Summary of this EnviroInfo, 3 September 2002

GENERAL NEWS
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1. AUSTRALIAN STANDARD FOR CARBON ACCOUNTING RELEASED
2. MURRAY-DARLING CONSULTATION
3. INQUIRY INTO PLANTATIONS
4. KEMP MOVES TO LIMIT EPBC IMPACTS ON FARMERS
5. SALINITY HAZARD MAP
6. NEW ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT COUNCIL
7. NEW WESTERN AUSTRALIAN NRM COUNCIL
8. NEW ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATION FOR FINANCE SECTOR

COURSES/WORKSHOPS/SEMINARS
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9. CONCRETE PIPE TECHNOLOGY
10. ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITOR CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP
11. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS WORKSHOP

CONFERENCES
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12. AUSTRALIAN LANDSCAPE CONFERENCE
13. MAKING TRACKS 2002

PUBLICATIONS
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14. THE DO'S AND DON'TS: RESOURCEFUL CONSTRUCTION
AND DEMOLITION

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ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS &
LAND AND WATER NEWSLETTERS
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Editorial content in this report draws on the monthly newsletters, Land and Water News & Environment Business. For subscription inquiries email hallmark@halledit.com.au or tel 03 9530 8900. A complimentary copy can be forwarded for review and evaluation. Regrettably, limited staff resources means that we are unable to respond to individual requests for further information about the news items contained in this Enviroinfo.

GENERAL NEWS
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1. AUSTRALIAN STANDARD FOR CARBON ACCOUNTING RELEASED
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A new national carbon accounting standard has been released by Standards Australia, boosting the ability of forest managers and sequestration investors to quantify and compare the carbon removal capacities of areas of forest across the nation.
The standard has been developed to support carbon trading under Kyoto or non-Kyoto carbon trading markets that may emerge. Standards Australia Environment, Materials and Consumer Standards Director John Henry said the new standard provided a new approach to determining how much carbon a given patch of forest could be expected to remove from the atmosphere by taking into account factors such as the species of tree and how densely the trees were planted while using probability to take into account factors that could influence growth rates. Sampling and estimation techniques are used under the standard to gauge sequestration levels.
A future standard is also planned to deal with carbon sequestered through improved land management that would increase the amount of carbon stored in soil.
The new standard, titled AS 4978.1(Int) Carbon accounting for greenhouse sinks Part 1: Afforestation and reforestation, can be downloaded from www.standards.com.au

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2. MURRAY-DARLING CONSULTATION
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The Murray-Darling Basin Commission has launched its public consultation period for the rehabilitation of the Murray-Darling Basin.
The year-long consultation process will include community forums, focus groups, and meetings to decide the level of restoration of environmental flows.
The Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council has identified three reference points for communities to focus their initial discussions. The three reference points equate to three different volumes of water that could permanently be transferred from current uses: 350GL, 750 GL and 1500 GL.
The community consultation period is part of a wider strategy agreed to by the Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council in April, which includes a comprehensive study on the costs and benefits to the environment and the community of returning water to the environment.
Written submissions for Stage 1 of the process should be sent to the The Living Murray, Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council, GPO Box 409, Canberra, ACT, 2601.
A copy of the discussion paper, The Living Murray, is available from the Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) Information Officer. Further information can be found on the Commission's web site www.thelivingmurray.mdbc.gov.au

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3. INQUIRY INTO PLANTATIONS
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The Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee is undertaking an inquiry into plantation forestry, and in particular into issues arising from the current review by the Private Forests Consultative Committee (PFCC) of the strategy, Plantations for Australia: The 2020 Vision.
The PFCC is not due to report its findings until November this year, but the inquiry will proceed in the interim and is expected to announce public hearings when Parliament resumes next month.
Under terms of reference requested by the Minister for Forestry and Conservation, Senator Ian Macdonald, the Committee will inquire into whether there are impediments to the achievement of the aims of the Plantations for Australia: The 2020 Vision strategy, and if the strategy should be altered in the light of any impediments. The initial deadline for the Committee to report is December 12, but it is thought likely that an extension will be sought as a result of the November reporting date for the PFCC.

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4. KEMP MOVES TO LIMIT EPBC IMPACTS ON FARMERS
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The Federal Minister for Environment and Heritage, Dr David Kemp, has conceded that landholders face uncertainties about the application of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, particularly in relation to threatened species, and has agreed to to consult with the National Farmers Federation (NFF) before any new species of plants or animals are listed under the Act as vulnerable or endangered.
Dr Kemp has also agreed to a Commonwealth-funded position assigned to the NFF specifically to assist the agricultural sector with the impacts arising from the EPBC Act.
The NFF's Chief Executive, Anna Cronin, said that while the new arrangements were welcome, the EPBC Act posed "serious and compounding problems" for agriculture and needed to be substantially amended. She said that the Act was fundamentally flawed in the way it was structured, that key elements were poorly defined and that it placed unfair and onerous costs on individual farmers.

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5. SALINITY HAZARD MAP
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A salinity hazard map has been released for the Queensland Murray- Darling Basin which highlights the potential risks of the area being affected by salinity over the next 30 to 50 years.
The map, produced by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines in partnership with the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee, shows that up to 26 million hectares of land in the area could be affected, with high salt levels in its soils and groundwater.
The map has been developed as a means of determining areas which would be sensitive to land use change and the potential to develop salinity, with much of the land in the region being used predominantly for agricultural purposes, and supporting irrigation and dryland cropping.
Salinity hazard maps are also being prepared for the Fitzroy, Mary-Burnett, Burdekin and south-east regions of the State.
For further information go to www.nrm.qld.gov.au/salinity/
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6. NEW ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT COUNCIL
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The new Victorian Environmental Assessment Council has been formally established, succeeding the Environment Conservation Council as the peak government advisory body on public land management issues.
The new Council, to be chaired by former EPA chairman, Dr Brian Robinson, will consist of Dr Sarah Ewing, Ms Eda Ritchie, Mr Duncan Malcolm, and Dr David Mercer.
It is tasked with providing independent and strategic advice to the State Government on matters relating to the protection and ecologically sustainable management of the state's environment and natural resources.
The first task of the Council, operating under the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council Act 2001, will be to investigate a possible upgrade of the Angahook-Lorne State Park to national park status.
For further details, contact VEAC on (03) 9412 5100.

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7. NEW WESTERN AUSTRALIAN NRM COUNCIL
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The establishment of a new Natural Resource Management Council is one of a range of new initiatives released by the Western Australian Government to combat salinity in response to the Salinity Taskforce Report.
The Government has also commenced a trust fund for farmers and landholders as an incentive to curtail landclearing. The Native Vegetation Trust Fund will provide grants for a range of on ground actions to protect remnant vegetation.
The Natural Resource Management Council has replaced the State Salinity Council, and is to be chaired by chair of the Soil and Land Conservation Council of WA, Rex Edmondson.
The 13 member Council will be responsible for devising salinity strategies for the state, taking into consideration sustainable management of other natural resources.
The Council has representatives from all major government agencies dealing with natural resources.
For further information about the salinity initiatives, go to:
www.naturebase.net/projects.

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8. NEW ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATION FOR FINANCE SECTOR
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A new industry association has been established to provide a forum through which environmental issues affecting the finance sector can be discussed and debated.
The Enviro-Finance Association of Australia has been founded by the American Home Assurance Company (part of the AIGgroup), the Commonwealth Bank Australia, Macquarie Bank Limited, National Australia Bank, PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal, QBE Insurance Limited, EPA (Vic) and Macinante Consulting.
The Association has been established as a non-profit, financial services industry association to provide a focal point, information exchange and think-tank on environmental issues as they affect the sector.
For further information go to www.efaa.com.au or tel: (02) 9776 7977,
email: info@efaa.com.au

COURSES/SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS
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9. CONCRETE PIPE TECHNOLOGY
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Thursday, September 5th, 2002

Concord Function Centre, 144 Majors Bay Road, Concord, NSW. Registration 3.45pm, Concludes 8.00pm. Supper and refreshments included.
Introduce new engineers to the requirements of Australian Standards AS 4058 and AS 3725, and encourage the adoption of sound engineering practices in the selection, design and installation of concrete pipelines.

Modules cover:
AS 4058: Introduction to Concrete Pipes; Manufacture; Size and Load

Classes;

Joint Types; Reinforcement; Testing.

AS 3725: Loads on pipes including construction loads;

The concept of Bedding Factors; Pipe Support (& materials);

The importance of Compaction;

Trench width and its effect on Dead Loads;

Standard types of support in AS 3725.

CPAA aids for design and construction: Charts; Software; Examples.

Workshop notes will be included.

Presenter: Patrick McGuire, Executive Director of the Concrete Pipe
Association of Australasia.

Cost: $95.00 (SIA members) or $145 (non-members). Includes GST.

Contact Bronwyn Davies, SIA 1300-76-11-22
Email info@stormwater.asn.au

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10. CPD'S ENVIRONMENTAL WORKSHOPS

ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITOR CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP - 5 DAY
WORKSHOP
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Presented by Graham A Brown, M.Sc, F. Aus IMM

Learn how to conduct environmental audits, advise clients on environmental
issues, train staff to undertake environmental audits, and commission and manage environmental audits. This course provides you with explanations and valuable hands-on practice to take you towards the competency requirements of Environmental Auditor Certification with the Quality Society of Australasia.

Successful completion of this workshop fulfils the formal training component of Environmental Auditor Certification. Registration includes a free copy of the Environmental Audit Guidebook (RRP $429 incl. GST).

Price: $2,249.50 incl. GST
Dates:
Darwin 30 Sept 4 Oct
Newcastle 14 18 Oct
Albury 28 Oct 1Nov
Sydney 18 22 Nov
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11. CPD'S ENVIRONMENTAL WORKSHOPS

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS WORKSHOP - 3 DAY
WORKSHOP

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Presented by Graham A Brown, M.Sc, F. Aus IMM

Melbourne 22 - 24 Oct

Ensure the effective establishment and implementation of a viable environmental management system (EMS). Training in this vital area gives you the information and skills required to introduce an EMS into your organisation, including developing an EMS using ISO 14001; certification and self-declaration; management commitment and developing an environmental policy; environmental legislation, regulation and other requirements; objectives and targets; implementing the EMS; emergency response and spill control and environmental records.

Registration includes a free copy of the Environmental Management Systems Guidebook (RRP $429 incl. GST).

Price: $1,314.50 incl. GST

Free Call 1800 036 186 for more information or visit
www.cpd.com.au/seminars

CONFERENCES
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12. AUSTRALIAN LANDSCAPE CONFERENCE
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Conference Themes: Contemporary Design and Sustainability
21st-22nd September 2002-08-29
Camberwell Centre, Melbourne, Australia

This international conference is convened every 3-4 years in Melbourne. For 2002, 16 key overseas and Australian speakers will address the above themes.

Overseas speakers are: Dan Pearson (UK) two papers, UK; Prof. Robert Perry (California, on water conservation); Fumiaki Takano and Norihiro Kanekiyo (Japan); Penelope Hill contemporary European design, (UK); and Prof. Peggy Mclaughlin on garden-based education in U.S.A.

Australian speakers include Professor Catherin Bull, Jane Burke, Michael Cooke, Dr Tim Flannery, Anne Latreille, Peter Nixon, Martin Reeves, Daniel Richards, Dr Peter Valder & Howard Tanner.

A special Speakers Dinner (optional) will be held at the historic Melbourne Club and the conference will be chaired by Mr John Patrick.

The Conference will be valuable for all those with an interest in contemporary landscape design trends as well as those pursuing issues of sustainability and waterwise lansdcaping.

View conference program, speaker outlines, media release & register at www.bloomings.com.au
Email: warwick@bloomings.com.au or phone: (03) 9427 1490

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13. MAKING TRACKS 2002
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14 -16 October 2002

The Western Australian Government, through the Department of Sport and Recreation, is proud to announce the 2nd Australian Tracks and Trails Conference to be held in Mandurah, 50 minutes south of Perth.

Its scope and significance will make attendance essential for all who have an interest in the field, including federal, state and local government representatives, leaders in environmental and educational organisations, researchers, program managers and a broad spectrum of operators and practitioners.

The development of trails for outdoor recreation activities, predominantly walking, biking and horse riding, has been an increasing international trend for the past decade. This trend has been accompanied by an evolving international trails movement - led by the United States, (Rails to Trails Conservancy, RTC), the United Kingdom (Countryside Agency) and Canada (Trans Canada Trail Foundation, TCTF).

For further information, registration details and brochures visit
www.ausunique.com.au or call
Diana: +61 03 9840 2540 or Richard: +61 08 9387 9762.
Aus Unique International are environmentally friendly conference organising
specialists.

PUBLICATIONS
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14. THE DO'S AND DON'TS: RESOURCEFUL CONSTRUCTION
AND DEMOLITION
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Resourceful construction and demolition just got easier!

The construction and demolition sectors are facing tough times and cannot afford to ignore the benefits of improved resource efficiency. A new pocket sized handbook 'The Do's and Dont's: Resourceful Construction and Demolition', published by Arcadian Solutions gives practical information on what to do, what not to do, benefits and key contacts in Victoria for improving resource efficiency.

Developed in partnership with industry and local government, the handbook offers case studies and steps for implementing resourceful project design and planning. It also provides site specific advice on how to minimise
environmental risk and improve resource recovery.

Civil Contractors Federation Executive Director Rod Jeffrey noted industry is constantly hunting out new ways to stay competitive. Improving efficiency and environmental performance has become a critical part of enhancing business viability. The Do's and Dont's handbook offers a practical steps for businesses to save money, protect the environment and importantly improve safety on site.

Purchase the handbook from the Master Builders Association of Victoria, fax (03) 9419 4026 or email: documentsales@mbav.com.au
Further information is available from www.arcadian.com.au or contact Libby Chaplin at Arcadian Solutions by email at
handbook@arcadian.com.au.

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Environment Business