EnviroInfo
November 13 , 2003
SUMMARY
GENERAL
NEWS
1.
MDBMC TO CONSIDER NEW MURRAY RIVER PLAN
2. TRACKING KYOTO
3. MRET SUBMISSION REPORT
4. FEARS ABOUT GREEN STAR RATING SYSTEM
5. NSW SETS POWER PLANT EMISSION STANDARD
6. MOST AUSTRALIANS UNAWARE OF HOW TO RECYCLE
COURSES
7.
WETLAND ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT TRAINING COURSE
8. GRADUATE DIPLOMA AND MASTERS COURSES IN ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING
9. POSTGRADUATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALIFICATIONS AT FLINDERS UNIVERSITY
10. GET A DEGREE IN LAND MANAGEMENT - FROM HOME
CONFERENCES, SEMINARS AND SUMMITS
11.
ICaM 2003
12. ECOPOLITICS XIV - GREENING SUSTAINABILITY
13. SIA LUNCHTIME SEMINAR, LIDCOMBE
14. SYMPOSIUM ON URBANIZATION AND STREAM ECOLOGY
15. AUSTRALIAN WATER SUMMIT
16. 2004 QUEENSLAND ENVIRONMENTAL LAW ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE
PRODUCTS
PUBLIC CONSULTATION
18. CONSULTATIVE SESSIONS: INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF NATIONAL PACKAGING COVENANT
GENERAL NEWS
1.
MDBMC TO CONSIDER NEW MURRAY RIVER PLAN
A five-year plan for the expenditure of nearly $500 million on improving the environmental condition of the Murray River has been endorsed by Federal Cabinet and will be considered by the Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council tomorrow.
The plan will allocate up to 500 gigalitres per year in additional flow to five sites along the Murray - the Barmah-Millewa Forest (near Echuca, Vic); the Gunbower and Koondrook-Pericoota Forests (near Barham, NSW/VIC Border); the Chowilla Floodplain (South Australia); the Murray Mouth, Coorong and Lower Lakes (South Australia); and the River Murray channel.
Cabinet has agreed that there will be no compulsory acquisition of water.
It is expected that, following tomorrow's meeting, the plan will be released for further public input and will be considered again by the Ministerial Council at its meeting in March next year.
The latest projections of Australia's greenhouse gas emission target shows that it is likely that Australia has approximately 110 per cent of 1990 levels by 2008-12, based on a range of policy measures implemented by the Federal and State Governments.
It has been estimated in the report, Tracking to the Kyoto Target 2003 - Australia's Greenhouse Emission Trends - 1990 to 2008-2012, that had the various measures not been put in place, emissions growth would have reached 123 per cent of 1990 levels.
Emissions in 2020 are expected to be 126 per cent of 1990 levels on an indicative basis, reflecting the impact of ongoing growth in emissions in the energy sector.
To view the report, go to http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/projections/tracking/pubs/tracking2003.pdf
A report that analyses submissions into the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target Review shows that unless the Target is increased to 10 per cent, there will not be a dynamic domestic renewable energy sector.
The report, Creating Jobs for Australians - A Summary of Submissions to the Mandatory Renewable Energy Review Focussing on Job Creation Potential, prepared for Greenpeace by Dr Rob Passey, states that if the Federal Government fails to increase the MRET target "it will be a clear indication that the decision was predetermined and not based on the evidence presented during the MRET review. It will also indicate that the Government appears content to lose tens of thousands of new jobs and to condemn Australians to the increasingly serious impacts of climate change."
The report is available on request from Greenpeace. Contact Tim Hollo on 0411 032 375.
4.
FEARS ABOUT GREEN STAR RATING SYSTEM
Fears have been expressed that the new system to rate the green credentials of building developments, Green Star, could be used by developers to gain the credentials unwarrantedly, potentially discrediting the whole system.
The fears have been expressed by both environmental and industry groups during the public consultation phase of the scheme, who fear that the system will allow developers to promote their buildings as being environmentally friendly without having to deliver on those promises.
The system, devised by the Green Building Council of Australia, has no minimum standards for individual categories, allowing points to be "traded off" between categories.
Points can be earned for providing views for tenants, bike storage areas and for being close to public transport, as well as for energy and water efficiency and solar power, meaning that even if a building scores poorly in greenhouse and energy issues, they may still be able to score highly in overall points.
5.
NSW SETS POWER PLANT EMISSION STANDARD
The NSW Government has taken the unprecedented step of rejecting a proposed power station due to the plant's projected greenhouse gas emissions.
The decision to reject the $230 million Redbank 2 coal power station was based on the fact that the plant would generate greenhouse emissions higher than the NSW average and at a higher intensity than other power stations in the Hunter Valley.
Its emission levels would also have exceeded the NSW greenhouse gas benchmarks scheme implemented by the state government earlier this year.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority had earlier delivered an assessment of the plant which concluded that approval of the plant would contradict government policy and would place the Government's green credentials as risk.
6.
MOST AUSTRALIANS UNAWARE OF HOW TO RECYCLE
Planet Ark has used National Recycling Week to urge the Federal Government to put extra funding into local council education programs to raise awareness about recycling, after new research shows that two thirds of Australian households are not sure how to recycle properly.
The research, conducted by Roy Morgan, showed about $15 million worth of aluminium cans alone were being trashed instead of recycled every year. The research also found non-recyclable waste in recycling bins was rendering whole truckloads of material collected by councils useless except for landfill.
There was some good news, however, with 99 per cent of Australians reported to consider recycling important for the environment. It also found eight out of every 10 newspapers were recycled in Australia last year, making the country the best in the world for paper recycling. Over 2 billion aluminium cans were recycled last year, millions of milk cartons were turned into office paper and more than 12,000 tonnes of used office paper was turned into toilet paper.
COURSES
7. WETLAND ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT TRAINING COURSE
26th-30th
November, Gippsland Lakes, Sale, Victoria
http://www.greeningaustralia.org.au
This is your last chance to be a part of Greening Australia's "Wetland Ecology and Management Course", considered the leading training event of its kind, relating scientific methods with practical expertise.
Focussed on the Gippsland Lakes and based in Sale the course will cover geology, hydrology, biology, chemistry and ecology, culminating in a management planning day. Participants will understand the ecological drivers of wetland ecosystems, and feel confident in shaping management plans for rehabilitation and conservation. A rare opportunity to learn from experts in all aspects of wetland ecology and management.
The course will run from November 26th - 30th. The cost of the 5 day professional training course is $1133 and includes all accommodation and meals. Please note that Farmbis rebate and community discounts apply.
To reserve your place at this years event contact Benita de Vincentiis at Greening Australia Victoria on phone (03) 9450 5300 fax (03) 9457 3687 or by email on training@gavic.org.au.
Act quickly as numbers are limited.
Greening Australia (Victoria) delivers regular professional training events educating many thousands of environmental practitioners each year on a wide range of topics.
To be kept up to date with future professional training courses please email training@gavic.org.au
8.
GRADUATE DIPLOMA AND MASTERS COURSES IN ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING
-
Contribute to the sustainability of places, communities, regions & environments
- Accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia
- Outstanding career opportunities
- Distance Education or On-campus
- Scholarships available
These multi-disciplinary courses in environmental planning are offered by the University of Tasmania. The courses can be studied full-time or part-time at our Hobart campus or by Distance Education. The Graduate Diploma is fully articulated with the Masters course.
Planning methods and theory are integrated with understandings drawn from biophysical, social, cultural, legal and public policy disciplines. Urban, regional and natural environments are considered, and emphasis is given to planning across all land tenures at catchment and landscape scales.
Extensive use of case studies provides students with practical examples of major environmental planning issues. Masters students undertake a planning project in addition to their coursework studies.
The Graduate Diploma is provisionally accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia. The full accreditation process for both courses will be completed by the end of 2003.
For further information see: http://www.geog.utas.edu.au/planning/ or email: Michael.Lockwood@utas.edu.au
9.
POSTGRADUATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALIFICATIONS AT FLINDERS UNIVERSITY
The School of Geography, Population and Environmental Management at Flinders University offers a comprehensive package of qualifications for persons interested in following a career in environmental management.
These qualifications are designed to meet the needs of South Australia's industry and consist of a Bachelors degree, a Graduate Certificate, a Graduate Diploma and a Masters degree. The Certificate and Diploma provide alternative entry points for students who may not qualify for direct admission to the Masters degree.
The Certificate and Diploma are suited to those who wish to move into a career in environmental management or those who would like to seek a promotion in their career. These programs also enable students to undertake postgraduate studies that do not involve primary research, although the choice is available for those who want this.
Those persons who have not studied for some time and would like to re-enter university study in small steps will find these qualifications suitable to their needs. They are designed to give candidates a balanced outlook on the multifaceted realm of environmental management.
In addition to the core topic - Environmental Management - students may choose from a selection of topics with strong focus on management and environmental systems and processes.
For further information contact the Admissions Office, Flinders University on 8201 3074 or 1300 657 671 or email: admissions@flinders.edu.au or browse the website http://www.ssn.flinders.edu.au/geog/
10.
GET A DEGREE IN LAND MANAGEMENT - FROM HOME
Land Management courses from The University of Sydney by distance education cover the key aspects of the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
Studies focus on the integration and application of relevant socioeconomic, biophysical and ecological studies, enabling students to become highly effective managers of environmental programs and activities.
Distance education allows you to engage skills and knowledge in "real world" and workplace projects. As a consequence, you gain an immediate benefit from your studies.
For more information please email study@orange.usyd.edu.au, check our web site http://www.orange.usyd.edu.au/land_management or phone (02) 6360 5511.
CONFERENCES, SEMINARS & SUMMITS
26-27 November
University of Western Sydney, Parramatta
The AWA's Integrated Catchment Management Conference, ICaM 2003, is generating global interest.
The conference will be running in three parallel streams over the 2 days, covering the following 6 themes:
1.
Management of Land Use Impacts on Catchments (Water Quality and Water Quantity)
2. Water Rights, Water Allocation and Water Reform
3. Capacity Building and Community Involvement in Catchment Management
4. Waterway Restoration and Rehabilitation
5. Integrated Catchment Planning
6. Innovative Solutions and Case Studies
Eminent professionals from across Australia and New Zealand will make a wide range of presentations covering these themes. Enquiries to attend this event have come from as far away as India, China, Africa and Germany, and are continuing to flow in.
Thanks to our sponsors, Sydney Catchment Authority, CDS Technologies, Parramatta City Council, Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust and Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Foundation.
Program: http://www.awa.asn.au/events/icam03/ICAM03.pdf
12.
ECOPOLITICS XIV - GREENING SUSTAINABILITY
RMIT UNIVERSITY 27-29 NOVEMBER 2003
The conference theme is 'Greening Sustainability' and is designed to encourage a re-examination, re-evaluation and exploration of individual, local, regional, national and global efforts towards sustainable development with a view to encouraging a greening of sustainability.
The conference theme is inspired by the growing interest in 'sustainability' and associated concerns about whether this growing interest 'walks the talk'.
Topics to be covered: Trade, food and sustainability; Biotechnology and sustainability; Global warming, climate refugees and sustainability; Environmental security; Greening the state, multi-sectoral approaches, and strategies for policy integration; Community led sustainability; Media and sustainability; Energy, wind power and wind farms; Sustainable design and green architecture; Corporate governance and sustainability; Ecological footprinting and natural capital.
The conference aims to bring together academics, practitioners and activists, and there is plenty of scope for people from many discipline areas (sociology, politics, public policy, social policy, social work, gender studies, development studies) to participate.
Registration details and further information: Further information and registration details are available through the conference website http://www.rmit.edu.au/tce/ssp/events/ecopol or via the Ecopolitics Association website (http://www.ecopolitics.org.au).
Registration fees range from $130 for waged to $80 for unwaged/ students and day rates are available.
13.
SIA LUNCHTIME SEMINAR, LIDCOMBE
Household Water Balance - Sydney Water review
Tuesday, December 4th, 2003
The Environment and Innovation Division of Sydney Water is engaged in an R&D project to evaluate the benefits of integrated water management which include reduction in potable water use, reduction in wastewater discharge, and reduction in stormwater runoff.
The
R&D results will be used to develop practical guidelines that could be included
in BASIX and
adopted by Councils for development control.
Some of the questions that this project will attempt to answer include:
-
How much storage is required for a particular development site?
- Which technologies are most adequate?
- What operational, maintenance, legal and regulatory issues need to be resolved?
SPEAKER: Dragan Hranisavljevic - Sydney Water Corporation
This Seminar should be attended by developers, builders, planners, Council planners, environmental professionals, Stormwater and Catchment Managers, Consultants, and all stakeholders in the development and delivery of Water Sensitive Urban Design and Ecologically Sustainable Development.
Registrations and lunch from 12:30pm. Seminar commences 1pm and concludes 2pm.
COST $55 members / $75 non-members.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION: SIA Secretariat, info@stormwater.asn.au or phone 1300 76 11 22 or at http://www.stormwater.asn.au/nsw/events.asp
14.
SYMPOSIUM ON URBANIZATION AND STREAM ECOLOGY
A Symposium on Urbanization and Stream Ecology will be held Monday 8 to Wednesday 10 December 2003 at the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Symposium Themes are the nature of urban impacts of stream ecology, ecological assessment of urban impacts, and addressing urban impacts: restoration and management priorities.
International experts, such as Judy Meyer, Derek Booth and Nancy Grimm are attending and presenting keynote addresses on the above themes. The Cooperative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology is one of the sponsors of the symposium.
Details may be found at the conference website: http://www.conferences.unimelb.edu.au/urbanization_and_stream_ecology
Conference
Secretariat:
Bronwen Hewitt
Conference Management
Old Physics Building
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010, Australia
Email: bhewitt@unimelb.edu.au
Australia's leading national water forum
Integrating regional and urban water management strategies for efficient and sustainable outcomes
Date:
25-27 February 2004
Venue: Carlton Crest Hotel, Melbourne
The AUSTRALIAN WATER SUMMIT 2004 brings together Australia's top decision-makers in government, the water industry and key stakeholders to debate implementation strategies for better management of our finite water supply.
Topics that will be addressed include: -
1. The national and state agendas for water reform
2. Water trading, finance and natural resource management
3. Managing structural change and reform in the water industry and for key stakeholders
4. New technologies and waste reduction strategies
5. Case studies from world-leading Australian water conservation project
6. Addressing demand and supply imbalances
The two-day conference is also followed by three interactive workshops at which our expert workshop leaders will take participants through; "water reuse and recycling options", "stakeholder communications" and "preparing for a price and service review".
For more information or to register CALL TODAY on 02 9923 5090 or email: info@iir.com.au or visit http://www.iir.com.au/infrastructure
16.
2004 QUEENSLAND ENVIRONMENTAL LAW ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE
12 - 14 May, 2004
Radisson Hotel at the Pier, Cairns
'Carrots, Sticks and Toolkits'
Regulatory change should have a necessary purpose and must be capable of delivering the desired results.
The
2004 QELA Conference will focus on changes to planning and environment regulation,
including enforcement and compliance in recent times.
It will examine what has been innovative and what has not, what has been successful
and what has not.
'Carrots, Sticks and Toolkits' - the 2004 QELA conference title recognises that traditional regulatory regimes in the planning and environment area have generally applied a carrot and stick approach to compliance and achieving desired results.
Over the last 10 years in particular though, the desire has increasingly been to find other more innovative ways of achieving better outcomes across a range of areas i.e., "the toolkits".
CALL
FOR PAPERS:
The Queensland Environmental Law Association invites you to submit a synopsis
of your proposed paper for the 2004 Conference.
Submissions are required by close of business on Friday 12 December 2003.
For more details, go to: http://www.qela.com.au/annualconference2004.shtml
PRODUCTS
The Department of Agriculture Western Australia has recently released three more AGMAPS CD-ROM products covering parts of the south west and south coast regions.
These products provide fingertip access to maps and detailed information on soil and vegetation types, land use capabilities and risks and links to options for development and management.
AGMAPS are computer based, decision-support tools that have a wide variety of applications and are suitable for use from the regional to the paddock scale. They are easy to use and the information is presented in a user friendly, non technical manner for easy analysis and decision-making.
The latest products cover the following areas:
AGMAPS LP2 - shires of Kwinana, Rockingham, Serpentine-Jarrahdale, Mandurah, Murray and Boddington.
AGMAPS LP3 - shires of Capel, Busselton, Augusta-Margaret River and parts of the shires of Bunbury, Donnybrook-Balingup and Nannup.
AGMAPS LM2 - the Frankland-Gordon catchment which includes parts of the shires of Kojonup, Cranbrook, Tambellup and Broomehill.
To view a demonstration of the AGMAPS products or to find out more go to the Department of Agriculture website at http://www.agric.wa.gov.au and search for AGMAPS or contact Ian Kininmonth email: ikininmonth@agric.wa.gov.au.
PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS
18.
CONSULTATIVE SESSIONS: INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF NATIONAL PACKAGING
COVENANT
The National Packaging Covenant is Australia's framework for seeking to reduce the environmental impact of consumer packaging.
The Covenant Council has initiated an independent review of the Covenant's performance since its establishment in August 1999. Nolan-ITU, an independent sustainability consultancy, is conducting the project.
As part of this review, members of the public and stakeholders have opportunities to express their views about the performance of the National Packaging Covenant at a series of public meetings and through written submissions.
The project team will consider the views expressed during the consultation, as well as forward those views to the Covenant Council.
The schedule and venues for the public meetings is as follows:
Brisbane
Australian Institute of Management
Management House
Brisbane Room
Cnr Boundary & Rosa Street
Spring Hill QLD 4000Monday 17th November 2003
10am - 12.30pm
Sydney
William Blue International Hotel Management School
Level 9, Northpoint
cnr Miller Street & Pacific Hwy
North Sydney NSW 2060
Tuesday 18th November 2003
10am - 12.30pm
Melbourne
Australian Institute of Management
Management House
181 Fitzroy Street
St Kilda VIC 3182
Wednesday 19th November 2003
10am - 12.30pm
Adelaide
Australian Institute of Management
Room 6
224 Hindley Street
Adelaide SA 5000
Wednesday 19th November 2003
10am-12.30pm
Hobart
Rydges Hobart
Edwardian Room
Cnr Argyle & Lewis Streets
North Hobart TAS 7002
Thursday 20th November 2003
10am - 12.30pm
Perth
Australian Institute of Management
IBM Seminar Room
76 Birkdale Street
Floreat WA 6014
Thursday 20th November 2003
10am - 12.30pm
Each session will brief participants on the review's methodology, seek participants'
general comments, and formally accept oral submissions from registered stakeholders.
Those wishing to attend a consultative session need to register by email to Lyndall Bell of Nolan-ITU on as soon as possible, as sessions commence next week.
In addition, individuals or organisations that wish to make an official oral submission at a consultative session need to register prior to a meeting of their convenience. Each registered participant will have up to 10 minutes to speak. To register to formally address a consultative session, please also notify Lyndall by November 14th, 2003.
Written submissions by email are also welcome. To lodge a written submission, please send to Lyndall by Friday, December 5th, 2003.
Email Lyndall on lbell@nolanitu.com.au
For more information about the consultative sessions of the independent review of the National Packaging Covenant, contact 0419 163 668.