Archived News for Green Sector Professionals - May, 2011
The Queensland State Government has proposed substantial savings after it promised to ‘take a razor to green tape in Queensland’.
Environment and Resource Management Minister Kate Jones has released a statewide Greentape Reduction Project aimed at simplifying and expediting environmental approvals for businesses starting up operations in Queensland.
Ms Jones said businesses and the community are invited to comment on the proposed reforms under the Government’s Smart Regulatory Reform Agenda which will deliver major improvements to the licensing and approval processes under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.
Local government urged to show climate change leadership
Local government is being challenged to take bold action on climate change and to show strong community leadership at a recent national roundtable held at the University of Technology.
Climate policy to become "poison chalice" unless carbon tax introduced
Climate Change Minister Greg Combet has warned climate policy will become "the poisoned chalice" of politics for the next 10 years if the Federal government fails to introduce its carbon tax.
Victorian windfarm gets green light
The planned Chepstowe wind farm in Central Victoria has received government approval following discussions between Victorian Planning Minister Matthew Guy and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)
Alternative fuels legislation introduced
Legislation has been introduced into Parliament to implement the longstanding alternative fuels taxation policy.
$5 million in funding for Western Australian NRM projects
$4.9 million to help local communities protect and improve their renewable natural resources has been announced by the Western Australian Government
Australian researchers discover key to hydrogen energy
An international team, of scientists, led by a team at Monash University has found the key to the hydrogen economy could come from a very simple mineral, commonly seen as a black stain on rocks.
Geothermal research centre launched in Queensland
The Queensland Geothermal Energy Centre of Excellence (QGECE) has been officially opened at the University of Queensland, with funding of $15 million from the Queensland Government allocated in 2007.
CSIRO reviews Carbon Farming Initiative
The CSIRO has published a review of the Federal Government’s proposed Carbon Farming Initiative in the organization’s ECOS magazine.
Inquiry into impact of coal seam gas mining on the Murray Darling Basin
The Senate Rural Affairs and Transport References Committee has called for submissions to its inquiry into the impact of mining of coal seam gas on the management of the Murray Darling Basin.
Federal Government launches sustainable population strategy
The Federal Government has announced the Sustainable Australia - Sustainable Communities strategy which aims to outline ‘key directions’ to population changes that ‘support the economic, environmental and social wellbeing’ of Australia.
International Energy Centre to open
The universities of Queensland, Newcastle, Monash and Western Australia have committed to a joint venture in the foundation of the International Energy Centre (IEC) to be opened by 2012.
Budget axes green programs
The Federal Budget has axed a number of failing green initatives in the country’s 2011-12 Budget.
$181.4 million for National Urban Policy
The Federal Government has announced the formation of a new National Urban Policy, providing $181.4 designed to ‘progress a range of practical measures which will promote more productive, sustainable and liveable cities.’
$5 million for alternative fuel research
James Cook university has been allocated $5 million from the Federal Government’s $20 million Biofuels Research institute to establish a ‘foundation project’ to oversee the development of a ‘significant next-generation’ Biofuels Study
Federal Budget announces renewable energy initiatives
The Federal Government has announced significant injections for the renewable energy sector after the handing down of the Federal Budget.
Funding for Biofuels Research Institute
As part of its commitment to establish the $20 million Australian Biofuels Research Institute, the Federal budget has provided $5 million for a foundation project at James Cook University in Townsville.
South Australian EPA chief executive to retire
The Chief Executive of the South Australian Environmental Protection Authority Helen Fulcher has advised the SA Government she will retire when her contract ends on August 31 this year.
Draft South-West marine reserves released for community consultation
A draft marine bioregional plan and a Commonwealth marine reserve network proposal for the South-west Marine Region have been released for public consultation.