Environment law and policy tracker

Thursday, 30 May 2019 4:25pm

Highlights include court and tribunal rulings in NSW and Victoria. Jobs include multiple posts with the Clean Energy Regulator, and jobs with Fortescue, Melbourne Water and Downer.

Tracker is a free, open-access service, and we encourage you to forward it to other carbon and sustainability professionals, who can register to receive Tracker here.

Subscribers to our premium paid service receive detailed daily news and analysis and full access to all Tracker links. Non-subscribers can trial the premium service here.

• Upcoming events
• National, state and territory round-up
• Jobs and appointments

Upcoming events:

• Climate week Queensland 2019 A June 2 to 8 series of events, hosted by the state government.
• How are businesses responding to investor pressure on climate change? A June 5 evening seminar in Sydney, with speakers including AGL's Theo Comino, the European Climate Foundation's Kate Mackenzie and KMPG's Amber Johnston Billings.
• Circular economy – closing the loop A June 6 breakfast seminar in Melbourne, with speakers including energy and sustainability expert Alan Pears.
• Managing development near landfills and other buffers A June 6 course in Melbourne, hosted by Planning Institute Australia.
• Australian energy week A June 11 to 14 conference and exhibition in Melbourne.
• Adapting climate science for business A June 13 evening seminar in Sydney, with speakers including Andy Pitman.
• Climate essentials: A short course A June 17 one-day course in Canberra, offered by the ANU Climate Change Institute.
• Human health risk assessment A June 17 and 18 workshop in Sydney, hosted by CRC CARE.
• Innovation needs for two degrees A June 19 lunchtime briefing in Canberra, featuring Energy Transitions Commission commissioner Robert Trezona.
• Safeguard mechanism A June 19workshop in Brisbane, hosted by the Clean Energy Regulator.
• Mined land rehabilitation A June 19 to 21 conference in Newcastle, hosted by CRCCARE.
• Safeguard mechanism A series of two-hour briefings in major cities (June 19 to 27), hosted by the Clean Energy Regulator.
• Human health risk assessment A June 24 and 25 workshop in Melbourne, hosted by CRC CARE.
• Healthy waterways: Environmental contamination and management of aquatic resources A June 24 symposium in Sydney, with speakers including Joe Pera and Dr Lisa Golding.
• Human health risk assessment A June 27 and 28 workshop in Perth, hosted by CRC CARE.
• The state-of-energy-research conference A July 3 and 4 conference in Canberra, hosted by the Energy Research Institutes Council for Australia.

National:

• A home energy efficiency assessment scheme developed in Victoria is now being trialled nationally.
• New resource: A new report provides details on human health soil screening criteria for PFAS.
• The Clean Energy Regulator has released its quarterly small-scale renewable energy data tracker.
• Have your say!: The ACCC is inviting comments by April 30 on an Energy Tech Consumer Code proposed by the Clean Energy Council, the Australian Energy Council, the Smart Energy Council and Energy Consumers Australia.
• NOPSEMA's annual offshore performance report shows a record number of hydrocarbon releases from offshore oil and gas infrastructure in 2018, and says many came from ageing assets (see background here).
• Coles has registered a national food waste project to earn carbon credits, and its rival Woolworths has become the first business to earn credits by keeping food out of landfills (see background here).
• The Morrison government's environment and energy ministers will soon face important tests (see background here).
• Applications to accredit new ERF projects must be lodged with the Clean Energy Regulator by June 11 if they are to be used for bids into the next auction (see background here).
• New resource: Baker McKenzie, Ndevr Environmental and AECOM have released guidelinesg on disclosing climate-related financial risk.
• New resource: CDP has released a briefing on reducing deforestation in Indonesia.
• This week's top Footprint premium service article: Federal, state and territory governments have proposed tougher airshed limits for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and ozone (see background here).

Queensland:

• The Coordinator-General has released target dates to complete remaining steps for the approval of Adani's Carmichael coal mine.
• Grant opportunity: Applications will be accepted from July 1 for grants under the state government's new hydrogen industry development fund (see background here).
• Grant opportunity: The state government is inviting applications by July 2 for a share in $1.5 million in grants for projects to protect threatened species, with individual grants of up to $100,000 available.

NSW:

• Canterbury-Bankstown Council is seeking expressions of interest for research and development projects on using recycled glass in road base and sub-base, after receiving EPA funding.
• The Independent Planning Commission has approved modifications to the existing project approval for the Boggabri Coal Mine.
• The government's Level 1 water restrictions will commence from June 1 across Sydney, with fines issued from the start of September for non-compliance.
• More than 30 leading companies have signed a Sydney City Council Sydney single-use pledge that commits them to reducing plastic waste (see background here).
• Court ruling: The Land and Environment Court has fined the state's Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) $84,000 over effluent discharged from its Perisher Valley sewage treatment plant in Kosciuszko National Park (see background here).
• Award opportunity: Nominations are due by July 1 for the annual Green Globe awards that will recognise sustainability leaders across 12 categories.
• Have your say – last chance!: Submissions are due by June 14 on a proposed update of the state's regulation on underground petroleum storage systems (see background here).
• Grant opportunity: The EPA is inviting applications by June 27 for a share in $2.6 million in grants for projects to improve organic waste collection. Grants of up to $1.3 million are available to councils for residential collection projects, with up to $500,000 on offer to companies and councils for projects targeting businesses.

ACT:

• Have your say!: The government is inviting comments by July 3 on a draft environment code of practice for automotive industries.
• Have your say!: The government is inviting comments by July 10 on the management of invasive animals, including proposed changes to the Pest Animals Declaration and Exempt Animals Declaration.
• A new bill aims to ensure the Territory remains reliant on 100% renewable electricity, as residents and businesses turn away from gas appliances (see background here).
• Grant opportunity: Applications are invited by June 30 for round three of the Community Zero Emissions Grants Program, with a total of $163,000 available for community-led projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Have your say!: Comments are due by the end of July on a new discussion paper on single-use plastics (see background here).

Victoria:

• Grant opportunity: Applications close on June 21 for the Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants which will provide grants of up to $5,000 for grassroots programs that protect or develop the territory’s native flora and fauna, or educate the youth in caring for the natural environment.
• Have your say!: The government is inviting comments by June 30 on the management of forests through the modernisation of the five Regional Forest Agreements.
• Award opportunity: Nominations are due by June 13 for the Premier's Sustainability Awards that will recognise individuals, organisations, governments and businesses contributing to sustainable practices, with an ‘environmental volunteering’ category added.
• The Essential Services Commission has warned it will take action against companies that engage in practices which undermine its energy upgrade (VEU) program (see background here).
• New resource: The Essential Services Commission has released presentations from this week's Victorian Energy Upgrades forum.
• Court ruling: Luxury car retailer Porsche will contribute $100,000 to an environmental rehabilitation project after pleading guilty to two offences under the Environment Protection Act (see background here).
• A large-scale composting plant that will service eight south-east Melbourne councils has officially opened for business (see background here).
• Have your say!: Comments are due by June 12 on Meatworks Australia's application for a new abattoir in Gillieston.
• Grant opportunity – last chance: Applications close June 12 for Victorian Landcare grants of up to $20,000, with a total of $1.76 million on offer.

Tasmania:

• The state government has started a review of the Aboriginal Heritage Act.

South Australia:

• Grant opportunity: Applications close August 2 for round one of the Greener Neighbourhoods grant program, up to $1 million is to the metropolitan councils to increase tree canopy and green cover.
• The EPA has released new information on PFAS and the state's ban on firefighting foams containing fluorinated compounds.

Western Australia:

• The Department of Water and Environment Regulation is inviting comments by August 16 on the proposed Compliance and Enforcement Policy.
• Have your say!: Comments will open on June 10 on EPA’s greenhouse gas guidelines, with submissions closing on September 2.
• Have your say!: The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation is seeking comments by July 24 on proposed changes to waste regulations that would require the use of weighbridges at levy-liable landfills.
• Have your say!: Comments are due by July 12 on a new discussion paper on single-use plastics (see background here).

Northern Territory:

• Have your say!: Comments are due by June 21 on 'No-Go Zones' for petroleum exploration proposed by the government.

Jobs and appointments:

• Energy Minister Bill Johnston has announced the appointment of Guy Chalkley and Kathryn Barrie to Western Power's Board.
• Fortescue Metals Group is recruiting a senior environmental advisor.
• Western Australia's Department of Water and Environmental Regulation is hiring a senior manager, legislation and national policy ($133,296 - $144,609).
• Queensland's Department of Environment and Science is recruiting a senior lawyer ($104,748 - $112,157).
• The Clean Energy Regulator is seeking a seniore regulatory officer, RET branch ($82,256 - $93,644), a level 5 regulatory officer, RET branch ($75,295 - $79,092) and a level 4 regulatory officer, RET branch ($68,968 - $72,764).
• The Regulator is also seeking level 5 and 6 regulatory officers for the RET and ERF branches ($75,295 - $93,644).
• The Latrobe Valley Authority is hiring a project manager, smart specialisation – new energy ($96,942 - $117,293, plus super).
• Victoria's Essential Services Commission is recruiting an energy sector regulatory reform advisor ($96,942 - $117,293, plus super).
• Victoria's Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning is hiring a senior policy officer to contribute to the development of the Victorian Integrated Energy Transition Plan ($96,942 - $117,293, plus super).
• Tasmania's Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment is seeking an environmental assessment officer ($81,726 to $85,772).
• Teys Australia is recruiting a Rockhampton-based sustainability engineer.
• Melbourne Water is hiring an environment and sustainability manager.
• Origin Energy is seeking a Brisbane-based sustainability lead, integrated gas.
• Laing O'Rourke is recruiting a Melbourne-based senior sustainability advisor.
• Downer is hiring a Melbourne-based senior environmental sustainability advisor.
• Darebin City Councilis seeking a coordinator climate emergency and environment strategy.
• The City of Cockburn is recruiting a environmental project officer.
• The City of Monash is recruiting a sustainability officer.
• The Melbourne-based Global CCS Institute is hiring a chemical engineer.

© Copyright 2024 Footprint