EnviroInfo

May 16, 2003

SUMMARY

GENERAL NEWS
__________________________________________________

1. ENVIRONMENT SPENDING INCREASED BUT JOBS TO GO
2. AUDIT CRITICISES NHT
3. CREAN COMMITS TO SAVING THE MURRAY
4. NSW DEPARTMENT RESTRUCTURING
5. VICTORIAN COMMISSIONER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
LEGISLATION PASSED
6. SA SUSTAINABILITY ROUNDTABLE TO BE ESTABLISHED
7. ETHANOL USE QUESTIONED
8. WATER SAVINGS PROJECT

SHORT COURSES
__________________________________________________

9. ENVIRONMENT, PLANNING AND LAW IN THE COASTAL ZONE
COURSE
10. GROUNDWATER SHORT COURSES 2003

CONFERENCES, SYMPOSIUMS & FORUMS
__________________________________________________

11. AUSTRALIAN RUNOFF QUALITY SYMPOSIUM
12. AI GROUP 5TH NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT CONFERENCE 2003
13. "URBAN AND REMNANT BUSHLAND: TOOLKIT FOR A
SUSTAINABLE FUTURE" CONFERENCE
14. NATIONAL WATER CONFERENCE
15. RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATIORS OF AUSTRALIA FORUM

FUNDING
__________________________________________________

16. FRDC RESEARCH FUNDING CALL FOR PRE-PROPOSALS

VOLUNTEERS
__________________________________________________

17. OVERSEAS VOLUNTEERS OPPORTUNITIES

GENERAL NEWS

__________________________________________________

1. ENVIRONMENT SPENDING INCREASED BUT JOBS TO GO
__________________________________________________

The 2003-04 Federal Budget provides for a small increase in spending on
the environment but, as usual, there are winners and losers within the
overall expenditure picture.

Obtaining an accurate understanding of environmental spending for the
coming year - rarely a straightforward task at the best of times - has been
made more difficult by the inclusion of spending from other portfolios,
including AusAid and Customs.

The headline figure of $2 billion in spending for the 2003-04 year includes
$124 million allocated to climate change, up from $93 million in 2002-03
with increased allocations to the Greenhouse Gas Abatement Program,
the Renewable Energy Commercialisation Program, and the retention - for at least another year - of the Cities for Climate Change Protection.

Heritage has been a winner from the Budget with a new Distinctively
Australian system of protection for places of national significance which
is the centrepiece of the new heritage legislation.

Just over $13 million has been allocated over four years for the
development of the National Heritage List composed of natural,
indigenous, and built heritage places.

But the Budget also takes away: some 103 jobs have been cut from
environmental portfolios with 30 axed from the Australian Greenhouse
Office and National Parks, while Environment and Heritage will lose 73 departmental positions.

_________________________________________________

2. AUDIT CRITICISES NHT
_________________________________________________

The Natural Heritage Trust has come under fire from a report compiled by
the National Land and Water Resources Audit, which has criticised the
uncoordinated, ad hoc approach to national biodiversity projects, and
has called for a significant increase in investment in biodiversity
management.

The report concludes that "it is imperative that action be taken to limit
vegetation clearing to ensure that regional biodiversity and hydrological
objectives are not further compromised."

The report provides a detailed information base which supports the
recommendation to the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and
Innovation Council in 2002 that reduction of land clearing was of critical
importance in reducing the loss of Australia's natural systems and
biodiversity.

The NLWRA report addresses the condition and trend of wetlands,
riparian zones, threatened species and ecosystems and the processes
that threaten various elements of biodiversity, and provides the first
attempt to systematically determine the conservation status of
Australia's terrestrial ecosystems, identifying 2891 ecosystems and other
ecological communities that are threatened.

For the full report go to
http://audit.ea.gov.au/ANRA/vegetation/docs/biodiversity/bio_assess_c
ontents.cfm

_________________________________________________

3. CREAN COMMITS TO SAVING THE MURRAY
_________________________________________________

In a bid to stem the current loss of electoral support to the Greens, the
Leader of the Australian Labor Party, Simon Crean, has released a
statement committing a Labor Government to restoring 450 gigalitres of
environmental flows to the Murray River within its first term, and
delivering 1500 gigalitres in environmental flow within 10 years to restore
the health of the river.

Mr Crean said that an immediate additional 450 gigalitres would be
necessary each year to keep the mouth of the Murray open, and the
Wentworth Group had advised that an additional 1500 gigalitres per year
would be necessary in the longer term to give the Murray "a moderate
chance of survival."

_________________________________________________

4. NSW DEPARTMENT RESTRUCTURING
_________________________________________________

The Department of Land and Water Conservation is to be renamed the
Department of Sustainable Natural Resources as part of the post-election
reshuffling in New South Wales.

The new Department will be headed by Jennifer Westacott, who has
been named Director-General of both the Department of Sustainable
Natural Resources and the Department of Urban and Transport Planning.

Ms Westacott was previously the head of the Department of Education
and Training in Victoria.

As yet, no formal decisions have been made on the structure of the new
Department of Sustainable Natural Resources.

_________________________________________________

5. COMMISSIONER FOR ENVIRONMENT LEGISLATION PASSED
_________________________________________________

The Victorian Legislative Council has passed legislation to appoint a
Commissioner for the Environment who will have the powers to audit the
Victorian Government's environmental performance.

The Commissioner will conduct annual strategic audits of the
environmental performance of state agencies and public authorities and
report to Parliament on the state of Victoria's environment, as well as
auditing education programs that promote sustainability.

The first task of the Commissioner will be to consult publicly on a
framework for State of Environment Reporting.

_________________________________________________

6. SUSTAINABILITY ROUNDTABLE TO BE ESTABLISHED
_________________________________________________

The South Australian Government has moved to establish a
Sustainability Roundtable which will develop a sustainability framework
in conjunction with the Economic Development Board and the Social
Inclusion Unit.

Meeting four times a year, the Roundtable will provide support for the
Office of Sustainability and provide advice to other government
departments on sustainable practices, addressing issues such as water,
waste management, greenhouse gas reduction and the development of
renewable energy resources.

The Government has advertised nationally for expressions of interest for
membership of the Roundtable, with members appointed for two year
terms.

Expressions of interest should be sent to Susan Close, Office of
Sustainability. GPO Box 1047, Adelaide SA 5001 Email:
close.susan@sa.gov.au by May 19.

_________________________________________________

7. ETHANOL USE QUESTIONED
_________________________________________________

A new report by CSIRO suggests ethanol will be less efficient and
potentially more environmentally harmful than unleaded petrol.

The confidential report, sent to Deputy Prime Minister and ethanol-
advocate, John Anderson, and Environment Minister David Kemp, is
understood to question the push to encourage the use of ethanol as a
petrol extender.

In the recent budget, the Federal Government unveiled new plans to
extend an ethanol production subsidy of 38.143c per litre through to 2008.

The subsidy could cost taxpayers up to $150 million a year but is
considered necessary to ensure the oil industry meets the Government's
target of 350 million litres of bio-fuel use by 2010.

While the new report is not publicly available, a older report into the
comparison of transport fuels by CSIRO shows that ethanol made from a
non-renewable source via ethylene produces greater embodied
emissions of greenhouse gases than diesel fuel, and states that the major
disadvantage of ethanol is that present estimates indicate that it may
have difficulty meeting Euro3 and Euro4 standards in relation to the
emissions of hydrocarbons.

______________________________________________

8. WATER SAVINGS PROJECT
_________________________________________________

The Commonwealth Government is seeking new and innovative water
savings ideas with potential to make significant water savings in rural
and regional Australia.

The initiative has been set up to identify opportunities for making
substantial water savings which could be used for environmental
purposes, or further development of agriculture. Minister Truss
announced ideas would be accepted via submission to the 'Water
Savings Project' from 7 May 2003 to 13 June 2003.

Submissions must be made on-line or via the submission form. All
submissions will be considered and evaluated by an expert panel, with
the best and most promising being referred to an Australian inter-
government committee for consideration of how they may be most
effectively progressed.

Further information is available on the Water Savings Project website:
http://www.affa.gov.au/watersavings or by calling the Commonwealth
Regional Information Service on 1800 026 222.

SHORT COURSES
_________________________________________________

9. ENVIRONMENT, PLANNING AND LAW IN THE COASTAL ZONE
COURSE
_________________________________________________

The five-day course, to held from July 21 to 25, will enhance each
participant's understanding of how management and planning systems in
the coastal zone interact with environmental and legal constraints in
determining how coasts are conserved and utilised.

Examples from Australia (especially NSW) and the USA will be used to
illustrate principles and practices.

Special attention will be given to how the principles of ESD are being
applied in the context of evolving coastal policies at federal, state and
local government levels.

Reference will be made to components in the NSW "Coastal Protection
Package" 2001 including changes to the Coastal Protection Act, SEPP71,
the revised Coastal Zone Management Manual and the Comprehensive
Coastal Assessment (CCA).

The coordinator and presenter of the course will be Bruce G. Thom, PhD,
FIAG, Chair of Coastal Council of NSW.

A brochure is available at http://www.fbe.unsw.edu.au/courses/EP&L
while a registration form can be obtained at
http://www.fbe.unsw.edu.au/courses/EP&L/Registration.pdf.

The cost of the course will be:
Normal Fee - $1200 (including GST);
Early Bird Special - $1050 (including GST) for those who register no later
than 30 May 2003 (non-residential, including refreshments, lunches and
short course dinner).

For further information contact Susan Lundy, Professional Development
Coordinator, Faculty of the Built Environment, The University of New
South Wales by phone on (02) 9385 6676, fax (02) 9385 6264 or email
profdev@fbe.unsw.edu.au

_________________________________________________

10. GROUNDWATER SHORT COURSES 2003
_________________________________________________

* 1st Model Calibration and Predictive Uncertainty Analysis using PEST.
Tues 24 - Thurs 26 June 2003
Victoria University VIC
$1500

* 2nd NAPLs and Groundwater
Mon 30 June - Thurs 3 July 2003
Melbourne University, International House VIC
$1500

* 7th Getting to Know Groundwater
Wed 9 - Fri 11 July 2003
Adelaide University
Aquinas College SA
$800

* 25th Australian Groundwater School
Mon 14 - Sat 19 July 2003
Adelaide University
Aquinas College SA
$1200

* 2nd Hydrogeology of Fractured Rocks
Tues 30 Sept- Thurs 2 Oct 2003
Townhouse on Hindley SA
$1200

* 1st Soil & Groundwater Pollution: Investigation, Remediation and Risk
Assessment
Wed 5th Nov - Fri 7 Nov 2003
UNSW, New College NSW
$1500

* 26th Australian Groundwater School
Mon 1 - Sat 6 Dec- 2003
Melbourne University,
International House VIC
$1200

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

Please note: Prices do not include GST.

CONFERENCES, SYMPOSIUMS & FORUMS
_________________________________________________

11. AUSTRALIAN RUNOFF QUALITY SYMPOSIUM
_________________________________________________

The Australian Runoff Quality Symposium is to be held in Albury from
June 16 to 17 and will see the official launch of the Australian Runoff
Quality design manual.

The symposium is sponsored by the Institution of Engineers, Australia,
and is being hosted by the North East Catchment Management
Authority.

The design manual is an initiative of the Institution of Engineers,
Australia's National Committee on Water Engineering.

The manual provides an overview of current best practice in the
management of urban stormwater in Australia.
Its contents include:

- procedures for the estimation of a range of urban stormwater
contaminants;

- design guidelines for commonly applied stormwater quantity and
quality management practices; procedures for the estimation of the
performance of these practices; and

- advice with respect to the development/consideration of integrated
urban water cycle management practices.

The manual draws on the latest findings and recommendations from
Australian and international research.

The two day Australian Runoff Quality Symposium will include a
combination of presentations and workshops. These will cover the main
aspects of the material contained in the ARQ design manual and will be
presented by key authors of the relevant sections.

All delegates will be provided with a copy of the Final Draft of the ARQ
manual.

For further information and registration details visit the symposium
website http://www.necma.vic.gov.au/conferences/index.html.

For questions relating to the Symposium program and content contact
Associate Professor Tony Wong by phoning (03) 9571 0244 or email
tony@ecoeng.com.au.

For questions relating to registration and accommodation contact Ms
Fiona Shanks-Colla by phoning (02) 6043 7600 or email
necma@necma.vic.gov.au.

_________________________________________________

12. AI GROUP 5TH NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT CONFERENCE 2003
_________________________________________________

Melbourne, 17 June.

The Melbourne leg of the Australian Industry Group's 5th National
Environment Conference Series will be held in Melbourne on Tuesday 17
June.

The Melbourne Conference follows on from the highly successful
Sydney Conference held on 5 May. The final Conference in the series
will be held in Brisbane in November.

This year's Melbourne Conference will be one of the best ever, focusing
on the theme, "A Sustainable and Competitive Australia".

The Conference provides a key forum for representatives from industry
and Government to keep abreast of important legislative, policy and
corporate management practices in the critical area of environment.

The venue for the conference is Leonda by the Yarra, 2 Wallen Road,
Hawthorn. We hope that you will be able to join us on 17 June.

To register from the conference, go to
http://www.aigroup.asn.au/PDFs/vic-Environment-Conf-Rego.pdf

_________________________________________________

13. "URBAN AND REMNANT BUSHLAND: TOOLKIT FOR A
SUSTAINABLE FUTURE" CONFERENCE
_________________________________________________

19th and 20th June, 2003

This conference has been organised to discuss the barriers to the
conservation of biodiversity in remnant vegetation in both metropolitan
and rural-urban areas, and to consider a range of innovative strategies
or"toolkits" including financial incentives, improved planning and
legislation, appropriate land management and life style choices.

Venue: Centenary Lecture Theatre, Royal North Shore Hospital, St
Leonards.

Topics include:

- Funding strategies for urban bushland conservation and enhancement

- Planning for ecological bushfire protection

- Urban bushland communication and education

- Conflicts between recreation and conservation needs

- Incorporating conservation into lifestyle

- Regional and issue-based case studies

Speakers Include:

- Richard Davies (National Parks and Wildlife Service)

- Prof David Farrier (Wollongong University)

- Sue Lennox (Oz GREEN)

- Tim Moore (Land and Environment Court)

- Christine Schweizer (Environment Australia)

- Kylee Wilton (State Wetlands Advisory Committee)

Registration Fees:

Corporate and state agencies (15% disc for 3 or more) $275.00
Local Govt (disc as above) $220.00
Individuals $110.00
Concession (eg students) $90.00

If you have any queries please contact NCC Urban Bushland Project
Officer, Craig Morrison on (02) 9279 2466 or cmorrison@nccnsw.org.au

_________________________________________________

14. NATIONAL WATER CONFERENCE
_________________________________________________

The 8th National Water Conference is to be held in Sydney from June 24
to 26 and will give delegates the latest commercial information on how to
implement successful water management strategies.

The conference's expert speaker panel will include Deputy Prime Minister
and Transport and Regional Services Minister John Anderson, National
Competition Council President Graeme Samuel and Murray-Darling Basin
Commission CEO Don Blackmore.

The conference will assist delegates to: benefit from water usage and
reuse reforms in 2003/2004; attract investors to wastewater and reuse
projects; improve consumer price signals; ensure transparency for water
use; and win customer loyalty with pre-payment metering.

Local government CEOs, senior managers and staff are among
professionals the conference program has been researched and
developed for.

A Public Private Partnerships (PPP) masterclass will also be held on June
26.

The masterclass will be tailored to address topics such as: Do I need a
PPP?; Ensuring the PPP meets your objectives; Designing the
appropriate PPP; How do I get the best private or public sector partner?

For further information about the conference visit
http://www.powergenerationworld.com/2003/water_AU where online
registration is also available, or contact Isabelle Sullivan by phone on
(02) 9005 0707, fax (02) 9281 5517 or email isabelle.sullivan@terrapinn.com

________________________________________________

15. RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATORS OF AUSTRALIA FORUM
________________________________________________

Renewable Energy Generators of Australia (REGA) REGA was formed in
1999 to provide a voice for the renewable energy industry in Australia
and has held a forum each year since then.

This year REGA will be holding their 4th Forum at the Sebel Lodge, Yarra
Valley (Southern Victoria) on 26th - 27th June.

The theme of the 2003 Forum is Renewables Development : a mechanism
for economic growth.

The program includes key note speakers from the OECD, international
renewable energy technology developers, Australia's Greenhouse Office
and the renewable energy regulator. Consistent with the theme, the
forum program will cover renewable energy technology updates, the
MRET review, emissions trading and current government energy policy
processes.

The REGA Forum is an opportunity to present the views and aspirations
of all who are involved in this fast developing world of renewable energy
development.

For Registration please contact Ms Julie Crane ph (03) 6230 5042, email
julie.crane@hydro.com.au

FUNDING
________________________________________________

16. FRDC RESEARCH FUNDING CALL FOR PRE-PROPOSALS
________________________________________________

The NSW Fisheries Research Advisory Committee (NSWFRAC)
provides the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)
with advice on the attractiveness and feasibility of R&D applications
submitted by researchers for funding support.

In the first instance the FRAC assesses pre-proposals and provides
further advice to applicants prior to the submission of final applications
to the FRDC.

Currently, the NSWFRAC wishes to encourage research pre-proposals
that focus particularly in the areas of:

- R&D innovations designed to develop the Silver Perch industry.

- Identification and management of commercial and recreational fishing
grounds.

- Economic analysis of recreational and commercial fishing grounds.

- Amelioration of the affects of water quality on aquatic resources.

The FRAC would also particularly welcome pre-proposals that address
indigenous fishing issues related to any one of these priority areas.

Pre-proposals for the 2003/2004 round of Fisheries Research and
Development Corporation (FRDC) funding are due by COB on Monday,
29 July, 2003, and should be addressed to: NSW Seafood Industry
Council, Locked Bag 247, Pyrmont NSW 2009.

Marked 'FRAC Research Pre-Proposal'.

Pre-proposal forms can be downloaded from
http://www.nswseafoodindustry.com.au or
http://www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au.

For further information please phone Mr Gerard Hawkes on (02) 9552
3300 at NSW Seafood Industry Council.

VOLUNTEERS
________________________________________________

17. OVERSEAS VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
________________________________________________

Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) is seeking volunteers who are
interested in four week voluntary conservation placements in North
America.

CVA World Conservation Programs in the USA operate mid June to mid
December with teams of supervised volunteers conducting a range of
activities including trail building and maintenance, timber bridge
construction on walking trails, salmon habitat restoration and campsite
maintenance.

Our programs are run in conjunction with Youth Corps agencies, the
National Park Service and the National Forest Service.

Program locations are -
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Nevada
- Montana

Age restrictions may apply for some programs and for more information
on program prices and scheduled activities, visit our website at
http://www.conservationvolunteers.com.au/world_conservation/2003_pr
ogram.htm or email info@conservationvolunteers.com

CVA offers conservation volunteer opportunities in Australia for weekly
and weekend projects - visit our website for further details.

We will soon be offering Scholarships for a Victoria-Italy Youth
Exchange leaving September - register your interest now by emailing
info@conservationvolunteers.com.au and we will send further details
when available.

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