For the first time in nearly 60 years, Australia’s capacity to secure high-quality water supplies for cities, towns and remote communities is being seriously challenged, a Black & Veatch media forum in Brisbane was told this week.

The Australian government’s new State of Australian Cities 2010 report will support the property and construction sector’s drive to sustainability, says the nation’s leading green building group.

Premier John Brumby has announced a $6m litter package that will help reduce litter across Victoria by 25% within the next five years.

Wet’n’Wild Water World has announced the rollout of a public recycling initiative that will see more than 1000 bottles diverted from landfill each day.

The Rudd government’s proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme would not significantly impact most Australian businesses, according to a research report released by the National Centre for Sustainability.

Standards New Zealand has published NZS 6808:2010 Acoustics - Wind farm noise. The revised and improved Standard recommends limits on wind farm noise.

A statement from Heather Ridout, Chief Executive Australian Industry (Ai) Group, on the future of climate change policy and international negotiations.

SITA Environmental Solutions opened its Elizabeth Drive Education Centre on 22 February.

A new agreement between Australia’s two leading environmental rating tools for buildings - Green Star and NABERS - will deliver a more consistent and compatible approach to building rating.

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has released the draft of a revised Green Star Steel Credit which aims to drive best practice steel production and fabrication, and encourage dematerialisation of steel in structural applications in Australia.

Environment Victoria has called on the state government and the Opposition to stop treating the recycling industry as a political football and work together to support Victoria’s struggling recycling industry.

The 2010 Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Building Services exhibition (ARBS 2010) has opened online registrations and will welcome visitors between 12-14 April at the Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre, Darling Harbour.

KSB Australia has finalised its plan to build a new water and wastewater competence centre and a sales and warehouse complex in Brisbane.

Nominations for the 2010 United Nations Association of Australia World Environment Day Awards are now open nationally.

Eimco Water Technologies has established a new Integrated Support Division to extend its services to Australasian business.