EnviroInfo
October 16, 2003
SUMMARY
GENERAL
NEWS
1.
NRMMC & EPHC MEETINGS
2. FISHING INDUSTRY INFLUENCES REEF REZONING DRAFT
3. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RECEIVES MRET REVIEW REPORT
4. REVIEW OF CONTROLLED WASTE NEPM
5. GREENS VOTE TO BECOME UNIFIED
6. WESTPAC AGAIN LEADS SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY SURVEY
7. CARBON CALCULATOR LAUNCHED
COURSES
8.
POSTGRADUATE COURSES IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION (DISTANCE
EDUCATION)
9. WETLAND ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT TRAINING COURSE
10. MATERIALS IN CONTEXT - DESIGN DECISION MAKING FOR SUSTAINABLE
MATERIALS
SUMMITS/CONFERENCES
11.
STORMWATER INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION EVENTS
12. AGRICULTURE, BUSINESS AND THE ENVIRONMENT - ADVANCING THE
EMS DEBATE
13. 2nd WESTERN AUSTRALIAN STATE COASTAL CONFERENCE
14. THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE IN ENVIRONMENTAL
REGULATION
15. MELBOURNE 2030: FROM VISION TO REALITY
16. SUSTAINABILITY AND BEYOND - THIRD NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STIPA
NATIVE GRASSES ASSOCIATION
17. ANZES 2003: DESTINATION RENEWABLES FROM RESEARCH TO MARKET
18. BIOENERGY 2003: SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR OUR FUTURE
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
19. GREEN CORPS - CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR PROJECTS COMMENCING APRIL 2004
GENERAL NEWS
Despite the time that it has taken for state governments to reach agreement with the Federal Government on bilaterals under the Natural Heritage Trust and the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality, there was general consensus at the recent Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council meeting that the partnerships under the two policies had resulted in "exciting investments in a range of innovative actions across most jurisdictions."
The fifth meeting of the NRMMC dealt with a range of issues, including simplification of the funding arrangements and administration of the NHT and NAP, the need for further biodiversity assessment, and greater cooperation on oceans management.
Also, in what is believed to be a world-first, manufacturers will be required to place water-efficiency labels on all showerheads, washing machines, dishwashers and toilets sold in Australia following the agreement by ministers to support the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards scheme at the recently held 6th Environment Protection and Heritage Council meeting.
It is anticipated that the scheme will commence in 2005 once the Commonwealth has drafted legislation in partnership with the States and Territories to underpin the scheme.
The Council noted that the scheme will conserve approximately 87,200 million litres of water per year, equalling 5 per cent of total household water use, and saving consumers about $620 million per year in electricity and water bills.
The Ministers also formally accepted the Retailers Code of Practice for the Management of Plastic Shopping Bags and called on all retailers, particularly smaller operators, to support the Code to ensure national bag reduction and recycling targets are met.
2.
FISHING INDUSTRY INFLUENCES REEF REZONING DRAFT
Commercial fishing groups have had a powerful influence over the draft plan to protect the Great Barrier Reef, with the new plan bearing little resemblance to the original draft, released in June.
The public consultation phase of the draft plan has seen more than 21,000 submissions received and hundreds of public meeting, with the fishing industry complaining that the re-zoning plan, which divided the reef into 70 representative bioregions, each with at least a 20 per cent "no-take" zone, would devastate the industry.
A spokesman for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Bruce Kingston, has admitted that the redraft of the plan will be significantly different to the original draft, with green zones being dropped marginally but the structure being fundamentally changed.
3.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RECEIVES MRET REVIEW REPORT
The Federal Government has received the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target review report, and is currently considering its recommendations.
The report, currently in the hands of the Minister for Environment and Heritage, Dr David Kemp, must be tabled in Parliament by 18ths January, 2004, at which time the Government will announce whether the MRET target will be increased and by how much.
4.
REVIEW OF CONTROLLED WASTE NEPM
A review of the Movement of Controlled Waste NEPM is currently underway, with an issues paper being released for public comment..
Public submissions on the Issues Paper are invited by 14 November 2003.
Following analysis of comments received on the Issues Paper, the Review Team will report and make recommendations to the NEPC in April 2004.
For further information, go to http://www.ephc.gov.au/nepms/waste/waste_review.html
5.
GREENS VOTE TO BECOME UNIFIED
The Western Australian Greens have elected to merge with the national body, making the Greens a truly national party.
The WA Greens have operated as a separate political group for the past decade, however a referendum of WA Greens members showed 80 per cent support for the merger, which was formalised by a vote by the national Greens in favour of merging the two organisations.
The Greens now have a membership of over 7000 as a result of the union.
6.
WESTPAC AGAIN LEADS SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY SURVEY
Westpac has again topped the list of ethical businesses in the most recent RepuTex survey, and was the only corporation of Australia's top 100 companies to get a (c)AAAª rating.
The 2003 survey shows that IBM Australia, Energex, Australia Post, Shell Australia, Alcoa, Visy Industries, Queensland Rail, BHP Billiton, Coca-Cola Amatil, Insurance Australian Group are the leaders in social responsibility, many of which were also the leaders in 2002, each receiving AA ratings.
For further information, go to http://www.reputex.com.au
7.
CARBONCOST CALCULATOR LAUNCHED
CarbonCost Calculator http://www.carboncostcalc.com
The latest online tool to designed McKean & Park Lawyers & Consultants together with their commercial associates, Deakin University and Sinclair Knight Merz calculate embodied energy in buildings - the CarbonCost Calculator, was launched in Melbourne on 30 September by the Chief Executive of the Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria, Mr David Young.
The CarbonCost Calculator will offer protection to those like valuers, fund managers, property advisers and real estate agents who give professional advice, particularly advice about a building's future value and use.
Embodied energy is the energy used in producing the material and carrying out the processes used in constructing, repairing, refurbishing and demolishing a building.
-
The CarbonCost Calculator measures the embodied energy in a planned or existing
commercial building.
- The CarbonCost Calculator prices the additional cost of the embodied energy
using exactly the same principles as will apply under Greenhouse Abatement provisions.
- It delivers an estimated additional cost of the building under review.
- This enables Built Environment professionals to plan the design, use, development,
sale, purchase and financing of proposed and existing buildings.
We are operating the calculator free of charge and are encouraging all people to get on and have a go as we would appreciate feedback to make improvements.
It has the additional capability of giving accurate guidance towards sustainable building construction.
For further information please contact Ross Blair, Special Counsel of McKean & Park.
COURSES AND WORKSHOPS
8.
POSTGRADUATE COURSES IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION
(DISTANCE EDUCATION)
Charles Sturt University offers four postgraduate courses designed to meet the needs of natural resource managers.
The Graduate Certificate of Restoration Ecology (4 subjects) and the Postgraduate Certificate in River Restoration and Management (4 subjects) provide students with a theoretical background and practical skills in the design, implementation and evaluation of restoration projects.
The Graduate Diploma of Environmental Management (8 subjects) and Master of Environmental Management and Restoration (12 subjects) are multidisciplinary courses including environmental auditing, law and policy, restoration ecology, river hydrology and risk management. Graduates will gain a thorough grounding in environmental management principles and relevant practical skills.
Applicants
should possess a tertiary qualification or relevant professional experience.
Credit may be awarded for previous study in equivalent subjects. About half
of the subjects have compulsory Residential Schools.
For further information contact:
Dr
Helen Wood or Dr Robyn Watts
School of Science &Technology
Charles Sturt University
Locked
Bag 588
WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2678
Ph: 02 69332542 or 02 69332329
Email: hwood@csu.edu.au, rwatts@csu.edu.au
The School of Science and Technology also offers an undergraduate course in environmental science and a postgraduate course in GIS and remote sensing.
Course information available at http://www.csu.edu.au/faculty/sciagr/sst/
9.
WETLAND ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT TRAINING COURSE
26th-30th
November,
Gippsland Lakes, Sale, Victoria
Greening Australia's "Wetland Ecology and Management Course", supported by Monash and Victoria Universities and the CRC for Freshwater Ecology, will be held this year at the Gippsland Lakes in Sale from November 26th-30th. Held annually, the course is considered the leading training event of its kind and relates scientific methods with practical expertise. Participants will understand the ecological drivers of wetland ecosystems, and feel confident shaping management plans for rehabilitation and conservation.
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 Vencentiis at Greening Australia Victoria on (03) 9450 5300 or by email on bdevencentiis@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.orga,au.
10.
MATERIALS IN CONTEXT - DESIGN DECISION MAKING FOR SUSTAINABLE
MATERIALS
Do materials matter in 'Green' design? How do designers tell the 'green' from the greenwash?
How can good decisions be made in the face of often conflicting 'apples and oranges' comparisons?
These are some of the questions addressed in the Materials in Context Workshops presented by Ecospecifier around Australia this spring. New research is showing that careful materials selection can reduce the energy required to construct buildings by more than one third and that materials specification is crucial to indoor air quality, wellbeing and productivity.
Whether it's credits under NABERS, Green Stars, SEDA or simply delivering best practice, these workshops will provide cutting edge insight from leaders in the field.
Who
should attend:
- Architects
- Builders
- Designers
- Landscape Architects
- Engineers
- Corporate purchasing officers
- Specifiers
- Policy developers
Workshop Dates:
Melbourne 29th October
Hobart 30th October
Sydney 5th November
Canberra 6th November
Brisbane 12th November
Adelaide 19th November
Perth 20th November
Speakers
- David Baggs (Natural Integrated Living)
- Andrew Walker-Morison (National Sustainable Materials program, Centre for
Design, RMIT)
Responding
to the question 'How much do materials matter in best practice & sustainable
design' are:
- Alan Pears (Sustainable Solutions, Melbourne)
- Roger Fay (Uni Tas, Hobart)
- Paul Downton (Ecopolis, Adelaide)
- Garry Baverstock (Ecotect Architects, Perth)
- Richard Hyde (QUT, Brisbane)
- Peter Graham (UNSW, Sydney)
- Ric Butt (Strine Design, Canberra)
For
more information go to http://www.ecospecifier.org
email: info@ecospecifier.org or telephone
1300 669 997.
CONFERENCES & EVENTS
11.
STORMWATER INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION EVENTS
Stormwater
Industry Association
Two Events in November
SIA
National Awards of Excellence
To be presented at AwardsDinner
Wednesday 12 November 2003
Customs House, Brisbane
Excellence Award for Water Sensitive Urban Design
Merit Award for Stormwater Management
Excellence Award for Stormwater Education
Nominations close 23 October 2003
See http://www.stormwater.asn.au
for more information
SIA
Victoria Seminar & Awards Dinner
Wednesday 5 November 2003
Carlton Crest Hotel, Melbourne
Managing the Changing Colours of water
SIA VICTORIA AWARDS DINNER
See http://www.stormwater.asn.au/vic
for more information
12.
AGRICULTURE, BUSINESS AND THE ENVIRONMENT - ADVANCING THE EMS
DEBATE
Where's the hottest debate in agriculture this summer?
In Tanunda, at the Barossa Arts and Convention Centre from November 10-13
"Agriculture, Business and the Environment - Advancing the EMS debate"
Delegates from all over Australia will gather in Tanunda from November 10-13 to advance the national debate on the value of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in Agriculture.
Conference registrations have been received Australia wide from representatives of industry, business, producers, management, community groups and government.
Keynote speakers will set the scene by highlighting the critical challenges that face agriculture today - managing the complexities of a fragile environment, a competitive world market and changing trade rules, and the ever increasing demands of concerned consumers.
Workshop and panel sessions will extend the challenge of identifying a place for EMS in the landscape and business, and debating its integration with other management approaches and competing demands on producers.
Current efforts in implementing EMS in agriculture will be shared, exploring relevant monitoring and evaluation initiatives and experiences in using EMS as part of a suite of management tools.
This important biennial conference provides attendees with a valuable opportunity to network, hear new ideas and compare experiences and approaches in the development of EMS.
For more information go to: http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/emsconf2003/ or
Contact: Erica Hancock, telephone 08 8568 6400, fax 08 8568 6449 or email: hancock.erica@saugov.sa.gov.au.
13.
2nd WESTERN AUSTRALIAN STATE COASTAL CONFERENCE
Wednesday 19th - Friday 21st November 2003
Geraldton, Western Australia
Email
conference@wacoastalconference.com.au
Tel (08) 9923 9990
On
line registration now open
4 weeks to close of registrations
http://www.wacoastalconference.com.au
to
register
The theme for the 2nd WASCC will be multiple-use. The key objectives of the conference will be -
1. To provide a forum to facilitate information sharing and to seek convergence on the major actions required improving coastal and marine management for a sustainable future.
2. To develop a range of integrated, credible and effective actions to address multiple-use coastal and marine issues in the state, as a direct and tangible outcome from the conference.
3. To identify and discuss effective and achievable actions to address the greatest threats and pressures to the health of the stateTs coastal and marine resources.
Keynote
presenters list has been finalised click here for the program
http://www.wacoastalconference.com.au/default.asp?documentid=4
Abstract
program is now confirmed click here for details
http://www.wacoastalconference.com.au/default.asp?documentid=7
FREE Legal advice and education forum during the conference from the Environmental Defenders Office click here for more details:
http://www.wacoastalconference.com.au
Need a manual registration form? PDF format is available
14. THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE IN ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION
The Australian Centre for Environmental Law
Co-sponsored by the Centre for International and Public Law & The National Institute for Environment
FORTHCOMING
CONFERENCE
The Precautionary Principle in Environmental Regulation:
10 Years since Leatch
20 - 21 November 2003
This 1 & 1/2 day conference (commencing 4pm 20 November 2003), to be held in Canberra, marks the ten year anniversary of judicial recognition of the precautionary principle in Australian law. It brings together leading international experts to consider the current status and interpretation of the principle in both international and domestic law.
Utilising
the themes of the threshold test, issues of proof, and implementation and enforcement
of the principle, the conference will critique current law and practice.
The conference will also seek to identify future directions for the development
of the principle.
For
further information and a registration form contact Merran Jones (02) 6125 3487
http://law.anu.edu.au/acel/
e-mail: acel.law@anu.edu.au
15.
MELBOURNE 2030 - FROM VISION TO REALITY
Date: November 20-21, 2003
Venue:
The Park Room, Melbourne Park Function Centre, Batman Avenue,
Melbourne
About the Conference: 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
Information is available at http://www.halledit.com.au/melbourne2030.html
16.
SUSTAINABILITY AND BEYOND - THIRD NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STIPA
NATIVE GRASSES ASSOCIATION
Stipa Native Grasses Association, a Landholder based organization with roots in the NSW Central West, with support and assistance from The Friends of Grasslands, are holding their Third National Conference "Sustainability and Beyond" on the 26th - 28th November, 2003, in the Monaro town of Cooma, NSW.
Come along and hear papers presented by practicing farmers and graziers, conservationists, agency staff and the scientific community.
Enjoy dining and interaction with like minded people at the Conference Dinner.
Take home new information and expand your knowledge about native grasses and their possible applications.
The Third National Native Grasses Conference departs from its predecessors in being jointly hosted by the Stipa Native Grasses Association and Friends of Grasslands. This partnership has allowed us to explore a broader field than (Stipa's traditional) productive use of grassy landscapes. Conference participants will be invited to examine native species at a landscape scale - their important functional as well as production and biodiversity roles.
Visit the Stipa Native Grasses site for a copy of the brochure with a full list of speakers and activities at http://www.stipa.com.au or email the conference coordinator Christine McRae on cmcrae@hwy.com.au
17.
ANZES 2003: DESTINATION RENEWABLES FROM RESEARCH TO MARKET
Update your knowledge on the latest research, demonstrations and applications.
Want to engage in the debate? We give fossil fuel bridging technologies some air-time!
Revitalise your networks? There could be no better place than in Melbourne!
Come to get the answers to your questions:
Where can you put 1000MW of wind in Victoria?
How do you make planning regulations work for sustainable energy applications?
How can renewable energy contribute to sustainable development?
Is CO2 sequestration a real greenhouse abatement option or another shimmering mirage?
The 2003 ANZSES conference will focus on overcoming technical and non technical barriers to renewable energy applications, consider fossil fuel bridging technologies, and identify how to encourage wide scale uptake of green power in the community.
Your attendance at the conference will be rewarded with volumes of technically sound and market-based information.
And don't miss out on the great conference dinner we have planned!
The 'Voyager' is waiting for you.
Muriel
Watt, ANZSES National Chair.
The 41st ANZSES Conference at The University of Melbourne, Victoria, titled
Destination Renewables from research to market, will be held from November 26
to 29, 2003.
For
more information visit http://www.destinationrenewables.com.au.
To register contact Bronwen Hewitt: bhewitt@unimelb.edu.au.
18.
BIOENERGY 2003: SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR OUR FUTURE
Bioenergy Australia, an alliance of government and private sector organisations, will be holding its fourth annual conference 8-9 December at the Novotel Brighton Beach, Sydney. An optional technical tour to bioenergy facilities is planned for 10 December.
The conference will have over 40 presentations and two panel discussions, and will provide an informative program on bioenergy production, supply, energy conversion and socio-economic and environmental issues. Financial, regulatory and other issues will also be discussed.
Top national and international speakers will present papers, including:
* Professor Theo Verwijst of Sweden, head of the International Energy Agency Bioenergy's Task on short rotation crops for bioenergy
* Professor Laercio Couto of Brazil, an international expert on short rotation eucalypts for energy
* Professor Syd Shea, Chairman of the Oil Mallee Company
* Professor Ralph Sims of NZ, author of 'The Brilliance of Bioenergy'.
For the conference program and registration visit the Bioenergy Australia web site at http://www.bioenergyaustralia.org or contact Emma Waygood of Conference Action email: emma@conferenceaction.com.au tel: (02) 9437 9333.
Register by 31 October to obtain the earlybird registration discount.
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
19.
GREEN CORPS - CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR PROJECTS COMMENCING
APRIL 2004
Green Corps - Young Australians for the Environment
Applications are open to organisations with an interest in seeing significant environment or heritage work being undertaken by Green Corps participants. Such organisations include community, youth and environmental establishments and local, State and Commonwealth Government agencies with an interest in contributing to Australia's natural and cultural heritage.
All works undertaken under the Green Corps program must be consistent with appropriate environmental government strategies and acts.
Closing dates for applications are 28th November 2003. Please contact your Green Corps state office on the number below for more details.
Call 1800 077 700 or visit Green Corps website http://www.greencorps.com.au
Green Corps is a Commonwealth Government initiative delivered by Job Futures and Greening Australia.