Archive for September, 2008
BIODIVERSITY: New Adelaide Urban Forest Biodiversity Program website
The new Adelaide Urban Forest Biodiversity Program website ‘Backyards for Wildlife‘ has been created to provide information and resources on Adelaide’s biodiversity, wildlife gardening and associated activities. The Backyards for Wildlife website provides:
- plant lists for the 21 identified naturally occurring vegetation ‘environments’ across Adelaide
- detailed information about more than 130 recommended local native plants
- advice on how to use plants and other features to attract and support local wildlife
- fact sheets and an information booklet
BIODIVERSITY, BUILT ENVIRONMENT: Proceedings of 9th National Street Tree Symposium 2008 now available
The full 2008 proceedings can be downloaded here (4 MB). Proceedings and papers for the 2000 to 2008 Symposia can be downloaded here.
SUSTAINABILITY, BUILT ENVIRONMENT: World Standards Day 14 October 2008, ‘Intelligent and sustainable buildings’
The theme of this year’s World Standards Day message is “Intelligent and sustainable buildings”. With a world population that has more than doubled since 1950 and is steadily moving into urban areas – half the world population is expected to be living in an urban environment by the end of 2008 – the building and construction industry has grown into one of the largest industry sectors with immense consequences for all three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental.
International standards help to ensure not only basic quality and safety requirements, but also the incorporation of new technologies for the construction and operation of intelligent and sustainable buildings.
World Standards Day is celebrated each year on 14 October to pay tribute to the efforts of thousands of experts worldwide who collaborate within IEC, ISO and ITU to develop voluntary International Standards that facilitate trade, spread knowledge and disseminate technological advances.
CLIMATE: Final Report of Garnaut Climate Change Review released
The Garnaut Climate Change Review has been commissioned by Australia’s Commonwealth, state and territory governments to examine the impacts, challenges and opportunities of climate change for Australia. A Draft Report was released on 4 July 2008. The Supplementary Draft Report Targets and trajectories was released on 5 September 2008. The Final Report has now been released.
BUILT ENVIRONMENT: "Darwin traditional owners clash over Inpex development"
ABC News
29 September 2008
Last week’s announcement on the Inpex development has sparked a war of words between the two groups representing interests of Darwin’s traditional owners.
On Friday, the Japanese energy company announced plans to build a $12 billion gas plant at Blaydin Point on Darwin Harbour…
Read the full article here.
TOXIC WASTE: "Govt to test lake for toxic waste"
The Canberra Times
29 September 2008
The ACT Government will test Lake Ginninderra for chemicals and heavy metals after revelations of widespread contamination at the nearby former Belconnen Naval Transmission Station.
Secret Defence reports obtained by The Canberra Times showed the 143ha Lawson site was heavily contaminated by toxic waste. They raised concerns that high levels of heavy metals had been found in Lake Ginninderra sediment and water samples…
Read the full article here.
FUNDING: Green Precincts Fund call for expressions of interest
The Green Precincts Fund was announced in the 2008-09 Federal Budget, with funding of $15 million over four years to support at least 10 high-profile demonstration projects. The projects must deliver water and energy efficiency savings while at the same time educating the community about water and energy efficiency. The Green Precincts Fund supports both the Government’s 10-year $12.9 billion Water for the Future plan to secure the long-term water supply for all Australians, as well as the Solar Homes and Communities plan to encourage local communities to better mange their water and energy use for current and future generations.
The Australian Government is looking to work with community organisations, sporting clubs and state and local government. Eligible funding recipients must be incorporated in Australia. Funding is capped at 50 per cent of eligible costs, with minimum funding of $500,000, up to a maximum of $1.5 million (GST exclusive) per project proposal.
FOOD SUSTAINABILITY: Sustaining Victorian Food and Farming from paddock to plate
With funding from the William Buckland Foundation, this project commissioned by the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) is exploring the future of the Victorian food system (from paddock to plate) in a carbon, water and energy-constrained world. The draft background paper can be downloaded here in either low resolution (small files) or high resolution (large files). A workshop in Melbourne on 3 October will discuss this paper and start to develop ideas that will be further explored in a shorter propositions document that will be launched in late November.
The project is being carried out by Andrew Campbell of Triple Helix Consulting (formerly Executive Director of Land & Water Australia).