EnviroInfo
September 5, 2003
SUMMARY
1. . MANAGING, COORDINATING AND IMPLEMENTING THE BEST SCIENCE TO COMBAT SALINITY
The House of Representatives Science and Innovation Committee is inquiring into the Commonwealth's role in managing and coordinating the application of the best science in relation to Australia's salinity programs.
The Committee will specifically consider:
- how the relevant science (including new scientific, technical and engineering knowledge) is being used in the management, coordination and implementation of salinity programs;
- the linkages between researchers and those implementing salinity solutions, including the effectiveness of the distribution of research across jurisdictions, agencies, and decision-makers; and
- the adequacy of scientific and technical support to implement salinity management options.
The full terms of reference and advice on making submissions can be obtained from the inquiry web site http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/scin/salinity or by contacting the committee secretariat on (02) 6277 4150 or emailing scin.reps@aph.gov.au
Interested persons and organisations are invited to make submissions by Friday, 17 October 2003.
Submissions may be lodged by email or can be sent to:
The
Committee Secretary
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Science and Innovation
Suite R1 - 116
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
2.FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT BACKS AWAY FROM CARBON TRADING SYSTEM
The Federal Government has backed away from the establishment of a domestic carbon trading system following industry protest that such a system would drive investment offshore.
The decision comes after industry bodies, led by Orica's managing director Malcolm Broomhead, wrote to the Federal Government claiming that such a system was "punitive", would distort investment choices, and place Australia's key export industries at a competitive disadvantage
The industry groups meet with Prime Minister John Howard to present their case, and despite the trading system being supported by both Treasury and the Department of Environment and Heritage, the decision has been made that the system is not feasible.
3. NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR BIODIVERSITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE
The
Federal Environment and Heritage Minister, Dr David Kemp, has announced the
Commonwealth will work with state and territory governments to develop a National
Biodiversity and Climate Change
Action Plan.
A task force with representatives from all governments has been appointed to undertake a consultation process beginning this month which will lead to the development of a draft plan to be submitted to the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council in April next year.
To support the process, the Biological Diversity Advisory Committee and CSIRO have prepared a report, Climate Change Impacts on Biodiversity in Australia, based on the findings of a workshop held in October last year, which provides an assessment of the effects of climate change on different ecosystems and puts forward poses a range of scenarios on the possible local impacts of global warming over the coming century.
Climate
Change Impacts on Biodiversity in Australia is available at http://www.ea.gov.au/biodiversity/science/bdac/greenhouse/pubs/climate-change.pdf
The Commonwealth, Victorian and New South Wales Governments have signed an agreement on the composition of the Snowy Joint Government Enterprise (JGE) which will be responsible for delivering water savings to provide additional flow for the Snowy and Murray Rivers.
The JGE will be established by mid-October and will be made up of an independent board of three directors. Charles Sturt University has put forward a proposal to locate the JGE near its School of Environmental and Information Science at its Thurgoona campus in Albury.
This will be assessed by the incoming CEO before a final decision is made on the location of the JGE
A
long-term staged release process has been decided to ultimately deliver the
targeted 212 gigalitres in increased environmental flow for the Snowy and up
to 70 gigalitres of dedicated environmental flows into the Murray each year.
5. . PRATT CALLS FOR WATER ACTION
Businessman, Richard Pratt, has warned that a national water trading system will not, by itself, be sufficient to solve the nation's water problem and has proposed a number of other initiatives including water bonds to attract investors in regional water infrastructure, tax breaks and low interest loans to assist irrigators and other water users to upgrade their technology and urgent action by governments to upgrade pipes and cover irrigation channels.
He has also suggested that more should be done to exploit urban stormwater.
In a letter to The Age, Mr Pratt pointed out that more than 1500 gigalitres of rain - equivalent to the highest level being considered for environmental flows to the Murray - has fallen over greater Sydney in the past year.
"At least 600 gigalitres of the rain that has fallen on Sydney has flowed as waste to the sea. At today's price of about $1000 per megalitre for incremental irrigation water, that wasted water alone is worth $600 million", he said.
"That
the governments are not actively investigating investment measures to harvest,
treat and use this precious water as an urgent priority is a national disgrace".
6. NEW CENTRE TO TACKLE LAND AND WATER REMEDIATION
A new Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation (CERAR) is to be established at the University of South Australia's Mawson Lakes campus to tackle billion dollar land and water contamination problems around the world.
UniSA's Professor Ravi Naidu has been appointed Director of the Centre and will draw together expertise from SA and around Australia through relationships with seven universities and CSIRO and will use the latest research techniques to develop land and groundwater remediation programs locally and internationally.
7. . LIQUID COAL STUDY TO COMMENCE
A feasibility study into turning brown coal in Victoria into gas and liquids is about to commence, under a deed of arrangement between Adelaide-based GTL Energy and British energy group, International Power Plc, which owns Victoria's Hazelwood power station.
The study, undertaken following the examination of several sites in Queensland, Victoria and South Australia, could lead to the establishment of a high capacity gasification and gas-to-liquids plant adjacent to the Hazelwood station.
COURSES
& WORKSHOPS
8. GROUNDWATER SHORT COURSES 2003
*
2nd Hydrogeology of Fractured Rocks
Tues 30 Sept- Thurs 2 Oct 2003
Townhouse on Hindley SA
$1200 (plus GST)
http://www.groundwater.com.au/conf/registration/A4-Flyer-2nd%20-
Fractured-Rocks.pdf
*
1st Soil & Groundwater Pollution:
Investigation, Remediation and Risk Assessment
Tues 4 Nov - Thurs 6 Nov 2003
UNSW, New College NSW
$1500 (plus GST)
http://www.groundwater.com.au/conf/registration/A4-Flyer-1st-Soil-GWPollution.pdf
*
1st NAPLs and Groundwater Workshop Series
3 consecutive Mondays 10th, 17th, and 24th November, 2003
Perth WA
$750 (plus GST)
http://www.groundwater.com.au/conf/registration/Flyer-1st-NAPLs-WORKSHOP-WA-Nov-2003.pdf
*
8th Getting to Know Groundwater
Monday 17 Tuesday 18 November 2003
Hobart, Tasmania
$700 (plus GST)
http://www.groundwater.com.au/conf/registration/A4-Flyer-8th-GTKG-Tasl-Nov-2003.pdf
*
26th Australian Groundwater School
Mon 1 - Sat 6 Dec- 2003
Melbourne University,
International House VIC
$1200 (plus GST)
http://www.groundwater.com.au/conf/registration/A4-Flyer-26th-GW-School.pdf
Early registration is advised, as places are limited.
For
more information contact Trevor Pillar:
Ph: 61 8 8201 5632 Fax: 61 8 8201 5635
Email: cgs.training@groundwater.com.au
Web: http://www.groundwater.com.au
9.
DROUGHT MANAGEMENT - WILL YOUR SYSTEM COPE?
'Drought Management - Will Your System Cope?' is a two-day workshop on 15-16
September 2003 to be held at Nepean Shores Riverside Resort & Conference
Centre, Penrith NSW. This workshop is a joint initiative of the Water Directorate
and the Australian Water Association.
The Water Directorate and AWA have assembled a combination of experts and practitioners who have experienced the issues. They will take delegates through the aspects and impacts of drought and will help you to prepare a robust system that will give maximum protection against this and future drought conditions. This workshop will give you vital insights to the status of the drought, forecasts, how your catchment will behave in drought conditions and what to do about it.
Although the program is mostly focused on NSW, information will still be relevant to other states. Delegates can register for both days (from $325) or one day only (from $200).
Please visit http://www.awa.asn.au/events/drought to view the program outline and download the registration form. For any queries, please contact Lee Devereux, AWA on 02 9495 9908 or email ldevereux@awa.asn.au
SEMINARS & SYMPOSIUMS
10. POSITIONING AUSTRALIA FOR A CARBON-CONSTRAINED FUTURE
Climate change is not just about the environment - national and international policies, agreements and market developments make it a significant trade and business issue.
Recognising this, a one-day seminar in Melbourne - Setting the agenda beyond Kyoto - Positioning Australia for the emission-constrained future - will assess directions for Australian greenhouse policy and corporate strategy in the context of international policy developments.
Speakers at the seminar on September 9 include:
- The Secretary of Environment Australia, Mr Roger Beale.
- Australia's Ambassador for the Environment, Mr Chris Langman.
- Founding member of the Council of Management of the International Emissions
Trading Association and leader of Ernst and Young's Environmental and Sustainable
Development Practice, Mr John Buttle.
- Executive Director of the Global Sustainability Centre at RMIT, Ms Tricia
Caswell.
- Assistant Director at the Electricity Supply Association of Australia, Dr
Harry Schaap.
- Chief Executive of the Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Accounting,
Dr Chris Mitchell.
- Dr Tony Beck and Mr Malcolm Gray, from the Australian Emissions Trading Forum.
Topics will include:
- how Australia should be preparing for the post-Kyoto policy and business environment;
- identifying Australian options and opportunities from the perspectives of
environmental sustainability, the resource sector, and business;
- prospective emission abatement technologies;
- medium- to long-term developments in emissions accounting and sequestration;
and
- global trading developments.
The seminar is organised by the Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Accounting in association with the Australasian Emissions Trading Forum.
Further details, program and booking:
http://www.greenhouse.crc.org.au/crc/ecarbon/enews_jul03.htm#seminar
Or phone 02 6125 5593
11.
REFLECT, RESPECT & REACT 2003 SYMPOSIUM SERIES: SOCIAL
SOLUTIONS
FOR ENVIRONMENTAL FUTURES
Brisbane 27 September, Canberra 29 September, Melbourne 30 September and Emerald 2 October 2003
Respect, Reflect & React 2003 is an initiative of the Cooperative Research Centre for Catchment Hydrology.
The symposium series seeks to foster and support an analysis of the various efforts to facilitate change for healthy environments in Australia.
Topics will include volunteerism, citizen science and research collaboration.
Each forum will provide opportunities to hear and learn from practitioners, researchers and activists as they share their experience and understandings of different approaches to social and environmental change.
The symposium series will bring together a diversity of practitioners from government and non-government sectors who plan, manage, lead and advocate for changes that contribute to healthier environments and communities.
For
more information see http://www.catchment.crc.org.au/news
or e-mail Cameron Neil via RRR03@environmentaladvocacy.org
CONFERENCES
12.THE A-Z OF AUSTRALIAN WATER TRADING
Issues, impediments & opportunities in the development of Australia's water trading markets.
29th & 30th September 2003, Four Points by Sheraton Darling Harbour Sydney.
http://www.ibcoz.com.au/P03R31/?source=hallmark
The A-Z of Australian Water Trading Conference is the definitive guide to water trade across Australia. Other water forums seem to only dedicate a small proportion of sessions to water trade. These issues require much more attention.
Drivers for this timely event focus around The Water Management Act 2000. This will see some major changes to the participants & operations of national water trading schemes. These changes have also attracted the interest of the banking & investment sectors who are also looking to become involved.
By attending this very timely event you will hear from the key private water traders & government departments facilitating trade, the banking & investment community, perspectives from the irrigation & farming industries, as well as prominent legal & environmental commentators on trade issues. Also don't miss the international case study on water trade in the USA from the Colorado Division of Water Resources.
Speakers
include:
Stephen Carroll, Australian Bankers Association;
Paul Weller, National Farmers Federation;
Prof. Peter Cullen, The Wentworth Group; -
Phyllis Miller, Shires Association of NSW;
George Gear, National Waterbank;
Louise Rose, Murray Darling Basin Commission;
Brian Peadon, Waterexchange;
Mark Hamstead, NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources;
Randall Cox, QLD Department of Natural Resources & Mines;
Mike Smith, SA Department of Water, Land & Biodiversity Conservation;
Jeff
Camkin, WA Water & Rivers Commission;
Ken Knox, Colorado Division of Water Resources, USA;
Dr Stephen Beare, ABARE;
George Warne, Murray Irrigation Limited;
John Chant & John Howe, Murrumbidgee Irrigation;
Paul Frederick, Kemp Strang & Partners.
Register online at http://www.ibcoz.com.au/P03R31/?source=hallmark, e-mail registration@informa.com.au or call 02 9080 4307.
13.
ON-SITE '03 CONFERENCE FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR ON-SITE SYSTEMS:
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
30th September to 2nd October, to be held a University of New England, Armidale NSW
This conference is the third in a biennial series where topics such as septic tanks, wastewater, greywater, composting toilets, aerated systems, bacteria and viruses are all discuss in the friendly atmosphere of a gathering of professionals and regulators.
The conference is now a meeting place where the state regulators get together, NOSSIG holds its annual meeting, and colleagues catch up on the latest research. Thirteen traders will display their new technologies town and delegates will mingle with the traders during meal breaks.
Prof. Bob Rubin from North Carolina State University, a visiting scientist with US EPA, will deliver the keynote address.
Three prominent Australians will present three keynote papers and the editor of Onsite NewZ will summarise the proceedings.
Forty-five papers will be presented over the three days and groups discussions will hammer out some controversial topics. A printed proceedings will be available at the conference. An optional technical tour is planned for Friday 3rd.
The University of New England is an ideal setting for the conference and Spring in New England is most invigorating.
A printable brochure, registration form, program, full abstracts and details of accommodation are available on the web site at http://www.lanfaxlabs.com.au/onsite03
Conference
Coordinator: Dr Robert Patterson Phone 02 6775 1157, fax
02 6775 1043
14.6th WESTERN AUSTRALIAN STATE LANDCARE CONFERENCE
The sixth Western Australian State Landcare Conference for Agricultural Sustainability will be held in Katanning from 7 to 10 October.
Registrations are now open and registration forms can be downloaded from the conference website at http://www.conference.westnet.com.au
This
grass roots conference has a great line up of local and national speakers including:
- Kevin Goss, Murray-Darling Basin Commission;
- Graeme Robertson, Director General, Department of Agriculture WA;
- Peter Portman, Manager, Grain Technology, CBH;
- Peter Kenyon, Social entrepreneur and community enthusiast;
- Alex Campbell, Chairman, Cooperative Research Centre for Plant Based Management
of Dryland Salinity; and
- Coral Love, National Landcare Facilitator.
The speakers are supported by some fantastic tours showcasing local landcare works that are working towards a sustainable agricultural future.
The social program is also a highlight, culminating in the State Landcare Awards Gala Dinner on Thursday 9 October.
If
you would like further information about the conference contact Conference Secretariat
on phone/fax (08) 9821 2251 email yourland@westnet.com.au
or PO Box 260 Katanning, WA, 6317
15. GREEN BUILDING CONFERENCE 2003
The Green Building Conference 2003 is the first national conference of the Green
Building Council of Australia, to be held in partnership with the Property Council
of Australia.
The conference promises to 'tackle the big issues', such as sourcing green dollars and leveraging the economic benefits of green buildings, with the overall aim of advancing sustainable development in Australia (and beyond).
Learn from practitioners about the importance of integrated design in commercial and residential developments. Join the debate on incentives and market mechanisms using international models. Glean practical information such as generic consultant performance contracts that motivate design efficiencies and guidelines for claiming R&D concessions.
Essentially, the National Green Building Conference 2003 program targets all sectors of the property industry and all tiers of government. This conference will provide a unique opportunity to learn from and network with green building specialists and leaders who will share insights and practical implementation strategies.
When
- 14-16 October 2003
Where - Telstra Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park
For further information and a registration brochure, please contact Susan Williams at the Property Council of Australia at swilliams@qld.propertyoz.com.au
16. CONFERENCE TO ADDRESS FUTURE OF VICTORIAN WATER RESOURCES
The Australian Water Association Regional Conference (Victorian Branch), titled 'Water - Victoria's Future', will be held from October 16 to 18 in Lorne, Victoria.
The conference is an opportunity to participate in a forum with focus on the major issue of threatened water resources in Victoria.
Currently, water industry attention is being focussed on maximising current water resources and the development of strategies to reduce demand, identify opportunities for water recycling and investigation of more appropriate methods to manage urban water supplies.
Speakers at the conference represent all sectors of the water industry, including government agencies, water authorities, consultants, suppliers and industry groups.
Topics
to be addressed include:
- Regulations and guide-lines
- Water recycling and reuse
- Demand management and water conservation
- Risk management and emergency response
- Groundwater strategies
- Implications of climate change and drought.
Prices: AWA, IWA, WIOA, SIA Members $695; Non-members $750.
Registration includes attendance at all conference sessions and trade exhibitions, satchel and conference papers, the Conference Dinner, Thursday night's informal dinner, Friday and Saturday's lunches, morning and afternoon teas, and two nights accommodation.
Prices
excluding accommodation: AWA / IWA / WIOA / SIA Members $395;
Non-members $395.
For further details or a brochure contact: Joe Owzinsky, AWA Victorian Branch Administrator, PO Box 1033, Caulfield North, 3161 VIC, or email awwa@i.net.au, phone (03) 9509 2748 or fax (03) 9509 8243.
Early bird registration closes September 5.
17. IN SEARCH OF SUSTAINABILITY (ISOS) CONFERENCE
Shine Dome, Gordon Street, Canberra
9am - 5pm, Friday 14 November 2003.
This face-to-face one-day conference will draw together the threads of the themes that have been considered during the nine months of the In Search Of Sustainability internet conference (http://www.isosconference.org.au).
In each half-hour session there will be twenty minutes of presentation by the experts who have contributed to the internet conference. These experts are the keynote author and the two specialists who have helped judge the papers on each theme. There will then be ten minutes of audience discussion.
This meeting will consider a draft communiqué that will be issued at the end of the day. Ian Lowe will sum up proceedings.
Keynote authors include Peter Cullen, Tony McMichael, John Williams, Andrew Blakers, Colin Butler, Clive Hamilton, Graeme Pearman, John Burgess, and Peter Newman.
Registrations via web-site or send cheque to ISOS Conference, PO Box 3244, Weston ACT 2611.
Lunch and teas included in registration but dinner is extra.
Early
bird (before 15 September) $50.00
One day conference $60.00
Concession $35.00
Dinner $45.00
18. MELBOURNE 2030: FROM VISION
TO REALITY
November 20-21, 2003
On 8th October 2002, the State Government of Victoria introduced Melbourne 2030: Planning for Sustainable Growth, a 'roadmap to guide the development of the metropolitan area, and beyond, over the next 30 years'.
This planning and development blueprint introduced a range of policy initiatives relating to housing, activity centres, urban growth boundaries, green wedges and transport.
Planners, architects, lawyers, property developers and ratepayers must all come to terms with the Melbourne 2030 policy directions, its Ecological and Sustainable Development ('ESD') principles, and guidelines for meeting the challenge of population growth over the next 30 years.
One year later, it is timely to review the impact, and address the key implementation issues emerging from this multi-layered 'statement of government policy intent'.
Hallmark Conferences & Events, a division of publishing company Hallmark Editions, has brought together a panel of distinguished speakers to walk conference delegates through the salient Melbourne 2030 features and issues.
This conference affords an opportunity to gain a common vision of what Melbourne will look like in 2030, to track implementation of Melbourne 2030 and its sustainability initiatives, and to understand the next steps required in order to achieve the vision.
We look forward to making your acquaintance at the Park Room, Melbourne Park Function Centre, Batman Avenue, Melbourne.
Contact: For further details, please contact Miles Clemans at (03) 9530 8900 or email: milesc@halledit.com.au