EnviroInfo
August 20, 2003
SUMMARY
As Australia moves to larger urban populations, the pressures on land, resource and waste management increase. To ensure that Australian cities of the future are clean, liveable and accessible places, the House of Representatives Environment Committee is examining the sustainability of Australian cities.
The
Sustainable Cities 2025 inquiry will look at issues and policies relating to:
- The impacts of sprawling urban development;
- Desirable urban settlement patterns;
- Measures to reduce the environmental, social and economic costs of urban expansion;
- Measures to promote sustainable forms of urban development; and
- Developing a `blueprint' for a sustainable Australian city.
To
stimulate public discussion and input into the inquiry, a discussion paper has
been released. The discussion paper suggests a range of objectives for a sustainable
Australian city, including:
1. Preservation of heritage and bushland;
2. Efficiency in energy usage;
3. Integrated water and stormwater management systems;
4. Management and minimisation of waste;
5. Sustainable and complementary transport networks;
6. `Green' designs for buildings and housing developments; and
7. Urban design to meet lifestyle, social and business needs.
Further information, including advice on making submissions (which are due by 31 October 2003) and copies of the discussion paper, can be found at http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/environ
The
Committee secretariat can be contacted by phone on (02) 6277 4580 or by email
at environment.reps@aph.gov.au
2.INDUSTRY DEFERS CARBON TRADING SCHEME
Plans by the Federal Government to introduce a domestic greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme have been delayed by action taken by industry groups who are opposed to such a scheme.
A meeting by Federal Cabinet Sustainable Environment Sub-Committee to consider the scheme was held in mid-July, but a decision on the issue was deferred after cabinet members received a letter from Orica's managing dirctor, Malcolm Broomhead, who claimed the concept was `punitive' and would drive parts of his business off-shore.
Other industry players including Edison Mission Energy, Alumina Ltd, and the Australian Aluminium Council are also against the proposal, saying it will act as a carbon tax, distorting investment choices and putting Australia's key export industries at a disadvantage to global competitors. Concerns have been expressed that a domestic model of the international carbon trading market would be too small and administration would be costly and inefficient.
It
is understood that the Department of Environment and Heritage and the Treasury
are both in favour of a trading scheme, believing that it offers a market-based
solution to the issue of greenhouse gas reduction.
However, a spokesperson for Environment Minister David Kemp has moved to diffuse
the issue, saying the Government's refusal to ratify the Kyoto climate change
treaty should reassure industry.
"Given
our stance on Kyoto, we are not contemplating anything that would damage the
competitiveness of Australian industry," she said.
3. TRANS-TASMAN GREENHOUSE ALLIANCE
Australia and New Zealand have established a trans-Tasman climate change alliance designed to help combat global warming.
The venture is outside the Kyoto Protocol framework and will see both countries focus on ways to address climate change in the region, including encouraging business and local government to engage in technology development, policy design and implementation of ways to combat global warming.
The
focus of the alliance will be on energy efficiency, measuring and reducing emissions
from the agricultural sector, enhancing climate change science and monitoring
and working with Pacific Island neighbours on regional challenges.
Full details of the partnership are yet to be finalised, with developments to
be undertaken in coming months.
4. LIVING MURRAY INVESTMENT PROGRAM DETAILED
Details of the first phase of a seven-year program for the investment of $150 million in structural and operational modifications of works along the Murray have been announced by the Murray Darling Basin Council.
Federal Agriculture Minister Warren Truss, who chairs the Council, said the program aims to use water currently available to improve the health of the River Murray and its catchments with minimal impact on those communities using water from the River.
Principal activities of the program will include:
*
construction and modification of weirs to allow fish movement throughout the
River Murray;
* re-snagging of the river channel to improve in-stream habitat;
construction of water regulation structures on floodplain wetlands to manage
flows;
* strengthening of locks and weirs to support weir level manipulations;
removal or modification of structures which impede the movement of water across
the floodplain;
* revegetation of the riparian zone; and
* automation and regulation of barrage gates.
The
Living Murray Proposal for Investment, which was submitted to the Council in
September last year, provides for an estimated expenditure of $48m over the
first three years.
5.
. CALL FOR CHANGES TO NSW CONSERVATION POLICIES
The NSW Farmers Association has launched a scathing attack on the NSW Government's approach to conservation, describing its policies as being "command-and-control" methods that are inequitable and ineffective in limiting land development, and are actually counter-productive when it comes to repairing environmental damage.
The Association's monthly issues paper, The Primary Report, compares the effectiveness of local regulatory regime to long-term voluntary incentive programs such as those used in the United States.
"Farmers won't admit to having threatened plant or animal species on their properties, or make improvements that might encourage them to move in, if they know it will result in their land being locked up," said the Association's general manager policy Mick Keogh.
"Contrast
this to the US, where farmers are falling over themselves to participate in
a voluntary scheme that recognises the financial impact of setting aside land
for conservation through tax credits and government discounts."
6. PROGRESS ON QUEENSLAND LAND CLEARING
Environment and agriculture groups appear to be moving towards some concensus on the proposed new tree-clearing laws in Queensland, following a meeting between the Premier, Peter Beattie, the Minister for Natural Resources, Stephen Robertson and key stakeholder groups including the Queensland Farmers Federation, Agforce, The Wilderness Society, the Queensland Conservation Council and the Australian Conservation Foundation.
Under the proposal, the State and Federal Government have offered farmers $150 million in compensation for bans on all broadacre clearing of remnant vegetation from 2006. Clearing will be phased out through a transitional cap of 500,000 hectares to be decided through a regional ballot system.
Meanwhile,
a taskforce has been established to investigate issues surrounding the proposal.
Membership of the taskforce includes representatives of the Queensland Farmers
Federation, AgForce, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Department of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australia, and the Australian Greenhouse
Office.
7. NEW ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR JABILUKA
Energy Resources of Australia has won the approval of the Northern Territory Government to undertake new environment management practices at the Jabiluka mine site.
The
company - a subsidiary of Rio Tinto - applied on June 30 to the NT Government
for approval to backfill the decline, returning the mineralised stockpile and
waste rock and the contents of the interim water management pond to the underground
mine, and then seal the mine. National environment groups have welcomed the
move, claiming that the rehabilitation of the site is a major step towards the
resolution of the issue of uranium mining in the Kakadu National Park, which
has plagued ERA since 1998.
COURSES
& WORKSHOPS
8. GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN RIVER RESTORATION & MANAGEMENT
(DISTANCE EDUCATION)
Charles Sturt University has been contracted by Land and Water Australia
to develop a Graduate Certificate in River Restoration and Management. The first
intake into this new course will be in 2004.
This Graduate Certificate aims to meet the needs of natural resource managers in Australia and will provide students with a sound theoretical background and extensive practical experience.
There are four subjects in the Graduate Certificate course.
The subjects undertaken in Semester 1 establish a background in river hydrology and ecology, providing a context for the river restoration and water policy subjects undertaken in Semester 2.
Graduating students will gain skills in the prioritisation, design, implementation, and evaluation of river restoration projects.
All subjects have a compulsory Residential School at the Wagga Wagga campus that forms an integral component of the practical core of this course.
For
further information contact
Course Coordinator
Dr Robyn Watts
School of Science &Technology
Charles Sturt University
Locked Bag 588
WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2678
Ph:02 6933 2329
Fax:02 69332737
Email: rwatts@csu.edu.au
The School of Science and Technology at Charles Sturt University also offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in environmental science, environmental management, restoration ecology, and GIS and remote sensing.
Information on these courses is available at http://www.csu.edu.au/faculty/sciagr/sst/
9.
DROUGHT MANAGEMENT - WILL YOUR SYSTEM COPE?
'Drought Management - Will Your System Cope?' is a two-day workshop on 15-16
September 2003 to be held at Nepean Shores Riverside Resort & Conference
Centre, Penrith NSW. This workshop is a joint initiative of the Water Directorate
and the Australian Water Association.
The Water Directorate and AWA have assembled a combination of experts and practitioners who have experienced the issues. They will take delegates through the aspects and impacts of drought and will help you to prepare a robust system that will give maximum protection against this and future drought conditions. This workshop will give you vital insights to the status of the drought, forecasts, how your catchment will behave in drought conditions and what to do about it.
Although the program is mostly focused on NSW, information will still be relevant to other states. Delegates can register for both days (from $325) or one day only (from $200).
Please visit http://www.awa.asn.au/events/drought to view the program outline and download the registration form. For any queries, please contact Lee Devereux, AWA on 02 9495 9908 or email ldevereux@awa.asn.au
CONFERENCES & SEMINARS
10.
CLEANER, GREENER, SMARTER
September 3, Darling Harbour, Sydney
The Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (AEEMA) and the Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF) will examine sustainable development issues as they relate to commercial and domestic buildings at the third national 'Cleaner, Greener, Smarter' event on September 3 at Darling Harbour, Sydney.
Federal Minister for Environment and Heritage the Honourable Dr David Kemp will open the seminar. A selection of high-profile speakers from government and across the building industry will then debate issues such as: Is it possible to deliver environmentally friendly buildings without going broke? Are environmental protection and economic growth incompatible? Is government policy a help or a hindrance? How can technology contribute to cleaner, greener and smarter living?
Speakers to address the event will include: Tony Arnel, Commissioner, Building Commission, Victoria; Sue Salmon, Program Manager, Australian Building Greenhouse Rating Scheme, SEDA, NSW; architect Robert Peck, Managing Principal, peckvonhartel; building client Jane Hamilton, Managing Director Commercial and Industrial Management, AMP; engineer Ken Stickland, Principal, ARUP Australasia; supplier John Gunton, Managing Director, Dynalite; supplier Paul Churchill, Regional Manager NSW/ACT, TAC Pacific Pty Ltd; and researcher Professor Geoff Smith, Professor of Applied Physics, Institute of Nanotechnology, University of Technology, Sydney.
The event will offer delegates the opportunity to participate in a lively and stimulating debate, about the challenges of sustainable development.
Substantial networking opportunities will also be available.
The
cost to attend is $121 (incl. GST).
For further information or a copy of the full programme, contact Kathy Burton
by phoning (02) 6247 4655 or email kburton@aeema.asn.au
11.
ON-SITE '03 CONFERENCE FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR ON-SITE SYSTEMS:
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
30th September to 2nd October, to be held a University of New England,
Armidale NSW
This conference is the third in a biennial series where topics such as septic tanks, wastewater, greywater, composting toilets, aerated systems, bacteria and viruses are all discuss in the friendly atmosphere of a gathering of professionals and regulators.
The conference is now a meeting place where the state regulators get together, NOSSIG holds its annual meeting, and colleagues catch up on the latest research. Thirteen trader will display their new technologies town and delegates will mingle with the traders during meal breaks.
Prof. Bob Rubin from North Carolina State University, a visiting scientist with US EPA, will deliver the keynote address.
Three prominent Australians will present three keynote papers and the editor of Onsite NewZ will summarise the proceedings. Forty-five papers will be presented over the three days and groups discussions will hammer out some controversial topics. A printed proceedings will be available at the conference. An optional technical tour is planned for Friday 3rd.The University of New England is an ideal setting for the conference and Spring in New England is most invigorating.
A
printable brochure, registration form, program, full abstracts and details of
accommodation are available on the web site at
http://www.lanfaxlabs.com.au/onsite03
Conference Coordinator: Dr Robert Patterson Phone 02 6775 1157, fax 02 6775
1043
12.AUSTRALIAN
NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE (ANCID) National Conference &
Exhibition
50th
National Irrigation Conference
Theme: `Catchment Companions Growing Together'
Sunday
19th B Wednesday 22 October 2003
Eastbank Centre, Shepparton, Victoria
Keynote speakers: Michale Taylor (Secretary, AFFA), Peter Hayes (Chairman of CRC Irrigation Futures), Dr Sharman Stone (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Environment and Heritage), and The Hon John Thwaites (Minister for Water, Minister for Environment and Minister for Victorian Communities).
Topics:
Healthy Rivers, Smarter Drainage, Performance Indicators
Managing in Drought, Irrigation Developments, Capacity for Change
Channel Seepage, Smarter Irrigation Increasing Production with Less Water and
Shared Vision and Partnership.
Will feature ANCID Awards Presentation and Field Tours
Exhibition opportunities available
For
further details: http://www.ancid.org.au
Professional Conference Services
137 Gardenvale Road, GARDENVALE VIC 3185
Tel: (03) 9530 6777 Fax: (03) 9530 6526
Email: services@profconferences.com
13.
EIANZ OUTBACK SUMMIT 2003
Broken Hill, NSW, 23-25 October
"Earth, Water, Fire, Spirit"
EIANZ Outback Summit will be a valuable opportunity for delegates to access the experience of Australian and International keynote speakers. In particular, presenting a unique networking event for expert Australian and New Zealand environmental professionals.
The Regional Cultural Alliance will offer the Summit a fresh element: reviewing the important relationship between environment and culture. Concurrent sessions allowing for a wide choice of subjects, feature speakers from the National Environmental Law Association, and organised field trips for special interest groups will guarantee an informative yet enjoyable experience.
The modern conference facilities of Broken Hill create an impressive main venue against the backdrop of a beautiful desert landscape. Delegates will be able to benefit from visits to the local heritage, ecological, aboriginal and mining sites, scrumptious restaurants and cafes and insightful local and indigenous art galleries. An experience not to be missed!
For
further information contact:
Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand
Tel: (03) 9654 7473
Email: conference@eianz.org
or visit our web site: http://www.eianz.org
14. IN SEARCH OF SUSTAINABILITY (ISOS) CONFERENCE
Shine Dome, Gordon Street, Canberra
9am - 5pm, Friday 14 November 2003.
This face-to-face one-day conference will draw together the threads of the themes that have been considered during the nine months of the In Search Of Sustainability internet conference (http://www.isosconference.org.au).
In each half-hour session there will be twenty minutes of presentation by the experts who have contributed to the internet conference. These experts are the keynote author and the two specialists who have helped judge the papers on each theme. There will then be ten minutes of audience discussion.
This meeting will consider a draft communiqué that will be issued at the end of the day. Ian Lowe will sum up proceedings.
Keynote authors include Peter Cullen, Tony McMichael, John Williams, Andrew Blakers, Colin Butler, Clive Hamilton, Graeme Pearman, John Burgess, and Peter Newman.
Registrations via web-site or send cheque to ISOS Conference, PO Box 3244, Weston ACT 2611.
Lunch and teas included in registration but dinner is extra.
Early bird (before 15 September) $50.00
One
day conference $60.00
Concession $35.00
Dinner $45.00
FUNDING SUPPORT
15.
RIRDC
FUNDING SUPPORT
Do
you have a good idea for innovation in rural industries but need some assistance
to develop that idea? If the answer is yes, now is the time to apply for support
from the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC).
RIRDC is currently inviting researchers, industry organisations and interested individuals to apply for funding support in 2004-2005.
The closing date for applications is September 26, 2003.
A new streamlined program structure has been designed together with three new categories of support for research and development. The new research programs give an enhanced profile to Food Integrity & Biosecurity; Environmental & Farm Management; and Rangeland & WildlifeSystems.
RIRDC Managing Director Simon Hearn said RIRDC is a centre for new industries which we hope will develop into commercial enterprises, some that will become large-scale farm industries and others that will remainsmall but offer viable niche alternatives to Australian farmers.
"Rural Australia has significant additional potential and we look forward to funding an array of projects that will facilitate a more profitable, dynamic and sustainable sector."
Prospective applicants for research funding can view the RIRDC Research Priorities at http://www.rirdc.gov.au/researchpriorities or by calling 02 6272 4819 to request a free printed copy.