Archived News for Green Sector Professionals

The Victorian Government has announced $500,000 in funding for the creation of the new centre for Geological Carbon Storage in a bid to support the emerging Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) industry.

State Minister for Energy and Resources Michael O’Brien said the new centre would become a hub for research and education in the CCS field.

The new centre is a collaboration between the Coalition Government, the Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC) and the University of Melbourne.

Capability teams to assist water and clean tech industry

The Federal Government has announced the formation of new Industry Capability Teams to assist small to medium water and clean technology firms access new domestic and international customers.

New photosynthesis findings published

A team of US, Dutch and Australian scientists have published a paper that estimates the global rate of photosynthesis, the chemical process that governs how ocean and land plants absorb and release carbon dioxide.

Sydney Water wins recycling awards

Sydney Water has won two awards for its $209 million St Marys Water Recycling Project which provides up to 50 million litres of high quality recycled water a day that flows into the Hawkesbury-Nepean River.

Expressions of interest called for Contract to Close

The Contract for Closure Program aims to support the closure of around 2,000 megawatts of highly emissions-intensive electricity capacity by 2020. Under the scheme, eligible generators can seek payment from the Government as part of a competitive tender process to retire their operations by an agreed date and will remain as a voluntary process.

Carbon price impacts released by Treasury

Treasury has released a more detailed modelling of the impact of a $23 carbon price on household expenditure for the Clean Energy Future package announced on 10 July 2011.

Auditor General urges more environmental focus on mining compliance

Western Australia’s Auditor General Colin Murphy has submitted a report to State Parliament outlining his the need for increased focus on compliance with mining conditions in the state.

Deakin leads tyre recycling breakthrough

Researchers with Deakin University’s Institute for Technology Research and Innovation, together with industry partner VR Tek Global, have developed a new low cost and environmentally friendly method for recycling old tyres into high quality ingredients for the manufacture of new rubber products.

Wind Farm co-op feasibility study launched

Renewable energy specialist Infigen has announced it will seek community feedback on the feasibility of a planned wind-farm co-operative (co-op) as part of its proposed Flyers Creek Wind Farm near Orange, New South Wales.

Green Gown Award winners announced

The winners of the 2011 Green Gown Awards Australasia have been announced, showcasing sustainability initiatives being developed and implemented within tertiary education institutions.

WA releases Environmental Offsets Policy

The Western Australian Government has released a new policy framework aimed at guiding the creation and application of environmental offsets. The policy will aim to deliver greater certainty, transparency to Government, businesses and developers.

Deakin to invest $5 million in marine and aquaculture research

Deakin University will invest $5 million over the next five years in an initiative set to place its Warrnambool Campus in the international spotlight for marine and aquaculture research and teaching.

Western Australia launches seagrass monitoring project

The Western Australian Government has announced a new seagrass monitoring project that will be aimed at providing valuable data to scientists about the health of the Swan and Canning rivers.

Wheatstone gets environmental approval

A liquefied natural gas project proposed by Chevron in Western Australia’s Pilbara region will go ahead after the Federal Government approved the projet under national environmental law.

Carbon Farming legislation receives royal assent

Legislation for the Government’s Carbon Farming Initiative has received royal assent on the 15 September 2011. The Act is available on ComLaw.

Carbon capture research project breakthrough

The Federal Government has announced the successful completion of a $10 million key research milestone at the Otway Project, with the Federal Minister for Innovation Senator Kim Carr saying the completion will accelerate the development of the carbon capture and storage (CSS) industry around the world.

Study discovers multiple benefits of green buildings

Bond University’s Institute of Sustainable Development & Architecture - has just completed a study that shows how ‘green buildings’, are not only good for the environment; they’re also good for the people working in them.

Researchers: sustainable products should target teens

The way to encourage adults to shop sustainably is to target their children, according to new research.

Tasmanian Independent Expert Group forest group named

The Federal and Tasmanian Governments have announced the formation of the new Independent Expert Group. The group will be responsible for verifying conservation values of native forests nominated under the Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement and their compatibility with sustainable wood supply requirements for industry.