Browsing: WA

Emissions of 52 of 93 reported substances decreased in 2009-10, but emissions of cyanide from metal ore mining almost doubled, reveals new National Pollutant Inventory data.

• EPBC Act breach costs national rail body $207,000
  
• WA mining company under investigation for tailings spill
  
• Councillor who operated illegal tip ordered to pay $71,000

• WA EPA rejects Margaret River coal mine
  
• 'Voluntary NGER audit can reduce risk of mandatory audit'
  
• Tasmanian iron ore project to undergo EPBC Act scrutiny
  
• IEA backs coupling carbon price with renewables support

An Aboriginal activist has failed in a bid to have the WA Court of Appeal declare invalid a permit granted to Woodside to clear land on James Price Point, the site favoured by the State Government for an LNG processing hub.

• Contractor's actions put lead mine under further EPA scrutiny
  
• SA EPA receives more than 2,300 complaints, finalises only two prosecutions
  
• Government seeks 'carbon farming' project applications

• Court rejects developer's bid to delay land clearing hearing
  
• EEO checks identify 'high-risk' businesses
  
• Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton seek EPBC Act approval for Hunter coal mines
  
• WA port to remain closed for lead exports

• ACCC extends harmful refrigerants scheme; lobby group presses for 'root and branch' reform
  
• Don't blame renewables for rising power prices: Clean Energy Council analysis
  
• EPBC Act ruling: conservation council experts not convincing
  
• WA Government to consider smart grid roll-out

• Ferguson seeks advice on generators' investment game plans
  
• Combet flags climate bills by August/September
  
• Rival clinical waste business secures partial victory in WA licence appeal
  
• Parks Victoria slammed over management of marine protected areas

Companies are up to 20 times more likely to be prosecuted for an OHS offence than an environmental one, and in some states workplace safety agencies issue thousands more compliance notices than their environmental counterparts, raising serious questions about the willingness of environmental regulators to enforce the law.

WA Environment Minister Bill Marmion has lifted a ban on Magellan Metals, after he accepted that laboratory errors were to blame for it appearing to breach lead limits, but the company is still under investigation for failing to rapidly report the apparently high levels and the minister has imposed new reporting requirements directly on its MD.