Australia

Biogas: The ugly duckling of renewable energy
 Australia, Features, Online Subscription, Professional Services, Queensland

Biogas: The ugly duckling of renewable energy

While the golden children of the renewables sector – wind and solar, will likely take the early glory and admiration of the public, many questions remain as to which other technologies will fill the void.

While it’s widely known that wind turbines don’t produce power with no wind, and solar panels don’t produce power without sunlight, what’s not widely understood is the potential for the ugly duckling of the renewable energy litter – biogas, to prove itself indispensable in providing a base load power supply. Read more

Framing Australia's climate policy and energy mix
 Australia, Features, Online Subscription, Professional Services

Framing Australia’s climate policy and energy mix

Led by RepuTex head of research Bret Harper, the webinar event discussed the proposed design of energy and climate policy to meet Australia’s 2030 target, including discussion on the recent Framing Australia’s Energy & Climate Policy Mix to 2030 White Paper, and the RepuTex Energy & Climate Policy (ECP) Tool.

According to Harper, the Australian energy and climate landscape is witnessing rapid change, and the Paris Agreement’s set target of 26-28% could potentially grow to about 45-65%. Read more

Absence of waste issues in draft plan "beyond belief"
 Australia, Features, Online Subscription, Queensland, Waste & Resource Recovery

Absence of waste issues in draft plan “beyond belief”

Released last week, ShapingSEQ seeks to “promote the things that SEQ residents value like a connected region, affordable housing, protecting our natural environment and our unique lifestyle”. It notes that by 2041, SEQ’s population is expected to have increased by two million people.

“One of the most important issues facing South East Queensland is the provision of diverse and affordable housing. The new ShapingSEQ broadens this to include the idea of affordable living. Affordable living is about more than just the cost of a house it’s about how we interact with services and engage with our community,” Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said. Read more

The problem of illegal dumping
 Australia, Features, New South Wales, Online Subscription, Professional Services

The problem of illegal dumping

Case study: refining the definition of waste

Clients regularly ask MRA why they need a waste licence for an activity which on the face of it might not look like waste processing.

Recent Land and Environment Court (LEC) and Court of Criminal Appeal (CCA) decisions have clarified the meaning of “waste” in NSW and it is important that people working in the sector understand exactly what the EPA, the legislation, and Courts mean by the term. Read more

NSW council amalgamations - lessons, trends, considerations
 Australia, Features, New South Wales, Online Subscription, Opinion

NSW council amalgamations – lessons, trends, considerations

On May 12, two proclamations under the Act commenced and 19 newly amalgamated councils began operations, including Armidale Regional Council, the merger of Armidale Dumaresq and Guyra Shire Councils, Inner West Council, comprising Ashfield, Leichhardt Municipal and, Marrickville Councils, and CanterburyBankstown Council, merging Bankstown City and Canterbury City Councils.

12 merger proposals are pending and the Minister has decided that 14 proposals will not proceed, including Manly, Mosman Municipal and Warringah Councils, as well as Tamworth Regional and Walcha Councils. Read more

Top tips for planning recycling communications
 Australia, Features, New South Wales, Online Subscription, Professional Services

Top tips for planning recycling communications

The Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC) was faced with this challenge after being awarded funding to deliver a set of five region-wide waste campaigns across its population of 1.6 million people, including one focused on improving household kerbside recycling.

SSROC planned to commission an agency to develop strong marketing and communications strategies for each campaign area that would also align with the NSW EPA’s key program resources. However, with a tight budget, a large group of key stakeholders and a diverse population to reach, choosing the right agency at the right price would be difficult without a specific audience, a clear set of outcomes to achieve, and agreement between their member councils. Read more

Building momentum to drive improvement
 Australia, Features, Online Subscription, Waste & Resource Recovery

Building momentum to drive improvement

Come October, Venhoek will celebrate his first anniversary as CEO of Suez in Australia and New Zealand. He told Inside Waste he “really liked” Australia’s ambition and drive, as well as the acknowledgement from clients, stakeholders, and colleagues that the industry could change for the better.

Venhoek is an industry veteran, entering the sector in 1992 after spotting an advertisement in the newspaper in the Netherlands for “an interesting job” in waste. Read more

Industry "blindsided" by waste tracking charges
 Australia, Features, Online Subscription, Queensland, Waste & Resource Recovery

Industry “blindsided” by waste tracking charges

The charge is associated with the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection’s Connect service launched last month.

Connect includes the ability to track waste online, which Environment Minister Dr Steven Miles said would make it more efficient for operators to lodge regulated waste transport data and track their operations in an easy-to-use online platform.

The department has produced a few tutorial videos to help the sector, including waste transporters, receivers, and generators, better understand their obligations. Read more