In the media
National
Snowy Hydro faces action over dispatch
dispute
The AER has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court of
Australia against government-owned Snowy Hydro for alleged
contraventions of the National Electricity Rules. The AER alleges
that Snowy Hydro failed to follow dispatch instructions issued by
the Australian Energy Market Operator (04 July 2014).
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Victoria
Working towards rollout of 20 Million
Trees
Work towards the commencement of the 20 Million Trees Programme is
continuing to progress and the Government is now seeking feedback
from organisations who may wish to be involved in the rollout (04
July 2014).
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EPA North East enforcement action May
2014
A Beechworth development firm was one of several companies and
individuals that were subject to enforcement action from EPA
Victoria last month for breaches of Victoria's environmental
laws. The company which generated the waste, HLM Developments, was
aware their waste was being transported to an unlicensed rural
property (30 July 2014).
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Melbourne approves first super tall
building
The Victorian Government has given the green light to a $900
million, 100-level tower at 70 Southbank Boulevard, one of three
new skyscrapers approved for the city (26 June 2014). More...
New South Wales
Free waste and recycling audits as part of $4.7million
EPA Bin Trim grants
Thousands of businesses across NSW will be able to tap into new
opportunities to reduce waste to landfill and boost recycling with
the Environment Protection Authority (01 July 2014). More...
NSW government cost recovery decision to increase state
water charges
The ACCC has released its Final Decision on pricing for bulk water
supplied by the State Water Corporation in the NSW Murray-Darling
Basin (MDB) in the 2014-17 period. The decision will increase State
Water bills for Murray and Murrumbidgee customers (26 June 2014).
More....
Sydney's newest homes linked to transport hub and
jobs
Two former industrial precincts in Sydney's North-West will be
transformed under a plan set to create 7,700 new homes close to a
new regional transport hub. These include the Wentworth
Point development and The Herring Road
urban activation project . Both projects are set to benefit
from the North West Rail Link and WestConnex transport developments
(26 June 2014). More...
Queensland
Self-read meters deliver savings for
irrigators
Queensland irrigators in un-supplemented water areas could save up
to $120 a year by reading their own water meters as part of a new
Queensland Government initiative. The statewide roll out of
self-reading of water meters (where water is taken from a bore or
watercourse) begins June 30, 2014. The first readings are due by 14
July 2014 (26 June 2014).
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WaterQ: a plan for Queensland's water
future
Queensland families will have safer, more secure and more
affordable water with the launch of a 30 year strategy for the
Queensland's water sector (24 June 2014).
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Published – articles, papers, reports – New South Wales
Climate of the nation 2014 - Australian attitudes on
climate change: are Australians climate dinosaurs
Author: Kristina Stefanova, John Connor, Tim O'Halloran;
Climate Institute
This report, which benchmarks Australian attitudes to climate
change, argues that political leaders risk being stuck in the past
as public attitudes on climate change and its solutions are on the
rebound (23 June 2014).
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Impact of increased scrutiny of High Value High Risk
Projects
Author: Victorian Auditor-General's Office
This audit identified gaps and inconsistencies in Victoria's
approach to identifying projects to be subject to High Value High
Risk (HVHR) review, and the need for improved management of the
process (26 June 2014).
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In practice and courts – Queensland
Water Act 2007 Review
The overarching focus of the Review is to consider whether the
Water Act is delivering on its objectives effectively and with the
minimum necessary regulatory burden imposed on the water industry,
water managers and irrigators. Submissions close 4 July 2014.
More...
Cases – Victoria
Moorabool SC v Mitrakas [2014] VCAT
755
Unauthorised use of land for Place of Assembly (Function centre)
and Accommodation contrary to clause 35.03-1 of the Moorabool
Planning Scheme. From the date of this order, the owner must ensure
that the land is not used for the purpose of a Place of Assembly
(including Function centre) or Accommodation, except in accordance
with relevant provisions of the Moorabool Planning Scheme. More...
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