Archived News for Green Sector Professionals - December, 2011
The Victorian Auditor-General has released a damming report of the managing of contaminated sites by the Department of Planning and Community Development, the Environment Protection Authority and local councils.
The report stresses that the mismanagement demonstrates they are not actively reducing potentially significant risks to human health and the environment.
“In this audit we identified a range of cases that demonstrate the adverse consequences that flow from a lack of accountability and clarity, and gaps in the framework. Most notably we identify cases of inaction by responsible entities in dealing with contamination; this inaction being driven in part by an undue emphasis on avoiding legal and financial liability, rather than protecting human health and the environment,” the report reads.
Sustainable Melbourne Fund promotes $6.4m investment program
Sustainable Melbourne Fund has launched a web-based animation and case study video providing information on the availability of loans of up to $500,000 through its $6.4 million investment program for sustainability projects throughout Victoria.
Australian Sustainability Award winners announced
Amcor, PanAust, Wesfarmers, Hepburn Community Wind Park Co-op and Bantix Worldwide have been announced as winners of the Australian Sustainability Awards.
Queensland solar farm gets green light
The Queensland Government has nominated Ingenero its preferred bidder in the tender for the $6.76 million Cloncurry Solar Farm.
Musselroe wind farm construction to start
The Tasmanian Government has announced that construction on the $400 million Musselroe wind farm has been authorized to continue into its construction phase.
Sydney announces low-carbon energy network
The City of Sydney has announced it will begin final negotiations with energy provider Cogent Energy to build and operate the country's first low-carbon energy network tasked with powering central Sydney.
CEC publishes sustainable energy report
A report published by the Clean Energy Council (CEC) shows that solar panels installed in Australian homes has grown 35-fold over the last three years. The report found that over 1 million Australians now live in homes powered by solar panels.
ACT releases carbon pathways for public consultation
The ACT Government has released five possible pathways for achieving its carbon reduction goals for public consultation. Comprising of five separate possible plans, the common goal sees the Territory Government reduce its carbon emissions by 40 per cent by 2020, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
MDBA releases more environmental flows
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has announced the release of a further 20GL for the Living Murray plan as part of a larger environmental watering currently underway in the Barmah–Millewa Forest icon site.
Government opens Energy Security Fund
The Federal Government has announced it is now accepting applications from eligible electricity generators for cash assistance under the Energy Security Fund.
Government outlines new carbon farming methodology
The Federal Government has announced a new Carbon Farming Initative methodology that will aims to incentivise waste management industry and local governments to reduce emissions.
Queensland opens waste levy and funding assistance
The Queensland Government has announced its $159 million Waste Avoidance and Resource Efficiency Fund has opened. The fund is aimed at assisting businesses to cut waste costs, develop new markets for recycled materials and crack down on illegal dumping and littering.