The carbon tax will come into effect on 1 July 2012 and the big question is, how will the tax affect confidence and spending, particularly in the first few months of introduction? Businesses will need to start planning and preparing for the anticipated increase in operating costs the tax will bring. [ + ]

Situated at the heart of the Hobart metropolitan area, the Derwent estuary is a waterway of great natural beauty and an important and productive ecosystem supporting a wide range of habitats and species. [ + ]

In a climate where consumers and businesses are feeling pressured to meet new sustainable energy targets, Fuji Xerox Australia is way ahead of the pack. The company’s Eco Manufacturing Centre, recently relocated to Rosehill, proves, through the remanufacturing of parts and an eco-friendly building, that a commitment to the environment can pay off. [ + ]

Roofing materials that double as solar panels and can also moderate the temperature of buildings are among the next-generation building products being developed at UNSW. [ + ]

Responsible businesses looking for ways to reduce their carbon emissions need to ensure that they are best placed to minimise the potential risks while maximising the rewards. One method that can be implemented to lower carbon emissions and reduce energy costs is the installation of a voltage optimisation system. Powerstar is a triple wound voltage optimisation system that actively reduces a considerable percentage of electrical energy consumption - and Australia’s largest cold-chain logistics service provider has shown just how effective the technology is. [ + ]

From its headquarters in Everett, Washington, USA, Fluke played host to the first-ever Fluke Press Summit 2012. Over 80 journalist and editors from around the globe, including representatives from Canada, Brazil, United Kingdom and Australia (Westwick-Farrow Media), gathered for the educational insight into the operation and development of new technology by Fluke. Details of two of the latest exciting Fluke products being released soon were revealed during the summit: an easy-to-use infrared thermometer and a vibration meter for frontline screening. [ + ]

Whether the issue at hand is scarcity, abundance, treatment, recycling, disposal or competition, the discussion around water is about securing our future and no issue is more important than the sustainability of our water supplies. Peter Fagan*, Asia Pacific Practice Leader, Sustainability for MWH, provides his opinions on this issue. [ + ]

When a pump station in northern Sydney required the installation of a flow meter to an existing pipeline, the downtime had to be kept to a minimum to avoid disruption of the water supply. The new section with the flow meter was put in place and connected to the remaining main line with two Straub Flex 2H 1296.0 mm pipe couplings. Because the Straub pipe couplings have a very short installation time, disruption to the water supply was kept to a minimum. [ + ]

New and better ways of measuring high-tech energy consumption could lead to significant environmental and economic gains, a study from The Australian National University has found. [ + ]

Canberra’s ‘Compass House’ is showcasing Europe’s thermally broken aluminium curtain-wall system THERM+ by RAICO. This externally glazed aluminium system does much more than simply keeping the weather out. [ + ]

Bar staff know that empty bottles are noisy, bulky and hard to handle behind the service area. BottleCycler provides a solution which quietly reduces glass bulk by 80% and deposits the crushed glass into a sturdy Sulo 60 L compact wheelie bin for collection and recycling. [ + ]

Local Government Super (LGS) has announced one of its upgraded commercial properties has been awarded a 5.5 star NABERS rating (without factoring in its use of Green Power) and is now one of the lowest energy-intensity office buildings in any Australian CBD. [ + ]

One of GE Energy’s natural gas-fired Jenbacher gas engines will be powering a cogeneration plant that will provide electricity and thermal energy for a major urban revitalisation initiative in Dandenong, Victoria. Built by Cogent Energy, the plant will play a pivotal role in the VicUrban-led Revitalising Central Dandenong (RCD) initiative that is rejuvenating the south-east region of Melbourne. [ + ]

Photovoltaic panels made from plant material could become a cheap, easy alternative to traditional solar cells. David L Chandler, MIT News Office [ + ]

Tenix has been awarded a contract by Whitsunday Regional Council to design and construct two sewage treatment plants in northern Queensland. Following construction, Tenix will operate and maintain the upgraded plants under a long-term contract with the council. [ + ]