EnviroInfo
July 8, 2003
SUMMARY
CONFERENCES
& SYMPOSIUMS
14. GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS IN WATER INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKING
15. 12TH ANNUAL COASTAL CONFERENCE
16. RAINFOREST CRC 2003: SUSTAINABLE TROPICAL LANDSCAPES
17. ESTUARINE AND COASTAL SCIENCES ASSOCIATION (ECSA) AND ESTUARINE
RESEARCH FEDERATION (ERF) INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2004
PROPOSALS/CALL
FOR SUBMISSIONS
18.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS - REVIEW OF SALINITY MAPPING METHODS IN THE
AUSTRALIAN CONTEXT
19. PROPOSALS FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PROJECTS SOUGHT BY QUEENSLAND
GOVERNMENT
PUBLICATIONS
20.
CATCHMENTS AND CORALS: TERRESTRIAL RUNOFF TO THE GREAT BARRIER
REEF
GENERAL NEWS
1.
STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORTATE OF
THE REEF REPORT
A
report on the state of the Great Barrier Reef has been released by the Great
Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, providing an update on its condition since
the last report was released in 1998.
The report does not provide comparable statistics on the health of the reef over the past five years, instead providing summaries of the environmental status of the Reef.
The Opposition has used the release of the report to condemn the Federal Government's handling of the management of the Reef, criticising the Government's failure to implement any of the targets set under the Great Barrier Reef Catchment Water Quality Action Plan given to the Ministerial Council in November 2001.
The Action Plan highlighted the need for specific targets as the "first phase in a staged approach to reverse declining water quality and eventually foster the recovery of inshore reef ecosystems.
The working group proposed 10-year targets for the entire Great Barrier Reef catchment, including a 38% reduction in sediment, a 47% reduction in phosphorous, and a 39% reduction in nitrogen, targets which have not been addressed by the Draft Reef Water Quality Protection Plan.
For
further information about the State of the Reef Report, go to
http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/info_services/publications/sotr/
A call has gone out for submissions to the review of the National Landcare Program, announced in the recent Budget. The review is being managed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Australia (AFFA) , and submissions are due by July 25.
The review, to be completed by October this year, is considering the effectiveness of the NLP in raising landholder/community awareness and in changing behaviour and attitudes; the effectiveness of the NLP activities and program elements in delivering improved natural resource management outcomes at the property, local and regional level; and the appropriateness of the organisational structure of the NLP, including the coordinator/facilitator model and the linkage between landcare groups, the decisionmaking process, and the advisory support bodies.
The
review secretariat can be contacted at Phone: (02) 6295 9074 or
Email: landcarereview@secretariat.com.au.
The terms of reference are at http://www.affa.gov.au, click Natural Resource Management, click Landcare, click National Landcare Program Review.
3.
EBA SEEKS KYOTO CASE STUDIES
Environment
Business Australia has been asked by the Federal Government to provide case
studies of companies who can demonstrate that they have been disadvantaged by
the Government's current stance
on non-ratification of the Kyoto Protocol.
EBA is now seeking companies who have been knocked back from a tender on the basis of non-ratification, or if companies are deciding not to tender for Clean Development Mechanism projects on that basis.
For
further information, contact the EBA on
eba@environmentbusiness.com.au
4.
CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT REVIEW PAPER RELEASED
Better environmental monitoring and investigation are key areas for action to improve chemicals management, according to a scoping paper on the ecologically sustainable management of chemicals in Australia.
The paper, which was presented to the Environment Protection and Heritage Council at its recent meeting, says that better feedback loops and understanding of chemical impacts in the Australian environment would be required to make a more definitive statement about the efficacy of current chemical management frameworks protecting the environment, requiring better monitoring and investigation.
The
report, Towards Ecologically Sustainable Management of Chemicals in Australia
can be viewed at:
http://www.ephc.gov.au/pdf/EPHC/chemicalsmgt_scoping.pdf
5.
. VEHICLE ENERGY LABEL SCHEME EXPANDS
Large
new car models will be required to list fuel consumption rates and carbon dioxide
emissions following the introduction of an expanded Fuel Consumption Label scheme
launched by the Federal Government.
The scheme, which previously applied to vehicles of up to 2.7 tonnes, now requires that all new 4WDs and light commercial vehicles to 3.5 tonnes.
The scheme will be introduced in stages, with new car models introduced between July 1 and December 31 this year being required to display the new label.
From the beginning of next year, all new vehicles - including existing models - will be forced to comply with the scheme.
Further
information about the scheme is available at
http://www.greenhouse.gova.u/fuellabel/index.html
6.
NSW ENVIRONMENT BUDGET
The
NSW budget has allocated $552.8 million to the expenses of the new Department
of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources.
The Department, formed in May this year following a two-step merging of the old Department of Land and Water Conservation and Planning NSW, has the objective of better linking natural resource management and urban development.
Portfolio allocations include:
- $64.7 million over four years to meet implementation costs of the Water Management Act;
- $52 million towards the implementation of the NSW Salinity Strategy program over four years;
- $44.4 million as the State's share of operating costs and works programs for irrigation areas in 2003-04 with similar ongoing expenditure;
- $2.5 million in 2003-04 as part of a $5 million Aboriginal Water Trust to assist the Aboriginal community in the development of water-based farming and aquaculture enterprises; and
- $13.7 million for the Coastal Protection Package and Area Assistance Scheme grants; substantial support for local government in the areas of coastal bikeways, floodplain management, estuary and coastal management, with particular support for improvement to Lake Illawarra, Lake Macquarie, planning in Kosciuszko National Park and Georges River.
7.
VICTORIAN EPA GIVEN TOUGH NEW POWERS
The
Environment Protection Authority of Victoria has been given tougher and wide-ranging
powers over the use of water in Victoria in a new 10-year policy framework,
which has altered the responsibilities of the EPA from simply monitoring pollution
in waterways to being the guardian of the state's rivers, lakes, estuaries and
coastal waters.
Under the new state environment protection policy, Waters of Victoria, businesses, industry and water authorities will be pressured not just to reduce pollution but to cut water consumption and increase reuse.
The EPA will review all licences for water discharges to encourage less use and more recycling. No new discharges will be allowed in areas of high conservation significance.
Under the policy:
- The EPA will audit irrigation drainage for pollution, such as fertiliser, nutrients and excess salt.
- In recognition that irrigation uses 75 per cent of the state's water, rural water authorities will be legally required to
- assess the efficiency of water delivery and use.
- Boats and ships will no longer be able to discharge waste into Victorian waters, and marinas will be required to receive and manage these wastes.
- New standards such as biological indicators will be developed to provide a measure of the health of water-reliant plants and animals.
The statutory framework will also apply to coastal and catchment management authorities.
The
EPA will not receive any new funding, despite its new, enhanced role.
8.
VOLUNTARY AGREEMENTS FAILING THE ENVIRONMENT
Voluntary
agreements on the environment do not produce effective environmental outcomes,
according to a new report by the OECD.
The report focuses on the environmental effectiveness, economic efficiency and adminstrative costs related to voluntary approaches, either used in isolation or as part of "policy mixes," and concludes that voluntary approaches are becoming increasingly popular and are supplementing, or replacing, other policy tools such as regulations, taxes and tradable permits.
The OECD has also raised doubts about the economic efficiency of such agreements because the cost of achieving additional improvements differ considerably between polluters.
This, the organisation says, is partly due to environmental targets being set for individual firms or sectors, rather than at a national level.
To
view the report, Voluntary Approaches for Environmental Policy - Effectiveness,
Efficiency and Usage in Policy Mixes, go to
http://www1.oecd.org/publications/e-book/9703091E.PDF
COURSES
& PROGRAMS
9.
MASTERS DEGREES AT MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY
Is
it time to update your Environmental Credentials?
Do Masters Degrees by Coursework at Melbourne University.
Enrolments are now being accepted to study in second semester 2003 and 2004 in a range of coursework degrees. Areas of study include:
- Environmental Engineering (Waste Management)
- Energy Studies
- Water Resources Management
- Utilities Asset Management
- Engineering Project Management
- Development Technologies
Study may be full or part-time. These degrees offer an ideal way for professional engineers and scientists to develop the skills to change their career to a new discipline area, or to broaden or update their skills in their chosen discipline.
Australian citizens and residents may apply for PELS loans to finance their study.
Further
details can be found at
http://www.civenv.unimelb.edu.au/idtc/
or by contacting Dr Graham Moore on grahamam@unimelb.edu.au
10. . STORMWATER REGIONAL TRAINING COURSES IN NSW
STORMWATER INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION NSW
Regional Training Program in Stormwater and Erosion & Sediment Control
SIA NSW is bringing Stormwater training courses from the cities into your region to assist in minimising staff away time and travel costs and to strengthen local networks, providing solutions for local stormwater issues:
- Introduction to Stormwater Pollution and Stormwater Management
- Stormwater Treatment Techniques
- Stormwater Outlet Design
- Aspects of Piped Drainage Design
- Introduction to Erosion & Sediment Control
- Development of Erosion & Sediment Control Plans
- Designing Erosion & Sediment Control Measures
- Instream Sediment Control
- Energy Dissipater Design
- Natural Channel Design
- Treatment of Creek and Gully Erosion- Design of Environmentally Sensitive Waterway Crossings
GRAFTON; NEWCASTLE; SYDNEY; ORANGE; CANBERRA; BEGA; WOLLONGONG.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: New Council planners and engineers, designers, developers, consultants - Any stormwater practitioners who require an introduction to stormwater or ESC issues or training in specific design or treatment techniques.
Full and half day courses are running August to December.
BOOK NOW!!!
More
detailed information available on the SIA website link:
http://www.stormwater.asn.au/nsw/Witheridgecoursesfinal.doc
MORE INFORMATION: SIA Secretariat, info@stormwater.asn.au or phone 1300 76 11 22.
11.
MURRAY DARLING BASIN LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Following the successful completion of the inaugural Murray Darling Basin Leadership Program in June this year, applications are now being accepted for Course 2.
The Program is an initiative of the MDB Ministerial Council and its Community Advisory Committee.
It has been designed to develop the leadership skills, understanding and knowledge of those who will help to secure the future of the Basin for the benefit of Basin communities.
Course 2 of the Program will be conducted over 3 sessions during 2004 and requires participants to attend for around 20 days over a six month period.
Application
forms are available from the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and on the
Foundation's website:
http://www.rural-leaders.com.au
For further information you can contact Rob Patrick, Director Programs and Development, Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, Ph: (02) 62810680, or Leith Boully, Murray Darling Basin Leadership Program Coordinator, mobile 0412 678 633.
Applications
close on 31 July 2003.
SEMINARS & SYMPOSIUMS
12.
. STORMWATER INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION DEMONSTRATION & SEMINARS
SIA LUNCHTIME WSUD SEMINARS, Bicentennial Park Visitors Centre
-
WSUD & Landscaping Techniques, 22nd July, 2003.
- Wetlands in WSUD 14th August, 2003.
Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is about integration of urban design, landscape architecture, building architecture and stormwater management.
With growing acceptance of stormwater as a valuable resource, there has been greater emphasis on WSUD and use of alternative stormwater management measures which actually become integral focal elements of the urban environment.
July's seminar will focus on the importance of landscape design in WSUD and how elements can be integrated to add value and improve the amenity of any project.
August's seminar will present a case study of a constructed OSD wetland project on an industrial estate in Sydney's west, together with a 'hands-on' overview of a range of useful wetland plants.
These seminars will benefit stormwater practitioners, Council officers, developers, landscape consultants, and consulting engineers.
SEMINAR COST: $60.00 (SIA Members: $45.00) each
STORMFILTER
DEMONSTRATION BBQ LUNCH. 29th July, 2003.
SIA and Ingal Environmental Services are inviting stormwater managers to participate
in a complimentary demonstration of the StormFilter unit installed at Blacktown.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION: SIA Secretariat, info@stormwater.asn.au or phone 1300 76 11 22 or follow these links:
http://www.stormwater.asn.au/nsw/Jul10flierfinal.doc
http://www.stormwater.asn.au/nsw/JUL22flierfinal.doc
http://www.stormwater.asn.au/nsw/AUG14flierfinal.doc
13.
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
email Cameron Neil via RRR03@environmentaladvocacy.org
CONFERENCES
14.
. GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS IN WATER INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKING
International
Conference Announcement
"Global Developments in Water Industry Performance Benchmarking"
The Office of Water Regulation (OWR) a Western Australian Government agency, is convening this unique four day international conference in Perth from 29th September to 2nd October 2003.
Worldwide, network industry performance benchmarking activity is considerable and highly significant benchmarking developments are now maturing or being applied in the water industry.
With eminent national and international keynote speakers, the Perth Conference will centrally draw together, explore, share and benefit from these developments and delineate a direction for future benchmarking developments.
Whilst relevant to those interested in the application of benchmarking to network industries generally, the Conference will be especially significant to anyone concerned with the performance benchmarking of water, sewerage and irrigation services, the service providers, and/or the water resource inputs they depend on, in both developing and developed nations.
The Conference represents an excellent professional development opportunity, an exclusive networking forum, and an exceptional environment in which to explore beneficial partnerships and collaborations.
Commensurate with the comprehensive program, the widest possible participation is invited and intending delegates are encouraged to consider sharing their own unique insights, knowledge and perspectives with other delegates by way of presenting a paper.
A full day of the conference is devoted to relevant environmental, ecological and sustainability issues, including triple bottom line performance comparisons and reporting.
For program details, registration arrangements, call for papers, etc please visit the Conference Website at: http://www.benchmarkingwater.wa.gov.au/
Attractive early-bird registration discounts are now available for individuals, groups and students.
Further clarification of any aspect of the Conference can be made by e-mail to benchmarkingwater@wrc.wa.gov.au , or by contacting;
John
Hannan
Conference Convenor
Office of Water Regulation
Government of Western Australia
john.hannan@wrc.wa.gov.au
Tel: +61 8 92130100
Fax:+61 8 92130101
15.
12TH ANNUAL COASTAL CONFERENCE
The
NSW Coastal Conference 2003 will be held in Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia,
on 4-7 November 2003.
The Theme of this years event is 'Surging Ahead: Success Stories in Coastal Management' - this will be reflected in the program by a focus on ideas, policies and case studies which give us solutions for the problems we face in coastal communities.
Some of the features of this conference will be streamed sessions to allow delegates a wider choice of topics, discussion forums and interactive presentations for thorough coverage of the issues.
Trade displays and field trips for hands-on experience will also be incorporated into the program.
Ample breaks and social events will provide excellent networking opportunities.
Expressions of Interest (EoI's) are now being sought for Speakers, Sponsors, Delegates and Exhibitors - complete and return the online EoI to receive all the latest information and to nominate for your involvement.
Go to http://www.hastings.nsw.gov.au/coastalconference.
Alternatively,
phone the organisers, Impact Environmental Conferences on (61 2) 6582 7122,
or email
nswcoastalconference@impactenviro.com.au
for more information.
Don't
miss out on this event.... It's sure to be a highlight of the coastal management
calendar for 2003!
16
RAINFOREST CRC 2003: SUSTAINABLE TROPICAL LANDSCAPES
The annual conference of The Cooperative Research Centre for Tropical Rainforest Ecology and Management.
Hilton Hotel, Cairns QLD, Australia
10-12
November 2003
For full details visit the conference website at:
http://www.rainforest-crc.jcu.edu.au
Day
1 November 10 - Presentation of Centre Research
Keynote speaker: Nigel Stork
Evening. Public Forum/Panel Discussion: Current and Emerging Threats to Rainforest
Day
2 November 11 -Thematic Workshops
Project leaders will prepare workshops on themes relevant to their research
areas.
Evening. Conference Dinner: three-hour boat cruise on Trinity Inlet.
Day
3 November 12 - Students Day
Keynote speaker - Professor Henry Nix
Students to present posters and papers on their research.
17.
ECSA 37 - ERF 2004 Conference, Australia
"Estuaries and Change"
20-25 June 2004, Ballina NSW
First Announcement and Call for Special Sessions
Southern Cross University will host the next joint Estuarine and Coastal Sciences Association (ECSA) and Estuarine Research Federation (ERF) International Conference in June 2004.
The aim of the conference is to bring together scientists and managers with an interest in estuaries and change.
The organising committee invites proposals for special oral, poster and workshop sessions that relate to the conference theme "Response of tropical, temperate and polar estuaries to natural and anthropogenic changes".
It is expected that proponents of special sessions will chair and help organise the session.
Please send your special session proposals (a short paragraph) to the Conference Secretary Michelle Eyre, meyre@scu.edu.au by 29th August 2003.
Plenary Speakers - Prof. Michael Kemp, University of Maryland CES, USA, Prof. Victor de Jonge, University of Groningen, Netherlands, Prof. Robert Twilley, University of Louisiana, USA, Dr. Mike Elliott, University of Hull, UK, Dr. Nils Risgaard-Petersen, National Environmental Research Institute, Denmark.
More
Information: http://www.scu.edu.au/ecsa37erf2004conference
PROPOSALS/CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
18.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS - REVIEW OF SALINITY MAPPING METHODS IN
THE AUSTRALIAN CONTEXT
Closing 26 July 2003,
Land & Water Australia
Environment Australia and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries - Australia jointly request a review to evaluate the available methods for mapping the extent and severity of salinity in Australian landscapes.
You are invited to make a submission to the review which will:
- establish an up-to-date position statement of the use, range and effectiveness of salinity mapping technologies;
- report on the range of mapping technologies used to support salinity management and multi-scale decision-making;
- fulfil the needs of a range of potential mapping stakeholders including catchment and regional natural resource managers, State, Territory and Commonwealth Government agencies, scientists, and mapping methods and systems vendors; and
- be publicly reviewed at forum (mid-October 2003) for later international journal publication.
Please
download submission guidelines from Land & Water Australia
http://www.lwa.gov.au/downloads//Sub_Brief_RSMMA.pdf
or
the National Dryland Salinity Program
http://www.ndsp.gov.au/employment/salinity_hazard_mapping_brief.pdf
Submissions
must be sent by 26 July 2003 to Ms Lillian Cheung,
Department of Geomatics, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010,
(fax) 03 9347 2916 or lwmc@unimelb.edu.au,
with all submissions clearly marked: 'Review of salinity mapping methods in
the Australian context'.
19.
PROPOSALS FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PROJECTS SOUGHT BY QUEENSLAND
GOVERNMENT
The
Queensland Environmental Protection Agency is seeking funding applications through
the Queensland Sustainable Energy Innovation Fund (QSEIF).
Funding can assist:
- development of new sustainable energy products/technologies that reduce adverse environmental impacts resulting from fossil fuel use;
- development of industrial process improvements that enhance energy efficiency and/or reduce waste, pollution or water consumption;
- creation of Centres of Expertise involving collaborative sustainable energy projects by industry, universities, TAFE colleges, research institutes or professional associations.
Applicants must be Queensland-based organisations, with the main activities of the project to be undertaken within Queensland.
Funding of up to several hundred thousand dollars may be provided for any one project. Applicants are expected to make a significant contribution to the project.
Applications must comply with the criteria described in the guidelines, and are evaluated and selected on a competitive basis.
Applicants need to provide detailed plans and documentation for their proposals, and demonstrate their technical and financial capability to manage the project and commercialise the results.
Guidelines for the sixth QSEIF funding round can be obtained by contacting Dr Martin Gellender on (07) 3224 8606 or martin.gellender@epa.qld.gov.au
Closing
date for applications - 19 September 2003.
PUBLICATIONS/PROCEEDINGS
CATCHMENTS
AND CORALS: TERRESTRIAL RUNOFF TO THE GREAT BARRIER
REEF
by Miles Furnas.
The Great Barrier Reef of Australia is the largest coral reef ecosystem in the world.
The health and productivity of the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem is influenced by the nutrients and sediment running off the adjacent catchment.
Since 1850, human activities in the catchments bordering the Great Barrier Reef have changed sediment and nutrient runoff to the reef.
Catchments and Corals provides the first comprehensive description of the state of the Great Barrier Reef catchment, modern levels of runoff to the reef, and the influence of runoff on coastal reef ecosystems.
Send orders to:
Science
Communication, Australian Institute of Marine Science
PMB No 3, Townsville Mail Centre, Qld 4810 Australia.
Telephone:
(07) 4753 4409 Facsimile (07) 4771 6138
Email: w.ellery@aims.gov.au