Highlights include federal and state court cases, a new Victorian law, a Queensland plastic pollution plan, and a South Australian blue carbon strategy. Jobs include posts with Fulton Hogan, Cardno and Capricorn Copper.

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• Upcoming events
• Corporate presentations and commitments
• International, national, state and territory round-up
• Jobs and appointments

Featured Opportunity - Principal Sustainability Specialist

Cement Australia is searching for a highly experienced and senior environment and sustainability professional to join our Brisbane corporate office. This role will provide strategic and operational environmental and sustainability management direction and support to our diverse portfolio of businesses nationally. More information is available on our careers page, however please apply if you have the following: • Experience in developing and implementing environmental management systems, including the production of high quality environmental management and sustainability procedures and reports; • Extensive knowledge of national environmental legislation and a deep understanding of federal energy and climate policy and regulations, including the Safeguard Mechanism and NGERs; • Outstanding influencing skills and a passion for corporate change. You will be a leader in your field and will own all environment and sustainability elements of Cement Australia's Safety & Sustainability Strategy and Business Plan.  Build your dream career and lifestyle with Australia’s largest and most respected cement manufacturer and innovator.  For more information and to apply click here.

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Upcoming events:

• Environmental sustainability in mining A November 19 evening seminar in Perth, hosted by the Young Mining Professionals.
• Building resilience A November 19 conference in Melbourne, hosted by the Climate Alliance.
• Queensland energy forum A November 19 forum in Brisbane, hosted by the Energy Users Association of Australia.
• Climate change data for water modelling and decision making A November 25 event in Brisbane.
• In conversation with Ross Garnaut A November 25 event in Canberra, featuring Ross Garnaut and Frank Jotzo.
• The circular economy in the water industry A November 27 workshop in Brisbane.
• Towards a long-term emissions strategy for Australia A November 27 lunchtime seminar in Canberra, hosted by the Centre for Climate and Energy Policy.
• Overcoming fossil fuel resistance to action on climate change A November 28 evening address by Dr Christian Downie, hosted by the ANU Climate Change Institute and Energy Change Institute.
• Solar and energy storage A November 28 and 29 conference in Adelaide.
• The potential of carbon farming in Western Australia A November 27 afternoon seminar in Perth.
• Launch of the ResponsibleSteel standard and certification scheme A December 1 to 3 forum in Wollongong.
• ANU energy update A December 2 conference in Canberra, hosted by the ANU Energy Change Institute and featuring speakers including AEMO chief executive Audrey Zibelman and chief scientist Dr Alan Finkel.
• Solar Oration 2019: The rapid rise of wind and solar A December 2 oration in Canberra, featuring Fleur Yaxley.
• Councils beyond gas forum A December 3 conference in Melbourne.
• Turning a dollar in the circular economy A December 3 evening seminar in Sydney, with speakers including Jakob Cakarnis from Citi Research.
• Banksia sustainability awards A December 3 event in Sydney.
• Professional short course: Climate essentials A December 9 one-day course for professionals seeking an overview of the latest climate change developments, offered by the ANU Climate Change Institute.

Corporate achievements, commitments and presentations:

• Cleanaway has advised the ASX that it has completed the acquisition of the assets of the SKM Recycling Group.
• Gold mining company Newcrest now uses a shadow carbon price of up to A$73 for key decisions (see background here).
• Qantas will immediately double the number of carbon offsets it buys, as part of a new commitment to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (see background here).
• The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis has issued a research note on offshore wind and the proposed Star of the South project off the Gippsland coast.

National:

• Federal, state and territory environment ministers have agreed on deadlines for banning exports of key waste streams (see background here).
• The federal government will review the need for a 'right to repair' law, and treasury departments will explore ways to harmonise waste levies, according to a new national waste action plan (see background here).
• Court ruling: The Federal Court has ruled in favour of the Wilderness Society, in its dispute with the federal Environment Minister over a proposed tourism development in the Tasmanian wilderness World Heritage Area.
• Court ruling: The Federal Court has issued a ruling on evidence, in the dispute between Indonesian seaweed farmers and the company responsible for the Montara oil spill.
• Court ruling: The Federal Court has ruled on whether the small-scale generation certificates (STCs) held by a company in liquidation are held on trust.
• ARENA will develop a new roadmap on the development of Australia's bioenergy industry.
• Submissions to the Productivity Commission's review of resource industry regulation now available (see background here).
• A community ballot in South Australia's Kimba region resulted in a majority voting in favour of establishing a proposed national radioactive waste management facility in the area, with a ballot yet to be held for an alternative site in the Flinders Ranges Council area.
• Have your say!: Resources Minister Matt Canavan has launched a review of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, with submissions due by December 13.
• Engie's Warhook proposed solar farm and battery storage facility near Miles (Queensland) is not an EPBC controlled action, the federal environment department has ruled.
• Centennial Newstan has made an EPBC referral to extend mining operations at its Newstan Colliery.
• Wind Energy Partners has made an EPBC referral for the proposed 410MW Hills of Gold wind farm, near Tamworth.
• The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation has released sustainability guidelines to improve food service packaging.
• Have your say!: Comments are due by December 23 to an independent review of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.
• Have your say – last chance!: Comment is due by November 21 to a Senate environment committee inquiry into a Greens-proposed product stewardship Bill that is focused on packaging and plastic (see background here).

Queensland:

• The state government will set procurement targets for supplies that contain recycled plastic, and has singled out two types of plastic as candidates for special action, in a new plastic pollution plan (see background here).

NSW:

• Sites generating lots of waste would directly pay facilities that accept it, instead of paying transporters that might dump it, under NSW proposals intended to ensure the safe disposal of asbestos (see background here).
• Have your say – last chance!: The state government has invited comments by November 22 on proposed changes to an Energy Savings Scheme method used for large, complex upgrade projects.
• The NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer has released a report on coal mining in the Greater Sydney water catchment, prompting an interim ban on mining development applications in the region.
• The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment has invited tenders to supply air quality monitoring services.
• The state government has released a new biodiversity offsets payment calculator, and a spot price index for BioBanking credits.
• The state government has also released new publications on managing vegetation within a development control plan and on biodiversity development assessment report waivers for major projects.
• Have your say!: The state government has invited comment on FRV Services' proposed 300MW Walla Walla solar farm, near Albury.
• The state government has gazetted a new risk rating methodology for the Dams Safety Act.
• Grant opportunity – last chance!: Applications close November 21 for grants of up to $100,000 available to councils and not-for-profits for projects that donate food from business to people in need.

Victoria:

• Statutory development: Parliament has passed the Dangerous Goods Amendment (Penalty Reform) Bill, which creates a new offence of 10 years' prison for reckless actions involving dangerous goods, with companies guilty of the offence facing a maximum penalty of $6.4 million.
• Victoria's ban on retailers providing lightweight plastic shopping bags is now in force.
• Court ruling: Waste company South Coast Plant Hire Pty Ltd and its director, Benjamin Hobbs, have been fined a total of $67,500 over the dumping of more than 6,000 tonnes of industrial waste (see background here).
• The state government has invited comments by December 31 on planning for Melbourne's industrial and commercial land.
• The state government has released a Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act action statement for the Greater Glider.
• Statutory development: The state government has gazetted amendment regulations on planning and environment fees.
• Statutory development: The state government has released a Regulatory Impact Statement on proposed regulations for keeping land clear near electric lines.
• The state government is developing a climate adaptation strategy for the Grampians region.
• Have your say!: Comments are due by November 30 on a draft long-term water assessment for southern Victoria that will underpin the development of a new sustainable water strategy (see background here).

Tasmania:

• EPA Tasmania has released its FY19 annual report.

South Australia:

• Projects that protect seagrass and mangroves should earn carbon credits and businesses clearing coastal land could purchase carbon offsets, says a new South Australian strategy (see background here).
• Under an agreement with the federal government, Adelaide's desalination plant will increase production to provide 40GL of water this financial year.
• The state government has accepted most of the recommendations of a report on overabundant and pest species, and will consider creating the new role of Chief Ecologist.

Western Australia:

• The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation will hold a community meeting in Port Hedland on November 21 to discuss dust monitoring and control plans.
• Have your say!: Comments are due by January 28 on a Department of Water and Environmental Regulation discussion paper on proposed changes to the Environmental Protection Act, (see background here).
• Have your say!: Comment closes January 3 on draft guidance that describes the type of information on air emissions that should accompany applications for a works approval or environmental licence (see background here).
• Have your say!: Comment closes December 6 on revised statutory guideline and guidance package on mining proposals and mine closure plans.
• Have your say!: Comment closes November 29 on a discussion paper about the state's proposed climate policy (see background here).

Northern Territory:

• Have your say – last chance!: Comment closes November 17 on a Territory government discussion paper on electric vehicles.

Jobs and appointments:

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• Fulton Hogan is hiring a Melbourne-based sustainability manager to work on level-crossing removal projects.
• Cardno is recruiting a Sydney-based sustainability consultant.
• Capricorn Copper is seeking a FIFO environment and community manager.
• Western Australia's Department of Water and Environmental Regulation is hiring a senior manager environmental compliance ($133,296 - $144,609) and a program coordinator - compliance ($100,966 - $111,590).
• Queensland's Department of Environment and Science is seeking a manager, environmental services to lead a team of mining rehabilitation specialists ($115,810 - $122,358).
• The NSW Natural Resources Commission is hiring a part-time Natural Resources Commissioner.