February 5, 2004

GENERAL NEWS

1. LABOR RELEASES ENVIRONMENT VISION

The Labor Party has committed to a renewable energy target of at least 5 per cent and unveiled plans for an annual Green Budget at its recent National Conference, amid speculation that Labor leader Mark Latham is also considering plans to phase out clear felling in old growth forests.

The new draft Labor environment platform also includes the creation of a Murray Darling River Bank, with an initial $150 million funding injection, and the extension of the Great Barrier Reef National Park to the Exclusive Economic Zone.

The Green Budget will mean that reporting of the government's environmental performance will be incorporated into the federal budgetary reporting process.

Opposition forestry Spokesman, Joel Fitzgibbon, has confirmed that work is underway to devise a new forestry policy.

"I am looking at possibilities for phasing out clear-felling in old-growth forests which will not cost jobs in timber communities," Mr Fitzgibbon said.

"Labor would not be touching the Regional Forest Agreements as they are the result of years of consultation and scientific investigation and the provide the industry with the certainty for those who invest in it and those who rely upon it."

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2. PLANTATION STRATEGY LOOKS TO THE FUTURE

The plantation industry looks set to boom following the release of the revitalised 2020 Vision, which has revamped the way in which the industry is taxed and the policy and regulatory framework governing it.

The updated framework, which has been devised by the Federal and State Governments in consultation with the plantation timber industry, has greater emphasis on partnerships between government, industry and the community and aims to remove impediments such as taxation and competition policy which has previously reigned in the potential of the plantation industry.

Go to http://www.plantations2020.com.au/vision/2020vision.pdf

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3. SALINITY PILOT TRADING AND OFFSET SCHEME COMMENCES

CSIRO has commenced a pilot trading and offset scheme to tackle dryland salinity, after being given the go ahead by the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council.

The $360,000 project is headed by CSIRO Land and Water and funded under the first round of the $5 million National Market Based Instruments Pilots Program.

The program is a re-charge credit scheme that involves landholders choosing the most cost effective way to manage salinity levels. To ensure salinity caps or targets can be achieved the landholders themselves can choose to purchase credits from other landholders who may be able to achieve the same results more cheaply, they then receive credits for any extra reductions achieved.

For details on the on the MBI Pilots Program, visit http://www.napswq.gov.au/about/mbi.html

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4. WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DRAFT GREENHOUSE STRATEGY

The Western Australian Government has released a draft Greenhouse Strategy for public comment, proposing a range of targets within individual sectors to achieve overall greenhouse emission reductions.

Among the goals of the strategy:

• per capita transport emissions be reduced by 20 per cent by 2020, to be achieved through travel demand management programs, traffic management strategies, investment in infrastructure that will promote energy efficient transport options, fuel efficiency and low greenhouse gas emission fuels.
• that Government agencies purchase the equivalent of five per cent of their electricity from cost effective renewable sources by 2006 -07.
• mandatory emission reporting by major emitters be introduced with public reports every three years and triennial independent audits.

Submissions are required by March 15th, 2004 and the Strategy can be found at http://www.greenhouse.wa.gov.au

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5. TASMANIAN SALINITY LEVELS INCREASING RAPIDLY

A leaked report on salinity in Tasmania shows the area of salt-affected land has increased by almost 50 per cent, placing increased pressure on the State Government to match the Federal Government's NAP funding.

The Land Systems Salinity Report, by the Department of Primary Industry, estimates 73,000 hectares of land is affected by salinity, up from 50,000 hectares in 2001. The state's north was the most affected by saline land, with 53,000 hectares being affected.

The report comes as it is claimed that two federal ministers have written to the state over its apparent lack of interest in salinity funding. Under the dollar-for-dollar NAP, the Federal Government has allocated $12 million, while the state government has contributed only $1.5 million.

Primary Industries, Water and Environment Minister, Bryan Green has said that the government remains committed to the NAP, but will not release the report because it is "merely an ongoing calculation."

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COURSES

6. POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMS AT RMIT UNIVERSITY

The School of Applied Science, RMIT University offers a Master of Biotechnology with an environmental stream and with exit points at the level of Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate.

Most of the lectures are held on the city campus. Block practicals, usually one week in duration, are held in our new laboratories at Bundoora. Courses offered as part of the agricultural and environmental biotechnology stream include:

• Environmental microbiology
• Aquatic resources management
• Ecology
• Ecotoxicology
• Molecular approaches to plant breeding
• Plant biotechnology and plant breeding
• Plant cell and tissue culture
• Plant pathology and biotechnology
• Plant microbiology
• Bioinformatics
• Biological research project (one semester)
• Work experience (one semester)

For a full description of courses offered in 2004 and the structure of the postgraduate coursework programs, please visit our website (http://www.bh.rmit.edu.au/abbt) or contact Dr Dayanthi Nugogeda (03) 9925 7150 or dayanthi@rmit.edu.au or A/Prof Margaret Deighton (03) 9925 7123 or m_deighton@rmit.edu.au

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7. NEW GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN SUSTAINABILITY

Enrolments are now open for a new 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 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.

Electives offer students the opportunity to develop specialised knowledge in a range of areas:

• integrated land and water management


• eco-design
• sustainable energy
• corporate and community sustainability
• future studies and foresight

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 in one calendar year on a part-time basis 2 units per semester. Single units may also be undertaken.

First semester commences in late March 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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CONFERENCES

8. HABITAT CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT 2004

One of the best and most recognised bush restoration courses available!

If you have the responsibility of managing a habitat, or are simply interested in habitat management and conservation, then this course is essential. It challenges you, increases your understanding of ecological processes, and empowers you to manage bushland with improved and often minimalist intervention practices.

The Habitat Conservation and Management course commences Tuesday 17 February. Register now because:

a) limited spaces remaining
b) the current FarmBis rebate will only be available for courses ending before 30th June 2004. So this is your last chance to receive a 75% rebate on the course cost! For details on FarmBis check
http://www.farmbis.gov.au

The course runs from Tuesday 17th February 2004 through to Tuesday 25th May 2004, and will be based in Epping. It consists of 15 weekly evening sessions (6:30pm-9:30pm) and also seven fantastic field trips, designed to provide practical enhancement of topics covered in the lessons.

The course is focussed on the ecology of bushland (including geology, soils, climate, flora, invertebrates, mammals, etc) and understanding systems before attempting to manage them. It regularly challenges previous practices and replaces them with simple, practical alternatives.

Presenters include:
Randall Robinson, Darcy Duggan, Alan Yen, Kate Bennetts, Jason Horlock, Andrew Bennetts and more!

The cost of the course is $880.00, or only $220 if you qualify for the FarmBis subsidy

To find out more, check out the Greening Australia web site on http://www.greeningaustralia.org.au or call 9450 5321

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9. OUTLOOK 2004 CONFERENCE

National Convention Centre

2-3 March 2004

Rural and regional Australia on the move!

*natural Resources *agriculture * fisheries *climate * world trade

Don't miss your opportunity to hear from high profile national speakers addressing a range of issues affecting Australia's agricultural, fisheries and natural resources industries.

Outlook 2004 is ABARE's premier commodity forecasting event and is a great opportunity for key decision makers to gain information on the current and future trends in the industry.

This year, topics include: economic prospects; regional trade; water resource management; food markets; future of farming and climate.

Key questions to be addressed include:

• How will changes in natural resource management impact Australian agriculture?


• The outlook for economic growth ~ implications for Australian commodity markets?
• What trade issues will impact Australian commodities?

For more information and a full copy of the program visit ABARE's website http://www.abareconomics.com/outlook or contact (02) 6272 2303.

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10. INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE -
2ND ASIAN REGIONAL CONFERENCE

14 - 17 MARCH, 2004

"IRRIGATION IN A TOTAL CATCHMENT CONTEXT - SHARING THE RIVER"

Moama Bowling Club, Moama, NSW

The International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage conference will bring together speakers and delegates from many countries including the U.S., Canada, Japan, China, India and Turkey.

It will also feature many of the key figures in the Australian water industry including Federal Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister, Warren Truss, who will open the event.

The three-day conference will enable landowners, scientists, irrigation and catchment leaders to discuss critical issues facing the industry including the future of catchment management and competing demands for water within catchments.

Post conference tours to the Snowy Mountains and down the Murray River will offer international visitors a first hand look at Australia's efforts to balance landowner, community and environmental demands for our precious water resources.

The Conference offers scientists, researchers, community and industry leaders to access the latest thinking and research informing irrigation and water management.

ICID 2004 CONFERENCE SECRETARIAT:
Professional Conference Services
137 Gardenvale Road, GARDENVALE VIC 3185 AUSTRALIA
Tel: 613 9530 6777 Fax: 613 9530 6526
Email: services@profconferences.com
Website: http://www.icid2004.com

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11. AUSTIMBER - INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION FOR THE FOREST INDUSTRIES

AusTimber, an international conference and exhibition for the forest industries will be held in Albury NSW from Monday, March 29 to Saturday, April 3, and is a week packed full of activities.

The key events to watch out for are:

Equipment exhibition 1st 3rd April over 200 companies from over 13 countries will be showing off the latest in equipment and technology for the forest industries.

Two day industry conference - To be held on Tuesday, March 30 and Wednesday,
March 31. This major conference with over 90 speakers is aimed at the practical operator with the focus on the latest equipment and technology for those involved in the growing, harvesting, transport and processing of the forest resource.

International Investment Seminar - To be held on Thursday, April 1, this prestigious seminar provides an outstanding opportunity to gain an up-to-date insight into investing in the forest industries in Australia and New Zealand. The line up of speakers is quite exceptional coming from China, the US, Indonesia and New Zealand, as well as top experts in the field of finance and investment from around Australia - a seminar not to be missed.

Farm Forestry Package - To be held on Friday, April 2 and Saturday, April 3, this two- day package presents an ideal opportunity for farmers interested in getting into forestry. It consists of a half-day practical seminar, a half-day visit to the AusTimber exhibition where among other things, portable sawmills can be seen working. On the second day a visit to the in-forest demonstrations has been organised, and then on to a nearby farm for some practical demonstrations.

Social activities -
Mr Limb said right through the week there was a great range of social activities.
"The highlight will be the Carnival Night on Saturday evening at the Albury Racecourse," he said.

Adam Harvey, who received a Golden Guitar award at the recent Tammorth County Music Festival (male vocalist of the year) will be the star of the evening, which will combine with the world championship wood chopping finals. On Tuesday evening - the Komatsu Aussie Barbecue - music, wood chopping demonstrations and just a great night to relax in QEII Square.
"The gala dinner on the Thursday night will include the presentation of the World Forestry Day Awards, and entertainment from one of Australia's top illusionist/comedians - a night to remember."
On Saturday stay on for the "Taste of the Region" to be held at the exhibition site.

For more information phone 03 6248 5653, fax 03 6248 5677 or email info@austimber2004.com

The AusTimber website is http://www.austimber2004.com

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12. ADDING VALUE TO THE PULP & PAPER INDUSTRY - IS ASIA PACIFIC STILL SETTING THE PACE AND REALISING ITS POTENTIAL? AN APPITA ASIA SYMPOSIUM

19-20 APRIL 2004

Darwin Theatrette, National Convention Centre, Canberra

This is the only opportunity you will have in the Australasian region to hear from senior executives and key decision makers about what is happening in the pulp & paper industry in this region. You will be able to listen to key policy planners & leading pulp & paper producers as they outline the future for value adding.

It is also a unique networking opportunity with people in the industry.

SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

• David Walker, Managing Director, Jaakko Poyry Consulting, Singapore
• Henson Moore, President, American Forest and Paper Association
• Teresa Presas, Managing Director, CEPI (Confederation of European Paper Industries)
• Chris Barr, Centre for International Forestry, Research, China


• Rod Bristow, National Strategy Coordinator, Plantations for Australia
• Bruce Gosper, First Assistant Secretary, Office of Trade, Australia

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

• Senior pulp & paper executives<
• Paper & paperboard manufacturers & merchants
• Industry consultants & engineering services providers
• Forestry & forest managers
• Strategic planners
• Analysts
• Policy makers
• Industry consultants & engineering services providers
• Traders & distributors
• Waste paper suppliers/merchants
• Government ministries & forestry commissions
• Investment bankers & financiers
• Paper wholesalers, brokers, agents

For further information go to http://www.appita.com.au or contact:
PR Conference Consultants
on phone (03) 5781 0069 Fax (03) 5781 0082 or email enquiry@prcc.com.au

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13. INTERNATIONAL RIVERSYMPOSIUM 'THREATS TO SUSTAINABLE RIVER SYSTEMS-BEATING THE ODDS'

31 August 3 September 2004

Brisbane, AUSTRALIA

Riversymposium celebrates the ecological and social value of rivers by examining world's best practice in river and watershed management; providing an international forum for science and research, management and policy development. Riversymposium takes place within

Riverfestival, a series of celebratory events centred on the Brisbane River which attract over 650,000 people each year and are underpinned by serious environmental messages.

The 2004 Symposium incorporates 5 Keynote Speakers, 5 case Studies and 160+ presentations in a 3-day program of Plenary and Concurrent Sessions enhanced by special workshops, a debate and a Hypothetical open to the public, plus the awarding of the AUD $100,000 International and AUD$25,000 National Thiess Riverprize.

Delegates can access 1 and 2 day Study Tours pre-Symposium and enjoy a comprehensive social program. Student participation via the Adopt a River competition, Riverforum and Riverdebates plus other educational programs linked to the Symposium is encouraged to engage and inspire the young river managers of the future.

Close for Abstract Submissions 12 March 2004
Close for Riverprize Nominations 15 April 2004
Close of Earlybird Registration 7 June 2004

http://www.riverfestival.com.au/symposium

Email: riversymposium@riverfestival.com.au

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AWARDS

14. NATIONAL SALINITY PRIZE ENTRIES CLOSE SOON

Entries close on Friday 5 March for the challenge to win the 2004 Engineers Australia National Salinity Prize of $30,000 to be awarded in May 2004.

The award has the support and sponsorship of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission and the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality.

The award is open to individuals, community-based groups or companies, who have already developed and implemented an innovative technology or methodology or have a working prototype to address an aspect of the current salinity problem.

Aspects include the impacts on productive farmland, river water quality, terrestrial ecosystems, cultural heritage and the built infrastructure.

Entries must have provable outcomes for widespread applications and must include an identifiable engineering component that may include good practice design and innovation.There is one open category for all the entrants.

Full details for entering the prize are available at the Engineers Australia website

http://www.ieaust.org.au

Further Information:
John Bright - 0407 234490 ]
Email: jbright@ieaust.org.au

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