University expert critiques Victoria’s urban and regional planning
01 February, 2013There is a fundamental crisis in planning in Victoria, University of Melbourne planning expert Dr Alan March writes in his new book The Democratic Plan: Analysis and Diagnosis.
Swinburne University of Technology adopts trigeneration
30 January, 2013 | Supplied by: Simons Green EnergySimons Green Energy has been awarded the contract to supply and install a 230 kWe natural gas fired trigeneration plant at Swinburne University of Technology in Victoria. The plant will form part of the $100 million Advanced Manufacturing Design Centre (AMDC) at Swinburne’s Hawthorn Campus that is currently under construction.
Investigating best water practices for Perth’s parks and ovals
30 January, 2013Scientists are trying to find out how to keep public parks and ovals green while using less water.
‘Flower Power’ for cleaning up land and more
29 January, 2013A consortium of researchers led by Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the University of Warwick in the UK is to embark on a £3 million research program called ‘Cleaning Land for Wealth’ (CL4W) that will use a common class of flower to restore poisoned soils while at the same time producing perfectly sized and shaped nanosized platinum and arsenic nanoparticles for use in catalytic convertors, cancer treatments and a range of other applications.
Changing the culture of food waste
24 January, 2013Simple actions by consumers and food retailers can dramatically cut the 1.3 billion tonnes of food lost or wasted each year and help shape a sustainable future, according to a new global campaign to cut food waste launched by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and partners.
Energy Action launches Energy Price Index for Australian businesses
24 January, 2013Launched this week, the Energy Action Price Index (Business) will give businesses granularity and transparency on retail electricity price fluctuations.
Barangaroo South signs up for Green Star - Communities
24 January, 2013Lend Lease’s Barangaroo South project, part of the $6 billion Barangaroo urban regeneration development on Sydney Harbour, has been accepted as a pilot project for the newly released Green Star - Communities PILOT rating tool.
A web tool for adapting to rising sea levels
22 January, 2013To adapt to rising sea levels, scientists have developed a calculator that can guide coastal planners on the height and positioning necessary for infrastructure to avoid inundation and erosion as sea levels rise.
Turning sugar beet pulp into biodegradable plastic
21 January, 2013Scientists from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have developed sugar beet pulp into a biodegradable plastic for use in disposable food containers.
WA start-up wins international sustainability award
21 January, 2013A new Western Australian sustainability consultancy, SUSOP, has won an international award recognising its innovative approach to helping resource companies improve their contribution towards achieving sustainable development.
Feedback sought on draft National Code of Practice for Chemicals of Security Concern
21 January, 2013Australian governments have decided to pursue a voluntary code of practice for businesses that manage, handle or use products containing 11 chemicals identified as having the potential to be used to make homemade explosives.
John Weaver to head Xylem Water Systems Australasia
21 January, 2013Water industry professional John Weaver has taken up a new appointment as General Manager for Australia and New Zealand of the Applied Water Systems Division of international water business Xylem Water Systems Australia.
NZ sheep genetics could improve UK sheep industry
18 January, 2013Marks & Spencer sustainable lamb trial suggests New Zealand genetics could improve UK sheep industry efficiency.
Putting the tea tree industry under the spotlight
17 January, 2013Agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and building soil carbon in the tea tree industry will be the subject of a collaborative project between Southern Cross University and the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
Tree-planting partnership sprouts five-year deal
17 January, 2013A community partnership which has seen more than 5000 trees planted in the Brisbane area during the past two years has been extended for a further five years.
