Divesting of Coal Fired Power

Divesting of Coal Fired Power

The Qld Government has withdrawn its financial support for the Cloncurry Photo Voltaic Solar Farm to achieve savings for the state’s taxpayers about $5.6 million.  In it Media statement, the Government noted that large-scale solar farms are proven technology & the Qld State Government believes it is up to the private sector to decide whether to invest in, build & operate such projects in Qld.

Should Premier Newman sell Stanwell Corporation & CS Energy to the private sector, for the same reasons that AGL has bought Loy Yang A in Victoria?

The purchase of Loy Yang A will make AGL the equal largest generator of electricity in the Australia.  Up until recently, AGL have pursued a strategy of developing the nation’s lowest carbon intensity in its energy assets, this purchase nearly triples its intensity.

Loy Yang A will act as a “cash cow” for the company, despite the introduction of a carbon price.  AGL propose to use the substantial cash flows to help fund its renewables investment, which it estimates at around $4-$5 billion to meet its share of the renewable energy target. It expects to meet 60-80% that capital cost itself. 

When one considers the transition from fossil fuels to renewables – taking the cash from an older asset like Stanwell & Tarong Power Stations & reinvesting it in renewable certainly makes sense.

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Following is the Media Statement from the Qld State Government:

Minister for Energy and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark McArdle

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Cloncurry Solar Farm closure

24 May 2012

Government withdraws its funding from Cloncurry Solar Farm

The Queensland Government today withdrew its financial support for the Cloncurry Solar Farm as part of its campaign to achieve savings for the state’s taxpayers.

Minister for Energy and Water Supply Mark McArdle said the Cloncurry Solar Farm was at a very early stage and withdrawing from the project now would save Queenslanders about $5.6 million.

“These are savings which will benefit all Queenslanders rather than localised climate initiatives,” Mr McArdle said.

“The government’s withdrawal from the project now minimises the cost to taxpayers.

“I want to stress that the Queensland Government’s decision to exit the Cloncurry Solar Farm is not due to concerns about the proponent or their ability to deliver. This is about getting the state’s finances back on track.

“Large-scale solar farms are proven technology and it is up to the private sector to decide whether to invest in, build and operate such projects in Queensland.

“The government is working to establish a stronger renewable and alternative energy sector with a targeted focus on practical research and development of Queensland’s abundant renewable energy resources.

“We are also supporting Queensland businesses to access funding from Commonwealth programs to develop Queensland-based clean energy projects.”

Mr McArdle said the government had informed Ingenero Pty Ltd, which was named preferred tenderer in December 2011 to design, build and operate the 2.128 megawatt solar farm, and the Cloncurry Shire Council.

“The Queensland Government had an option in its contract with Ingenero to cancel the contract at any time for any reason. The government has chosen to exercise this option to save money for Queensland taxpayers.”

Mr McArdle said most of the funds would have been spent on the purchase of photovoltaic panels and racking, but these costs would be saved because the project was at such an early stage.

The government’s financial withdrawal from the solar farm will have no impact on the reliability of electricity supply in Cloncurry as the project’s main aim was to test the performance of a solar farm in north-west Queensland.

ENDS

Sustainable Business Weekly QLD Edition [Flood Mitigation & PRW, Transitional Environment Programs, Carbon tax]

Flood Mitigation and Purified recycled Water

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 24 February 2012.

The Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) has been instructed to arrange an investigation (in conjunction with relevant agencies) into the preferred options to increase the mitigation of floods downstream of Wivenhoe Dam.

This includes the ridiculously expensive consideration of raising of the Wivenhoe Dam wall to increase the flood storage compartment.

There is still no rationale consideration of the use of purified recycled water, in order to lower the required water supply level (thus increasing the flood storage volume). The Qld State Government persists with a policy to introduce purified recycled water only in the unlikely event of the combined dam levels falling below a 40% trigger level.

The Qld Flood inquiry has resumed in Brisbane today for a second round of public hearings.

Transitional Environmental Programs

One of the things that will be under the scrutiny of the Qld floods commission is the release of water from mines during the January floods.

Transitional environmental programs (TEPs) approved by the department allow a mine site to complete actions outside of its agreed environmental authority conditions. The program is in place for a specified time and requires adherence to special conditions, to ensure that any actions, such as dewatering, do not harm the environment.

The department has recently developed a guideline to provide greater clarity around TEP assessment for both industry and departmental officers. The document outlines what requirements need to be fulfilled before a draft TEP will be approved by DERM. The guide has been published on DERM's website as part of a commitment towards ensuring industry understands departmental requirements and expectations.

Carbon Tax

This week the Federal Government introduced the first Bills that will create a price on carbon. The price itself will always be too high for those who are liable to pay for it and it will always be too low for those who are campaigning for Australia to contribute to a global response to climate change.

The greatest disappointment is that the legislation will pass through Parliament with minimal scrutiny by the Federal opposition. At the same time there has been little or no scrutiny of the Federal Opposition’s alternative policy which appears to be more costly and does not appear to actually meet the soft greenhouse gas emission targets.

The treasury modelling indicates that the Australian economy will continue to prosper and incomes will rise, despite the price on carbon. Most Australians will be financially compensated.

ASBG aims to provide members with details and share information about the assistance that will be available to Australian businesses. Stay tuned for upcoming ASBG workshops and information sessions.

Reef regulation compliance update

The reef protection measures under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 require sugarcane cane growers and cattle graziers to submit environmental risk management plans (ERMPs) for their property, to help minimise the risk of sediment, herbicide and nutrient run-off in the Great Barrier Reef. Currently more than 94 per cent of operators have submitted, or are in the process of submitting, a plan. Accreditation of the ERMPs is underway and is expected to be finalised by the end of 2011. Audits of other measures (such as the requirement to calculate and apply no more than the optimum amount of fertiliser), and of the implementation of ERMP action plans, will progress through 2011 and early 2012. A simplified version of the cattle grazing ERMP for graziers has also been developed by an industry-government joint working group.

Read more about ERMPs on the ReefWise Farming website...

The Qld Party

There is an interesting development in Qld politics, purporting to present a new voice on sustainable development and the environment.

The Qld Party was originally formed by a couple of members of the Qld Legislative Assembly, who broke away from the Liberal National Party (LNP).

Having recently also broken away again from Bob Katter’s Australia Party, the Qld Party must now register 500 members by 5pm this Friday or face deregistration.

The Qld Party has a policy to call for an immediate moratorium on Coal Seam Gas and supports local representation in State Parliament allowing members to cross the floor on local issues.

CSG Training

The Qld Government announced another $1.4 million to expand the AgForward Coal Seam Gas Landholder Support Initiative into the Galilee and Bowen Basins.

The funding will be spent to assist landholders to negotiate with coal seam gas companies.

water, Surat Basin, Carbon, Energy Efficiency

Product Stewardship Bill Passed

The Product Stewardship Bill 2011 was passed by the Parliament on 22 June 2011. This legislation provides the framework to manage the environmental, health and safety impacts of products, and in particular those impacts associated with the disposal of products. The framework includes voluntary, co-regulatory and mandatory product stewardship. For more information see the Australian Government Website.

Ending the Water Blame Game (again)

This year there has been an ongoing blame game between the State Government, Councils & the Council owned Utilities over who is responsible for water price rises.

The Qld Government has proposed amendments to the SEQ Water (Distribution & Retail Restructuring) Act 2009 (DR Act) to allow sitting councillors, including Mayors, to sit on the Board of their water distributor-retailer.

In an Estimates Committee Hearing Minister for Energy and Water Utilities Stephen Robertson said the Governments decision ensured councils would have more immediate access to and involvement with the strategic decision-making process of their water businesses.

The proposed amendments are another attempt to diffuse the tension between the Qld State Government and the local councils by surrendering more control and direct involvement with water distributor-retailer business.

This will put an end to Councils continuing to label their council-owned water businesses as private entities.

The proposed amendments would not alter the current legislative requirement that the councils appoint the Board members.

However the current associated employee provisions which enable a council employee to be appointed to the Board will be removed

Under the proposal:
• the minimum number of Board members would be five
• the maximum number of councillors would be three;
• no council would have more than one councillor on a Board;
• councillors would be appointed within two months of local government elections;
• councillors would be appointed for a maximum term of four years;
• vacancies that arose must be filled by a councillor from the council where the vacancy occurred;
• the Chair of the Board cannot be a councillor.

It should also be clearly understood that the Boards role itself will not alter and it will continue to be responsible for ensuring the distributor-retailer performs its function and exercises their powers in a proper, effective and efficient way.
The Government would progress these amendments in early 2012.

The Surat Basin Future Directions Final Report

This week the QLD State Government released the Surat Basin Future Directions Statement Final Report. A year on from the release of the Surat Basin Future Direction Statement, the Qld Government has attempted a series of initiatives that address the challenges and opportunities stemming from the new multibillion dollar energy industry.

The Surat Basin is currently experiencing growth unlike any other region of Queensland, largely due to the expanding energy and resource sector.
The Qld State Government is trying manage this growth in the Surat Basin. The mining & energy boom, is often in conflict with the interests of residents, farmers, other industries and the local community..

The Qld Government is determined to learn from their experiences (mistakes) in the Bowen Basin and improve their approaches to the pressures of fast growing communities.

This collaborative approach between community, industry and Government has resulted in clear strategies to address the critical needs of the Surat Basin region including:
- planning and settlement patterns;
- economic development;
- skilled labour & workforce development;
- housing availability;
- transport;
- strategic cropping land;
- land access;
- coal seam gas water management;
- social impact management plans.

The Surat Basin Future Direction Statement Steering Committee includes members from local government, industry, agriculture, major employers, unions and the Commonwealth Government.

For more information on the Surat Basin Future Directions Statement visit www.regions.qld.gov.au

Confused about the carbon tax?

There is a great deal of mis-information about the price on pollution. Norton Rose have put together a good snap shot of where things are at. For more information see their website.

Energy Efficiency Opportunities Workshops Coming to Brisbane

The Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism has announced the next series of Energy Efficiency Opportunities (EEO) national workshops to be run in Brisbane on the 31 August & 1 September 2011. The workshops will focus on the second assessment cycle, which will begin for many corporations on 1 July 2011. On the first day they will discuss what requirements will be different in the second cycle, and what companies & the Department have learned about how to plan and do successful assessments.

The Clean Energy Agreement

The following information comes from the New South Wales edition of the Sustainable Business Weekly....with some editorial comment from the ASBG QLD State Manager

Release of the Multi-party Climate Change Committee Clean Energy Agreement by the Federal Government has been long awaited and provides much needed clarity over the implementation of Australia’s carbon price.

In the release of such a comprehensive legislative change there are bound to be many issues.

Given that the design of the carbon tax program was not debated nor discussed at the public level, will mean there will inevitably be issues with the package.

Already there have been a number of issues arise with the program. ASBG (NSW) has identified a number of areas of concern including:
 Establishing a fixed and growing price for carbon, which is considered high compared to international prices for carbon and international linking.
 The types of funding available under the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC).
 Coverage of the scheme on specific area, eg heavy vehicles, domestic air travel etc.

As discussed in prior SBWs the setting of a fixed carbon price contains problems at the time of transition to a fully floating price based on an internationally linked carbon market.

Overall the price of $23/t CO2-e is considered to be too high as is already
much higher than the EUA (EUs trading scheme unit price) of €12.36/t CO2-e
(A$16.31). In addition, the Australian carbon price is set to reach $25.40 in
201415. Note the future EUA price Dece 2014, is currently €14.84 (AUS$19.58). The package proposes that after the fourth year a full floating carbon market will be formed with the price determined by the market, driven in part by a cap on the amount of carbon permitted to be emitted. Under this flexible price period, international
emissions units will be permitted.

However, less than 50% of emission credits will be permitted to be obtained
from overseas sources. Though this 50% will be reviewed in 2016.

Supporting this flexible arrangement is the setting of a price cap and floor price.
The floor price is set at $15/t CO2-e, but this is also inconsistent with the EUAs
which are permitted to trade below this rate.

Overall, if the international price for carbon remains soft, then come 2014,
Australia will have some of the world’s highest priced carbon units and most of
the investment will be in purchases overseas rather than action within
Australia. Up to half of our carbon tax will be exported. ASBG is not sure what
impact this will have on the budget commitments that have been
established, but may result in a budget deficit for the carbon scheme.
Bankability of carbon credits will also be affected under a lower priced
international carbon unit. Companies will not bank high priced carbon permits
where in the next year or two it is clear that lower priced units will be available.

Funding arrangements under the package appear most heavily influenced
by the Greens. Most notable is the removal of Carbon Capture and Storage
(CCS) from funding under the package.

It seems remarkable that Australia the world’s largest exporter of coal should
abandon such research.

(Editor's Note: A number of high profile large scale attempts at Carbon Capture and Storage projects have already failed including ZeroGen. Carbon capture is very easy (dissolving CO2 in liquid amines), but Carbon storage is near impossible and prohibitively expensive. It is no surprise that CC&S has fallen from favour)

Gas is considered the key transitional fuel to a low emissions economy, by its
replacement of coal, but is not supported. Gas prices are expected to
rise by $1.25/GJ as a direct result of the $23/t CO2-e. Nevertheless, the closure
of one of Victoria’s brown coal power plants will result in it being replaced by
gas fired generation. This will have demand pull implications for the national
gas market of around 1000 PJ/yr. Price increases from increased demand will
add to the increased gas prices.

However, the funding and grant arrangements under the CEFC are only
for renewable energy. Considering the RET scheme already supports rapid
increases in renewable generation there appears to be a significant gap in the
management of gas and other intermediate transitional technologies.

Solar and wind generation if not supported by alternative power
generation supplementary supply can cause significant inefficiencies in
existing power generation. For example, when the wind blows and the
sun shines, large quantities of power flow from the renewable. This causes
the turn down or shut off of coal powered generation, causing these
plants to operate far from their ideal efficiency, causing excessive carbon
generation. So when the wind does not blow and it is cloudy, the coal
generation is called upon to operate at maximum capacity, again away from its
efficiency maximum. A better approach is to use gas peaker plants and a far
better managed funding arrangements taking all transitional and renewable
systems into account. It appears the package is too heavily focused on
renewable energy sources and fails to consider transitional and base power
load requirements of Australia.

(EDITORS NOTE: I don't think the Author has considered energy storage - molten salts & the load balancing potential of electric vehicles).

Coverage of the Carbon price is another area of issue. While the standard
trigger of 25,000 t CO2-e per annum is no surprise the 10,000 t CO2-e for
landfills is. More curious is the impact on transport fuels, in which the
document states:
 A carbon price will not be applied to transport fuels (including diesel,
petrol, LPG, CNG and LNG) used by cars, light commercial vehicles,
agriculture, forestry and fishery activities.
 Other business transport emissions (including mining) and non-transport
emissions from the use of liquid fuels, LPG, CNG and LNG will be
subject to an effective carbon price.

 As aviation fuels do not receive fuel tax credits, domestic aviation fuel
excise will be increased by an amount equivalent to the carbon price.

International aviation fuel use will not be covered as this is subject to international negotiations.

Light commercial vehicles includes trucks under 5 tonnes. Heavy vehicles
are not part of the package and will be covered separately. In addition,
domestic air travel will therefore increase in price is probable. The
treatment of liquid fuels is complexed by the use of fuel tax credits for many
industries. But the apparent intent is to put a carbon tax on these fuels for such
businesses on top of any credit for fuel excises.

Sustainable Business Weekly QLD Edition [Qld Infrastructure Plan, Green Door, Price On Pollution]

The Qld Infrastructure Plan & Regionalisation Strategy

This week, the Qld infrastructure blueprint for the next 20 years was released by the State Government for consultation.

The Queensland Infrastructure Plan (QIP) released this week is the foundation document to the Queensland Regionalisation Strategy (QRS) includes major documents including a significant masterplan for the Bruce Highway.

The aim of the QIP is to provide a clear outline of short-term infrastructure projects, as well as outlining the longer-term infrastructure priorities to meet the needs of Qld’s growing regions and the rebuilding tasks resulting from the recent natural disasters that have affected Qld.

As the key state-wide infrastructure planning document, the QIP replaces other regional infrastructure plans and programs including the South East Qld Infrastructure Plan and Program and the Far North Qld Infrastructure Plan.

Key projects prioritised in the QIP include:

Transit Networks; Bruce Highway upgrades; Dams, Airports; Ports, Kogan Creek Solar Boost; Rail; Pipelines; Gold Coast Rapid Transit and the Brisbane Cross River Rail.

The State Government now needs feedback from Qld businesses on the plan.

Opening a Green Door?

This week the Qld State Government announced that the Green Door is now open and the Green Door Information Paper is now available.

The Green Door is a Qld State Government initiative, developed in conjunction with local government and industry to accelerate the development assessment of exemplary sustainable 'green' developments in Qld.

Features could include the delivery of planning and economic priorities in a particular region, a significant reduction of water, waste and energy, the creation of permanent jobs or the provision of innovative and effective sustainable transport options.

Green Door aims to encourage leadership and innovation in sustainable developments by offering the 'fast track' opportunity to only the highest achieving projects.

A Price on pollution

On Sunday the Federal Government finally released details of the Price on pollution. At $23 per tonne in 2012 - the price will rise by 2.5% per annum.

It would appear (with the support of the Greens & a few independent, the legislation will pass through the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The Australian Federal Government is proposing a fixed price for the first 3 years commencing 1 July 2012. The plan is to transition to a cap and trade emissions trading scheme with the carbon price to be determined by the market.

The threshold has been set at 25 000 tonnes of CO2-e for assessing whether a facility is subject to the carbon pricing mechanism. Scope 1 emissions (direct emissions), together with legacy waste emissions, will count. The Government suggests around 500 businesses will be required to pay for their pollution under this mechanism.

The following sources will be covered: stationary energy, waste, industrial processes and fugitive emissions.

Transport has been excluded, but a fuel excise will apply. Heavy on-road transportation will not have any changes until 1 July 2014. More than half the revenue generated will go to helping households with tax cuts. Remaining revenue directed to power generators, renewable energy, clean energy, jobs and competitiveness assistance program.

A new Climate Change Authority will be established and headed by Bernie Fraser. This Authority will make independent recommendations to the government on the progress of the scheme, to ensure the longer-term emissions reduction target is met.

The Qld Government’s response to the Carbon Tax (Price on pollution)

This week the Qld Treasurer Andrew Fraser claimed that Qld Government has always supported action on climate change. Mr Fraser believes that putting a price on carbon is the most economically responsible way to take action.

However, the Qld State Government has apparently made it very clear to the Federal Government that the State will not support reforms that are not in the long-term interests of Queensland.

The Qld Government supports putting a price on the pollution emitted by the country's (so-called) biggest polluters, and compensation for the vast bulk of households, for any costs passed on.

The Treasurer said that the Queensland Government has lobbied hard to ensure things like agriculture and fuel were excluded. The Qld Government sought special arrangements to foster the development of the coal seam gas and LNG industries.

The Qld State Government remains reliant on the coal and LNG sectors for royalties. The Qld Government has welcomed the assistance for the coal industry, particularly to develop new technology.

The Qld Government is particularly exposed as the owner of numerous large coal fired power stations. The initial estimates show that the asset value of the State owned generators is likely to decrease by around $1.7 billion.

Governments and business are frantically analysing the detail and the impacts. Stay tuned!

Andrew Fraser on the Price on Pollution

A press release from Andrew Fraser, discussing the Queensland State Government's vested interests.....

Treasurer and Minister for State Development and Trade

The Honourable Andrew Fraser

10/07/2011 Statement from Treasurer Andrew Fraser

The Bligh Government has always supported action on climate change.

We believe that putting a price on carbon is the most economically responsible way to do that. But we have always made it very clear to the Federal Government that we won't support reforms that aren't in the long-term interests of Queensland.

The Prime Minister's announcement today is a strong step forward in the fight against climate change.

It puts a price on the pollution emitted by the country's biggest polluters, and compensates the vast bulk of households for any costs passed on.In particular, the compensation buffer for low income earners and the reforms to the tax free threshold will help millions of Australians.

The Queensland Government lobbied hard to see households compensated, and also to ensure things like agriculture and fuel were excluded and special arrangements are put in place to foster the development of the LNG industry.

We support the coal industry being given assistance, particularly to develop new technology.

We will also continue discussions with the Federal Government around the impact on the value of the taxpayer owned electricity generators. Initial estimates show that the asset value of the generators is likely to decrease by around $1.7 billion.

This is a complex, major economic and environmental reform that requires in-depth analysis. The Government will assess the reforms in detail and identify its impacts on Queensland.

Our economy may be reliant on the coal and LNG sectors, but we are also a state that includes natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.

A clean energy future will be of particular benefit to Queensland, which is why we must act now.

It is disappointing that our political opponents will not take the time to assess these reforms in detail.

They will choose a scare campaign over a policy debate every day of the week.

A Swan Song for a clean energy future????

Yesterday Wayne Swan addressed the National Press Club outlining the Gillard Labor Government’s plan for a clean energy future.

Swanny attempted to paint a future which will see Australia's economy continue to grow and thrive with a price on pollution.

The Treasurer, Wayne Swan released the results of Treasury’s review of a $20/t carbon tax which he embellished at the National Press Club speech yesterday. He key comments include:

The first conclusion is this:

our economy will continue to grow solidly while making deep cuts in carbon pollution.

The modelling will show real national income growing strongly under a carbon price, at an average annual rate per person of around 1.1 per cent until 2050 instead of 1.2 per cent. This means a carbon price would only reduce annual growth in GNI per person by about one-tenth of 1 percentage point. Real national income per person would be 16 per cent higher than current levels by 2020, which is an increase of more than $8,000 in today's dollars.

By 2050 the increase is about 56 per cent, or more than $30,000.

The second conclusion is just as important:

employment continues to grow just as strongly after we put a price on pollution. Today I can say that the modelling shows aggregate employment is approximately the same with or without a carbon price. By 2020, national employment is projected to increase by 1.6 million jobs, while at the same time growth in domestically-produced pollution slows.

Mr Swan then went on to the third outcome that of developing low emissions goods and services,

especially less-emission-intensive and renewable electricity.

He finished his presentation on the point that

‘the only way to get these kinds of outcomes in a cost-effective way is with a market mechanism.’

Swanny also pointed to modelling which suggests our renewables sector will experience dramatic growth under a carbon price – with the renewable electricity sector projected to be 600 per cent bigger in 2050 than it is today.

These economic benefits are of course before one takes into account the long-term environmental benefits of this reform such as protecting the Barrier Reef, Kakadu or the agricultural wealth of the Murray-Darling Basin.

My fear is if the carbon tax is brought in too low, it will kick start the coal seam gas industry in preference to wind, solar thermal & other renewable energy technologies.....

Swanny has said:

What these numbers show is that this reform is essential both for our economy and for our environment.

We can’t let Australia become a country incapable of reform. A country where the deniers, the dinosaurs, the vested interests and partisan commentators destroy the reforms that we need to prosper together.

I would invite you to have a look at Swanny's speech in full.

Sustainable Business Weekly QLD Edition [A Price on Carbon, Sustainable Australia, WASH, Transport]

A Price on Carbon

The Federal Government has still not released the details of the proposed Price on Carbon.

The impacts of the proposed Price on Carbon were left out of the Federal budget last week. The Government has indicated details of this initiative will be announced in July 2011.

The first step in understanding the Carbon Price is to get one’s head around National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 (the NGER Act).

The Howard Government introduced a national framework for the reporting and dissemination of information about greenhouse gas emissions, greenhouse gas projects, and energy use and production of corporations which will form the basis of the financial liabilities for a price on Carbon.

The objectives of the NGER Act, as stated in the legislation, are to:
· inform Government policy and the Australian public;
· help meet Australia’s international reporting obligations;
· assist Commonwealth, state and territory government programs and activities;
· avoid the duplication of similar reporting requirements in the states and territories.

The first annual reporting period began on 1 July 2008.
Corporations that meet an NGER threshold must report their:
· greenhouse gas emissions;
· energy production;
· energy consumption;
· other information specified under NGER legislation.

Many of Australia’s largest organisations will be significantly impacted and, under the current timeline, will have less than a year to prepare, develop and implement a comprehensive strategy.





Sustainable Australia

Further to discussions on the Federal Government’s Sustainable Population Strategy. It has not set a population target, but includes major initiatives to drive growth to regional areas.
The platform for a Sustainable Australia was included in the Budget with $140 million of new expenditure:
• to encourage employment precincts in outer metropolitan suburbs to reduce travel time and fuel use;
• to support for regional areas to plan for future growth and housing supply, and
• new indicators to measure the nation's sustainability needs.

Sustainability in Water, Sanitation & Hygiene

There was an international AusAid Conference in Brisbane this week, considering sustainability in water, sanitation & hygiene, in the context of emergency relief & international development assistance.

Some of the issues that were raised at the Conference included:
· Institutional Sustainability;
· Functional/Environmental Sustainability;
· Behavioural Change & Social Sustainability &
· Financial Sustainability.

ASBG QLD is having a closer look at these same issues in the context of Queensland’s ongoing flux in the institutional arrangements, ecological impacts (& systemic failures during the floods) & the political machinations & ongoing blame game between State & Local Governments & the Statutory Authorities.

The Queensland Government has announced a new Energy and Water Ombudsman Queensland (EWOQ) following the retirement of Barry Adams. Mr Forbes Smith will have his work cut out for him with the blame game on water pricing between State, Local Government & the various Utilities still in flux. He will commence his duties on 4 July 2011.

An Issues Paper preceded development of the Strategy. The Australian Water Association has previously commented on the rising cost and potential environmental and social impact of the extension of sewerage (&Trade Waste) systems. In an urban area, water supply cannot be extended without a concomitant extension in sewerage services. The discharge of treated effluent and the management of biosolids have, potentially, a significant impact on the environment. Installation of sewerage systems is expensive, particularly in brownfield sites where access may be difficult and land is in short supply.


Sustainable Transport

24 May 2011, the Society of Sustainability & Environmental Engineering (SSEE) will be hosting a Technical Meeting at Engineering House including a presentation on Electric Vehicles & a panel discussion on the wider issues of Sustainable Transport, including rail & active transport.





the History & Future of Human Sustainability

Richard Cassels, a Director of Climate Leadership will be discussing “Learning from the past at a lunch time presentation on Wednesday 25 May 2011 from 12:30 - 13:30 at the Department of Environment & resource Management (DERM) Wet Tropics Room, Level 3, 400 George Street.


ASBG June Seminars

Don’t forget ASBG QLD’s Environmental Management Seminar on Thursday 15 June 08:00-12:30.