Environment law and policy tracker

Wednesday, 17 January 2018 2:32pm

Law and policy changes in all jurisdictions, and a round-up of jobs, grants, awards and seminars.

Upcoming events
Federal, state and territory round-up
Jobs and appointments

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Featured vacancy – Deputy Secretary, Energy, Environment and Climate Change

Victoria's Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning is recruiting for a deputy secretary, energy, environment and climate change ($206,000 - $330,582).

The deputy secretary provides strategic leadership for work programs and priorities across the group.

Key priorities will be to drive integrated systemic approaches to the government's environmental initiatives and energy and climate change reforms.

The role will oversee energy market reform, energy security and reliability, delivery projects and programs across the energy portfolio to implement the Victorian Renewable Energy Target.

The Deputy Secretary will lead whole of government action on emissions reductions and climate adaptation in partnership with business and communities. Applications close February 2.

Upcoming events:

Research and evidence in the energy transition A January 22 one-hour seminar in Melbourne, discussing the role of evidence in setting Australia's international emissions reduction target (INDC).
What will happen in 2018 to the electricity industry? A January 23 seminar in Sydney, with speakers including Dr Liz Develin, deputy secretary of the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.
Tourism climate change adaptation and mitigation plan workshop A February 1 (Cairns) and February 2 (Townsville) workshop hosted by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council and Griffith University.
Cleantech hackathon A February 3 and 4 event in Brisbane, hosted by EnergyLab.
Smart energy hackathon A February 9 and 10 event in Canberra, hosted by EnergyLab.
ANU climate update – 2018 A February 8 afternoon seminar, presenting an overview of how the climate is changing and how the world is responding. Includes discussion of corporate responses.
Solutions to reverse global warming – project drawdown – speaking tour by Paul Hawken Project Drawdown executive director Paul Hawken will be speaking at various events around Australia over February and March, including in Melbourne on February 10, Brisbane on February 15 and Canberra on February 20.
Impact assessment symposium A February 15 and 16 symposium in Melbourne, hosted by EIANZ.
Beyond compliance: The business case for climate risk disclosure A February 16 seminar in Melbourne, hosted by KPMG and featuring Minter Ellison's Sarah Barker, KPMG's Adrian King and CDSB's Mardi McBrien.
Australian waste to energy forum A February 20 to 22 event in Ballarat, hosted by the Australian Industrial Ecology Network.
WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation regulatory reform update A February 21 briefing, hosted by EIANZ.
Demand response conference A February 26-27 conference in Sydney, hosted by Informa.
New environmental laws, climate change and energy developments for business A March 2 seminar in Melbourne, hosted by the Australian Environment Business Network.
Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership: Program for non-executive directors A March 4 and 5 residential course in Melbourne.
Wind industry forum A March 7 event in Melbourne, hosted by the Clean Energy Council.
Wastewater systems design and management A March 8 workshop in Sydney, hosted by the Australian Sustainable Business Group.
National sustainability in business conference A March 8 and 9 conference in Brisbane.
Tasmanian energy forum – from Apple Isle to battery of the nation? A March 8 afternoon seminar in Hobart, hosted by the Energy Users Association of Australia.
Green cities 2018 A March 13 to 15 event in Melbourne, co-hosted by the Green Building Council of Australia and the Property Council of Australia.
SA future energy 2.0 A March 14 to 15 conference in Adelaide, hosted by Informa.
Pumped hydro energy storage A March 20 and 21 conference in Sydney, hosted by Informa.
Building sustainability in your supply chain A March 28 seminar in Melbourne, hosted by the Australian Environment Business Network.

For other events, see the Footprint what's on listings.

National:

The federal government has commissioned Deloitte to manage the first statutory review of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (see background here).
Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg has named new appointees to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (see background here).
The Bureau of Meteorology has released its annual climate statement, showing 2017 was the third warmest on record.
Nominations for the National Heritage List and the Commonwealth Heritage List are now open and will close on February 26.
A Senate inquiry into the protection of Aboriginal rock art on the Burrup Peninsula will report on February 7.
The Department of Environment and Energy has released details of certification procedures for outdoor power equipment and marine engines that are required to meet new legislative standards on noxious emissions.
Applications are now open for the $26 million Gas Acceleration Program (GAP), which is designed to accelerate new supplies from onshore gas developments to the domestic market. Applications must be submitted by February 13.
Comment is due by February 18 on the technical review of the Gene Technology Regulations 2001.
Comment closes February 26 on draft Regulation Impact Statement on ratifying a Stockholm Convention amendment that requires a phase-out of PFOS (a type of PFAS chemical).
Comment is due by March 16 on the Australia's draft strategy for nature – 2018 to 2030.
Bill watch: The Industrial Chemicals Bill 2017 and related bills, which would overhaul the NICNAS industrial chemicals scheme, remain before the Senate after being shunted from it's 2017 agenda.
Bill watch: A bill that would streamline reporting requirements under agricultural and veterinary chemicals laws is before the House of Representatives.

Queensland:

The Department of Environment and Science has received the recommendations of an independent inquiry into flows of NSW waste into the state, but won't release them yet (see background here).
The state and federal governments are offering grants of up to $250,000 in a $1 million funding round to support proposals for boosting coral abundance on the Great Barrier Reef. Applications close March 6.

NSW:

The EPA is seeking community nominations to join the Upper Hunter Air Quality Advisory Committee.
The EPA has updated its guidelines for using waste materials as fill and as fertiliser or soil amendment.
Energy and Utilities Minister Don Harwin has gazetted the annual list of energy-intensive companies exempt from Energy Savings Scheme charges.
The EPA has issued a clean-up notice to Viva Energy after it reported a fuel leak from a fuel pipeline under Olympic Park.
The EPA has instructed Idemitsu's Muswellbrook Coal to start a 12-month continuous monitoring program to assess whether spontaneous combustion from coal is resulting in unacceptable levels of air pollution.
Comment closes February 2 on proposed new requirements for buildings with combustible cladding, which will require building owners to inform state government and undertake an independent fire safety assessment.
Comment closes February 16 on a Planning & Environment discussion paper on improving mine rehabilitation requirements (see background here).
Comment closes February 16 on draft guidance for proponents of state significant solar projects on securing planning approval (see background here).
Comment closes February 23 on a statutory review of NSW Regional Forest Agreements, being conducted jointly with the federal government.

ACT:

The ACT government has released a new contaminated sits environment protection policy.
Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Shane Rattenbury has announced six more companies will be funded to help roll-out solar battery storage, as part of efforts to deploy 36MW of distributed battery storage by 2020.
Comment is due by April 9 on a discussion paper on the ACT's strategy to reach net zero emissions.

Victoria:

The EPA has started a review of the licences of the Loy Yang A, Loy Yang B and Yallourn brown coal-fired power stations.
The EPA has issued new publications on how it assigns legal powers and responsibilities, guidelines for closed landfills, its compliance and enforcement policy and licence management.
The state government has specified the amount of renewable energy generation capacity needed in Victoria to satisfy its legislated clean energy target for 2020 (see background here).
The administrator of the Victorian Energy Upgrades program (formerly VEET) has issued a new consultation paper on mandatory safety requirements, with comment due by January 26.
Expressions of interest close February 5 to join the Birrarung Committee, which will advise on the management of the Yarra river and its environs.
Bill watch: A bill to implement parts of the state's new Water for Victoria strategic plan is currently before the Legislative Assembly (see background here).
Bill watch: The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment Bill is currently before the Legislative Assembly.
Bill watch: The Planning and Environment Amendment (Public Land Contributions) Bill is currently before the Legislative Council.
Grant opportunity: Sustainability Victoria is offering gas efficiency grants of up to $50,000, energy assessment grants ranging from $2,000 to $15,000, plus an implementation bonus, and materials efficiency of up to $13,000.
Grant opportunity: Applications close February 20 for Coastcare community grants of up to $15,000.
Comment closes January 25 on plans to ban e-waste from landfills from mid-2018, including used solar PV systems (see background here).
Comment closes January 25 on a state government proposal to ban lightweight plastic bags.

Tasmania

The City of Hobart has issued two background papers as part of a review of its climate change strategy, with comments due March 5.
The Southern Tasmanian Councils Authority, in conjunction with Sustainable Living Tasmania, are organising a bulk buy for solar panels and batteries.

South Australia:

Anthony Rosier, who traded as Eco Asbestos, has been fined $15,600 by the Environment Resources and Development (Court for providing false and misleading information to the EPA about asbestos removal work. to pay $160 Victims of Crime levy and $800 prosecution costs.
Bill watch: The Statutes Amendment (Leading Practice in Mining) Bill is currently before the Legislative Council, following a major review of mining legislation.

Western Australia:

An independent inquiry into fracking has scheduled public meetings for February and March.
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has released an update on PFAS investigations in the state.
The EPA has recommended approval for a proposal by Tellus Holdings to mine kaolin clay and store hazardous waste in the cavities.
Comment closes February 2 on draft regulations to ensure sites using clean or uncontaminated fill don't incur waste levy charges (see background here).
Comment closes March 1 on a Waste Authority discussion paper for a new state waste strategy (see background here).
Comment closes March 9 on a discussion paper on implementing the state's ban on single-use plastic shopping bags, which takes effect mid-year.

Jobs and appointments:

NewsMediaWorks, which acts on behalf of news publishing businesses, has appointed Dr Tony Wilkins as executive director, environment. Dr Wilkins was formerly head of environment with News Corporation.
Former Clean Energy Regulator senior executive Jody Swirepik has been appointed the new Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder. Swirepik previously served as executive director of environmental management with the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.
Melbourne's Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Group has appointed Paul Clapham as director of procurement and contracts.
The Climate and Health Alliance has appointed Simon Towle as its new executive director.
The ACT Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate's carbon neutral government section is seeking a senior policy officer (temporary for six months, with the possible of extension ($100,462 - $108,140).
The NT Department of Environment and Natural Resources is seeking a senior assessment officer ($114,426 – $124,593).
The WA Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety is seeking a Kalgoorlie-based environmental officer ($66,165 - $90,345).
Bouygues Construction Australia is recruiting for a Sydney-based environment and sustainability coordinator.
Lendlease has a vacancy for a Melbourne-based environmental and sustainability manager, working on its level crossing-removal project.
Dexus is recruiting for a Sydney-based sustainability analyst.
Energetics is seeking a Sydney-based energy accounting analyst.
Hutchinson Builders is hiring a Brisbane-based health, safety and environmental officer.
Spinifex Recruiting is hiring a Sydney-based waste crime investigator on behalf of a NSW agency.
Greenbase is recruiting for a Perth-based sustainability reporting coordinator.
The Roy Hill project in the Pilbara is seeking a environmental mine advisor.
Melbourne's Western Distributor Authority is recruiting for an environmental officer.
The Green Building Council of Australia has a part-time, temporary vacancy for a project implementation specialist.
The Australian Academy of Science has a vacancy for a sustainability program manager ($129,102 - $145,587).
The City of Rockingham is recruiting for a sustainability officer.
Nillumbick Shire Council is seeking an environment and sustainability coordinator.
The City of Canning is recruiting for a sustainability officer.