A regular jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction update supplementing Footprint's daily premium service coverage.
Highlights include plans for a new energy productivity strategy, and new industrial decarbonisation grants. Jobs include a senior WA climate and sustainability role, and ESG specialist with Tattarang.
National:
The federal government has flagged the development of a national energy performance strategy, with a discussion paper due out soon.
ARENA has invited applications from companies, utilities, and industrial precincts for a share in grants totalling $43 million to fund "transformational" projects. Related Footprint premium coverage here.
There is a risk that ERF vegetation regeneration projects have been allocated too many carbon credits, the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists has told the Chubb review. Related Footprint premium coverage here.
The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility will provide a $220 million loan to support the development of the US$4.2 billion Perdaman urea project, near Karratha.
The Office of the Chief Economist has released its latest resources and energy quarterly.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has replaced her predecessor's threatened species action plan with a slightly more ambitious version. Related Footprint premium coverage here.
Have your say!: The federal government has released its consultation paper on a national electric vehicle strategy, with comments due by October 31.
Have your say!: The federal government has released a draft national soil action plan, with survey responses due by November 7.
The federal government has released a consultation paper on whether to continue to allow RET certificates to be created from burning native forest biomass, and another on the proposed repeal of the CFI water rule. Related Footprint premium coverage here.
The CEFC has released a new report on mining in a low-emissions economy.
Austroads has released new guidelines for low and zero emission vehicle charging.
Have your say – last chance!: The Senate environment committee is inviting submissions by October 13 on a Greens-proposed EPBC (Climate Trigger) Bill.
Have your say last chance!: The Senate environment committee is inviting submissions by November 25 on a Greens-proposed National Energy Transition Authority Bill.
Have your say!: The Department of Industry, Science and Resources is reviewing the ERF beef cattle herd management method, with comments due by October 21.
Have your say!: The federal environment department has released long-awaited updated guidance on investigating, assessing and managing PFAS chemicals, with comments due by December 20. Related Footprint premium coverage here.
The ACCC has started an internet sweep of environmental claims made by Australian businesses. Related Footprint premium coverage here.
Have your say!: The independent scientific committee that advises governments on CSG and large coal mines has released draft explanatory notes on subsidence from underground mining, with comments due by October 21.
Have your say!: Comments are due by November 3 on a draft Lake Eyre Basin strategic plan.
The Centre for Policy Development has released a report on managing climate risk in public authorities.
Queensland:
- The state government will provide up to $5 million to Aurizon through its Hydrogen Industry Development Fund that will support the deployment of four hydrogen-fuelled prime movers, and the establishment of a refuelling station.
NSW:
The state government should make it possible for materials to be declassified as wastes, and should re-examine its current asbestos rules, an independent review has recommended. Related Footprint premium coverage here.
The state government has declared a proposal to raise the Warragamba Dam wall to be "critical state significant infrastructure", which means consent will be made by the Planning Minister, with no appeal rights.
The EPA has issued a prevention notice to Cleanaway over odour and noise problems at its Olympic Park facility.
Polytrade is seeking consent for a new materials recovery facility at Smithfield, capable of processing 150,000 tonnes of material annually.
The Department of Planning and Environment has released a guide to the native vegetation regulatory map.
IPART has released its draft report on the performance and competitiveness of NSW's retail energy market.
Have your say! The state government has released its draft regional plan for the Far West.
Grant opportunity: The EPA is inviting expressions of interest by November 17 for a share in grants totalling $9 million available under the Circular Plastics Program.
Grant opportunity: The EPA is inviting applications by November 16 from councils for grants to introduce food and garden organics (FOGO) kerbside collections.
Grant opportunity: The state government is offering grants of up to $20,000 to install electricity submetering, with applications closing on December 2.
Have your say! The draft declaration for the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone is open for comment until October 26, following an expression of interest process that attracted interest representing almost 40GW in renewable generation and storage.
ACT:
- The territory government has strengthened environment protection guidelines for construction and land development.
Victoria:
The City of Melbourne is canvassing views on the introduction of a local law that would impose emission caps on some types of buildings. Related Footprint premium coverage here.
In a move likely to result in large volumes of Melbourne's residual waste being sent for energy recovery, the ACCC has approved 16 councils to jointly procure processing services. Related Footprint premium coverage here.
South Australia:
Greens MLC Tammy Franks has introduced a Bill that would establish a register for revegetation projects.
Have your say!: The EPA has released a final draft noise policy, with comments due by November 23.
Western Australia:
The EPA has revealed that Chevron Gorgon's sequestration performance has slumped, and has recommended stronger carbon conditions on the LNG project. Related Footprint premium coverage here.
Grant offer: The state government is inviting applications by December 2 for funding under round two of the Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Program, with up to $3 million available.
Have your say!: A new discussion paper on regulating various types of emissions and discharges says businesses won't have their greenhouse gas emissions controlled through the state's environmental licensing regime. Comments are due by December 13. Related Footprint premium coverage here.
Have your say!: The state government is consulting on its stage two plans to ban single-use plastic items, with comments due by November 18.
Jobs and appointments:
Economist Tim Jordan, a former Pollination Group executive director, and a former advisor to Penny Wong, has been appointed as a Commissioner with the Australian Energy Market Commission, along with economist and former special advisor to WA's Energy Coordinator, Sally McMahon.
The WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation is recruiting a deputy director-general, climate and sustainability, and a deputy director, general approvals.
BHP is hiring a Perth-based principal, sustainability innovation.
CSR has a vacancy for a Sydney-based group sustainability manager.
Deloitte is recruiting a Sydney-based senior manager, biodiversity and natural capital.
Santos has a vacancy for an Adelaide-based senior sustainability adviser.
Energetics is hiring graduate energy consultants in multiple locations.
Forrest family-owned investment group Tattarang Pty Ltd is hiring a Perth-based sustainability/ESG specialist.
Mitsui EP is seeking a Perth-based senior manager, carbon solutions.
Country Road is hiring a Melbourne-based project sustainability coordinator.
Events:
Waste expo Australia. An October 26 and 27 event in Melbourne.
Carbon Market Institute emissions reduction summit. An October 25 and 26 event in Sydney.
All-energy. An October 26 and 27 event in Melbourne.
Conservation finance intensive. An October 27 event in Canberra, hosted by the Australian Land Conservation Alliance.
The Australian sustainable finance summit. An October 28 event in Sydney, hosted by the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute.
National Adaptation and the AdaptNSW forums. November 1 and 2 joint forums in Sydney, hosted by the NESP Climate Adaptation Initiative and AdaptNSW.
The energy transition: Australia's commitment to net-zero by 2050. A November 3 conference in Perth hosted by the National Environmental Law Association.
AELERT 2022 conference: Regulating towards 2050. A November 29 to December 1 event in Sydney, hosted by the Australasian Environmental Law Enforcement and Regulators Network.
Cutting-edge symposium: Locking carbon in minerals. A June 2023 event in Sydney, hosted by the CSIRO.
