Summary
of this EnviroInfo, 18 September 2002
GENERAL
NEWS
___________________________________________________________
1. CARBON
ACCOUNTING RESULTS RELEASED
2. WASTE DUMP ISSUE
3. NHT GRANT DELAY
4. URBAN TRAFFIC EMISSIONS STRATEGY
5. EMS FOR FARMERS
6. PROPERTY RIGHTS COMPENSATION PLAN
7. NAP ROUNDTABLE
8. GUIDE TO SALINITY TECHNOLOGIES
9. AMEEF CLOSES
COURSES
___________________________________________________________
10. THE ALPINE
ECOLOGY COURSE
CONFERENCES
& FORUMS
___________________________________________________________
11. SMART
SEED - NATIVE SEED FORUM 2002
12. CASTING NEW LIGHT ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
13. 4TH AUSTRALASIAN WATER LAW & POLICY CONFERENCE
14. THE 21ST NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW ASSOCIATION
CONFERENCE
"ENVIRONMENTAL LAW IN REGIONAL AUSTRALIA- EMPOWERING
THE COMMUNITY"
CONSULTANCIES
___________________________________________________________
15. ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSULTANTS - VEGETATION MAPPING
PROJECT
POSITIONS
AVAILABLE
___________________________________________________________
16. CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER/GENERAL MANAGER - FITZROY
BASIN ASSOCIATION
17. ENVIRONMENT TRAINING COORDINATOR - GREENING AUSTRALIA
___________________________________________________________
ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS &
LAND AND WATER NEWSLETTERS
___________________________________________________________
Editorial content in this report draws on the monthly newsletters, Land
and Water News & Environment Business, which provide greater detail
about the issues covered in EnviroInfo. For subscription inquiries email
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means that we are unable to respond to individual requests for further
information about the news items contained in this Enviroinfo.
GENERAL NEWS
_________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
1. CARBON
ACCOUNTING RESULTS RELEASED
__________________________________________________________
Australia
is in a strong position to achieve the target that it was set under the
Kyoto Protocol according to the results of the National Carbon Accounting
System.
The report, the first substantive product using the full suite of datasets
and spatial process modelling from the NCAS, provides Australia's emissions
results for Land Use Change for 1988 to 1998 show that Land Use Change
emissions have declined strongly (by 42%) since 1990, from 107 Mt CO2
in 1990 to 62 Mt CO2 in 1998 and projections showing a similar decline
up to 2012.
The methods and results reports of the Land Use Change emissions project
can be obtained from the Australian Greenhouse Office by phoning 1300
130 606.
__________________________________________________________
2. WASTE DUMP
ISSUE
________________________-_________________________________
The siting
of the medium-level waste dump has become a national issue, with all states
and territory governments blocking the establishment of the dump in their
respective states.
South Australia has been the most adamantly opposed, legislating against
hosting the dump, and committing itself to a referendum on the issue one
week prior to the next federal election should the Federal Government
try to establish the dump in that state.
The Western Australian Government has also vocally opposed the siting
of a dump in that state, to ensure that it maintains it's reputation has
being `clean and green,' and has also passed legislation against the dump.
New South Wales has also legislated against the dump, although under the
federal external affairs power, it may be possible for the Federal Government
to override those laws.
____________________________________________________________
3. NHT GRANT
DELAY
____________________________________________________________
The release
of details about upcoming funding rounds of grants programs available
through the Commonwealth Government's Natural Heritage Trust is taking
longer than usual due to a revision of the trust at its current five-
year mark.
Information about future funding rounds for the trust's programs is expected
to become available on a program-by-program basis, while some projects
are still to be issued funding under recently closed funding rounds.
Trust programs can issue grants for natural resource management initiatives
in areas such as land, water and waste management.
For more advice about the Trust's programs go to www.nht.gov.au
_________________________________________________________
4. URBAN TRAFFIC
EMISSIONS STRATEGY
_________________________________________________________
The Australian
Transport Council has approved a National Strategy for Lowering Emissions
from Urban Traffic and a National Action Plan to support the Strategy.
The Strategy and Action Plan have been developed by the National Transport
Secretariat in collaboration with the Federal Government, states and territories.
For further details contact the ATC Secretariat on (02) 6274 7851.
________________________________________________________
5. EMS FOR
FARMERS
_______________________________________________________
The Federal
Government has launched its Environmental Management Systems Incentives
Program, designed to encourage the implementation of environmental management
systems by Australian primary producers. The five-year, $25 million program,
which was announced in this year's
budget, -s being run by Centrelink on behalf of the Department of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Details about the program are at www.centrelink.gov.au
_______________________________________________________
6. PROPERTY
RIGHTS COMPENSATION PLAN
_______________________________________________________
The Federal
Cabinet Subcommittee on Environmental Sustainability has agreed to a plan
to compensate farmers for the costs of protecting native species and reducing
their water use.
At a meeting of the Subcommittee in Cairns last month, the Deputy Prime
Minister, John Anderson, presented an interdepartmental paper outlining
proposed compensation for farmers where property values are reduced by
application of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation
Act and by the reduction of water entitlements.
The plan entails the introduction of a system of uniform tradeable property
rights - initially water property rights - across all states, and it believed
to involve the state governments regulating water property rights and
paying compensation with the Commonwealth contributing structural adjustment
assistance.
The proposals will be put to the Council of Australian Governments in
October.
Further progress will depend on the states agreeing to the principal of
compensation for reduction of property rights to achieve environmental
outcomes, and it is believed that a number of senior Federal ministers
are promoting the idea of using the National Competition payments to induce
states to adopt the policy.
_______________________________________________________
7. NAP ROUNDTABLE
_______________________________________________________
The first
annual Roundtable for the National Action Plan (NAP) on Salinity and Water
Quality will be held in Mildura from October 27-30.
People from the 21 priority regions will be invited to attend, as well
as natural resource specialists, industry and other regional reps.
The roundtable will feature 'show and tell' workshops to exchange valuable
knowledge and lessons learned.
Registration and program information will be accessible from the NAP website
www.napswq.gov.au.
_______________________________________________________
8. GUIDE TO
SALINITY TECHNOLOGIES
_______________________________________________________
The NDSP has
released an internet-based interactive decision support tool to assist
in the choice of the most appropriate engineering options for salinity
management.
The tool, developed by Sinclair Knight Merz, brings together up-to-date
information on engineering techniques for managing dryland salinity, along
with a series of case studies from notable engineering projects.
The interactive tool applies basic modelling (using spreadsheets) of the
various options to look at the potential impacts and the possible costs
and
benefits.
Users can log in, click on a region on a map and see the engineering options
considered relevant for the area. they can then search for more detailed
information on a particular option, such as groundwater pumping, or go
further into the database to look at relevant case studies where a particular
engineering option has been applied.
The decision support tool can be accessed at
www.ndsp.gov.au/sourceCode/main.html
_______________________________________________________
9. AMEEF CLOSES
_______________________________________________________
The Australian
Minerals and Energy Environment Foundation (AMEEF), the independent organisation
established to promote sustainable development in the energy and minerals
sector has been closed down.
The decision to close AMEEF was based on the preference for industry to
work directly with the community and NGO sector, and the AMEEF board decided
that there was no longer a role for the Foundation.
COURSES/SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS
_______________________________________________________
10. THE ALPINE
ECOLOGY COURSE
_______________________________________________________
5 - 11 January
2003
Presented
by La Trobe University on the Bogong High Plains, Victoria
An intensive
six-day field-based course with expert instructors on all aspects of alpine
ecology. The course is suitable for people from a wide range of backgrounds,
including scientists, land managers, educators, consultants, conservationists
and rangers.
The principles and techniques gained are readily applicable to other natural
landscapes.
Core topics and specialist fields include:
* botany and
plant ecology
* vertebrate and invertebrate ecology
* geomorphology and soil science
* land rehabilitation and vegetation restoration.
Two days of
individual field projects enable participants to extend and apply
their knowledge and skills. Participants learn how to collect and interpret
information and use it to understand ecological processes.
Course fee (incl. GST): includes accommodation at Howmans Gap Alpine Centre,
all meals, and detailed course notes.
* $1133 if
paid by your employer or organisation
* $935 if
paid by yourself
Enquiries
and application forms:
Lesley Sayer (03) 9479 2190 Email: L.Sayer@latrobe.edu.au
Applications close 25 October.
CONFERENCES
& FORUMS
_______________________________________________________
11. SMART
SEED - NATIVE SEED FORUM 2002
_______________________________________________________
Venue: Tintern
CEGGS, Ringwood East, Victoria.
Dates: 2nd & 3rd October 2002
Time: 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
Cost: $135 per day/ $250 for both days
This event is dedicated to the strategic management of seed supply and
is presented primarily to service the needs of Victorian agencies, organisations
and community groups involved in seed collection and management.
Smart Seed Forum 2002 provides an opportunity for stakeholders to:
* take a strategic
then practical look at seed supply issues
* exchange and compare information and techniques
* present achievements, insights and directions
* attend workshops, displays and demonstrations
* network with researchers and practitioners
Presenters
from a range of backgrounds from Victoria and interstate
including;
Dr. Owen Nichols,
Australian Centre for Mining Environmental Research
Neville Bonney,
Greening Australia South Australia
Geoff Park,
North Central Catchment Management Authority
Dr. Andrew
Young and Dr. Peter Thrall, CSIRO
As well as
presenters from Melbourne University, Burnley College,
DNRE, VUT, GAV and CMA's. The forum will include workshops and
demonstrations. Come and share your experiences and expertise.
Please contact
Joey Whitehead on 9450 5321 for further information.
_______________________________________________________
12. CASTING
NEW LIGHT ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
_______________________________________________________
How can environmental
researchers benefit from the Australian Synchrotron?
Find out at
a two day workshop, Melbourne on 3--4 October, cost $55.
Australian researchers are already using synchrotron light to help:
* rehabilitate
polluted soils and mine sites;
* identify
air pollution sources from sub-micron particles;
* track heavy
metals in soils, bones and teeth.
The opening
of the Australian Synchrotron in 2007 will broaden the potential for synchrotron
light as a tool for environmental researchers. Start planning how your
research team might use synchrotron light at:
New Opportunities in Soil and Environmental Science: a two day workshop
in Melbourne on 3-4 October.
Speakers include:
* Mark Rivers
from University of Chicago and the Advanced Photon Source
* Frank Larkins,
Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Melbourne
* Rob Fitzpatrick,
CSIRO Land and Water
* Lindsay
Sly, University of Queensland
The cost is
only $55 or $11 for postgraduate students and includes lunches, morning
and afternoon coffees/teas.
The workshop is sponsored by the Australian Synchrotron Project, the Australian
Synchrotron Research Program, and the School of Chemistry, University
of Melbourne.
To view the program visit
http://www.ansto.gov.au/natfac/02envsem.html
To register contact: Catherine Kraina at the Australian Synchrotron Project
(catherine.kraina@iird.vic.gov.au),
ph (03) 9655-3315.
_______________________________________________________
13. 4TH AUSTRALASIAN
WATER LAW & POLICY CONFERENCE
_______________________________________________________
24-25 October,
2002
National Maritime
Museum, Sydney
The annual
Water Law & Policy Conference is the only conference of its kind to
critically examine current water law and proposed legislation and policy
reforms throughout Australia. The conference aims to be as practical as
possible and to provide an opportunity for lawyers, environmentalists,
farmers, irrigators, managers of water utilities, academics, policy advisers,
and natural resource consultants to further their knowledge of water law
and policy.
Keynote Speakers
include:
* The Hon.
John Anderson, Deputy Prime Minister
* Roger Payne, Chief Executive, WA Water and Rivers Commission
* Brad Williams, Executive Director, NSW Irrigators Council
* Dr Peter Crawford, Commissioner, NSW Healthy Rivers Commission
Conference
themes, full list of keynote speakers, registration cost and emial registration
forms, and further information available at:
www.countryconferences.com.au
Contact: Anne Vince, Country Conferences P/L,
Tel: (02) 6772 8753 or via email: country@northnet.com.au
_______________________________________________________
14. THE TWENTY-FIRST NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
ASSOCIATION CO-FERENCE
"ENVIRONMENTAL LAW IN REGIONAL AUSTRALIA - EMPOWERING
THE COMMUNITY"
_______________________________________________________
31 October
- 1 November 2002 at Lorne - Victoria
THE PROGRAM
- two days of presentations on the following topics:
Planning law, Catchment Management, Access to Environmental Justice, Landclearing,
Property rights and compensation, Plantation forestry, Coastal pollution,
Aquaculture, Intensive Animal Husbandry and Wind Farms. Field trip on
third day (see below).
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Mr Justice Robert Osborn who has a distinguished background in town planning
and environmental law.
THE VENUE
- Erskine-on-the-Beach, is a development of the original Erskine House,
a Lorne landmark with extensive grounds directly fronting the beachside.
Accommodation offered ranges from traditional guesthouse through classic
art-deco ensuite rooms to luxury style units with lift access from undercover
parking and security access.
A FIELD TRIP
- to the Otway Forest region is being arranged for Saturday 2 November.
Ecologists and lawyers who will outline some of the contentious issues
associated with logging of native forests.
REGISTRATION
FEES
NELA Member - $ 350.00, Non-NELA Member - $400.00, Student - $250.00
FURTHER DETAILS
- contact NELA Secretariat Phone (02) 6230 0823,
Fax (02) 6262 8567 or see NELA website www.nela.org.au
CONSULTANCIES
_______________________________________________________
15. ENVIRONMENT
CONSULTANTS - VEGETATION MAPPING PROJECT
_______________________________________________________
Environment
Consultants - Quotations invited for Gosford City Council's Vegetation
Mapping Project.
Gosford City
is located on the NSW Central Coast. Gosford City Council is undertaking
a comprehensive vegetation mapping project. This will build on
recent regional vegetation community mapping to develop finer scale vegetation
mapping to assist Council in future biodiversity planning and management
activities.
There are
three stages to the project, these are:
1. Data Analysis
and Flora Surveys,
2. Aerial
Photographic Interpretation, and
3. Vegetation
Modelling and Mapping.
Quotations
are being called for Stages 1 and 2 which are expected to run concurrently
and commence in late Spring 2002.
Expressions
of interest are being called for Stage 3 only at this stage as this component
of the project will not commence until Stages 1 and 2 are complete.
More information
and copies of the consultancy briefs can be obtained from
Environment Officers Rachel Lonie or Danielle Lawley on (02) 4325 8844
or by email rachel.lonie@gosford.nsw.gov.au
or
danielle.lawley@gosford.nsw.gov.au.
POSITIONS
AVAILABLE
______________________________________________________
16. CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER/GENERAL MANAGER
_______________________________________________________
Fitzroy Basin
Association, Central Queensland
Salary: $76,000
to $88,000 (consistent with QPS Senior Officer Level 2 to Level 1)
An exciting
opportunity exists within the Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA) for a Chief
Executive Officer/General Manager who will: provide decisive leadership
to the staff employed by the FBA; provide strong strategic and entrepreneurial
leadership skills to develop and implement the FBA's Business Plan; have
the ability to develop and provide authoritative policy advice to the
Management Committee and the Stakeholder Council; and, bring the experience
to gain maximum cooperation of key stakeholders to secure funding requirements
and to justify, negotiate and implement the accredited natural resource
plan and associated strategies and services.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Tertiary qualifications are highly desirable. It is expected that applicants
to this position will have a number of years of relevant and demonstrable
management experience.
CONTACT: Janeen
Whiting at j.whiting@cqu.edu.au
for a copy of the
Position Description and related information or from the FBA Office Ph
(07)
4921 2843.
_______________________________________________________
17. ENVIRONMENT
TRAINING COORDINATOR
_______________________________________________________
Green Australia
Victoria provides technical advice, training and other services in vegetation
management to a wide range of clients including government agencies, private
corporations and the community sector.
An exciting
opportunity exists to develop and deliver training programs for organisations
involved in land restoration and vegetation management industry.
You should
have experience in developing and delivering training programs and an
understanding of environmental management in Victoria. You can operate
independently, are highly organised and have excellent presentation and
communications skills. Previous applicants need not apply.
For a position
description phone Maria Dugan on (03) 9450 5300 or email
her on general@gavic.org.au
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