Sustainable Business Weekly [Procurement, Floods, Qld State Election]

SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT

The Association for Sustainability in Business (ASB) is easily confused with the Australian Sustainable Group (ASBG).

ASB are running a Conference - Taking Care of Business: Sustainable Transformation which will be held on the Gold Coast in May 2012.

It will include the Green Procurement Challenge Workshop presented by Monique Chelin and Greg Edmonds.

The aim of procurement is to deliver value for money. The aim of green procurement is to deliver value for money AND value for the environment. The principles of green procurement are being mandated by corporations at all levels and at each tier of government, as part of standard operating procedures around Australia.

Green procurement is a set of tools applied to your current procurement process to ensure your organisation can buy products and services in a sustainable manner.

An organisation which has an effective green procurement system can take advantage of cost-savings through buying smarter, achieve compliance with current and proposed procurement legislation (especially government procurement standards) and achieve recognition for sustainable business practices. At the same time, green procurement enables you to reduce your company's environmental footprint and strengthen relationships with staff, suppliers and customers.

A properly structured green procurement system allows you to buy goods and services that have a substantially lower impact on the environment while maintaining quality, functionality and cost competitiveness.

Monique & Greg propose to help you not get bogged down with complex technical details and jargon – like product life cycle analysis – and to focus on achieving the desired outcomes of value for money and the environment through the purchasing decisions you make. The Green Procurement Challenge includes an interactive workshop and tools that get you started straight away and will point you in the right direction to start or improve your current green procurement system.

The presentation will demonstrate the cost-savings and benefits to the environment, brand and process efficiency through making sound environmental purchasing decisions. We will also demystify the terms of "green specifications", product certifications, life cycle analysis and eco-labelling.Take the time to learn about green procurement and you won’t ever be de-railed again by suppliers with greenwash slogans. Don’t let confusion ruin your genuine efforts to develop and maintain sustainable purchasing in your organisation The conference program is available on the website and will feature over fifty (50) presenters.

The Qld Floods Commission

The Qld Floods commission has been out of the news this week, drowned under Federal Politics. The commission was given an extension last month, to investigate “new evidence” concerning the operation of Wivenhoe Dam releases in Jan 2011.

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.
It is impossible to pin any one unusual weather event (such as the Qld floods in Jan 2011 or bush fires in Victoria) on climate change.

However the evidence is emerging that suggests that climate change is already influencing the weather. The IPCC reports that both heat waves and intense rain events have increased in frequency during the last 50 years, and human-induced global warming more likely than not contributed to the trend. Satellite-based rainfall measurements show tropical areas got more rain in the form of large storms or light rainfall instead of moderate storms between 1979 and 2003.

Since the 1970s, the area affected by drought and the number of intense tropical cyclones also have increased, trends that IPCC scientists say were more likely than not influenced by human activities. Regardless of the outcomes of the Qld Floods Commission, future Qld Governments will have to respond to the causes and impacts of Climate Change.

Qld State Elections

In the current circumstances of the Federal Leadership kerfuffle, not much has happened in the Qld State Election campaign concerning Environmental Management.

However, last Tuesday, the Liberal National Party did announce a plan to open up the Trinity Inlet to larger cruise ships into Cairns. There have been no costings or Environmental assessment on this proposal.

Apparently, cruise ships already inject $12 million-plus a year to the Cairns economy, but the LNP fear that as cruise ships grow larger, the lack of access to Cairns could see the city miss out.
Over the weekend, the Qld Premier, announced the intention to extend the “Wild Rivers Area” to include another 5 river catchments on Cape York Peninsula. . The LNP are proposing to open up this area for commercial development & dissolved the Department of Environment & Resource Management into multiple departments.

i am so sorry GirlClumsy

I hear the Drum, Annabel tonight,

but she has only rumours of Gillard's assassination,

The Queensland Premier is putting up a fight,

but mines to minds only drives me to distraction

Now the Queensland campaign is underway,

Hoping for some actual environmental policies,

While I rewrote U2 lyrics to say: "Is Tunnels all Can Do could do?"

I hope Anna can drag the electorate away from Can Do,

There nothing that a Tunnel, Legacy of Debt could ever do,

I bless Baked Relief down in Lockyer,

It gonna take some time to recover from the 2011 floods we had.

The piling rigs will drive all night,

As TransCity dig away at Can Do's Tunnel Vision;

I know that I must write what's right

As sure as Northern Link rises like Clem 7 to meet the ICB.

I seek ecological sustainability, frightened by the little Napoleon....

I hope Anna can drag the electorate away from Can Do,

There nothing that a Legacy of Debt could ever do,

I bless Baked Relief down in Lockyer,

It gonna take some time to recover from the floods we had.

....Is Tunnels all Can Do could do?

I hope Anna can drag the electorate away from Can Do,

There nothing that a Legacy of Debt could ever do,

I bless Baked Relief down in Lockyer,

I bless Baked Relief down in Lockyer,

(I bless Baked Relief),

I bless Baked Relief down in Lockyer,

(I bless Baked Relief)

I bless Baked Relief down in Lockyer,

I bless Baked Relief down in Lockyer,

(Ah, gonna take the time),

Gonna take some time to recover from the floods we had.

Sustainable Business Weekly QLD Edition [supply chains, DERM, water, election]]

Sustainable Procurement

The Australian Sustainable Business Group in Queensland is looking for expressions of interests from individuals and organisations to submit abstracts and proposals for a Sustainable Supply Chain Conference in Brisbane on Tuesday 5 June 2012.

ASBG (QLD) would welcome abstracts for presentations &/or workshops that address the following themes:

· Bring down costs whilst delivering sustainability;

· Develop an effective sustainable procurement strategy aligned to organisational goals;

· Align your procurement processes to ensure engagement from suppliers;

· Effectively monitor the sustainability progress and competence of supply chains;

· Understand how much one can expect from suppliers and ensure it works for them too;

· Create a team of sustainability champions from one’s procurement team;

· Understanding how BS8903 and a range of other tools can help one overcome these challenges.

30 April 2012 – Abstract/proposals Submission deadline

DERM

The State Opposition have been critical of the Qld Labor Government’s environment credentials indicating that the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM)’s poor management was responsible for its ineffectiveness in administering and enforcing legislation.

An LNP Government would repeal the Waste Reduction & Recycling Act & would probably disassemble DERM. Shadow Minister for the Environment Andrew Powell said there’s no proper rigour & reporting in the management of waste in Qld.

Andrew Powell cites Auditor-General reports accusing DERM of focusing on outputs then outcomes when it came to mitigating risks to the environment.

Mr Powell was also quoted as saying: "Regional Queensland was subjected to inconsistent monitoring and compliance from the department and there was appalling and limited oversight to assist regions plan effectively."

This week the LNP Candidate for the seat of Ashgrove: Campbell Newman: pledged to split DERM into a mining and energy department, a resources department, and environmental regulation department.

The Qld Water Commission (QWC) which is currently supposed to be overlooking water issues in the Coal Seam Gas Development sector. Mr Newman proposed to scrap the QWC.

Water blame game

The institutional arrangements for the delivery of water & sewage treatment services are in a state of great flux.

It remains to be seen if either the Labor Party or the LNP (or any of the minor parties) can offer some rational solutions for restructuring the water sector in South East Queensland.

As a part of a first world country, SEQ has more complicated arrangements than most developing communities but our State & Local Authorities still can't get our proverbial together.

As a society, we flush and forget. The only reminder we get is the water utilities bills (which are now capped at CPI).

Our Municipal authorities have fragmented service delivery & are still dumping (treated) sewage effluent into Moreton Bay, while the infrastructure for water recycling (at Bundamba) is running on idle.

The retiring Energy and Water Utilities Minister: The Honourable Stephen Robertson said the time had come for LNP Leader Campbell Newman to come clean on whether or not he expects Logan and Redlands ratepayers to share the cost of disestablishing Allconnex.

Mr Robertson also called on Mr Newman to reveal how he plans to pay for his as yet un-costed four point water plan. The South-East Queensland Water (Distribution and Retail Restructuring) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill was debated in Parliament this week in the last sitting before the election. While the LNP were critical of the Government, they did not oppose the legislation.

Qld State Election 24 March 2012

The Queensland Conservation Council has prepared a list of their environmental priorities for the next election. The priorities cover protected areas, special places, marine, sustainability, fossil fuels and mining and legal reform. http://www.qccqld.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=524&Itemid=2

AgForce Queensland (AgForce) considers itself as the peak body representing thousands of Queensland primary producers. AgForce has been in regular communication with politicians from both Labor and the LNP

to shape their policy platforms in the lead up to the 2012 election.

AgForce’s efforts are directed in five major policy areas: Land management, Rural and regional economic development, Transport and infrastructure, Biosecurity & Industry image.http://www.agforceqld.org.au/file.php?id=1285&open=yes

Closer to the election, the Australian Sustainable Business Group will also publish a key list of issues, based upon dialogues with all the major (and minor) parties. Please contact Rowan@asbg.net.au if you have particular concerns.

Sustainable Supply Chain Conference - 5 June 2012

The Australian Sustainable Business Group in Queensland is looking for expressions of interests from individuals and organisations to submit abstracts and proposals for a Sustainable Supply Chain Conference in Brisbane on Tuesday 5 June 2012.

ASBG (QLD) would welcome abstracts for presentations &/or workshops that address the following themes:

· Bring down costs whilst delivering sustainability;

· Develop an effective sustainable procurement strategy aligned to organisational goals;

· Align your procurement processes to ensure engagement from suppliers;

· Effectively monitor the sustainability progress and competence of supply chains;

· Understand how much one can expect from suppliers and ensure it works for them too;

· Create a team of sustainability champions from one’s procurement team;

· Understanding how BS8903 and a range of other tools can help one overcome these challenges.

30 April 2012 – Abstract/proposals Submission deadline

contact rowan@asbg.net.au for more details

the Death of DERM

The following Ministerial Media Statement from The Honourable Vicky Darling indicates the imminent death of the Department of Environment and Resource Management if Campbell Newman has his way......

Thursday, February 16, 2012

LNP fails the environment again

The LNP has today mounted a shameless crusade to strip protections for Queensland and allow mining to proceed without environmental regulation, spelling disaster for the state.

Environment Minister Vicky Darling was appalled by Mr Newman’s admission today that he would pull apart the Department of Environment and Resource Management, proving an LNP government will be at the beck and call of big miners and big developers.

“The LNP have shown time and time again that have no interest in protecting the environment.

“I fail to see how protecting the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef is an action by green extremists.

“Or stopping sandmining from continuing indefinitely on North Stradbroke Island; or regulating coal seam gas activity; or protecting some of Australia’s most pristine and untouched river systems.

Ms Darling said it had been the worst kept secret that Newman plans to inflict revenge on DERM for its achievements in protecting the environment.

“They have promised to beef up the powers of the co-coordinator-general and turn the office into the facilitator-general* - and give it ‘real power’ for major developments right around the State.

Ms Darling said his plan to separate mines and energy regulation from environmental regulation is the most frightening of all.

“This is a nightmare return to the bad-old-days where the Mines department was in charge of issuing approvals for mines.

“Will mining proceed without environmental regulation? How can you separate mining approvals from environmental regulation?

“Is this Mr Newman or Mr Palmer calling the shots?

Ms Darling said that Mr Newman seems to have forgotten that DERM had led a series of landmark reforms to ensure Queensland’s environment remains protected and pristine for future generations.

“The long list of achievements includes wild rivers, coal seam gas regulation, North Stradbroke Island, reef protection, waste reform, climate adaptation, national park management, business sustainability, species protection and environmental approvals.

“Today he has committed to smashing up one of Australia’s most successful environment and resource management agencies – making a mockery of the departments huge achievements since its formation in 2009.

“To rip apart DERM is a slap in the face to the dedicated professionals working day in day out to deliver important environmental reforms.”

* See LNP resources and energy strategy p24

Media contact: 3239 0824 | 0408 732 491

Will the ALP or the LNP get their shit together?

The institutional arrangements for the delivery of water & sewage treatment services are in a state of great flux.

It remains to be seen if either the Labor Party or the LNP (or any of the minor parties) can offer some rational solutions for restructuring the water sector in South East Queensland.

As a first world country, we have more complicated arrangements than most developing communities.....but we still can't get our shit together.

As a society, we flush and forget. The only reminder we get is the water utilities bills (which are now capped at CPI)...

We have fragmented service delivery & we are still dumping (treated) sewage effluent into Moreton Bay, while the infrastructure for water recycling (at Bundamba) is running on idle.

Here is a Statement from Energy and Water Utilities The Honourable Stephen Robertson

Will the LNP support water legislation?

Water Utilities Minister Stephen Robertson said the time had come for LNP Leader Campbell Newman to come clean on whether or not he expects Logan and Redlands ratepayers to share the cost of disestablishing Allconnex. Mr Robertson also called on Mr Newman to reveal how he plans to pay for his as yet un-costed four point water plan. The South-East Queensland Water (Distribution and Retail Restructuring) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill is scheduled to be debated in Parliament today. Mr Robertson said residents in Logan and Redlands deserved to know whether or not the LNP will support the Bill which will hold Gold Coast City Council accountable for these costs. "It was Gold Coast City Council which put its hand up last year to divorce from Allconnex and in doing so agreed to pay the compensation costs of disestablishment to Redland and Logan Councils," Mr Robertson said. "All three Councils support this Bill, the Bligh Government supports this Bill but where does the LNP stand? "For the past 11 months Mr Newman has failed to reveal any detail of his position when questioned by journalists and the Councils. "He's got a slogan 'to give Councils their water businesses back', but he won't say how he would do this and who is going to pay for it. "Time and time again Cagey Campbell has proven incapable of answering the tough policy questions. "No more slogans Mr Newman, Queenslanders deserve answers, particularly Logan and Redlands ratepayers on this issue." The Bligh Government introduced the legislation into Parliament in October last year in order to formalise the three councils' decision to disband Allconnex, and take back their water businesses. The Bill provides a fair and transparent process for ensuring that Logan and Redlands City Councils are not financially penalised as a result of the decision to withdraw from Allconnex.

DERM

Today a tweet came through my Twitter feed as follows:

sueGCB Sue Lappeman

So its "derm derm' for DERM? RT @KylieJacobson: Campbell_Newman says LNP will deal with the absurdity of DERM.

This was allegedly said at the QLD Rural Press Club Lunch

It confirms my suspicion that should @can_do_campell win #Ashgrove and a majority of seats in the Qld legislative assembly, that he will unceremoniously dismantle DERM...

I am interested to know how the alternative scenarios will pan out, if the mad Katter's tea party get any skin in the game...

DERM

The State Opposition have been critical of the Qld Labor Government’s environment credentials indicating that the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM)’s poor management was responsible for its ineffectiveness in administering and enforcing legislation.

A LNP Government would repeal the Waste Reduction & Recycling Act & would probably disassemble DERM. Shadow Minister for the Environment Andrew Powell said there’s no proper rigour & reporting in the management of waste in Qld. He cites Auditor-General reports accusing DERM of focusing on outputs then outcomes when it came to mitigating risks to the environment.

Mr Powell was also quoted as saying: "Regional Queensland was subjected to inconsistent monitoring and compliance from the department and there was appalling and limited oversight to assist regions plan effectively."

Please find follow some excerpts from DERM's Compliance Update which seem to contradict Mr Powell's assertions.

Prosecution Bulletin no. 1/2012 DERM has released its first prosecution bulletin for 2012. This bulletin reports the successful prosecution under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and the Integrated Planning Act 1997 of a Queensland company in receivership for unlawfully operating a sewage treatment plan. Read more prosecution bulletins

Local Government Toolbox The Local Government Toolbox is a great source of information on environmental health issues - providing a wide range of useful tools on technical and customer-related matter managed by local government. The content provided includes: information on how to comply and how to apply for relevant permits, licenses and approvals fact sheets and guidelines checklists links to legislation. The information is provided for the benefit of business, the community and environmental health and customer service professionals both with and beyond local government. Read more about the Local Government Toolbox

Key DERM compliance documents Information about DERM's key compliance documents can be found on the compliance pages of the website. DERM's three major compliance documents are: Compliance Strategy 2010–14: conveys principles and strategies to ensure the compliance program delivers on DERM's objectives Annual Compliance Plan 2011–12: informs the community of planned compliance activities in the coming year Enforcement Guidelines: assist DERM in choosing an enforcement response and inform the community about DERM's compliance standards.

Sustainable Business Weekly QLD Edition [Procurement, Floods, Oh my Darling]

Sustainable Procurement

In the last few weeks, the Australian Sustainable Business Group (ASBG) in Qld has had a drive on to assist members to embed “sustainability” in supply chains. One good way to encourage supplier industry transformation is through 'forward commitment procurement'.

In theory, one engages with suppliers early (well before the product or service is required) to discuss with them one’s requirements & objectives. This gives suppliers time to properly understand what one wants & allows the market to consider modifications to their products/services/business to provide a more appropriate product/service (that are more likely to win the tender).

For example, one might let the market know that one will favourably consider environmentally labeled products. This would give suppliers time to consider modifying their processes & getting products certified under an appropriate scheme.

The British Standard BS 8903:2010 Principles and Framework for Procuring Sustainably is very useful. The Australian Procurement & Construction Council (APCC) also has some good publications.

This arrangement creates several rewards for both the Supplier & the end-user. In brief...

Advantages for Suppliers:

· Get to spend time marketing the products early, before their production runs commence;

· They may receive some payment early, which helps with cash flow;

· Have an opportunity to get to know the end-users.

Advantages for end users:

· more customisation of products to meet the end users specific needs;

· better integration of manufacturing with installations & commissioning;

· Develop a relationship with the supplier & an understanding of manufacturing processes &/or service delivery.

The Qld Floods Commission

The Qld Floods commission was given an extension to investigate “new evidence” concerning the operation of Wivenhoe Dam releases in Jan 2011.

The Qld Floods Commission of Inquiry has taken public submissions from across Qld & held two rounds of public hearings in affected areas. The Commission has commenced a third round of public hearings commence 2 February 2012.

This week Dam Engineers, Bureaucrats & Politicians have been on trial in the Courts of public opinion. There is a class action being assembled.

Steve Posselt (author of Cry Me a River) pointed out that the fallout from the Qld floods commission is a result of a society that thinks that we can engineer ourselves to be independent of nature...

Clive palmer’s Conspiracy Theories

This week on social media Qld State Treasurer Andrew Fraser tweeted “Lettuce know what you think of page 33 of Courier-mail please Prof Clive Palmer? Doesn't exactly mesh w your conspiracy theory ...”

The “Lettuce” was a reference to Clive Palmer’s blast of the Courier Mail in a recent press conference. There would appear to be a BHP Billiton project proposed in the same (or similar) corridor as Clive Palmer's project. On face value, it appears to mesh quite well with Clive Palmer's conspiracy theory.

The Coordinator-General has prepared draft terms of reference (TOR) for the environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Goonyella to Abbot Point Rail Project.

The draft TOR set out the matters that BHP Billiton MetCoal Holdings Pty Ltd must address when preparing the EIS.

The public and state government advisory agencies are invited to comment on whether the draft TOR adequately cover all the matters the project proponent must address when preparing the EIS.

Comments close at 5pm on Monday 5 March 2012. The project's impacts on matters of national environmental significance are being assessed separately by the Australian Government. Download the draft terms of reference for EIS, read the fact sheet on making a comment & complete the draft TOR comment form.

Send your comments to: goonyella-abbot-rail@deedi.qld.gov.au Read more about commenting on draft TOR.

Questions for the Qld Environment Minister Vicki Darling

Recently, ABC Radio morning show host: Steve Austin spoke to Environment Minister Vicki Darling.

The Member for Sandgate took over the Environment & Resource Management portfolio 7 months ago, when the Kate Jones retired from the Ministry to spend more time re-contesting her seat of Ashgrove. Ms Darling has been involved in implementing some of the reforms that were started by Ms Jones.

Waste Reform has been an area of focus because Qld had the worst rate of rubbish to landfill of any State in Australia.

In her discussions with Steve Austin, Ms Darling defends the Qld Government’s decision to ban sand mining on Stradbroke Island.

Ms Darling is comfortable with the control systems that the Qld Government has put in for Coal seam Gas Development & is more concerned about misinformation.