinator on ird@fnas.uwa.edu.au or phone: (08) 9842 0808.

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How Does the Good Universities Guide rate the APESMA La Trobe MBA (Technology Management)?

The Good Guides is one of the most reputable, credible and comprehensive information sources on Australian University education.
 
Below is a snapshot of the APESMA La Trobe MBA (Technology Management) program as published in the 2004 edition of the Good Universities Guide to MBA and Graduate Management programs (page 35-36) (www.goodguides.com.au)

APESMA La Trobe MBA (Technology Management)*
 

KEY FACTS
Date first offered:	1992
GMAT score required	No
Mgmt experience reqd.	No
COST COMPARISIONS
Fees	$13560 (very low)
Fees for Internationals	$15360 (very low)
Time commitment reqd	1920 hrs (average)
CLASS PROFILE
Number of enrolments	2302 (very high)
Market Share	* * * * * (5 stars)
Proportion part--time	96%
Predominantly int’l group	Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand
Predominant age group	35-44
Proportion senior managers	29%
Proportion with no mgmt exp	25%
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
Business / Commerce	9%
Technology sector / Eng	85%

Do you see yourself fitting into this profile? If yes, then this is the time to apply to enrol.
 
Enrolments for Study Period 1, 2005 are currently open and will be accepted until the start of the study period on 31st January.
 
Click here to download a 2005 enrolment form or visit
www.mba-distance-learning.com to request a brochure.
 
Please contact our Client Care Centre on 1300 85 33 77 or email mbainfo@chifley.edu.au for more information on the program.
 
We welcome your interest in the APESMA La Trobe MBA.

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Practical Workshops on ‘How and Why to Monitor Wetlands’

It’s time to refresh your memory, update your knowledge and enhance your experience and skills!

Sydney Olympic Park Authority is in its fourth year of successfully running hands-on workshops in
wetland ecology, restoration and management. These workshops are different from the traditional conference format; they involve practical learning!

3-4 March 2005:
How and Why to Monitor Wetlands workshop is essential for those who need to update or learn about scientific monitoring of wetlands and how to practically interpret and apply the results of monitoring. Participants will gain a hands-on learning experience in understanding the complex logic and design of sampling presented in simple statistics language. This workshop is not to be missed by those who are trying to assess the success of repair and restoration works, impact assessment and for developing future management strategies and plans. Eminent experts will be delivering these high quality tutorials. Be a part of this learning experience!

Who should attend?
Wetlands and catchment technicians, managers, planners, consultants, ecologists, volunteers, coast and river carers, engineers, students, scientists, rangers and conservationists.

For further information and bookings please contact our Bookings Coordinator on:

Ph: +61 2 9714 7888 or Fax to +61 2 9714 7466 or
e-mail: wetworkshop@sopa.nsw.gov.au

To find out more about Sydney Olympic Park visit:
www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au

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4TH AUSTRALIAN LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT CONFERENCE
SUSTAINABILITY MEASURES FOR DECISION SUPPORT

23-25 FEBRUARY, 2005
NOVOTEL SYDNEY ON DARLING HARBOUR

Interest in Life Cycle Assessment continues to grow internationally and in Australia both in the detail of application, and the breadth of assessment. At the same time many other tools and approaches are increasingly being used along with LCA or incorporating LCA aspects. The reasons for this are linked to the recognition that decision support for sustainability requires many approaches and players beyond traditional environmental assessment.

This conference promises to demonstrate great depth in application and diversity of practice and should provide participants with the practical and theoretical understanding of the approaches in use and a sense of where environmental assessment of production and consumption are heading.

International Keynote Speakers are Olivier Jolliet, assistant professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland, and Greg Norris, who founded and directs Sylvatica, a life cycle assessment (LCA) research consulting firm in Maine, USA.

A Pre-Conference LCA Starter Course for people relatively new to LCA, or those wanting a crash refresher course, will be held on 22 February. The course will cover the basic theory, practice and critical issues in LCA and will have some practical exercises to get you in the mood for the ensuing conference.

For further details, see http://lca-conf.alcas.asn.au
or contact “The Conference Organiser”: (03) 9509 7151 or info@conorg.com.au

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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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The Victorian Sustainable Development Conference 2005

When: 15-16 March, 2005

Where: ZINC at Federation Square

Price: $595 (GST inclusive)

Sustainability has become a core priority for governments and a key yardstick for governments and business to measure activities, plans, and developments.

The Victorian Sustainable Development Conference 2005 provides an opportunity for all sectors of government and business to evaluate progress towards sustainable objectives in a range of key areas, including water, waste management and greenhouse emissions.

The Victorian Sustainable Development Conference 2005 will bring together Victorian Government Ministers and heads of department, industry leaders, scientists, conservationists and others discuss the current and future directions and frameworks for sustainability in Victoria, and will review how it will affect Victorian local government, business and the community

CLICK HERE FOR CONFERENCE PROGRAM AND REGISTRATION FORM

Or go to http://www.halledit.com.au/conferences/vicsustainable/

For enquiries, contact Olivia Trussell on (03) 9530 8900 or email: olivia@halledit.com.au

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Institute of Foresters Australia Bi-annual Conference

Mount Gambier, South Australia
April 10 – 14, 2005

Theme - “Burning Issues in Forestry”.

The Conference will address and discuss a range of issues which are current and which challenge forestry professionals and those working in natural resource management. The Conference provides the opportunity for professional and technical staff from across Australia to come together to learn about current and future forestry directions with the aim of enhancing Australia’s forest management.

Dr Barney Foran co-author of Future Dilemmas: Options for 2050 for Australia’s population, technology, resources and environment is the keynote speaker. A wide range of forestry subjects covering vegetation, water, biodiversity, R & D, investment and environmental issues will be presented and debated.

Full program and registration brochure can be accessed at www.forestry.org.au.

Early-bird discount expires January 31 2005.

For further information, please contact Merilyn Dayman at All Occasions Management on 08 8354 2285 or email merilyn@aomevents.com, or visit the IFA’s website www.forestry.org.au

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MODSIM05 – Conference Announcement & Call for Abstracts

Theme: ‘Advances and Applications for Management and Decision Making’

Conference: 12-15 December 2005, Melbourne
Abstracts Due: March 18, 2005
http://www.mssanz.org.au/modsim05/ I Call for Papers

MODSIM05 is the 16th in a series of congresses organised by the Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand. The congress theme has been selected to reinforce the importance of modelling and simulation developments for management and decision making.

The congress provides a forum for the presentation and exploration of a broad range of modelling and simulation science, and papers are invited in all areas of modelling and simulation. Check http://www.mssanz.org.au/modsim05/ | Special Sessions for special session topics at MODSIM05.

Keynote Speakers:

• Benchaphun Shinawatra Ekasingh, Chiang Mai University, Thailand - Successes and failures of attempts to add socio-economic dimension in integrated watershed management modelling
• Randy Gimblett, University of Arizona, USA -Modelling humans in spatially complex recreation settings: Where are we and where are we going?
• Jerry Hausman, McDonald Professor of Economics, MIT Cambridge, USA - Economic models of market changes
• Blair Nancarrow, CSIRO Land & Water, Australia - When the modeller meets the social scientist or vice-versa

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German Renewabl Energy Market - February 2005 

The German market of renewable energy is growing rapidly and Germany is becoming fast the leader for new technologies and the conversation of new political targets in the area of alternative energy and energy efficiency.
 
The Trade Mission to Germany offers Australian experts and entrepreneurs the opportunity to jump on that train of a booming German energy market. It will also provide participants with the potential of transferring the latest technologies to there country of origin.
  
Renewable Energy South Australia Pty. Ltd. (RESA) seeks expressions of interest from companies interested in taking part in this year’s renewable energy trade mission to Germany. The trade mission is sponsored with 30% by Germany.

Travel Date: 23.02 to 01.03.05
Event Date: 25.02 to 27.02.05 
Location:  Stuttgart – Fairground Böblingen, Germany
Deadline: Please register before 22.01.05 
   
What to expect 
EXHIBIT at "erneuerbare energien 2005" and "IBEF" to an international audience
EXPERIENCE Germany through renewable energy field trips
TAKE PART in seminars and country presentations
NETWORK with international delegates at “IBEF”
 
Cost and benefits:
The price of the mission is AUD 4,400 (incl. 30% sponsorship) per person and consists of the following:
 
To obtain further information and to register, please visit:
www.resa.com.au/trade_mission_2005_de_engl.htm
 
For further questions, please do not hesitate to contact:  

Olaf Wietstruck
Management Assistant
Renewable Energy South Australia Pty. Ltd.
64 Melbourne Street,
North Adelaide SA 5006
Phone: +61 (08) 83 67 01 10
Fax: +61 (08) 82 39 03 11
Email: assistant@re-sa.com.au
Homepage: www.re-sa.com.au

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ECOS: Australia's Magazine on Sustainability and Environment.

ECOS, Australia's most authoritative magazine on sustainability in the environment, industry and community is published bi-monthly by CSIRO Publishing both in print and online (www.publish.csiro.au/ecos).

Recognised for over 30 years of excellence in environmental science reporting, ECOS now carries lively, incisive, easy-to-read articles on key sustainability topics from across Australia and the Asia Pacific.

ECOS is increasingly read and commended by those interested in positive coverage of our evolving approaches towards a more environmentally sustainable future. At just $39.00 for a six-issue annual subscription, the magazine is an affordable, enjoyable and invaluable resource for all citizens, professionals and students alike, and for community, education, business and government libraries.

To review recent issues of ECOS and subscribe online go to: www.publish.csiro.au/ecos.

ECOS is also available in newsagents across Australia and New Zealand.

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