Oswald and water

Many parts of Australia have experienced the extremes of weather over the past week, as ex-tropical cyclone Oswald moved down the east coast of Australia.

This week water distributor Queensland Urban Utilities enacted mandatory water restrictions, limiting water use for essential purposes only and all residents and businesses were urged to conserve water.

Due to record turbidity levels in the Brisbane River as a result of the extreme weather from ex Tropical Cyclone Oswald, SEQWater had to take the Mt Crosby Water Treatment Plant offline. The high turbidity and suspended solids in the flood waters which filled SEQ’s dams created problems for SEQWater’s water treatment plants

Unfortunately, many businesses and residents saw a need to stockpile water, in case supplies did run out and as a consequence they almost did.

The bulk water supply demand across the region was met, however SEQWater is continuing to work with the distributor-retailers to monitor the situation carefully.

Mine Water Releases

On Friday, 25 January 2013 the Queensland Minister for the Environment Andrew Powell told the media 4 mines had been given approval to release contaminated mine water into the Fitzroy River.

He stated that it would cause no problems because the river was already in flood so the salty and heavy metal contaminants in the mine water would be diluted.

Allegedly, an official gave a figure of approximately 1 litre of contaminated water for every 100 litres of "fresh" river water.

The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) is responsible for regulating and monitoring mines water releases into receiving environments and works collaboratively with other government agencies in managing, monitoring and mitigating mines releases during times of extreme weather events.

The Economic Development Bill 2012 (now the Act), was passed by the Queensland Parliament on 29 November 2012, and enables the state government to approve the release of water from mines with only 24 hours notice.  Under a Temporary Emissions License,  companies no longer have to test their mine water for contaminants before they release.

As a result of ex-tropical cyclone Oswald there are a number of mines in central Queensland discharging mines water into receiving rivers and creeks. EHP is working with the relevant mines and Companies to ensure these releases are managed and controlled in the best possible way.  Details of the mines releasing discharges in accordance with their environmental authorities are listed below and will be continually updated over coming days.

In November 2012 the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) issued amended environmental authorities to four coal mines located in central Queensland to conduct a pilot of enhanced mine water release during the 2012-13 wet season.

EHP is publishing a daily update of mine affected water releases  for the four mines provided with approval to take part in this pilot are:

·         Goonyella Riverside 

·         Peak Downs

·         Saraji

·         Norwich Park

·          

This pilot will be closely regulated by EHP and the downstream water quality will be closely monitored by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines. In addition, the four BMA mines will also be required to undertake additional monitoring.

As part of the close monitoring and regulation of this pilot, EHP has prepared an Isaac Pilot Operational Policy that provides information for when a cease release will be issued to ensure that water supply and water quality—for both drinking and irrigation—will not be compromised by the pilot.

Ongoing real-time water monitoring data of water quality in the Fitzroy catchment is available during the pilot as it is at any other time. Visit the Fitzroy River website to view water quality information.

The minister and EHP may have approved another 38 mine releases over the long weekend.  The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection posted a list of 42 mines which have been permitted to release contaminated water into the rising Fitzroy River. 

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.

Look what they've done to Tenthill Creek

Like many others, I am trying to raise awareness of what is happening in SEQ to the riparian zones since the January flood.

I received this information and photos from a concerned resident in the Lockyer Valley who has been trying to prevent the Lockyer Valley Regional Council from clearing the whole of Tenthill Creek.

Much of the Lockyer Valley catchment has been cleared for farming purposes in the last 30 years, leaving very little natural vegetation in creeks.

Since the January flood the green light has been given to clear Black Fellows Creek (20 klms already cleared) and parts of Tenthill Creek,

I understand significant parts of Murphy's and Flagstone Creeks are also being cleared.

The Council appears to have very little understanding of how creek flood mitigation works. There is some hysteria, I suspect as an excuse and no real guidance has been provided by hydrologists.

The Lockyer Valley Regional Council (LVRC) and other Govt agencies have acted like environmental vandals.

Some Lockyer Valley residents have demanded creeks be cleared of vegetation in their submissions to the Flood Inquiry.

The Council and some farmers seem to have little or no interest in the protection or maintenance of creek riparian zones in this region. It has been reported that local farmers say all vegetation in creeks is rubbish and they want creeks maintained like drains.

This creates barren wastelands where creek eco systems should be. This week, Mayor Steve Jones said the Flood Inquiry Commission has requested a plan be produced to ensure all flood debris be removed from creeks in the Lockyer Valley before the next wet season. He also said he thought this was the most important recommendation to come out of the Inquiry (Gatton Star 3 August 2011).

I think this means bulldozers will be entering all the creeks in the Lockyer Valley/SEQ and clearing them wholesale. With the Flood Commission apparently providing no provisions for the protection of the riparian zones or common sense, creeks in the Lockyer Valley are likely to all turn into long, dusty drains. Fast running creeks during flooding can cause serious erosion, flash flooding further downstream and significant silting of weirs.

I can't believe this is happening in 2011, when there is so much knowledge about the effects of land clearing on stream quality and of the need to maintain natural creek beds to slow down heavy creeks flows, particularly in upper and middle catchments. Are you interested in doing something, to counter the push to turn SEQ creeks into dirt drains?

I'm interested in raising the issue more publically.

It breaks my heart to see what bulldozers have already done.

I can't imagine what is coming if LVRC have Govt sanction to 'clean up the creeks of debris' before the next wet season.

There is good sensible legislation in place to protect riparian zones in Qld which is not being explained or enforced.

This is what it used to look like:

flood levy, budget cuts, reconstruction & relief

The Federal Government has proposed a $550m cut in funding for Carbon Capture &Storage (CCS) initiatives & the Solar Flagships scheme over the five years to 2014-15, plus cuts to other climate programs redirecting more than $5b to flood relief & reconstruction. The proposed cuts to these programs will deliver $1.7b in savings from 2010-11 to 2014-15. An estimated $1.8b will be raised through its proposed flood levy.

The proposed cuts and deferrals to the CCS Flagships program will deliver savings of $250m over the five years from 2010-11 to 2014-15, with proposed spending in 2010-11 left untouched & $128m of the total scheduled to be saved between 2011-12 and 2012-13.
For Solar Flagships, the cuts and deferrals also total $250m over five years, with this year's spending untouched and $125m saved between 2011-12 and 2012-13.
The changes to Solar Flagships comprise $60 million in actual cuts and $190m in deferrals beyond 2014-15, meaning the total life-of-program allocation now stands at $1.44b.
The Solar Flagships council will continue its assessment of the final round one applications received last month, it remains the Government's intention to announce the round-one outcome mid 2011.
The independent assessment of projects shortlisted under the CCS Flagships program is continuing.
Other cuts & deferrals comprise:
• formally abandoning the cash-for-clunkers election promise (saving $429m);
• saving $55m through cuts and deferred funding for Kevin Rudd’s Global Carbon Capture & Storage Institute;
• abolishing the Green Car Innovation Fund ($234m);
• capping funding for solar hot water and heat pump rebates (saving $160m this financial year and next);
• not proceeding with the 'Green Start' household environmental assessment program saving $129m over this year and next);
• capping annual grants for LPG conversions (saving $96m over 2011-12 to 2013-14); and
• limiting expenditure on remaining solar PV rebates under the Solar Homes and Communities Plan (saving $85m this financial year).

These proposed cuts still have to run the gauntlet of a hung Parliament & the Senate. There is already counter proposals on the table from the Leader of the Opposition.

The Federal opposition are opposed to the flood levy.