Open access. Highlights include a public hearing on a NSW greenhouse gas bill and the commencement of Victorian mining sustainability regulations. Jobs include posts with Downer, Zenergy, Hunter Water and City of Yarra.
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Upcoming events:
Clear the air: Australian climate action summit 2020. A February 11 event at Parliament House featuring speakers including Zali Steggall, hosted by the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia.
ANU climate update. A February 12 event in Canberra, hosted by the Australian National University.
Climate leaders forum. A February 14 morning seminar in Melbourne, hosted by South Pole Group.
The future of gas in Australia. A February 17 lunch event in Melbourne, with speakers from Jemena, AGL and the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group. Hosted by CEDA.
2020 North Australia savanna fire forum. A February 18 event in Darwin, hosted by the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network.
NSW Environment Management Workshop. A February 18 and 19 workshop in Sydney, hosted by the Australian Sustainable Business Group.
Energy investment: Large-scale solar, pumped hydro, and battery storage. A February 25 and 26 trio of conferences in Sydney, hosted by Informa.
Building a circular economy. A February 26 lunch event in Melbourne, featuring Victoria's Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D'Ambrosio. Hosted by CEDA.
Towards a long-term emissions strategy for Australia: Perspectives on scenarios, investment, and industry. A February 26 lunchtime event in Canberra, hosted by the Centre for Climate and Energy Policy, featuring panellists including Erwin Jackson, Tennant Reed and Anna Skarbek.
AEBN national conference: Environment, climate and energy. A March 6 conference in Melbourne, hosted by the Australian Environment Business Network.
Building a sustainable energy economy. A March 11 lunch event in Brisbane, featuring Ross Garnaut and Queensland Energy Minister Anthony Lynham. Hosted by CEDA.
**From risk to remediation 2020. A March 23 to 27 contaminated sites conference in Newcastle, hosted by CRC CARE.
Australian hydrogen conference. A March 30 and 31 conference in Melbourne, hosted by Informa.
Wind industry forum 2020. A March 31 conference in Melbourne, hosted by the Clean Energy Council.
Climate and carbon in agriculture. A March 31 and April 1 conference in Adelaide.
The potential of hydrogen. An April 3 lunch event in Sydney, featuring ARENA chief executive Darren Miller.
National sustainability conference. An April 27 and 28 conference in Brisbane, hosted by the Association for Sustainability in Business.
Large-scale solar forum 2020. A May 14 event in Brisbane, hosted by the Clean Energy Council.
PFAS forum. A May 19 forum in Melbourne, hosted by Informa.
National energy efficiency conference. A May 26 to 27 conference in Melbourne, hosted by the Energy Efficiency Council.
Australian clean energy summit. A July 14 and 15 event in Sydney, hosted by the Clean Energy Council.
National:
Traditional Custodians have made a World Heritage tentative list submission for the Murujuga cultural landscape, which encompasses the Dampier Archipelago and surrounds, including the Burrup Peninsula. The area is home to one of the most significant and diverse collections of rock art in the world. Tentative listing is the precursor step to nominating a site for listing.
Have your say!: The Clean Energy Regulator is inviting feedback on its engagement with auditors and its audit determination handbook.
Have your say!: Comment closes February 28 on proposed amendments to the ERF legislative rule that would make it easier to transfer ERF projects from one owner to another.
The ACCC is investigating prices charged for processing NSW construction and demolition waste, after it last year approved a Bingo Industries acquisition that made it the dominant company in the sector. Footprint premium coverage here.
The Morrison government has released Safeguard Mechanism industry-specific default numbers that reduce the likelihood that large emitters will have to offset increased emissions resulting from business growth. Footprint premium coverage here.
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation has invested a further $2.5 million in Relectrify following the launch of its BMS+Inverter storage technology, which significantly increases storage and reduces the cost of new batteries. The CEFC announced a $750,000 equity investment in the company in 2017.
Award opportunity: Nominations must be submitted by March 16 for the national energy efficiency awards, with winners in the 12 categories announced May 26.
Award opportunity: The Australian Council of Superannuation Investors has invited nominations by March 3 for the Michael O'Sullivan ESG rising star award.
A public service shake-up will result in the creation on Saturday of a new Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment. Energy and emissions dealt with by a new Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources. Footprint premium coverage here.
Have your say!: Comment closes February 28 on proposed new approval procedures intended specifically for offshore clean energy projects. Footprint premium coverage here.
Have your say!: The federal government has released a draft Bill to establish a nationally consistent approach for managing the environmental risks of industrial chemicals, with comments due by February 21. Footprint premium coverage here.
Have your say!: The Department of Environment and Energy is reviewing the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative – Alternative Waste Treatment) Methodology Determination 2015, with comments due by February 17.
Have your say!: Submissions on the EPBC Act review discussion paper are due by April 17. Footprint premium coverage here.
Grant opportunity: The federal government is inviting applications by February 28 for round-two grants of up to $500,000 under its Our Marine Parks grants program.
Have your say!: Nominations will be accepted until February 14 for new National Heritage listings.
Have your say!: Comment closes February 14 on a Department of Environment and Energy draft guide to protected species affected by paddock tree removal.
Queensland:
Have your say – last chance!: Comment closes tomorrow on the state's draft koala conservation strategy. About 74% of core koala habitat in south-east Queensland has been cleared since the 1960s.
Have your say – last chance!: Comment closes February 10 on proposed changes to regulatory arrangements for local government's management of waste.
Grant opportunity: Applications are now being accepted for a share in $100 million to support land-based carbon abatement projects, offered through the Land Restoration Fund. Footprint premium coverage here.
NSW:
A state parliamentary inquiry into a bill that would remove the requirement for new mining projects to consider scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions will hold a public hearing on February 6. Footprint premium coverage here.
A state parliamentary inquiry into implementation of the NSW Chief Scientist's recommendations on coal seam gas activities will hold a public hearing on February 4.
A state parliamentary inquiry into NSW's koala population and habitat will hold two public hearings in February.
ACT:
- Grant opportunity: The Territory government is inviting applications by February 29 under its Renewable Energy Innovation Fund direct grants program, which provides early-stage funding for new and emerging technologies and ventures.
Victoria:
Statutory development: The Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) (Extractive Industries) Regulations 2019 commenced on January 26, replacing the 2010 version of the regulations and introducing clearer rehabilitation plan requirements.
The widely-respected chairperson of EPA Victoria, Cheryl Batagol, has announced she would not seek a new term when her current term ends on June 30.
Have your say – last chance!: Comments are due by tomorrow on target-setting for Victoria's energy efficiency scheme and for its treatment of lighting upgrades. Footprint premium coverage here.
Have your say – last chance!: Comments are due by February 5 on a discussion paper on Victoria's proposed Hydrogen Investment Program.
Tasmania:
Statutory development: The state government has released a regulatory impact statement for the Water Management Regulations 2019.
The state government is seeking a new secretary for the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, following the departure of existing secretary Dr John Whittington.
South Australia:
The state government has announced that former Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty will lead an independent review into the state's bushfires, with findings to be delivered by the end of June.
The state government has adjusted its home battery subsidy scheme so that subsidies for batteries and solar PV can be provided to developers building new homes. It says Stoddart Group will use the subsidy to install 2000 solar and battery systems on new SA homes this year, and more than 10,000 over four years.
Western Australia:
Have your say!: Comment closes February 10 on a Department of Water and Environmental Regulation issues paper on native vegetation.
Have your say!: Comments are due by February 16 on stakeholder engagement for fracking activities.
Northern Territory:
- The EPA is inviting comment by March 6 on rehabilitation proposals for the former Rum Jungle mine site.
Jobs and appointments:
Downer is recruiting a group sustainability manager, based in Sydney.
Major Roads Projects Victoria is hiring a planning and environment advisor ($85,279 - $96,759).
CPB Contractors is seeking a sustainability lead for the Monash Freeway upgrade project in Melbourne.
CPB is also recruiting an advisor, environment and sustainability for the M80 Ring Road upgrade in Melbourne.
Ricardo is hiring a Brisbane-based air quality and climate change lead.
Corporate Carbon is seeking a carbon project ecologist, based in Sydney.
Greening Australia is recruiting a carbon technical manager, based in Adelaide.
Zenergy has a vacancy for a Sydney-based sustainability advisor – environment.
Victoria's Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning is recruiting a principal advisor, impact assessment ($120,692 - $161,511).
Hunter Water Corporation is seeking a sustainability officer.
The Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia is hiring an infrastructure sustainability lead, based in Sydney.
Lendlease is recruiting a Sydney-based sustainability analyst.
The Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation, which consists of 11 councils, has a vacancy for a regional project manager, waste, sustainability and innovation ($95,000 - $109,999).
The City of Yarra is seeking a sustainability officer, full-time or part-time.
