EnviroInfo
January 22, 2004
SUMMARY
GENERAL
NEWS
1.
MRET REPORT RELEASED
2. FEDERAL COURT RULING EXPANDS EPBC POWERS
3. NATIVE VEGETATION INQUIRY RELEASES DRAFT REPORT
4. GENE REGULATOR APPROVES GM CANOLA
5. QUEENSLAND PLEDGES TO END LANDCLEARING STALEMATE
WORKSHOPS & SHORT COURSES
6.
GREEN PURCHASING WORKSHOPS
7. ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT SHORT COURSE
8. PLANNING WITH COMMUNITIES: GROUP SKILLS AND FACILITATION
9. SHORT COURSE ON RISK MANAGEMENT FOR AIR QUALITY AND HEALTH
CONFERENCES
10. ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
EXPRESSIONS
OF INTEREST
PROJECT
APPLICATIONS
12. GREEN CORPS – CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR PROJECTS
GENERAL NEWS
Billions of dollars of investment in the renewable energy industry is potentially in jeopardy following the release of the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target review, which has recommended the target remain at its current level of two per cent until 2010.
The review, headed by former Coalition Senator Grant Tambling, has recommended the continuation of the scheme, at its current target of 9,500 gigawatt hours until 2010 but lifts it to 20,000 gigawatt hours by 2020.
It has also advised that the target remain unlinked to electricity growth rates.
It recommends that the existing target be maintained, doubled by 2020 and increased again by 2030, saying that a gradual build-up of the target would “stimulate progressive growth in the renewables industry and provide opportunities for innovative Australian companies to gain experience in the domestic market, providing a sound base for future exports. Such an approach would also provide useful preparation for the larger contribution renewables may make at a later date.”
The Federal Government has yet to formally respond to the review, saying that it will carefully examine the recommendations of the report and consider its response in the next few months in the context of broader energy and climate change directions.
The Review Report is available from http://www.mretreview.gov.au
2.
FEDERAL COURT RULING EXPANDS EPBC POWERS
A ruling by the Federal Court has significantly expanded the Federal Government’s environmental powers under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
The ruling, made in favour of WWF and the Queensland Conservation Council, means that the Federal Government must consider the potential downstream impacts of irrigated agriculture and other developments arising from the proposed 880,000 megalitre Nathan Dam in Central Queensland.
The decision by Justice Susan Kiefel does not stop the dam from proceeding, however it does mean that the Minister must assess the downstream impacts of the proposed dam on the World Heritage Area under sections 75 and 87 of the EPBC Act.
3.
NATIVE VEGETATION INQUIRY RELEASES DRAFT REPORT
Costs
of native vegetation and biodiversity regulations can be reduced while increasing
environmental benefits, according to a recently released Productivity Commission
report.
In its draft inquiry report into the Impacts of Native Vegetation and Biodiversity
Regulations, the Commission proposes that, as a first step, all jurisdictions
should ensure that their regimes follow good regulatory practices including
clear specification of objectives to promote transparency and accountability.
But fundamental change is required to give landholders more incentive to retain
and care for native vegetation in the long term.
The Commission considers that governments should seek to facilitate and remove
impediments to increased private provision of environmental services. Landholders
and local communities should be given greater flexibility to develop and implement
regional solutions to local environmental problems.
The final report of the inquiry will be released in April.
For the full report go to http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiry/nativevegetation/draftreport/nativevegetation.pdf
4.
GENE REGULATOR APPROVES GM CANOLA
The federal gene regulator, Dr Sue Meek, has approved the application by Monsanto for the general release of its “Roundup Ready” genetically engineered canola, finding there were `no environmental or health reasons to prevent the commercial release’ of the product.
The canola has been engineered with a novel genetic trait which enables the canola to produce two enzymes, one of which protects the plant from the herbicide glyphosate, while the other degrades the herbicide.
The GM canola has been previously trialed under limited and controlled conditions in Australia over a number of years and is approved for growing and food use in Japan, Canada and the United States.
5.
QUEENSLAND PLEDGES TO END LANDCLEARING STALEMATE
In a move which has been hailed as the “most significant environmental decision in Queensland’s history,” the Queensland Government has pledged to fund the full $150 million cost of phasing out broadscale clearing of remnant vegetation by 2006 should it be re-elected this month.
The pledge comes as the stalemate between the Queensland and Federal Governments over funding continues, and at least 16 state Greens candidates have indicated that they will give their preferences to independents rather than the Labor party.
Premier, Peter Beattie, said at the announcement of the policy that he was tired of waiting for Federal Government funding.
"We will be ready to double our commitment to meet the full $150 million to end broadscale clearing of remnant native vegetation if the Commonwealth Government won't put in their $75 million," he said.
Environmental groups have celebrated the pledge, and have called for bipartisan support for the policy, which is estimated will save approximately 4.8 million hectares of remnant vegetation over the next 25 years. The issue has split the Coalition, with the Liberals supporting the end of broadscale clearing, while the Nationals oppose it.
WORKSHOPS AND SHORT COURSES
The 3RCentre and Green Purchasing Pty Ltd are proud to announce the national launch of our Green Purchasing Workshops from February, 2004.
Devised
and presented by the highly credentialed Maria Straub, these one day workshops
can be conducted as in-house training for individual organisations or off-site
for individuals and groups in all Australian capital cities. It is aimed at
purchasing staff, environment officers, waste and inventory managers, educators,
and ordinary citizens wishing to gain competence in, and implement, green purchasing
principles and policy.
Green purchasing is an emerging worldwide movement that has the potential to
transform the way we consume Earth's resources. As more and more people including
politicians, environmentalists scientists, designers, educators, industrialists,
and ordinary citizens the world over gain a deeper insight into the impact our
consumption has on ecology and planetary systems, we can be sure that every
green product or service we buy sends a message that is powerful and political.
Far from being independent of any other environmental strategy, green purchasing
is one aspect of a whole system approach to sustainability.
http://www.3rcentre.com click Green Purchasing
buttons in the What’s New Section
Email: green@3rcentre.com
Tel: (03) 9511 8156
7.
ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT SHORT COURSE
Presented by Barry Hart
This course covers the steps involved in an ecological risk assessment (problem formulation, risk analysis and risk characterisation) and how this information can be used to develop a risk management plan and adequate monitoring programs. A number of case studies will be used to illustrate the main points.
The course features a range of expert lecturers. For more visit - http://iwes.com.au/courses_num.html?course_num=35
Presenter, Barry Hart is well known for developing water quality guidelines for Australia including ANZECC/ARMCANZ Australian and New Zealand water quality guidelines (2000).
For more visit - http://iwes.com.au/presenters.html?presenter_var=Barry%20Hart
The course runs from 9 - 11 Feb 2004 in Melbourne.
8.
PLANNING WITH COMMUNITIES: GROUP SKILLS AND FACILITATION
Adelaide 17th -19th February 2004
Social
& Environmental Planning Partnerships
303 Peel Chambers
23 Peel Street
PO Box 8317
Station Arcade
Adelaide SA 5000
Tel:
(08) 8231 7155
Fax: (08) 8231 7144
http://www.planningpartnerships.com.au
9.
SHORT COURSE ON RISK MANAGEMENT FOR AIR QUALITY AND HEALTH
As part of a National Collaborative Program on the Atmospheric Environment and Health funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, a two-day course on Risk Management for Air Quality and Health: A Policy Perspective will be held in Melbourne (CSIRO Atmospheric Research, Aspendale) on 1-2 March 2004.
The course will provide advanced training in the health risk management issues associated with air pollution, with the aim of providing practical guidance by focusing on the policy measures that Australia uses to control air quality risk " specifically the National Environment Protection Measures (NEPM).
The course will be structured around the NEPMs, cover the fundamentals of risk and environmental health risk and be presented by distinguished speakers with expertise in integrating policy and practice.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Those to whom it is relevant to understand environmental health risk management and the NEPMs. It will be useful for public health and environmental practitioners, other professionals working in the areas of health and environment, policy makers at government levels from local to federal, scientists, academics, and students.
MORE
INFORMATION: Further details and the program are available at the website http://www.dar.csiro.au/information/airpollution.html
or from bill.physick@csiro.au
CONFERENCES
10.
ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL
LAW
Announcing
an Environmental Defender’s Office WA (Inc) Conference…
Perth, Friday 20 February 2004
Would you like to know :
- What rights and powers the community has to seek environmental justice?
- How the community can effectively participate in environmental decision making?
This full day conference will look at:
- The public’s rights and roles in approving new developments
- How to review decisions which various government agencies and Ministers make
about the environment
- How to meaningfully participate in planning for the environment
- How to use courts and tribunals to achieve environmental justice
Cost:
$120 per person, $55 for student/community group/unwaged
To download the brochure, go to http://www.edo.org.au/edowa
Or email kstrong.edowa@edo.org.au
Tel: (08) 9221 3030
Freecall: 1800 175 542 (for callers outside the Perth metropolitan area)
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
11.
CONSULTANCY: ASSESSMENT OF DATA REQUIREMENTS & AVAILABILITY
TO ADDRESS NATURAL RESOURCE CONDITION & TREND INDICATORS
$75,000-$100,000
(excluding GST) National Land & Water Resources Audit
This consultancy to the National Land & Water Resources Audit will document
the availability and accessibility of Australian Government data required to
report on the nationally agreed Indicators for Resource Condition and Trend
as defined under: - the National Natural Resource Management Monitoring and
Evaluation Framework
(http://www.deh.gov.au/nrm/monitoring/index.html)
including the Resource Condition Matters for Target, and the associated Indicators
(http://www.deh.gov.au/nrm/monitoring/indicators/index.html).
Maximum
20-page Expressions of Interest are sought to:
- determine what data are required to effectively report on each Indicator
- develop a common reporting format
- determine data availability within Australian Government repositories - complete
a comparative assessment of Indicators recommended for Resource Condition and
Trend reporting by nationally recognised initiatives.
NRM experience, particularly resource condition and trend monitoring, evaluation and reporting, is essential. The project will run February-June 2004, with a $75,000-$100,000 (excluding GST) budget.
The
Terms of Reference can be downloaded from:
http://www.lwa.gov.au/funding.asp?section=213
or phone Alana Innes, (02) 02 6257 3030 for further information.
Please
send three copies of EOIs to:
Peter Wilson, National Land & Water Resources Audit, GPO Box 2182, Canberra
ACT 2601 (peter.wilson@nlwra.gov.au
) by 13 February 2004.
PROJECT APPLICATIONS
12.
GREEN CORPS – CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR PROJECTS
Commencing JULY 2004
GREEN Corps – Young Australians for the Environment
Applications are open to organisations with an interest in seeing significant environment or heritage worunity, 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 date for applications is 5 March 2004. 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.