Greenhouse & Energy

Fund to back early-stage renewable energy companies

Southern Cross Venture Partners Pty Ltd has been appointed fund manager of Australia’s largest renewable energy venture capital fund, making available $200 million to support renewable energy companies.

The Southern Cross Renewable Energy Fund will assist high-potential Australian renewable energy start-up operations by making critical, early-stage equity investments.

The Federal Government has committed $100 million to the fund – money that will be matched dollar for dollar by Softbank China Venture Capital, which has experience in venture capital across the Asian region.

Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson, said Australia had many innovative companies developing renewable energy technologies, but early-stage companies with a limited operating history had found it difficult to source venture capital.

Mr Ferguson said the fund would provide capital finance and active management to help promising renewable energy companies achieve commercial success in local and overseas markets.

The Southern Cross Renewable Energy Fund forms part of the government's $3.2 billion Australian Renewable Energy Agency. More information on the fund can be found at www.ret.gov.au

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Draft planning guidelines for NSW wind farms

Draft planning guidelines for wind farms in New South Wales incorporate what the state government describes as the most rigorous noise controls for wind farms in Australia.

The draft guidelines are on exhibition until March 14 this year and can be accessed here. They will address issues such as low frequency noise, tonality and excessive amplitude modulation of wind turbines.

The State Government is also proposing to strengthen auditing and compliance measures, giving neighbours the ability to seek an independent noise review if a wind farm is built. The Environmental Protection Authority will investigate complaints and ensure compliance with approved standards.

Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, Brad Hazzard, says another key feature of the draft guidelines is a “rigorous gateway assessment for wind farms” where proposed turbines are located within two kilometres of existing residences.

Mr Hazzard says they introduce an innovative assessment approach which ensures upfront consultation between wind farm developers and local communities. He says for proposals within two kilometres of residences where landowner consent has not been obtained, a Joint Regional Planning Panel will determine whether the development application can proceed as proposed.

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Advice for landholders and graziers on carbon farming

A new “how-to guide” will help Queensland rural landholders, graziers and local governments, earn thousands of dollars from carbon credits as they use their land to convert carbon to currency.

Carbon Farming in Rural Queensland outlines the State Government’s approach to balancing carbon forestry with traditional agriculture, including measures to protect strategic cropping land from large-scale carbon forests.

The guide also profiles a range of actions aimed at maximising biodiversity outcomes from carbon investment, including actions to help Queensland attract incentives and investments under the Federal Government’s $946 million Biodiversity Fund.

It was launched at one of the state’s first projects eligible to earn carbon credits under Canberra’s new carbon farming initiative.

The Bundamba carbon forestry site – run by Ipswich City Council in partnership with Greenfleet and SEQ Catchments – covers an area of 25 hectares.

It includes 11,000 trees that are expected to sequester 350 tonnes of CO2e per hectare over 100 years. The site is relatively small, but it will earn carbon credits worth several thousand dollars a year.

To help landholders achieve similar returns, the government has developed the “how-to guide” which outlines opportunities available to them.

Potential activities that could earn credits include soil carbon, reduced methane from livestock, reduced fertiliser emissions, savannah fire management and avoided deforestation.

The Bligh Government has also amended legislation to recognise carbon stored in vegetation as a new form of property right to allow leaseholders to trade and financially benefit from carbon stored on state-owned leasehold land.

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Leading journal features Victorian CCS project

The Victorian Government claims the state’s burgeoning reputation in the development of Carbon Capture and Storage has received a boost with the publication of a paper on the CO2CRC Otway Project in a prestigious US journal.

The Otway Project in Victoria's southwest was Australia's first carbon dioxide storage to come into operation and has since injected over 65,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide into a depleted gas field two kilometres underground.

The project was carried out by the Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies, of which the Victorian Government is a member. The paper, which covers the lessons from the Otway Project is published in the US journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

State Minister for Energy and Resources, Michael O'Brien, says the project has brought many benefits to Victoria including setting the scene for the CarbonNet Project. He says it has also provided input, both nationally and internationally, into CCS regulatory framework development and community engagement practices.

The government allocated $6 million towards the Otway Project and has been actively involved with its regulatory and community engagement. The project began in April 2008 and is based in Nirranda South in southwest Victoria.

Stage 1 demonstrated that it is possible to store carbon dioxide in depleted gas fields and monitor to confirm the storage has been safe and effective. Stage 2 will investigate the behavior of carbon dioxide injected into saline geological formations.

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New Public Utilities Office for WA

A new Public Utilities Office to be established within Western Australia’s Department of Finance will initially provide advice to the State Government on energy policy.

Premier, Colin Barnett, said establishing the office with an initial focus on energy markets would enable the development of appropriate policy capacity and capability to ensure the government draws on independent, high quality advice to help it provide essential services.

Mr Barnett said the decision to establish the office resulted from a recommendation of the state’s Economic Audit Committee. He said that, over time, it could also have responsibility for water and waste management policy.

The Premier said the Office of Energy would cease to exist, with its functions, staff and resources transferred to the Department of Finance.

The Department of Finance would continue to report to Finance Minister, Simon O’Brien, on government procurement, building management and works, state revenue and shared services issues.

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Biodiversity

Work commences on Australian plant bank

Work has started in New South Wales on a $20 million plant bank described as vital to the future of Australian biodiversity.

PlantBank at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan, will eventually be home to millions of living seeds. The seeds will be collected and deposited to preserve biodiversity and establish a hub for research into the survival needs and life-giving properties of plants.

The ultimate goal is to collect and store seeds or live tissue from all of Australia's 25,000 plant species.

Professor David Mabberley, Executive Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, says PlantBank is globally significant to the scientific community.

Professor Mabberley says the United Nations Environment Program identifies Australia as one of 12 mega diverse countries and fifth in the world for mega diversity of flora. More than 85% of our plants are unique to the Australian wilderness.

He says threats to Australia's mega diversity have increased dramatically over recent decades, in particular from land clearance and degradation, introduction of alien species, pollution, disease and climate change.

Professor Mabberley says in New South Wales, 10% of plant species are now at risk of extinction and this is serious because human life depends on plants.

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Built Environment

100 Green Star Ratings in 2011

The Green Building Council of Australia has, for the first time, certified 100 Green Star buildings in one calendar year. The figure was achieved in 2011 – an increase of 12 certifications on the previous high in 2009.

Chief Executive of the GBCA, Romilly Madew, says the result demonstrated that even in a challenging market, the green building economy is flourishing.

Ms Madew says the high number of Green Star certifications in 2011 reflected the maturity in the Australian green building market and demonstrated that, even when financial conditions were uncertain, Green Star could still be relied upon to deliver economic, environmental and social returns.

Green Star projects rated as stand outs by the council included:

- Flinders Medical Centre – New South Wing in Adelaide; the first Green Star healthcare facility in Australia, with a 5 Star Green Star – Healthcare Design v1 rating;

- Jacana House in Darwin; the first 5 Star Green Star building in the Northern Territory, with a 5 Star Green Star – Office Design v2 rating;

- Energex Distribution Centre – TradeCoast Central, in Queensland; the first 4 Star Green Star – Industrial Design v1 building;

- Upper West Side Stage 1 in Melbourne; the first 4 Star Green Star – Multi Unit Residential Design v1 building; and

- Ausgrid Learning Centre in Sydney; the first 6 Star Green Star – Education As Built v1 project’.

The GBCA launched the Green Star environmental rating system for buildings in 2003. Since then, more than 390 buildings have achieved Green Star ratings, with nearly 550 registered for Green Star certification.

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Assessment program paves way for Sydney growth

A program which paves the way for 30 years of sustainable growth in western Sydney has been signed off by the Federal and New South Wales Governments.

The Sydney Growth Centres Strategic Assessment Program will streamline delivery of new homes to meet growth, cut red tape for developers and provide certainty for communities.

A strategic assessment provides a “big-picture study” of an area to assess how environmental values can be best protected while allowing sustainable development. The study is carried out under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

The program will free-up at least 2,500 hectares of land for employment, facilitate delivery of more than 180,000 homes and drive more than $7.5 billion in infrastructure investment.

Federal Environment Minister, Tony Burke, says the plan for Sydney cuts red tape which makes housing more affordable without wrecking the local environment.

Once a program has been endorsed under the EPBC Act, and the types of development or activities allowed to take place have been approved, individual projects do not need any further approval under national environmental law if carried out in accordance with the approved program. More information can be found here.

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Waste Management

SA takes another step to zero waste

South Australians would recycle 70% of their household waste by 2015 under a new plan by the State Government to divert more waste from landfill.

The strategy has two main objectives; to maximise the useful life of materials through re-use and recycling, and to avoid and reduce waste. It aims to tackle waste reduction and avoidance by being more efficient with resources.

It also focuses on changing behaviours and engaging with business, government and community to encourage sustainable living. Key targets in the new strategy include:

- diverting 70% of household waste – including organic waste - from landfill by 2015;

- diverting 75% of commercial and industrial waste by 2015; and

- diverting 90% of construction and demolition waste by 2015.

South Australians currently divert 55% of household waste, 60% of commercial and industrial waste and 80% of construction and demolition waste. The new waste strategy feeds into South Australia’s Strategic Plan 2011 target of reducing waste to landfill by 35% by 2020. It can be downloaded from www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au

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Review of NSW Waste and Environment levy

The New South Wales Government will review the state’s Waste and Environment Levy.

Environment Minister, Robyn Parker, has called for submissions on the review of the levy from councils, waste and recycling industries and the community. Ms Parker says the levy is the state’s most significant environmental market-based instrument encouraging waste avoidance and resource recovery, and it is crucial to ensure that it functions properly.

Independent consultants, KPMG, are leading the review and chairing a series of consultation sessions across NSW in February. The consultation period will run until April 13. Interested parties are invited to provide written submissions addressing one or more of the review’s terms of reference:

- the impact on the recycling industry;

- the impact on households;

- funding arrangements to facilitate greater investment in infrastructure with local councils and industry; and

- the impact on illegal dumping, including the proper disposal of asbestos.

For further information on the review, click here.

Ms Parker says ultimately, she wants to ensure the levy maximises opportunities to recycle and that New South Wales has a strong and robust recycling industry.

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Recycling

New era for waste recycling in WA

More than one million tonnes of recycled construction and demolition (C&D) waste could be diverted from landfill and used to build roads under an agreement between Main Roads WA and the Waste Authority.

C&D waste is responsible for 50% of all waste disposed to landfill in Western Australia.

Environment Minister, Bill Marmion, said the state had been the worst performer in the country, even though C&D waste was relatively homogenous and material such as concrete was comparatively simple to reprocess.

In July 2011, Mr Marmion asked the Waste Authority to investigate the potential to improve the use of recycled C&D materials in state government civil works.

A reference group consisting of state and local government representatives, along with members of the engineering profession and the C&D recycling industry, consulted and prepared a report – Increasing the use of recycled materials in State Government civil works October 2011.

One of nine recommendations involved negotiating a new specification for the use of recycled C&D materials in road base.

The Minister said Main Roads WA had endorsed a revised specification, also adopted by the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia and the WA Local Government Association, for the use of C&D in road bases.

Mr Marmion said the significance of the achievement could not be understated as it created a market for more than one million tonnes of recycled C&D waste.

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Rebates for businesses using recycling equipment

Queensland businesses looking to install recycling collection bins and information signs will benefit from a $2.4 million grant program from the Bligh Government.

The businesses will now receive a discount when they purchase recycling bins, sorting containers and information signs through the reThink business waste equipment rebate program.

Products range from $38 to $4,000 and eligible businesses can apply for a 40% rebate against the total cost of the items up to a maximum of $1,000 per business. Businesses can go online, view the catalogue and place an order here or call 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

Environment Minister, Vicky Darling, says recycling bins and sorting containers will provide direct on-the-ground assistance to businesses wanting to improve their waste stream.

Ms Darling says businesses want to divert waste from landfill – it cuts their costs, delivers environmental benefits, and helps them avoid exposure to the Industry Waste Levy which applies on materials sent to landfill instead of resource recovery.

The program is part of the reThink Business Waste program for business, which is already offering $750 subsidies to businesses that review their waste operations and set up new arrangements to recycle more.

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Conferences & Events

CALL FOR SPEAKERS: National CBD & Town Centre Design and Development Conference

• Sydney, May 23 & 24
  
• Visit www.cbdconference.com.au
  

The national CBD & Town Centre Design and Development Conference will provide comprehensive analysis and advice on how to optimise the infrastructure and design of key community hubs.

With local governments, developers and businesses seeking to enhance the amenity and economic activity of CBDs and town centres, this conference will provide comprehensive analysis of how these spaces can be sculpted to achieve optimum results for the community and local business.

Leading case studies of successful urban CBD and regional town centre design and revitalisation will be featured along with analysis of supporting economic development strategies.

This event is produced by Hallmark Conferences + Events (subsidiary of CommStrat), producer of the biannual Melbourne Planning Summit and previous events including the Local Government Sustainable Development Conference and the NSW Sustainable Development Conference.

CALL FOR SPEAKERS:

If you would like to propose a presentation to this event, please email a 300-word description of your presentation topic to Conference Coordinator Ben Hutchison at ben.hutchison@commstrat.com.au

Who Should Attend:

• Urban Planners & Designers
• Economic Development Professionals
• Infrastructure & Asset Managers
• Development industry professionals
• Place Managers
• Councillors
• Regional Development Authority representatives
• Chamber of Commerce representatives
• Etc

For conference registration and attendance enquiries please contact:
Registration Manager
Ph: (03) 8534 5050
registration@commstrat.com.au

Sponsorship Enquiries:
Paul Andrew
Sponsorship Manager
Hallmark Conferences + Events
Ph: (03) 9370 0040
paul.andrew@commstrat.com.au

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2012 Local Government & the NBN Summit

• Thursday, March 29, 2012
• PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney
• Visit www.lgnbn.com.au

The 2012 Local Government & the NBN Summit will provide Australia's councils and regional development authorities with the latest information on how to ensure local businesses and communities achieve economic and technological benefits from the roll-out of the Natonal Broadband Network and the growth of the digital economy.

Presentations will be delivered by NBN Co as well as councils that have already been part of the NBN's roll-out phases - and whose advice on how to attract, prepare for and use the NBN to achieve local economic development and other benefits will be of exceptional value to other local governments.

Speakers will include:

• Duncan Bremner, Stakeholder Relations Advisor for NBN Co, will address the Summit about the roll-out of the National Broadband Network, how the site selection process will proceed, and the role of Local Government in the NBN roll-out process.
• Tony Brun, Chief Executive Officer, City of Greater Geraldton
  
• Matthew Schultz, Regional Digital Economy Coordinator, Ipswich City Council
• Brian Hales, Economic Development Advisor, City of Onkaparinga
• Peter Francis, Economic Development Manager, Bass Coast Shire
• Michael Whereat, Broadband & Digital Economy Manager, Sunshine Coast Council
• David Lynch, Manager, Economic Development & Strategic Projects, Townsville City Council
• Peter Forbes, Economic Development, Moorabool Shire Council

The Summit will include a meeting of the national Broadband Today Alliance of local governments and affiliate organisations, which will be open to alliance members and non-members.

Following on from the highly successful 2011 Local Government & the NBN Summit, the 2012 event will again attract local government and regional development authority professionals from across Australia.

This conference is organised by Hallmark Conferences, producer of the annual Benchmarking Best Practice in Local Government Conference, Local Government OHS & Risk Management Conference and publisher of Council Manager magazine.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

• Senior local government executives;
• Economic Development professionals;
• Information Technology staff;
• Town Planning, Engineering and Urban Design professionals;
• Community Consultation practitioners;
• Councillors,
• Etc.

TO REGISTER YOUR ATTENDANCE:

Register Online at www.lgnbn.com.au
For conference registration and attendance enquiries please contact:
Registration Manager
Ph: (03) 8534 5050
registration@commstrat.com.au

Sponsorship & Exhibition Enquiries:
Paul Andrew
Exhibition Manager
Hallmark Conferences + Events
Ph: (03) 9370 0040
paul.andrew@commstrat.com.au

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Local Government OHS & Risk Management Conference

• Conference Program available at www.lgohs.com.au

The CEO of Adelaide City Council, Peter Smith, will be among speakers to address the annual national Local Government OHS and Risk Management Conference, which will be staged in Sydney on the 7th and 8th of March 2012. Mr Smith will describe how the council has successfully reformed its risk management practices.

Other speakers will include:

• Tony Simons, Risk and OHS Advisor, Darwin City Council. Topic: Risk management practices at Darwin City Council
• Amanda Collins, Team Leader, Occupational Health & Safety, Hornsby Shire Council
• Mikelis Jaunalksnis, Safety Management Coordinator, Lake Macquarie City Council. Topic: Getting safety on the table - The LMCC Journey
• Anthony Hinds, Risk Management Coordinator, Melton Shire. Topic: Melton Shire's journey toward risk management maturity
• Jon Horsey, Fleet Manager, Redland City Council. Topic: Minimising risk & improving safety in council fleet management
• Glenda Cartwright, Risk Management Coordinator, Canterbury City Council
• Adam Vine, Group Manager, Business & Enterprise Risk, Warringah Council

Sessions for the conference will include:

• Addressing OHS harmonisation issues for local government
• Optimising local government risk management practices
• Improving OHS systems and cultures
• Implementing enterprise risk management systems
• Business Continuity

Interactive Panel Discussions to be staged as part of the conference will focus on topics including:

• Local government Risk Management in 2020: what will be best practice and how do we get there?
• Achieving staff and management buy-in: how can OHS professionals obtain staff and management support to implement OHS improvements in the local government workplace?
• OHS harmonisation: how local governments need to be responding

As Australian councils face an increasingly complex risk environment with limited resources, this national event will again provide attendees with the latest advice about leading local government risk management and safety practices - information attendees can then apply within their own organisations to minimise risk, improve safety and reduce exposure to liabilities.

After the success of the conference in 2011 we again anticipate that 150 local government leaders including senior management, OHS, risk management and human resource professionals will be in attendance.
This conference is organised by Hallmark Conferences, producer of the annual Benchmarking Best Practice in Local Government Conference and publisher of Council Manager magazine.

TO ATTEND: To register your attendance at this event, visit www.lgohs.com.au to register online or to download a printable registration form.

For more information about attending please contact:
Registration Manager
Phone: (03) 8534 5050
Email: registration@commstrat.com.au

For enquiries about Sponsoring or Exhibiting contact:
Paul Andrew
Sponsorship & Exhibition Manager
Ph: (03) 9370 0040
Email: paul.andrew@halledit.com.au

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Public Sector Business Solutions Show

• Public Sector Business Solutions Show
• March 21^st and 22^nd, 2012
• Melbourne Park Function Centre, Melbourne & Olympic Parks
• www.publicsectorsolutions.com.au

The Public Sector Business Solutions Show 2012 offers public sector professionals a valuable opportunity to find solutions to enable better delivery of programs and services.

What sets this show apart is that all exhibitors and speakers will focus on the unique needs and demands of the public sector professional.The event is dedicated to helping the three tiers of government, and the wider public sector, deliver better public services, more efficiently and effectively.

Attendees can at no charge, view Exhibits and attend complimentary Lectures; and build on their professional knowledge at chargeable Seminars and Workshops on a broad range of topics.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

The Public Sector Business Solutions Show will provide a valuable resource for Public Sector professionals - including, but not limited to local, state and federal government; universities and TAFEs; and charities and not-for-profit-organisations - who are responsible or associated with areas including:

• Procurement
• Administration
• Human Resources
• Workforce Development
• Accounting/Finance
• Asset Management
• IT
• Telecommunications
• Business Management
• Customer Service
• Information Services
• Risk Management/OH&S

CALL FOR SPEAKERS: To be considered for speaking program selection, please send an abstract of 100 to 150 words to: Kim Coverdale, Conference Convenor, (03) 8534 5017. Email: kim.coverdale@commstrat.com.au

SPONSORSHIP and EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES: For sponsorship and exhibition opportunities please contact Paul Andrew – Sales Director, Phone: (03) 9370 0040; Mobile: 0411 476 624; Email: paul.andrew@commstrat.com.au

REGISTRATION OF INTEREST: Please visit www.publicsectorsolutions.com.auto register your interest in receiving further details about the Public Sector Business Solutions Show, including details of the full seminar and lecture programs upon their release.

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Cloud Computing for Local Government 2012

• Wednesday 21st March 2012
• Melbourne Park Function Centre, Melbourne & Olympic Parks
• www.lgcloud.com.au
  

The Cloud Computing for Local Government Councils Forum demystifies cloud computing and “virtualised” services for local councils that are struggling to manage the cost of running information and communications technologies (ICT) infrastructure.

The program features Local Government case studies – with a focus on why councils are using cloud services to streamline program and service delivery. At this forum, you will hear from ICT professionals that are at the front-line of cloud deployment.

The program will include presentations from local government ICT practitioners including:

• Assessing the potential of cloud computing for service delivery: Jim Barclay, Chief Information Officer, Logan City Council (Qld)
• Managing the cost of cloud services – strategies for local government: Shawn Raines, A/ICT Services Manager, Queanbeyan City Council (NSW)
• Drivers for cloud computing for local government: Ben Dornier, Director, Corporate & Community Services, City of Palmerston (NT)

Delegates will also have the choice of attending one of two practical masterclasses:

• MASTERCLASS A - Security and moving into the cloud: Stewart James, ICT Security Manager, Victoria University (Vic)
• MASTERCLASS B – Transition data centres to the cloud: Phil County, Director IT Services, Victoria University (Vic)
• What will you learn? Share time-saving strategies to:
• TAILOR cloud services to local council needs
• USE cloud services to improve program and service delivery for ratepayers
• BENEFIT from “user-pay” services, while using ICT services, as and when needed
• CLARIFY government cloud (“G-cloud”) services trends and implications for local councils
• MANAGE a step-by-step migration to the cloud (without the pain and cost)
• DECIDE which applications to move to the cloud first
• TRANSITION data centres and other platforms to the cloud
• STREAMLINE service level agreements with cloud service providers (CSPs)

To view the full speaking program, visit www.lgcloud.com.au

REGISTRATION AND MORE INFORMATION: Registrations can be completed online at www.lgcloud.com.au. For specific enquiries contact: Registration Manager, Ph: +61 3 8534 5050, Fax: +61 3 9530 8911 Email: registration@commstrat.com.au

SPONSORSHIP and EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES: For sponsorship and exhibition opportunities please contact Paul Andrew – Sales Director, Phone: (03) 9370 0040; Mobile: 0411 476 624; Email: paul.andrew@commstrat.com.au

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Social Media for the Public Sector Conference

• Social Media for the Public Sector Conference
• March 21st and 22nd, 2012
• Melbourne Park Function Centre, Melbourne & Olympic Parks
• www.publicsectorsocialmedia.com.au
  

The Social Media for the Public Sector Conference 2012 will present practical information and case studies showcasing the successful use of social media and provide attendees with a vital resource that can be used to build their organisation’s social media presence.

The Conference will feature presentations from the three tiers of government and the wider public sector. Local government presentations include:

• What is Success? Bernard de Broglio, Internet Coordinator, MOSMAN COUNCIL
• Social Media – A Local Government Model: Emily Keogh, Public Relations & Marketing Coordinator, WYNDHAM CITY COUNCIL
• How Social Media Empowers Community Inspired Leadership: John Nevins, Chief Executive Officer, CITY OF KINGSTON
• Social Representation - Using Social Media to Represent the Community: David Speirs, Deputy Mayor, CITY OF MARION
• Social Media for Community and Economic Development Emma Smith, Media & Communications Co-ordinator, FRANKSTON CITY COUNCIL

To view the full Conference speaking program, visit www.publicsectorsocialmedia.com.au

The Social Media for the Public Sector Conference will cover topics including:

• Developing a strategic approach to social media use
• Social media for community engagement
• Managing the risks and rewards of social media
• Social media governance and policies
• Integrating social media into your communication strategy
• Using social media for internal communications

REGISTRATION AND MORE INFORMATION: Registrations can be completed online at www.publicsectorsocialmedia.com.au. For specific enquiries contact: Registration Manager, Ph: +61 3 8534 5050, Fax: +61 3 9530 8911 Email: registration@commstrat.com.au

SPONSORSHIP and EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES: For sponsorship and exhibition opportunities please contact Paul Andrew – Sales Director, Phone: (03) 9370 0040; Mobile: 0411 476 624; Email: paul.andrew@commstrat.com.au

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Natural Resources

Queensland council takes stand against coal seam gas mining

Somerset Regional Council in Queensland has resolved to make the Somerset region a “no go” area for coal exploration and coal seam gas mining because of the uncertainty surrounding CSG mining.

Somerset Mayor, Graeme Lehmann, said the decision was passed unanimously by council reflecting its concern about the environmental and health impacts of CSG mining.

Cr Lehmann said the ecosystems in the Somerset region were part of the water catchments for Somerset and Wivenhoe Dams, and the quality of Brisbane’s drinking water supply could be compromised unless the Somerset region was protected from the mining activities.

He said two coal exploration permit applications for the Somerset region had already been lodged with the Queensland Government, which had caused significant community concern.

Cr Lehmann said he had been accused by the State Government and the Queensland Resource Council of electioneering because of the timing of the council decision, which was untrue. He said the Somerset region was part of the Southeast Queensland Regional Plan and was currently protected by the government exploration exclusion provisions, which expire in March 2012.

Cr Lehmann said council supported the proposed Resources Legislation (Balance, Certainty and Efficiency) Amendment Bill 2011 and should it pass Parliament in March, council wanted its entire region gazetted as a protected area under the new laws.

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Protecting Western Australia's natural resources

Projects designed to protect Western Australia’s natural resources will benefit from $1.3 million in State Government funding.

The funding will cover 48 projects which aim to recover and protect some of the WA’s most important natural assets. Community organisations, conservation groups, councils and schools are included in the grant recipients.

Funding priorities are set by the WA Natural Resource Management (NRM) Ministerial Council and include the protection of land, water, marine and coastal environments, and recovery and conservation of biodiversity.

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Land Management

Another step to implementing the Tasmanian Forests IGA

The Federal and Tasmanian Governments have signed a Conservation Agreement they say marks the next step in progressing the historic Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA).

The legally-binding agreement with Forestry Tasmania under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, excludes hundreds of thousands of hectares of public native forests from rotation forestry.

The forests have been excluded while a comprehensive analysis of forest conservation values and industry timber supply requirements takes place.

To inform the details of the Conservation Agreement, independent forestry experts undertook an investigation of existing harvesting work within the 430,000 hectare interim area in the Intergovernmental Agreement.

They also explored all options for rescheduling the harvesting outside the interim area to the maximum extent possible.

Their reports found that while some harvesting work could be moved, it was not possible to reschedule harvesting in a small number of coupes.

In accordance with the requirements of the Intergovernmental Agreement, which commits to honouring all existing wood supply contracts, these coupes have been excluded from the Conservation Agreement.

Federal Environment Minister, Tony Burke, says the Conservation Agreement will allow all parties to focus on supporting the longer-term Independent Verification process.

Mr Burke says market conditions have already resulted in a significant downturn for the forestry industry in Tasmania and, without the IGA, timber communities will be hit by such market changes without the support they need.

The interim Conservation Agreement and the reports of the independent expert forestry schedulers are available here.

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Water Management

Protecting Great Artesian Basin

The first of two large free-flowing wells in the Great Artesian Basin’s west has been sealed, passing a milestone in a project to protect the major water resource.

The sealing is part of the third phase of the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative, a $2 million partnership between the South Australian and Federal governments to conserve and manage groundwater across the basin.

The decommissioning of “Big Blythe” has seen a stop to the release of over 1,000 megalitres of water and almost 2,500 tonnes of salt each year. And, work is underway on sealing the second well, “Johnsons No. 3”.

Once both wells are capped, an estimated 3.8 megalitres of artesian ground water a day will be saved, which will help to protect the region’s ecosystems and industry.

The first two phases of the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative involved rehabilitating free-flowing wells and installing controlled pipe-watering systems across the basin to maximise water savings.

The SA and Federal Governments each invested $1.94 million in the first two stages of the initiative to help recover artesian pressures and reduce water wastage, with BHP Billiton also investing $1.2 million, with in-kind contributions by pastoral landholders to install piping systems.

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Pollution

New iPhone app to combat litter

A new i-phone litter application, Report Litter, has been launched by EPA Victoria to make it easier for the public to report littering. The free iPhone app allows people to be part of the solution to littering.

Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith, says there is nothing worse than seeing fast food wrappers or cigarette butts thrown from a car window and feeling frustrated at not having the opportunity to report it.

Mr Smith says all people have to do is use the app to send the EPA a description of the incident, including the car registration, make and model, location, date and time along with a brief description of the litter. He says the app must be sent to the authority within seven days so it can take action. Fines for throwing rubbish out of a car range from $120 to almost $250.

Already EPA Victoria's public litter reporting system allows the community to report people littering from or near their cars. In 2010, EPA received 16,836 reports. By 2013 it is expected more people will access the internet via mobile devices than via desktop computers.

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