Recycling Portal, GreenTape, ecoBiz

National Data Portal for Recycling Industry

Rod Welford (Chief Executive: Australian Council of Recycling) presented at the Enviro2012 Conference in Adelaide recently, on the need for a national data portal for recycling industry data to enable better policy design and industry development.

This data could be filtered to provide performance benchmarking for recycling businesses industry profile data, to help government understand the scale and benefits of the industry and a one stop shop for State EPA-type bodies to deliver licensing reporting requirements.

Greentape Reduction

The Qld Parliament has passed laws to cut green-tape for Queensland businesses.  The Greentape Reduction Bill is the most significant reform to licensing processes in over a decade.

Recently Laurie Wade – the Manager of the Reform and Innovation Branch within the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection spoke at an Environment Practitioner’s Workshop, organised by ASBG.  Laurie has been working on Green Tape reduction programmes for a few years.

The program was commenced in January 2010, driven by the Qld Treasury in response to community consultation and an identified need to reduce “Red Tape” and reduce the cost of doing business.  Greentape reduction will save businesses $1,000’s and contributes to the Qld Government’s target of reducing red tape and regulation by 20%.

The Bill reduces the Environmental Protection Act by 90 pages by taking out duplicated provisions.

A standard application will save on average $20k in costs, 150 pages in paper work and 68 days in processing time. The environmental approval process will be changed to ensure greater flexibility for operators delivers a saving in government administrative costs of $12.5million.

The Bill streamlines approvals by combining mining and petroleum and other industrial into one system.  It clarifies the application process by removing the need for administrative transfers while ensuring communities are consulted earlier in the process.

The Qld Government is looking at other options including removing the need for small business environmental risk assessments to obtain an environmental authority at all. This could include motor vehicle workshops, small chemical storage and boiler making businesses.

The Bill potentially represents a positive step in improving the efficiency of Qld’s environmental regulatory framework. However, the efficiency of the framework relies on the ability of Government departments to deliver on the intent of the legislation, with fewer staff and reduced resources.

The new framework is intended to commence in March 2013 to allow time for more detailed information to be made available to industry and the wider community.

ecoBiz to be Outsourced to Private Sector Partners

Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection Andrew Powell this afternoon announced his Department would seek expressions of interest to establish a partnership with the ecoBiz program.

Mr Powell said that: “ecoBiz was established in 1999 at a time when sustainable industries were in their infancy and needed high levels of Government assistance.”  Mr Powell believes that the Newman  Government is still committed to the ecoBiz  program but it is apparent that the current levels of Government support and assistance will be cut back.

Reading between the lines, It appears to be the intent of the Newman Government to leave it up to private sector service providers and the State Government will pull back funding and resources.

A gap in the market is appearing to address the sustainability needs of small to medium businesses across the State.  The Department of Environment & Heritage Protection will soon call for expressions of interest to establish a collaborative service delivery model to continue the work of ecoBiz.

Sustainability Assessment Training

The Society of Sustainability and Environmental Engineering are running a Two Day Course on the 29 - 30 August 2012.

Sustainability assessment is an emerging tool to direct decision making towards sustainability and deliver better outcomes for business and the community as a whole. In this course you will learn about the use of sustainability assessment as both a regulatory tool that goes beyond traditional impact assessment and an internal planning tool to transform organisational decision making and subsequent operations.

The aim of the training is to introduce participants to current thinking and understanding of sustainability assessment concepts, procedures and techniques. This includes:

·       Sustainability assessment principles, processes and issues

·       Sustainability as a tool for approval of new development proposals

·       Sustainability assessment to inform planning and discussion making within an organisation

·       A generic 7 step process framework for sustainability assessment of any proposals ranging from physical projects to plans and policy change

·       Various tools and techniques that can be usefully applied in sustainability assessments.

·       How to develop a sustainability decision-making protocol appropriate to a particular context, by drawing on relevant strategies and standards.

To register please go to the event listing on the SSEE website.

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 [Waste Levy, Gas]

The Waste Levy

On 3 August 2011, the Waste Reduction and Recycling Bill 2011 including a land fill levy was passed by the Qld State Parliament.

The Legislation included:

· Establishment of a scheme to support the Federal Government’s Carbon Farming Initiative via carbon sequestration projects in Qld;

· Amendments to the Water Act 2000 to compliment the National Water Initiative;

· Amendments to the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 to allow, the disposal of treated coal seam gas water to a natural water way without approval under the Act.

· The Qld Government appear to be bending over backward to provide increased flexibility in the management of seepage water discharge from coal seam gas development.

The bill includes a land fill levy that will kick in from 1 December 2011. The objective of the bill was to overhaul waste management requirements. The aim is to halve the amount of rubbish directed to landfill within a decade. Unfortunately, not all the measures have been thought through to their logical conclusions.

A new levy will be paid via all operators of waste disposal sites, if the site is within the levy zone or if the site is outside the zone but the waste was generated within the levy zone. The proposed levy zone encompasses most of urban & coastal Qld.

The proposed levy zone covers around 99 per cent of the Qld population and includes 34 local government areas.

All local government & private sector waste disposal facilities in SEQ & major regional local government areas, such as Fraser Coast, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Mackay, Cairns, Tablelands, Central Highlands & South Burnett regional councils & Mt Isa & Townsville city councils, will be required to collect the levy.

To reduce the potential for waste being transported for disposal outside the levy collection zone, it is proposed that the levy be attached to the point of generation rather than disposal. This means that if waste is generated anywhere within the designated levy zone, the levy applies regardless of whether the waste was disposed of at a facility located in the levy zone or outside it. In addition, waste operators will be required to pay a levy for all stockpiled waste when the waste is disposed of to landfill, regardless of whether the stockpile was made before or after the commencement of the amendments.

There are two exceptions: stockpiled waste that is disaster management waste & waste that was already levied on delivery are excluded. For example, municipal solid waste will attract no levy on delivery and so will attract a levy on disposal of the stockpile to landfill.

The amount of the levy will vary depending on the type of waste. For example:

· commercial and industrial (C&I) waste: estimated levy of $35 per tonne;

· construction and demolition (C&D) waste: estimated levy of $35 per tonne;

· regulated wastes: estimated levy of $50 per tonne for lower hazard and $150 per tonne for higher hazard waste.

Operators will be able to claim some deduction against the levy for waste that is subsequently recycled. In addition, waste that is handled through designated 'resource recovery' (ie, recycling) areas within waste disposal sites will not be subject to the levy.

This regulation will impact on ASBG members, especially the hazardous waste classifications. This will greatly impact on recycling as while it will receive a 50% discount on levy amounts, many streams will most likely be classed as high hazardous wastes & attract $75/t.

This will make many recycling activities far more difficult & even uneconomic.

Coupled with the levy will be stronger enforcement and penalties for non-compliance with waste laws, including enhanced powers of inspection and enforcement.

The Qld Government has indicated that the forecast $159 million raised from the levy will go towards:

· a new 'Waste Avoidance and Resource Efficiency Fund' for waste-related programs & projects, including to assist local government formulate and implement 'waste reduction and recycling plans';

· a new Sustainable Future Fund to assist local government environment programs;

· sustainability programs, including the creation of new national parks.

There is a brief levy FAQ on the DERM website.

Gas

Last week, the Environmental lobby group: Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE), went public with allegations that Worley Parsons (an Engineering Consultancy) had suppressed a report comparing the relative whole of lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of Coal Seam Gas with coal & renewable energy.

BZE are questioning the oft repeated claims of the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) that electricity produced from gas produces 50-70 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions than current coal-fired power generation. Worley Parsons says it has mutual agreement with BZE to publish the research in a peer-reviewed journal, Energies.

ASBG are still unsure how BZE know the outcomes of a report that they claim they have not received. A fortnight ago APPEA released its own report by Worley Parsons, containing less flattering gas-versus-coal scenarios.

On Friday, Independent MP Tony Windsor renewed his calls for an arms-length study into the effects of CSG mining on the environment.

Recycling, Transport, Wetlands, Wildlife, Coal in Court

Why Materials Efficiency Matters!

Rod Welford, Chief Executive of the Australian Council of Recycling Inc (ACOR), will be giving a lunch time presentation:

· describing the reformed role of ACOR to provide policy leadership around resource efficiency;

· exploring some of the policy requirements for improving economy-wide efficiency in the use of resources;

· outlining how the more efficient use of materials can drive efficiencies in energy and water concurrently;

· Considering the implications for climate change and the as yet unrecognised importance of resource recovery and recycling to achieving Australia’s carbon abatement goals.

Thursday 12 May 2011, 12:30 - 13:30 in the Wet Tropics Room at the Department of Environment & Resource Management (DERM) Level 3, 400 George Street. BYO Lunch

The next session on 25 May 2011: Learning from the past: the history and future of human sustainability, Richard Cassels, Director, Climate Leadership

Sustainable Transport

On the 24 May 2011, the Society of Sustainability & Environmental Engineering (SSEE) will be hosting a Technical Meeting at Engineering House, featuring Dr Andrew Simpson one of Australia’s foremost independent experts in renewable electric vehicle (EV) technology, policy and strategy.

Following Andrew’s presentation there will be a panel discussion on the wider issues of sustainability and Transport including representatives and advocates of mass transport, active transport & new technologies versus the incumbent modes/technologies.

Note for your diary:

Annie Leonard: the star of the Story of Stuff will be in Brisbane as a Keynote Speaker for the SSEE 2011 International Conference in October this year. Go to the Conference Website to register your interest. The conference runs from the 24 to 26 October 2011 at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC).

ASBG June Seminars

ASBG QLD is very excited about a couple of seminars to be hosted at Norton Rose Australia in June 2011.

Details of the Environmental Management Seminar on Thursday 15 June 08:00-12:30 are in last week's blog.

In 2008, Workplace Relations Ministers from around Australia agreed to nationally harmonise work health and safety (WHS) laws. Safe Work Australia is currently developing national model WHS laws, which the Commonwealth and each State and Territory will implement by the end of 2011.

The national aced agenda for the harmonisation of work health and safety laws and practices is progressing and will be a focus for Workplace Health and Safety Queensland over the next twelve months.

Employers & managers should become familiar with the new legislation and the impact it will have on their businesses.

On Wednesday 22 June from 08:00 to 12:30, ASBG is running a Safety Management Seminar which will include the proposed new regulations and new codes of practice.

World Environment Day

ASBG’s rural correspondent Lord Julian will be celebrating all things for a sustainable lifestyle, in Boonah for World Environment Day featuring free creative workshops, market stalls, demonstrations, talks, local organic produce, recycled artwork and jewellery, native wildlife, eco cleaning products, live entertainment, and recycling bays.

Wetland Management online tool

The Queensland Government has launched new online tools on its wetlands management resource website, WetlandInfo. The new online tools include wetland place names, an ability to link wetland mapping using Google maps functions and an advanced search function that allows users to search for wetlands. An up-to-date toolbox of planning legislation allows planners, decision making agencies and individuals to get a customised list of laws and regulations that could affect a project that impacts on wetlands.

Protecting endangered animals and eradicating pests

Australian ecologists at the University of Queensland, have developed a set of simple rules that will not only help protect endangered native species and eradicate introduced pests in Australia and overseas, but also manage biosecurity and disease outbreaks.

The research which was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences this week, describes a decision tool that will help wildlife conservation managers to prioritise their management strategies and focus on the most efficient conservation or control strategy.

Qld Coal Miner in Court

Mining giant Xstrata has been taken to the Land Court by the community based activist organisation – Friends of the Earth.

Xstrata has been asked to defend the greenhouse impacts of its proposed Wandoan coal mine.

An initial hearing this week has set out the scope of the trial. A variety of experts will give evidence concerning the impacts of Wandoan Coal mine on Qld's environment & the global climate. The trial is set for 22 August 2011.