Environment law and policy tracker
Tuesday, 09 August 2016 2:49pm
Law and policy changes in all jurisdictions, and a roundup of jobs, grants, awards and seminars.
** Featured vacancy ** The Australian network of the UN Global Compact, the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative, is looking for a program manager.
Upcoming events:
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Australasian waste and recycling expo
An August 10 to 11 conference in Sydney.
- Climate change: The challenge out to 2050 - Tim Flannery
An August 19 seminar at the University of Wollongong, hosted by the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
- National biofuels symposium
An August 23 to 25 conference in Brisbane, hosted by the Biofuels Association of Australia.
- Sustainability in public works
An August 24 to 26 conference in Melbourne, hosted by the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia.
- Victorian energy forum
An August 24 seminar in Melbourne, hosted by the Energy Users Association of Australia.
- Health, safety, environment and community conference
An August 29 to 20 conference in the Hunter Valley, hosted by the NSW Mining Council.
- Disruption and the energy industry
An August 30 conference in Sydney, hosted by Informa.
- Smart lighting summit
A September 6 to 7 conference in Melbourne.
For other events, including a conference in Brisbane on HVAC, see the extensive Footprint what's on listings.
National:
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The Gene Technology Regulator has invited comment on applications for commercial release licences made by Bayer CropScience for two types of GM cotton, modified for insect resistance and tolerance to glyphosphate.
- The Department of Environment has issued a proposed variation to the ERF method for waste coal mine gas that would allow carbon credits to be earned by capturing "ventilation air methane" (VAM) (related article for subscribers only).
- The Australian Building Codes Board has conducted its first technical workshops on proposed commercial building energy efficiency provisions and residential efficiency provisions for the 2019 version of the National Construction Code.
- The ABCB has also issued new guidance on climate-responsive housing designs for northern Australia.
- All NGER reporters must submit their reports by midnight, October 31.
- Award nominations invited:Nominations close on August 31 for the Energy Efficiency Council's national energy efficiency awards.
- Award nominations invited: Nominations for the independent Banksia foundation awards close on August 26.
Queensland:
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Environment Minister Steven Miles says a study that reportedly identified a $3.2 billion shortfall between financial assurances provided by coal mines and mine rehabilitation costs was only a preliminary document and contained unreliable extrapolations.
An interdepartmental committee is due to make recommendations on changes to financial assurance arrangements by the end of the year, Miles said.
- Comment is due by September 2 on the Palaszczuk Government's climate change discussion paper.
NSW:
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The EPA will extend an exemption that specifies the transportation of asbestos-contaminated soils doesn't need to be logged using its WasteLocate online system for monitoring the transport of asbestos and waste tyres. The exemption will now operate until the end of February next year, instead of expiring at the end of this month.
- The NSW Department of Planning and Environment has issued new draft documents on the assessment and approval of wind farms (related article for subscribers only).
- The EPA has gazetted new conditions on the use of rapidly decomposed food waste as a soil amendment (related article for subscribers only).
- The Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) has invited tenders for the installation of solar PV in 151 Dubbo properties.
- The AHO has also invited tenders to develop and deliver training for tenants and local energy advocates as part of the Dubbo pilot retrofit program.
- Energy Minister Anthony Roberts has announced the formation of working groups to advise on the development of an "advanced energy strategy" for the state, which will tackle problems including connecting renewables to the grid.
- The EPA has issued an information sheet for businesses on ways to reduce food waste.
ACT:
Victoria:
Tasmania:
South Australia:
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AGL will install 1,000 centrally-controlled batteries in South Australian businesses and homes, with the aid of a $5 million ARENA grant (related article for subscribers only).
- The state government has formally renewed the EPA board appointments of Helen Macdonald and Mark Withers for a further three years.
- Nominations close on September 5 for the women in waste leadership award, which provides up to $5,000 for travel, accommodation and conference costs. The award honours the memory of the late Pam Keating.
- Comment closes on August 15 on draft Native Vegetation Regulations 2003 that specify four approval pathways for 39 activities.
- Entries close on September 9 for the inaugural SA Climate Leaders Awards.
Western Australia:
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The EPA has recommended that Cameco's proposed Yeelirrie uranium mine not proceed because it would threaten the viability of some subterranean fauna species (related article for subscribers only).
- The EPA has concluded that a sand mining company can build a haul road through a nature reserve if it takes offsetting measures (related article for subscribers only).
- The state government has invited nominations for grants of between $5,000 and $55,000 for environmental projects as part of the 2016-17 Community Action Grant round, with extra funding of between $1,000 and $10,000 available for projects that can be completed over the next 12 months.
- Comment closes August 26 on proposed changes to the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Regulations 2008 to strengthen record-keeping requirements (related article for subscribers only).
Northern Territory:
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Tiwi Plantations Corporation and Mitsui Bussan Woodchip Oceania Pty Ltd have signed an agreement to export about 500,000 green metric tonnes of woodchips to Japan over three years.
Jobs and appointments:
