EnviroInfo
June 26, 2003
SUMMARY
COURSES & PROGRAMS
9.
5-DAY COURSE ON ENVIRONMENT, PLANNING AND LAW IN THE COASTAL ZONE
10. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FOR THE MINING INDUSTRY
11. MURRAY DARLING BASIN LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
12. STORMWATER INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION NSW REGIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM
SEMINARS
13.
MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND POLLUTION LAW SEMINAR
14. STORMWATER INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION DEMONSTRATION & SEMINARS
CONFERENCES
& SYMPOSIUMS
15. YOUNG IRRIGATION NETWORK INC - INAUGURAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE
16. SYMPOSIUM ON URBANIZATION AND STREAM ECOLOGY
PUBLICATIONS AND PROCEEDINGS
17.
TREES FOR SHELTER RESEARCH PUBLICATION
18. 4TH AUSTRALASIAN WATER LAW & POLICY CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
19. THIRD EDITION OF AUSTRALIAN ENVIRONMENT DIRECTORY RELEASED
GENERAL NEWS
1. MINISTER CONCEDES MISLEADING FUNDING
The
Former Environment Minister, Senator Robert Hill, has conceded that the recent
budget papers relating to new funding for the environment are misleading, under
questioning at a recent Senate budget estimates hearing.
Senator Hill, who was representing Dr David Kemp at the hearing, conceded that the forward estimates relating to funding for the National Oceans Office "can be a touch misleading."
The concession followed Senator Penny Wong's questioning about the fact that Dr Kemp had announced $18 million in new funding in a budget press release, yet his budget portfolio statement had clarified that the funding had previously been allocated in the forward estimates.
The issue of misleading funding was not just confined to the National Ocean's Office, with Senator Wong also identifying funding for the Antarctic shipping program as being included in previous forward estimates.
The Senate Estimates Committee also heard that one of the main reasons for the apparent $80 million decline in expenditure for the Department of Environment and Heritage was that the Bureau of Meteorology became a prescribed agency part way through the financial year, with the change being reflected in the appropriations and financial statements for the Department.
The
Secretary for the Department of Environment and Heritage, Mr Roger Beale, said
that it was this structural change that had led to Department's apparent "major
decline in revenues, expenses and
staffing."
The Federal Environment Minister, Dr David Kemp, has announced in Parliament that the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality is to be extended by one year because of the delays in expending the $1.4 billion available through the Plan.
Dr Kemp said that the delays were a consequence of delays in signing bilateral agreements with the States, and the failure to date of Western Australia to sign off on its NAP bilateral. He said there had been no cuts to the NAP.
The NAP initially allocated funds of $1.4 billion, provided jointly by the Commonwealth and the States, to be spent over seven years to 2006-07.
The Shadow Environment Minister, Kelvin Thomson, said that Dr Kemp's claim that the delay was the fault of the states was nonsense.
"What
has occurred is that the Howard Government has simply not been committed to
getting action on the ground and has sought to delay and postpone expenditure
for as long as it possibly can."
3. EA RELEASES EPBC COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT POLICY
Environment Australia has released its "Compliance and Enforcement Policy" which sets out the policy framework for Environment Australia when it deals with possible contraventions of Commonwealth environment and heritage legislation.
The purpose of this policy is to inform the public of the factors that will be taken into account in determining appropriate responses to contraventions, including whether legal proceedings will be pursued.
This policy sits within the broader Commonwealth law enforcement policy context and should be read in conjunction with other relevant documents, including:
- Prosecution Policy of the Commonwealth;
- Commonwealth Fraud Control Guidelines;
- Commonwealth Fraud Investigation Standards; and
- Attorney-General's Department - Overarching Principles for Selecting Cases for Investigation and Administrative, Civil and Criminal Sanctions.
To
download the policy go to
http://www.ea.gov.au/about/compliance/pubs/compliance-enforcement-policy.pdf
4. LIBERAL CONVENTION CALLS FOR BAN ON PLASTIC BAGS
The
Liberal Party National Convention has agreed to a ban on plastic bags being
provided by supermarkets and shops at it's recent meeting in Adelaide.
The ban was instigated by South Australian Liberal Party vice-president John
Batten, who moved to ban plastic check-out bags completely by July 2005.
An
original motion to impose a 50 per cent levy on the non-biodegradable bags was
amended twice during a debate amid concerns that the tax would result in a community
backlash
5. . COUNCIL DEFERS DECISION ON
ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS
A decision by the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council on environmental flows for the river has been deferred in the face of strong pressure from rural communities and criticism of the way in which consultation has been conducted under The Living Murray initiative.
The original deadline for a decision on environmental flows was originally set at October this year, but chairman of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission, Don Blackmore, advised the ministers that the community needed more time to consider the evidence.
Scientific and socio-economic impact reports are not due for completion until August and September.
The Ministerial Council, which met in Toowoomba last month, also approved a $28 million increase in the Murray-Darling Basin Commission's budget, bringing it to $96.1 million.
6. NEW GUIDE TO TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE REPORTING
A new guide to triple bottom line reporting has been launched at the recent Fourth Annual Global Conference on Environmental Taxation Issues, held in Sydney.
The Triple Bottom Line Reporting in Australia: A Guide to Reporting Against Environmental Indicators, sets the Australian context for reporting for those companies who are thinking about reporting for the first time.
Research from the Centre for Australian Ethical Research show that only 11 per cent of the top 500 companies in Australia produce an environmental report, compared to 23 per cent of the top 100 companies in other countries, and 45 per cent of the Global Fortune Top 250 companies.
The
guide can be accessed at
http://www.ea.gov.au/industry/finance/publications/indicators
The Australian LPG Association has called on the Federal Government to put the proposed tax on alternative fuels, announced in the recent budget, on hold and to omit it from the debate on the Budget Appropriation Bills in Parliament, citing the need for it to first consult with alternative fuel groups to avoid adverse impacts of the tax.
The ALPGA released a statement saying the budget announcement had already "thrown into doubt future investment plans for LPG as an alternative fuel in cars," and that motor vehicle manufacturers in Australia would have to reconsider the future of LPG vehicles in light of the tax.
8. BP LAUNCHES GLOBAL CHOICE TO CORPORATE AUSTRALIA
BP Australia has launched its environmental fund Global Choice(tm) to Corporate Australia, enabling companies to cancel out greenhouse gases caused by the consumption of BP in their cars, trucks or diesel engines.
Participants in BP Global Choice(tm) receive an annual certificate stating the volume of greenhouse emissions reduced as a result of their participation. This is an audited figure that can be recorded in a company's Annual Report.
The program works by investing in a range of greenhouse reduction projects certified by the Federal Government. Projects include the development of new technologies and renewable energy resources.
To date, this simple, packaged environmental program has reduced greenhouse gas emissions in Australia by over 150,000 tonnes.
This program is independently audited and certified by the Federal Government's Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO) as part of the Greenhouse Friendly program. If your company is a member of the AGO's Greenhouse Challenge, BP Global Choice can help you reach your targets.
Participation in Global Choice can be from as little as $1,550 per annum on top of your BP fuel purchases.
Further information can be obtained by calling (03) 9268 4584 or emailing globalchoice@bp.com.
COURSES & PROGRAMS
9.
5-DAY COURSE ON ENVIRONMENT, PLANNING AND LAW
IN
THE COASTAL ZONE
21-25 July 2003, University of NSW
Coordinator and presenter: Bruce G Thom PhD, FIAG, Chair of Coastal Council of NSW.
The course 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).
Brochure: http://www.fbe.unsw.edu.au/courses/EP&L/
Registration
Form:
http://www.fbe.unsw.edu.au/courses/EP&L/Registration.pdf
Cost:
Normal Fee: $1,200 (including GST).
(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.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FOR THE MINING INDUSTRY
21 to 25 July, 2003
This short course is designed to provide participants with up-to-date knowledge of the Australian mining environmental regulatory framework, its processes and requirements, corporate responsibilities, as well as the best practice methodologies in environmental management of mine sites.
The course is presented by industry experts, with extensive practical experience in the regulatory and environmental management fields of the Australian minerals industry.
The course will benefit mine managers, mining engineers, mining industry professionals working in the environmental field or those who are involved with the industry and need to remain in touch with changes in this dynamic area.
For more information contact Kim Russell at:
UNSW
Mining Research Centre
University of New South Wales
UNSW SYDNEY NSW 2052
Phone: (02) 9385 5346 Fax: (02) 9313 7269
E-mail: K.Russell@unsw.edu.au
11. MURRAY DARLING BASIN LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Following the successful completion of the inaugural Murray Darling Basin Leadership Program in June this year, applications are now being accepted for Course 2.
The Program is an initiative of the MDB Ministerial Council and its Community Advisory Committee.
It has been designed to develop the leadership skills, understanding and knowledge of those who will help to secure the future of the Basin for the benefit of Basin communities.
Course 2 of the Program will be conducted over 3 sessions during 2004 and requires participants to attend for around 20 days over a six month period.
Application
forms are available from the Australian Rural Leadership
Foundation and on the Foundation's website: http://www.rural-leaders.com.
For
further information you can contact Rob Patrick, Director
Programs and Development, Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, Ph: (02) 62810680,
or Leith Boully, Murray Darling Basin Leadership Program Coordinator, mobile
0412 678 633.
Applications
close on 31 July 2003.
12. . STORMWATER INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION NSW REGIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM
Regional Training Program in Stormwater and Erosion & Sediment Control
SIA NSW is bringing Stormwater training courses from the cities into your region to assist in minimising staff away time and travel costs and to strengthen local networks, providing solutions for local stormwater issues:
- Introduction to Stormwater Pollution and Stormwater Management
- Stormwater Treatment Techniques
- Stormwater Outlet Design
-
Aspects of Piped Drainage Design* Introduction to Erosion &
Sediment Control
-
Development of Erosion & Sediment Control Plans* Designing Erosion
& Sediment Control Measures
- Instream Sediment Control
- Energy Dissipater Design
- Natural Channel Design
- Treatment of Creek and Gully Erosion
- Design of Environmentally Sensitive Waterway Crossings
GRAFTON; NEWCASTLE; SYDNEY; ORANGE; CANBERRA; BEGA; WOLLONGONG.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: New Council planners and engineers, designers, developers, consultants - Any stormwater practitioners who require an introduction to stormwater or ESC issues or training in specific design or treatment techniques.
Full and half day courses are running August to December.
BOOK NOW!!!
More
detailed information available on the SIA website link:
http://www.stormwater.asn.au/nsw/Witheridgecoursesfinal.doc
MORE
INFORMATION: SIA Secretariat, info@stormwater.asn.au
or phone
1300 76 11 22.
SEMINARS
13. MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND POLLUTION LAW SEMINAR
A four day seminar offering an introduction to the extremely important and rapidly growing area of marine environment and pollution law will be held at the University of Queensland in Brisbane from 14-17 July 2003.
The seminar is held under the auspices of the Centre for Maritime Law, a dedicated research and consultancy centre of the TC Beirne School of Law, University of Queensland.
The seminar aims to cover both the relevant law and offer insights into the current policy approaches of government and other important stakeholders in relation to the regulation and preservation of the marine environment.
The seminar offers an overview of the international conventions and Australian statute and judge-made law that touch upon this important area.
Also included is a discussion of the Australian Oceans Policy, general marine environmental policy as well as the regulation of certain specific marine environments such as the Great Barrier Reef and the Torres Strait.
Convenors and Major Presenters:
Dr Michael White QC, Centre for Maritime Law, University of Queensland
Dr Sam Bateman AM, Former Director, Centre for Maritime Policy, University of Wollongong
Guest Presenters:
Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Centre for Marine Studies, University of Queensland
Dr Ian Tibbetts, Centre for Marine Studies, University of Queensland
Mr Jeffrey Hardy, Maritime Safety Queensland, Queensland Transport
Dr Ian McPhail, Deputy Director-General, Queensland Environmental Protection Agency.
For bookings and further information:
Mr Stephen Knight, Centre for Maritime Law
University of Queensland
Telephone: (07) 3365 4750 Fax: (07) 3365 1454 Law Office
Email: cml@law.uq.edu.au
Website: http://www.law.uq.edu.au/cml
and check 'Upcoming Events'.
(or contact Dr Michael White on email: m.white@law.uq.edu.au).
14. STORMWATER INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION DEMONSTRATION & SEMINARS
SIA LUNCHTIME WSUD SEMINARS, Bicentennial Park Visitors Centre
*
WSUD & Landscaping Techniques, 22nd July, 2003.
* Wetlands in WSUD 14th August, 2003.
Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is about integration of urban design, landscape architecture, building architecture and stormwater management.
With growing acceptance of stormwater as a valuable resource, there has been greater emphasis on WSUD and use of alternative stormwater management measures which actually become integral focal elements of the urban environment.
July's seminar will focus on the importance of landscape design in WSUD and how elements can be integrated to add value and improve the amenity of any project.
August's seminar will present a case study of a constructed OSD wetland project on an industrial estate in Sydney's west, together with a 'hands-on' overview of a range of useful wetland plants.
These seminars will benefit stormwater practitioners, Council officers, developers, landscape consultants, and consulting engineers.
SEMINAR COST: $60.00 (SIA Members: $45.00) each
STORMFILTER DEMONSTRATION BBQ LUNCH. 29th July, 2003.
SIA and Ingal Environmental Services are inviting stormwater managers to participate in a complimentary demonstration of the StormFilter unit installed at Blacktown.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION: SIA Secretariat, info@stormwater.asn.au or phone 1300 76 11 22. or follow these links:
http://www.stormwater.asn.au/nsw/Jul10flierfinal.doc
http://www.stormwater.asn.au/nsw/JUL22flierfinal.doc
http://www.stormwater.asn.au/nsw/AUG14flierfinal.doc
CONFERENCES
15. YOUNG IRRIGATION NETWORK INC - INAUGURAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE
7th & 8th August 2003, Griffith NSW - Registrations Now Open.
The conference aims to bring together young people aged 18 to 35, representing all aspects of the irrigation industry, from right across Australia.
Delegates will be given the opportunity to hear presentations from such high profile speakers as ABC foreign correspondent Jeff McMullen, Federal Agriculture Minister Warren Truss and National Director for Sustainable Population Australia, Jenny Goldie.
Topics
to be discussed include international water wars, The Living Murray program,
developing http://www.youngirrigation.org
or can be obtained by phoning 02 6964 2420 or e-mailing bwilkes@murrumbidgeehort.org.au
CALL FOR PAPERS/ABSTRACTS
16 SYMPOSIUM ON URBANIZATION AND STREAM ECOLOGY
A Symposium on Urbanization and Stream Ecology will be held Monday 8 to Wednesday 10 December 2003 at the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
There
is a Call for Abstracts which must be received by 1 July 2003.
Acceptance of abstracts will be notified by 1 September 2003.
Symposium Themes are the nature of urban impacts of stream ecology, ecological assessment of urban impacts, and addressing urban impacts: restoration and management priorities.
Details
may be found at the conference website:
http://www.conferences.unimelb.edu.au/urbanization_and_stream_ecology
Conference
Secretariat
Bronwen Hewitt
Conference
Management
Old Physics Building
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010, Australia
Email: bhewitt@unimelb.edu.au
PUBLICATIONS/PROCEEDINGS
17. TREES FOR SHELTER RESEARCH PUBLICATION
A new publication from the Joint Venture Agroforestry Program (JVAP) "Trees for Shelter - A guide to using windbreaks on Australian farms", reports on research that shows windbreaks can not only protect against losses caused by winds, but can actually increase productivity and profitability.
Wind can impact on farm production in many ways, with soil erosion one of the most serious.
Cold winds during winter are responsible for losses in animal herds and flocks, while also reducing production levels and increasing feed requirements.
Plants also suffer stress from strong winds, with increased evaporation and soil particles 'sand blasting' plants, stripping leaves and damaging fruit. Plant knockdown is particularly of concern to many cereal crops.
"Trees for Shelter" is the second book in the "Guideline Series" by the JVAP and sells for $34 inc GST & postage. Book one is the acclaimed "Trees, Water and Salt - An Australian guide to using trees for healthy catchments and productive farms" ($33).
Both
publications can be purchased from the Rural Industries Research and Development
Corporation (RIRDC) - summaries can be read online
at: http://www.rirdc.gov.au/fullreports/aft.html
To order copies of the books ph: (02) 6272 4819.
18.
4TH AUSTRALASIAN WATER LAW & POLICY CONFERENCE - CONFERENCE
PROCEEDINGS AVAILABLE
As a result of a large number of enquiries 150 extra copies of the conference proceedings of the 4th Australasian Water Law & Policy Conference, held in Sydney in late 2002, are now available.
The proceedings contain the full papers delivered at the conference and include the latest research and findings on legal and policy issues (State and Federal) relating to water reform, water quality, water trading, property rights, water licensing and indigenous rights and interests in water in Australia.
A full list of the contents of the proceedings may be viewed at http://www.countryconferences.com.au
The cost of the proceedings are $150.00 (incl. GST) and may be obtained by sending an email requesting a copy to Anne Vince, Director, Country Conferences P/L at country@northnet.com.au
A
tax invoice will be sent with the proceedings.
19. THIRD EDITION OF AUSTRALIAN ENVIRONMENT DIRECTORY RELEASED
Hallmark Editions, publisher of EnviroInfo, has released
the Third Edition of the Australian Environment Directory.
The Directory is a 440 page guide to the environment sector at Federal and State levels, allowing readers to quickly identify which departments and agencies are responsible for programs and relevant legislation.
The programs include air quality, catchment management, greenhouse, renewable energy, salinity, land, coastal and marine management.
More than 700 organisations, research bodies, and educational institutions are listed in this comprehensive directory.
If you would like more details about the Directory please send an email to ruth@halledit.com.au or order through our website at http://www.halledit.com.au
Orders can also be made by contacting (03) 9530 8900.
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The
THIRD EDITION OF THE AUSTRALIAN ENVIRONMENT
DIRECTORY is a 412 page guide to the environment sector at Federal
and State levels, allowing readers to quickly identify which departments
and agencies are responsible for programs and relevant legislation. The
programs include air quality, catchment management, greenhouse, renewable energy,
salinity, land, coastal and marine management. More
than 700 organisations, research bodies, and educational institutions are
listed in this comprehensive directory.
If
you would like more details about these publications please send an
email to hallmark@halledit.com.au to the attention of Ruth or order
through our website at http://www.halledit.com.au