News in brief, October 2, 2007

Tuesday, 02 October 2007 5:30pm

Queensland court fines two for obstructing EPA officer

Brisbane Magistrates Court has fined a father and son for obstructing a Queensland EPA officer who was attempting to inspect their drum reconditioning business.

Barry Richard Cairns, managing director of Brisbane Drum Exchange, and his son David Allan Cairns, a company employee, were each fined $2,500 plus costs. The two men had objected to the officer taking photographs of their premises and had demanded the photographs be deleted from the officer’s camera.

Export of nuclear waste gets EPBC Act clearance

The Federal Government has ruled that exporting a “small quantity” of spent nuclear fuel from ANSTO’s Lucas Heights facility to South Carolina is not a controlled action under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

NSW’s 2% ethanol obligation kicks in

Regulations requiring that ethanol comprise 2% of total petrol sold in NSW are now in force. A NSW Government advertising campaign on the 2% ethanol mandate will run throughout the month.

Iluka Resources wins appeal against WA EPA ruling

Iluka Resources Ltd might yet have a proposed sand mine considered on the basis of an expedited assessment after it successfully appealed against a WA EPA ruling that a more comprehensive assessment was required.

The EPA had initially recommended assessment through a public environmental review because of concerns about acid sulphate soils, groundwater drawdown and clearing of vegetation. But the WA Office of the Appeals Convenor noted the company had since provided additional information to the EPA on soils and groundwater.

Iluka has also revised the layout of the proposed mine at Burekup near Bunbury so that it will clear less vegetation on the site that is classified as being in very good condition.

The Appeals Convenor recommended that the proposal be remitted back to the EPA for a “fresh decision” on the level of assessment required.

Victorian Water Smart funding on offer

Victoria’s Water Smart Fund is now inviting applications to share up to $5 million in funding. Applications for the fifth funding round close November 9. The fund was established to encourage and support innovative water and biosolids recycling projects and water saving projects.

Victoria invites award nominations

The Victorian Premier’s 2008 sustainability awards are now open for nominations. The five award categories are large business; products or services; public sector; community and small business. Nominations close February 13, 2008, and winners will be announced April 17.

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