Archived News for Green Sector Professionals
The Western Australian Government has announced the appointment of Marcus Geisler as the State’s new chair of the Waste Authority, with State Minister for the Environment, Bill Marmion, saying Mr Geisler is set to continue the authority’s strong growth.
In welcoming Mr Geisler to the role, Mr Marmion thanked outgoing chairman, Peter Fitzpatrick, for his outstanding contribution.
“Mr Fitzpatrick’s guidance has reinvigorated the Waste Authority,” Mr Marmion said.
“Among a significant number of achievements, he oversaw the development and release of the State’s first waste strategy, Creating the Right Environment, launched in March this year.
“The authority’s focus will now be on implementing the Waste Strategy and achieving the targets it sets for improved waste management across the State.”
New chairman, Marcus Geisler, has served on the authority since its inception in 2008 and was deputy chairman in 2011-12.
“Mr Geisler led significant improvements in construction and demolition waste recycling policy during this time,” the Minister said.
“He is currently executive general manager west with Coates Hire and has a wealth of experience in the waste and recycling industry in Australia and overseas.”
EPA recommends James Price Point for approval
The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has delivered its final assessment of the proposed James Price Point Liquefied Natural Gas precict, recommending the project for approval.
Melbourne to fund green retrofitting
Changes to legislation in Victoria is set to allow property trusts to gain access to financing for environmental upgrades, likely to result in significant increases to opportunities for green retrofitting in Melbourne’s city centre.
WA receives advice on EPA
Western Australian Environment Minister, Bill Marmion, has received legal advice from the State’s Solicitor’s Office regarding the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) assessment of the Browse LNG Precinct at James Price Point in the state’s Kimberly region.
WA to question Great White protection
The Western Australian Fisheries Minister Norman Moore has announced he will be writing to the Federal Government this week to seek clarification about the white shark’s status as a protected species, following the fifth fatal attack by a white pointer in the state since September last year.
Friends of the Earth savage Murray plan
Environmental group Friends of the Earth has released a report that accuses the current Murray-Darling Basin Plan of failing to protect at least half of the Basin’s 16 internationally recognised wetlands.
Government kicks off final marine park consultation
The Federal Government has opened the final round of public consultation on its plans to create the world’s largest network of marine reserves.
Curtin research to target CO2 emissions
Researchers at Curtin University have been awarded $1 million in funding from the WA Government’s Low Emissions Energy Development (LEED) Fund to develop new technology for reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
John Curtin Distinguished Professor Chun-Zhu Li, Director of the Fuels and Energy Technology Institute, will lead the project, which aims to replace some of the coal burned in coal-fired power stations with biomass.
The technology rapidly and efficiently converts biomass into vapour and finely ground char particles so it can be efficiently burned with coal in existing coal generation infrastructure.
The team will further develop and scale up the novel proprietary pyrolysis technology that has been developed at Curtin University. Professor Li said the commercialisation of the technology will solve a bottleneck problem currently experienced in the co-firing of biomass and coal, reducing emissions as a result of burning less coal.
“Using the existing coal-fired power plants to do the co-firing makes the process one of the cheapest and quickest ways to lower carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation by making full use of the existing power generation capital equipment,” Professor Li said.
“This project will be a critical step in scaling up the novel pyrolysis technology we have been working on and enabling us to make this technology available for commercial use.”
The two-to-three year project will be carried out in collaboration with Verve Energy.
For more information, visit energy.curtin.edu.au.
Government announces biggest ever land conservation area
The Federal Government has declared a huge new reserve in Central Australia, becoming country’s largest ever land based conservation zone.
SA unveils marine park zones
The South Australian Government has released the full set of proposed zones for the state’s 19 marine parks.
$200 million Clean Tech innovation grants open
The Federal Government has opened the $200 million Clean Technology Innovation Program (CTIP) to provide grants for Australian businesses to find and develop innovate ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Government announces China low-emissions coal partnership
The Federal Government has launched the new $1.1 million Australia-China Clean Coal Technology Partnership Fund, aimed at accelerating the deployment of low emissions coal technology to reduce emissions from coal-fired power stations.
WA outlines funding for climate research
The Western Australian Government has announced $6 million in funding over three years to deliver ‘crucial’ climate and marine research under the Integrated Marine Observing System.
Act now to save reefs say scientists
2,600 scientists have signed a landmark scientific consensus on the rapid and ongoing decline in the health of the world’s coral reefs.
ASBEC launches 10-point resiliency framework
The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) has launched a ten-point framework aimed at improving the reliance of the country’s urban communities against extreme weather events the effects of climate change.
Cockatoo Coal to prepare EIS
The Queensland Government has announced Cocaktoo Coal has been given the go ahead to prepare an environmental impact statement for its North Surat-Taroom coal project.
NWC warns of stressed groundwater systems
The National Water Commission has published a new report that found a number of surface and groundwater systems are stressed due to water extraction, regulation or altered flows.
SA approves $900 million windfarm
The South Australian Government has announced it has granted final approval for the construction of the state’s largest windfarm.
Carbon tax here to stay: survey
The future of the Carbon Tax may be uncertain, but a carbon price is here to stay, according to research from The Australian National University released with a commentary in Nature.
Clean Technology Innovation Program open for applications
The Federal $200 million Clean Technology Innovation Program has been launched and is now open for applications.
Study highlights inequities in land use and conservation agreements
James Cook University researchers have produced a study into the ecological consequences and social inequities of conservation agreements offered by state governments.