Water, Waste, Mine Fine

 Long Term Water Planning

 

The Qld Government is committed to releasing a discussion paper for a 30 year plan for Queensland’s water sector over the next six months.

The Newman Government has announced that a 30-year vision for affordable, secure, sustainable and high quality water, sewerage and sewage treatment services is being developed as part of the Six Month Action Plan.

Energy and Water Supply Minister: Mark McArdle said planning for Queensland’s future water sector was critical to delivering a reliable and cost effective water and sewerage service and to maintaining business growth and lifestyle choices.

A long-term water plan to harness the benefits and reduce the risks associated with Qld’s naturally-occurring climate (drought and flood), is an integral part of the Qld Government’s plan for growth.

The Newman Government is highly critical of the former Government’s SEQ Water plan. $7 billion was spent on the Western Corridor Water recycling scheme, a desalination plant on the Gold Coast and a (so-called) water grid.

It is easy to be critical in retrospect (following the floods in 2011) but the reality of the situation in 2009 was 7 years of consecutive drought.

Now the Department of Energy and Water Supply is working with other state departments and agencies to prepare a ‘whole-of-government’ discussion paper on the challenges and opportunities facing Qld’s water, sewerage and sewage treatment system.

One challenge to realising a clear 30-year water supply plan for Queensland is navigating the complex institutional arrangements (referred to by the Minister as a legislative, bureaucratic and jurisdictional maze).

The Queensland Water Sector Discussion Paper, to be released in December 2012.

The discussion paper will consider water security and reliability, public health and safety, environmental outcomes, liveability (integrated water and land-use planning), industry resilience (including industry skills), water for Queensland industries (including agriculture and mining), partnerships and engagement, and affordability.

Local Government Association of Queensland President Paul Bell said the Government had promised to work with local councils in establishing a 30 year vision for the state’s water and sewerage services.

He said Water and Energy Supply Minister Mark McArdle understood the need for proper and inclusive planning to ensure the state’s future water supply and sewage transport and treatment systems operated efficiently and effectively.

Cr Bell said the LGAQ had long been urging successive governments to streamline regulatory and reporting arrangements covering water and it was good that Mr McArdle’s had pointed to navigating the existing bureaucratic and legislative maze as the biggest stumbling block to water reform.

Work on the plan, which the Government has said was aimed at delivering affordable, secure, sustainable and high quality water and sewage transport and treatment services, will include extensive consultation with utilities, industry experts, business and the community. 

Waste Levy Media Frenzy

One of the first tasks for the new Environment Minister – Andrew Powell was given was to repeal the former Government’s Waste Levy.

The previous Labor Government only recently introduced a Waste Tax in December 2011, with a focus on reducing waste & promoting improved resource recovery.

The Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 was introduced as an industry waste levy to create a price signal to encourage waste generators to focus on waste avoidance & resource recovery & to discourage unnecessary landfill disposal.

The levy was designed to ensure a level of consistency with waste disposal costs in other states to deter unnecessary disposal of interstate waste in Queensland.

It remains to be seen if the Qld LNP Government can find alternative funding streams to deliver an industry driven waste strategy as part of the budget process.

This week, Tony Moore contacted ASBG to ask for a comment on the increase of waste being trucked into Queensland as a result of the removal of the $35/t Waste Levy.

The next day, this story appeared in the Brisbane Times.

ASBG was invited to be interviewed on ABC Local Radio Station: 612Brisbane.

This story aired on Steve Austin's Morning Program.  A little later this story appear in the Telegraph.   Gary Hargraves from 4BC chatted to ASBG briefly on his drive program.

ASBG don't fore see the Qld Government backing down on the removal of the waste levy in this term of Government.   The NSW Government is set to increase their levy.

Mine Fine

A North-West Queensland mining company was fined $500,000 and ordered to pay approximately $83,000 in investigation costs for unlawfully causing serious environmental harm as a result of uncontrolled discharges of highly contaminated water from its mine site in early 2009.

The Prosecution bulletin no. 3/2012 has been published on the EHP website. 

Government by Gazette

Government by Gazette

In the Sustainable Business Weekly last week, ASBG noted that the Qld Premier committed the Qld Government to repeal the Waste Levy to take effect from 1 July 2012.  What was unclear was how Premier Newman intended to repeal the legislation.

Last Friday, a notice advising the making of Waste Reduction and Recycling Regulation Amendment 2012 was published in the Queensland Gazette on 22 June 2012 on pages 364-365. If one looks at the Waste Reduction and Recycling Regulation 2011, it has not been reprinted yet to reflect the amendment regulation.   The regulation still appears to still contain the levy provisions.  However the amendment regulation shows one which provisions have been repealed, so one has to compare both documents to get a good understand of changes occurring on 1 July 2012.

The amendment removes (or omits) the definitions of:

·         regulated waste—high hazard;

·         regulated waste—low hazard;

·         regulated waste—other;

·         prescribed exempt waste;

which were inconsistent with the definitions of hazardous waste in other States.

The Waste Reduction and Recycling Regulation Amendment Regulation 2012  simply sets the price of the waste levy to $0 from 1 July 2012. 

Waste levies in NSW & Vic were intended to increase recycling by making the recovery of waste more financially attractive than sending it to landfill.  Now (in effect) it is more financially attractive to transport waste to Qld.   ASBG observes that the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act remains in place and the Qld Government could (in theory) reintroduce the waste levy at a moment’s notice by making a subsequent Regulation amendment.   The rate of waste levy for each type of waste delivered to a levyable waste disposal site could be adjusted.

100 Days

100 Days

On the 19 March 2012, prior to the election, Campbell Newman released his 100 Day Action Plan which was to be a blueprint for the first 100 days of Government. Initially the Newman Government began machinery of Government changes such as disassembling the Department of Environment and Resource Management.

Last week, Premier confirmed his commitment to commence action to implement recommendations of the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry.

On the 10 April 2012, the Premier committed to act to repeal Labor’s $372 million Industry Waste Levy with the intention of cutting costs for businesses (to take effect from 1 July 2012).  However, ASBG is concerned the Government is cutting it fine.  No waste levy amending legislation has been seen on the Queensland Parliament’s bills list .  ASBG believes that the proposed ‘cost of living Bill’ which may be out this week.  However, due parliamentary process would mean such a bill cannot be enacted before 1 July 2012, hence levy may not be reduced on 1 July.

The Queensland Government has confirmed the levy will be ended on 1 July 2012 with many of the Waste reduction programs suspended due to no levy revenue to support them.  One can still currently find information about the waste levy, how to pay it  Some content such as those programs that the former Government put in place are disappearing off the website.

In correspondence from the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, noted ASBG’s concerns about interstate waste being transported into Qld.  Waste receivers on the Gold Coast are particularly vulnerable.  Opposition Environment spokesperson: Jackie Trad was quoted in the Gold Coast Bulletin: “the axing of the levy would turn Queensland into a dump for NSW”.

“The LNP Government's axing of the levy will only encourage interstate businesses to dump their rubbish in Queensland, the only mainland state without a levy on non-domestic waste.”

Minister Andrew Powell intends to explore these policy options more fully and develop suitable approaches in consultation with stakeholders. Provisions of the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 allow for the introduction of disposal bans, which is also referred to in Mr Roberts response. Under the existing legislation, the Minister may regulate waste for the purposes of a disposal ban, but only after considering all of the following:

· Prohibition on the disposal of the waste is the most effective point of intervention in the life cycle of the waste;

· Whether there are viable existing or potential collection systems & markets for any benefit that may be obtained from not disposing of the waste;

·      Whether the costs of monitoring, enforcement & market development are proportional to the benefits;

·      Whether voluntary or other measures for the avoidance of disposal have been shown not to be effective;

·      Whether a prohibition on disposal is required to support an accredited product stewardship scheme, a regulated product stewardship scheme or an approved program.

The Minister may also recommend regulation that identifies waste for the preparation of a priority product statement and the use of product stewardship arrangements, to shift the obligation onto waste generators to reduce waste.

However, a ban will not stop wastes crossing the border.  Free trade between states and territories is a cornerstone of the Australia Constitution.  As such a ban must only cover a specific waste type, but cannot discriminate from where that waste came from within Australia, otherwise it would be unconstitutional.

Under s152-153 reporting entities includes landfills and recycling activities as defined under the Waste Reduction and Recycling Regulation 2011.  Such entities must provide an annual report on among other things, waste types and amounts collected and as described under the regulations. Failure to provide a report is $10,000 maximum fine.

There appears no penalty for false or misleading data or reporting. ASBG has considerable issues with the ability of the EHP to police and be able to demonstrate miss-representation of the origin of waste arriving at landfills.  Such monitoring appears to rely on the honesty of the waste deliverers.  If there is commercial interest, the reliability of such information will be questionable

There were been a number of other commitments that are relevant to Environmental Practitioner’s such as:

·  The promised Gasfields Land and Water Commission has been established with John Cotter as its chairman. The Commission’s mission is to rebuild community confidence in and have influence over government processes and decisions on Coal Seam Gas development.

·  On Tuesday 19 June the State Government indicated its intention to terminate the South East Queensland Distribution and Retail Water Reform Workforce Framework 2009 as at 30 June, 2012.

On the 24 June, Premier Newman used a $45k sixty second spot, to urge one to read former Treasurer Peter Costello's interim commission of audit report on the Qld economy. So what happens if the levy is not repealed on 1 July 2012?  It would make for considerable confusion in the waste industry with many customers of landfill wondering why they are still paying the $35/t levy

ASBG are running:

·         Contaminated Land Conference on 18 July 2012

·         Environmental Management Workshop on the 19 July 2012 to bring Managers up to speed on changes to Environmental Law.

Interstate Waste, DERM, Vegetation (VMA), Water

What a Waste!

ASBG in its submission notes that when the Queensland Government repeals the $35/t waste levy, it will make it economic sense for NSW businesses to avoid Sydney landfill levies by sending their waste north over the state border. This will occur for back filled loads this year and for one-way trips probably next year. The question is does Qld want NSW’s wastes under it competitive approach between states?

ASBG is calling for collaboration between jurisdictions on waste levies across State borders. It also recommends support for steel and paper recycling.

DERM is Dead

On 30 March 2012 the Queensland Government announced machinery-of-government changes for departments. The functions of the former Department of Environment and Resource Management will now be delivered by the following departments:

Department of Environment and Heritage Protection
Minister: Andrew Powell
Director-General: Andrew Chesterman

Department of Natural Resources and Mines
Minister: Andrew Cripps, Assistant Minister: Lisa France
Acting Director-General: Dan Hunt

Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing
Minister: Steve Dickson
Acting Director-General: John Glaister

Department of Energy and Water Supply
Minister: Mark McArdle
Acting Director-General: Tim Spencer


Vegetation Clearing

Those of you with responsibilities for vegetation management should note that the new Queensland Government is reviewing current investigation & enforcement processes for alleged illegal vegetation clearing.
The Qld Government is undertaking a thorough review of the way that the penalty provisions of the Vegetation Management Act 1999 (VMA) have been applied to alleged breaches of the Act.

There will be a comprehensive review of the application of the provisions of the VMA to alleged breaches over the next six to eight weeks. The review will initially be undertaken independently of the Department by Crown Law, to determine whether or not a wider external review is required.

Approximately 100 cases of unlawful clearing have been prosecuted in Queensland since the commencement of the VMA in 1999.

A review of Water Licensing

The Acting Director-General of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines: Dan Hunt, has referred to the Crime and Misconduct Commission findings by the Land Court on inconsistencies in the way water licences have been awarded by the department formerly known as the Department of Environment & Resource Management (DERM).

The new Minister for Natural Resources and Mines: Andrew Cripps wants to ensure the new department uses robust, peer-reviewed science and that it follows proper process. Minister Crisp has instructed the new department to commission an investigation into the integrity of the implementation of water resource plans, which oversee water licensing to ensure there is transparency and accountability in the process.


The Case for Water Efficiency

One can be proud of the fact that we (as a society) made some wholesale behavioural changes and achieved a permanent reduction in water consumption (and wastewater generation). The Qld Government is reviewing red tape and promising to reduce the cost of water for consumers.

Within the next 76 days the LNP Government proposes to appoint the Gasfields land and water Commissioner to better oversee the relationship between rural landholders and the CSG industry. At the same time, the Qld Government shall start processes to amalgamate bulk water entities as part of their Four point plan to reduce water prices.

The future of the Queensland Water Commission (QWC) is under a shadow. The regulation and legislation for home and business water efficiency may be revoked by the new Qld Government in an attempt to be seen to be cutting Red Tape. The QWC is an independent, statutory authority established by the previous Qld Government. The QWC is (or was) responsible for achieving safe, secure and sustainable water supplies in South East Queensland and other designated regions.

The draft Position Paper – The Case for Water Efficiency - has been developed by members of the Australian Water Association (AWA) Water Efficiency Specialist Network Committee to advocate for the continued role of water efficient policies and practices in Australia’s future urban water supply and demand management.

The Position Paper makes the argument that water efficiency is a necessary and effective way of maintaining a secure water supply into the future and should be a high priority in a suite of measures to achieve water security.

The case for water efficiency, will be presented and discussed at the AWA’s Ozwater'12 Water Efficiency workshop The Future Role of Water Efficiency in Australia: Developing and Promoting a Common Approach.

The Qld Government is making plans to write down or write off (so-called) non-performing water grid assets. There does not appear to be any appetite in the Qld for commissioning the Western Corridor water purification scheme for the purpose it was designed and constructed.

Draft Sustainable Business Weekly - Qld Edition

A State of Flux

Environmental Law in Qld (& Australia is in a tremendous State of flux.

This week, the Qld Government had its first Cabinet meeting, since the recent State elections.

The newly elected Premier of Qld: Mr Campbell Newman was also in Canberra this week meeting with in the lead up to a meeting of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).. One of the topics of discussion was the reduction of Environmental Regulation.

Green Tape

The Federal Government hosted discussions with the COAG Business Advisory Forum in Canberra with alleged business Leaders & State Governments.

The red (& green) tape reduction reform process was a key topic of the inaugural meeting.

State & territory governments would get a bigger say in environmental approvals to fast-track major projects under a deal to go to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) this week.

The commonwealth will retain responsibility for World Heritage and "high-risk projects". Currently any company proposing a major development such as a mine, port, rail line or tourist project must meet state & federal environmental rules, which can tie up the project for years.

The former Qld Government’s Green Tape Reduction program has been sent back to square one. The newly elected Government is setting out to “streamline environmental protections”

Mr Newman said the new Queensland position was one of “competitive federalism” but again no one seems to know what the implications are for Environment Protection.

Premier Campbell Newman has rejected suggestions that widening the gap between regulatory systems in different states would actually make it more expensive for businesses to operate across borders.

While the Premier supports a harmonised approach to various forms of regulation, he is advocating that Qld stand up & decide to out-compete other states.

As for cutting "green tape", Mr Newman believed discussions in the pre-COAG business forum did not go far enough.

The Premier wants the Federal Government to delegate the powers of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act to the states.

He complained that the Federal Government kept "coming over the top" of the Queensland Government to delay major resource and tourism projects.

Carbon Tax - High Court Challenge

Mr Newman is seeking legal advice on whether it can fight the carbon tax as unconstitutional.

He expects to get that in the next few weeks. He had spoken to at least one other premier about possibly joining together in a High Court challenge.

Mr Newman said Cabinet also looked at some options to address the issue of high electricity costs for Queenslanders.

As a first action, the LNP government will legislate to ensure carbon tax costs can be displayed on Queenslanders’ electricity bills by 1 July to coincide with the introduction of the Carbon Tax.

Repealing the Waste Levy

Repealing the former Qld Government’s Waste levy was on the agenda of the first Cabinet Meeting of the new Government.

The Waste Levy introduced in December 2011 is being repealed by 1 July 2012 as part of the action plan to deliver the LNP’s Lower Cost of Living for Families Package for Queenslanders.

Premier Campbell Newman said cost of living in Queensland had skyrocketed under Labor and the LNP Government’s focus was to act immediately to start addressing cost of living issues.

Campbell Newman described the former Government’s waste levy, as a huge slug on businesses, families & councils.

His Government will be looking at alternative funding streams to deliver an industry driven waste strategy as part of the budget process.

Bulk Water Prices

Following Cabinet consideration, the Queensland Water Commission & Treasury have been asked for an accelerated review of bulk water prices, with options for a new price path to be brought back to Cabinet by 31 May 2012.

Gladstone Harbour

Gladstone Harbour seems to be the test case for the new Qld State Government’s approach to Environmental regulation in Qld.

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney expressed his desire to annex Gladstone Harbour from the Great Barrier Reef marine Park.

CanDo's Cost Cuts

The following press release from the PremierThe Honourable Campbell Newman was sent out yesterday.


First Newman Government Cabinet Meeting focusses on cost of living savings

The focus of today’s first Newman Government Cabinet Meeting was action to deliver the LNP’s Lower Cost of Living for Families Package for Queenslanders.

Premier Campbell Newman said cost of living in Queensland had skyrocketed under Labor and the LNP Government’s focus was to act immediately to start addressing cost of living issues.

Premier Campbell Newman said at today’s meeting, Cabinet had resolved to move forward with regulation to freeze private motor vehicle registration for three years from 1 July 2012.

“Cabinet also formally approved the reinstatement of the principal place of residence stamp duty concession from 1 July 2012, which will save Queenslanders up to $7,000 when they purchase an average family home,” Mr Newman said.

Mr Newman said Cabinet approved plans to halve the previous Labor Government’s scheduled fare increases in 2013 and 2014 to 7.5 per cent, and to implement a new weekly nine journey cap on the go card, so the 10th journey and any additional journey a commuter takes each week will be free commencing 1 July.

“By making these changes, we are delivering real public transport and cost of living savings for Queenslanders,” Mr Newman said.

“Cabinet also resolved to remove Labor’s flawed waste levy, which was a huge slug on businesses, families and councils - and we will be looking at alternative funding streams to deliver an industry driven waste strategy as part of the budget process.”

Mr Newman said Cabinet also looked at some options to address the issue of high electricity costs for Queenslanders.

“As a first action, the LNP government will legislate to ensure carbon tax costs can be displayed on Queenslanders’ electricity bills by 1 July to coincide with the introduction of the Carbon Tax,” Mr Newman said.

“That means people will get to see the real cost of the Carbon Tax on their electricity bills.”
Following Cabinet consideration today, the Queensland Water Commission and Treasury will also deliver an accelerated review of bulk water prices, with options for a new price path to be brought back to Cabinet by 31 May 2012.

The Newman Government committed to a Lower Cost of Living for Families Package prior to the election, which included:
· Freezing or lowering the standard domestic electricity tariff and showing the cost of the Commonwealth’s carbon tax on electricity bills;
· Reducing the cost of water for families in South East Queensland;
· Freezing family car registration fees for the next three years;
· Halving the two scheduled increases in public transport fares and making the 10th and any additional journey each week on the go card free;
· Abolishing the waste levy from 1 July 2012;
· Re-introducing transfer duty concessions for the principal place of residence.

10 April 2012 Media Contact: Kylie Jacobson 0419 850 223

more on the Waste Levy

Within the first 100 days of the New Newman Qld State Government, the new Environment Minister – Andrew Powell will repeal the former Government’s Waste Levy. While this has not happened the cancellation of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Efficienct (WARE) fund and the Sustainable Future (SF) Fund has been announced.

The previous Government only recently introduced a Waste Levy on 1 December 2011.

The question is will the new Queensland Government completely eliminate the waste levy or will it be replaced with another. Once the new Treasurer looks at the revenue generated from the levy there will be temptation to keep this money stream flowing. Perhaps there may be a new levy covering all wastes? If the levy is totally scrapped then large flows of waste from NSW will head north. With a potential gate fee difference of around $95/t (the Sydney levy rate) and $42.40/t at the border, one way shipping to SE Queensland will commence with speed. Perhaps a levy in SE Queensland is also on cards?

It remains to be seen if the Qld LNP Government will still provide funding for programs that help establish better waste avoidance, resource recovery practices & overall waste management initiatives if a new levy is introduced.

Repealing the Waste Levy

Repealing the Waste Levy

One of the first tasks for the new Environment Minister – Andrew Powell will be to repeal the former Government’s Waste Levy.

The previous Labor Government only recently introduced a Waste Tax in December 2011, with a focus on reducing waste & promoting improved resource recovery.

The Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 was introduced as an industry waste levy to create a price signal to encourage waste generators to focus on waste avoidance & resource recovery & to discourage unnecessary landfill disposal. The levy was designed to ensure a level of consistency with waste disposal costs in other states to deter unnecessary disposal of interstate waste in Queensland.

It remains to be seen if the Qld LNP Government will still provide funding for programs that help establish better waste avoidance, resource recovery practices & overall waste management initiatives.

Sustainable Business Weekly QLD Edition [Coles, CSR, Flood Commission, Litter]

Sustainable Procurement?

This week Coles supermarkets launched a marketing campaign slashing the retail price of selected fresh produce.

ASBG are specifically concerned about the effects this may have on the supply chain of our members in the food processing sector. There are also concerns about the impacts a fresh produce price war could have on the ecological sustainability of food production in general. Will these short term behaviours by Coles (&/or Woolworths) affect the supply chain in the long term?

According to their website Coles are actually committed to finding ways to reduce any negative impact & enhance the environment we live in. As one of Australia's largest retailers, Coles recognises the effect it may have on the environment. Adopting sustainable business practices requires a systems approach. It requires affecting sustainable behaviour as a basis for operating not only within the workplace, but within our communities.

It would appear that Coles have failed to learn that suppliers need to be recognised as essential to delivery of sustainable procurement outcomes. ASBG is interested to know what steps the ACCC may take to regulate the behaviour of Coles and/or Woolworths to protect the long term interests of consumers, suppliers, competitors and processors in the fresh produce industry.

A working definition of Sustainable Procurement provided by Action Sustainability: “Sustainable Procurement is a process whereby organisations meet their needs for goods, services, works and utilities in a way that achieves value for money on a whole life basis in terms of generating benefits to society and the economy, whilst minimising damage to the environment”

Corporate Social Responsibility

What is the value of a good reputation?

TEPCO - operator of Fukushima nuclear plant - voted world's second most irresponsible corporation in a Greenpeace poll. Brazilian miner Vale took out first.

The Qld Floods Commission

The QLD Floods commission has been given an extension to investigate “new evidence” concerning the operation of Wivenhoe Dam releases in Jan 2011. Counsel assisting the Floods Commission: Peter Callaghan referred to the hearing as "Groundhog Day".

With all the powers of a Royal Commission, the Qld Floods Commission of Inquiry has taken public submissions from across Qld & held two rounds of public hearings in affected areas. The Commission will hold a third round of public hearings commencing 2 February 2012.

It also held community meetings and consultations in thirteen locations in central and western Queensland, and the Lockyer Valley. The Commission of Inquiry delivered the interim report on 1 August 2011, covering matters associated with flood preparedness to enable early recommendations to be implemented before next summer's wet season. The final report will be delivered on 16 March 2012.

Littering & Illegal Dumping

Littering and illegal dumping is a serious problem in Qld. According to the Keep Australia Beautiful National Litter Index, Queensland is the most littered mainland state in Australia.

With the introduction of the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011, members of the public can speak out & report littering and illegal dumping involving a vehicle or a vessel.

This initiative will help minimise waste hazards on our environment, as well as dealing with the much broader social impacts of littering & illegal dumping.

If littering or illegal dumping was personally witnessed you can report it now. Witnesses of littering and illegal dumping offences can request to have a reporting form mailed by contacting 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

The difference between littering and illegal dumping is determined by size & tougher penalties have been introduced accordingly.

Pillars of the economy

The Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan & the LNP Candidate for the seat of Ashgrove: Campbell Newman have both been referring to Pillars of the economy.

Wayne Swan recently released an economic note, waxing lyrical & talking up the key pillars of economic strength.

The LNP are campaigning in the QLD State elections with a platform based on four pillars of the economy: focusing on tourism, agriculture, resources & construction as well as cutting red tape & regulation.

ASBG are seeking clarification on the foundation of sound environment policy to support the pillars of the economy.

Taking Care of Business

Keep an eye out for the Association for Sustainability in Business who are organising the 'Taking Care of Business: Sustainable Transformation' Conference on the Gold Coast on the 21-22 May 2012. It will bring together 'green economy' leaders from Australia & NZ, presenting an opportunity to network with others who are building profitable & sustainable business models, services & products.