Industry News
Withholding Tax ‘carrot’ for new green buildings welcomed but the ‘stick’ hurts existing green leaders
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has applauded the Gillard government for its commitment to Australia’s green building future, with the announcement that a smaller increase to the rate of Withholding Tax (WHT) will be applied to new building projects achieving 5 Star or 6 Star Green Star ratings. [ + ]
International competition to help Latrobe Valley
An international design competition will be launched on 11 September to attract plans to help transition the Latrobe Valley into a low-carbon future. [ + ]
Itron’s water technology selected by Sydney Water
Itron has announced that on 1 July 2012, water utility Sydney Water began the three-year-long installation of Itron’s high-efficiency meters to replace old meters that serve its residential and commercial customers in Sydney. [ + ]
Australian Energy Research Institute appoints Chairman
The Australian Energy Research Institute (AERI) at UNSW has appointed internationally recognised industry expert George Maltabarow as its inaugural Chairman, bolstering important links to industry and government. [ + ]
Infrastructure Sustainability rating scheme launched in WA
Australia’s first national Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) rating scheme was launched in Perth on 19 June 2012, by Main Roads Western Australia Managing Director Menno Henneveld. [ + ]
Awards recognise Australia’s climate leaders
A NSW cattle breeder, a national grocery distribution company, a community project restoring tropical rainforest and a government program helping farmers adapt to changing weather patterns have been named the 2012 NCCARF Australian Climate Adaptation Champions. [ + ]
Carbon tax making solar look even cheaper
With the carbon tax now operating and energy price rises kicking in, the economics around solar power are making it look even cheaper. [ + ]
Hundreds of Australian businesses support carbon pricing
Almost 300 organisations have galvanised under the banner of Businesses for a Clean Economy to voice their support for putting a price on carbon. [ + ]
Lecture on coal seam gas: alternative energy source or environmental hazard?
Better understanding of the groundwater and surface water impacts of coal seam gas production is essential, according to Professor Sue Golding from the University of Queensland, an international expert on coal seam gas and carbon sequestration in sedimentary basins. [ + ]
Carbon price to drive energy transformation, claims CEC
The Clean Energy Council has said that the commencement of the carbon price yesterday represents a key step in the transformation of Australia’s energy sector, moving Australia toward a clean energy economy that will shield us from higher costs over the long term. [ + ]
Nubian Water Systems acquires UV Guard
Nubian Water Systems announced yesterday the first in a series of steps to grow its water treatment and recycling business with the acquisition of UV-Guard Australia, an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection technology and services business. [ + ]
Water management trails climate change on the boardroom agenda
The CDP Water Disclosure Australia Report, launched yesterday by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), finds that only 55% of the ASX 100 companies that responded to the CDP Water questionnaire report board-level oversight of water-related policies, strategies or plans. [ + ]
New transportation fuel switch methodology approved
VCS has approved a new methodology to quantify and credit GHG emission reductions from projects that substitute gasoline with ethanol in commercial fleets of flex-fuel vehicles. [ + ]
Australia’s first Green Star - Communities PILOT project registered
Australia now has its first registered Green Star - Communities PILOT project. The ‘loop’ precinct in Canberra has been registered for a Green Star - Communities PILOT rating under the Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA’s) PILOT rating tool for sustainable communities. [ + ]
Climate Change Adaptation Framework launched
In response to the impacts of climate change on the built environment, the ASBEC Climate Change Task Group has launched a 10-point framework calling for a stronger role for government to improve the resilience of urban communities against extreme weather events and predicted future climate change. [ + ]