Browsing: Water

• Pipe gas to cut emissions or WA the 'biggest loser', says Premier
  
• Environment court fines developer $40,000
  
• Garnaut issues technical papers
  
• International Energy Agency sounds alarm on CCS

• NSW audits uncover 'code red' risks at clinical waste company and recycler
  
• Garrett lifts restrictions on policy grants to environment groups
  
• ACT Greens meet ahead of talks with Labor and Liberals
  
• NT releases EIS guidelines for BHP Billiton uranium rail plan
  
• Garrett launches interactive renewables atlas

The Rudd Government's scheme to foster construction of 50,000 new homes for lower income households should have a much stronger focus on environmental concerns, says shadow sustainable development and cities minister Bruce Billson.

• Coalition urges more action on water recycling and stormwater re-use
  
• Garrett releases proposed EPBC Act bilateral agreement with Victoria
  
• OECD cautions Australia on trading
  
• NHMRC outsources review of contaminated site health investigation levels

NSW Land and Environment Court Chief Justice Brian Preston has ordered poultry processor Baiada to pay $120,000 plus prosecutor's costs, on top of clean-up and rectification costs totalling more than $44,700, after sub-standard plumbing work caused a spill of a million litres of effluent. Meanwhile, a South Australian court fines Transpacific $15,000 after effluent escaped into a wetland.

The NSW Land and Environment Court has fined Snowy Hydro and contractor Fulton Hogan $100,000 each after sediment sullied a 15 kilometre stretch of the Snowy River during spillway upgrade and outlet works intended to deliver environmental flows to the river.

• Federal Court upholds appeal over 'secondary boycott' environment defence
  
• Anti-mill lobby group moves on class action
  
• Government moves to ban carbon storage in reef
  
• Garrett launches new urban planning website
  
• National Water Commission sets out priorities
  
• Infrastructure Australia seeks submissions
  
  EPA Victoria issues domestic wastewater code

Linking urban water prices to dam storage levels might control demand better than inefficient and inconvenient water restrictions, according to a new ABARE research report.

Environment Minister Peter Garrett this afternoon announced Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act approval for Heathgate Resources to expand its Beverley uranium mine in South Australia.

CSR will pay a penalty and costs totalling more than $430,000 following a chemical spill, after the NSW Land and Environment court criticised it for emphasising the need to continue production at the expense of minimising pollution risks. The judge found the possibility of the company re-offending 'cannot be excluded'.