A pilot program investigating ways to accelerate the rollout of the National Broadband Network is set to begin in early 2014. NBN Co has issued expressions of interest to internet service providers to participate in the pilot, which will roll out fibre-to-the-building in up to ten large office complexes and apartment blocks across the country, comprising up to 1000 individual [...]
The NSW Government has appointed Mr Bruce Morgan as Sydney Water’s new Chairman until September 2016. Mr Morgan takes over from Dr Tom Parry, who was Sydney Water’s Chairman from August 2007 to September 2013. Mr Morgan has been on Sydney Water’s Board as a Director since January 2012 and has been acting Chairman since Dr Parry’s term ended in [...]
Victorian Minister for Water Peter Walsh has switched on the pumps to trial the Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) project which will store millions of litres of excess water produced from the soon to be completed recycled water facility at the Werribee Treatment Plant. Aquifers are underground layers of rock or sand which can hold water in the spaces between [...]
Gas distribution network owner SP AusNet has begun initial works to extend its underground natural gas network to Huntly in Western Victoria. Under the project, approximately 580 Huntly residents and businesses will be able to access the network by winter 2014. SP AusNet’s Program Manager, Geoff Thorn, said the company is committed to delivering the underground gas network on time, [...]
Communications Minister Macolm Turnbull has revealed concerns about Visionstream’s progress on the NBN in Tasmania. “As far as we can see no work has been done by VisionStream for at least two months and they have basically downed tools,” Mr Turnbull said. The Minister suggested that work has been stopped in Tasmania for several months. “And at this stage, VisionStream [...]
Western Power has finalised the line route for the southern section (Neerabup – Eneabba) of their Mid West Energy Project. The company is continuing to engage with landowners in the area to discuss structure locations and heights, to ensure that the most effective and efficient solution can be delivered. They are also conducting further surveys to satisfy preliminary approvals and [...]
Minister for Industry, Ian Macfarlane, has announced during his address to the NSW Energy Security Summit that he will be working with the NSW Government, industry and local communities to progress coal seam gas development in NSW, by convening a group of key stakeholders. “In cooperation with Premier Barry O’Farrell and Minister Chris Hartcher, and my federal ministerial colleagues, I [...]
SA Water has announced that an organisational restructure is under way to increase efficiency and ensure it continues to respond to customer expectations and meet the challenges of the emerging water industry in South Australia. SA Water Chief Executive John Ringham says driving greater efficiencies across the business and improving end-to-end customer service delivery has guided the change. “The environment [...]
The Northern Territory Government has approved the next stage in the reform of the Territory’s utilities market. From July next year the Power and Water Corporation (PWC) will be restructured to separate its monopoly and competitive businesses into stand-alone government owned corporations with separate boards. “A key aspect of the reform program is a restructure of PWC to make its [...]
City West Water has launched a new Environmental Sustainability Plan outlining their environmental objectives and programs until 2018. City West Water Managing Director Anne Barker said the latest ESP represents a new chapter for the business in relation to its environmental responsibilities. “Environmentally sustainable activities form an integral part of how we operate the business, and aspires to our vision [...]
In a submission to the Victorian Government’s draft, Melbourne’s Water Future, Melbourne Water has welcomed the strategy and its focus on integrated water cycle management. The Melbourne’s Water Future draft strategy outlines a new era in water cycle planning and management, underpinned by making greater use of stormwater and recycled water. Melbourne Water says it is committed to working with [...]
Standards Australia has published a ground-breaking standard for Smart Grids. The AS 5711 Smart Grids Vocabulary establishes common terminology for use in the electricity supply, electrical equipment, communications, appliance, consumer, government and other sectors involved in smart grids in Australia. The standard was developed by Standards Australia Committee EL-062, Smart grids, comprised of: • Australian Communications and Media Authority • [...]
Minister for Communications Malcolm Turnbull has announced that Dr Ziggy Switkowski has been appointed to the board of the NBN Co as Chairman. He will also serve as Executive Chairman pending the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer to replace the retiring Mr Michael Quigley. The government has asked Dr Kerry Schott and Miss Alison Lansley to continue serving on [...]
Origin Energy has signed a binding Gas Supply Agreement with ESSO and BHP Billiton to purchase up to 432 petajoules of natural gas from Longford in Victoria. Under the terms of the agreement, gas supply to Origin will commence in 2014. Annual contract volumes will increase over the nine year period, with delivery points at both Sydney and Longford. Price [...]
Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has issued an interim Statement of Expectations to the NBN Co to guide the company’s construction and operational activities pending changes to the board, a strategic review of the project and the drafting of a new corporate plan. “The interim Statement instructs the NBN Co to continue to roll out the network as rapidly and as [...]
Victorian Water Minister The Hon Peter Walsh MLA and Federal Member for Corangamite Darren Chessman MP officially unveiled the $42 million Black Rock Recycled Water Plant west of Melbourne. The cutting-edge facility will produce recycled water for new growth centres including Armstrong Creek and Torquay north. New residents in Armstrong Creek will soon have access to highly treated Class A [...]
SunWater has reached the half way point in the construction of its 120km buried pipeline that will run from Woleebee Creek to Glebe Weir, for the purposes of transporting treated coal seam gas (CSG) water for beneficial use. Each year, the project will transport up to 36,500ML of treated CSG water from QGC’s Woleebee Creek water treatment plant to the [...]
The budget for the West Australian Water Corporation includes spending of $3.6 billion in 2013-14 and across the forward estimates period on major water and wastewater infrastructure developments essential to support Western Australia’s growth. According the State Government budget papers, $1 billion is committed for the 2013-14 year to projects that address growing community needs across the State, which include; [...]
By Milan Rubcic, Sydney Water A typical wastewater system may comprise of a network of sewers and sewage pumping stations (SPS) that collect and transport sewage from where it is generated to a wastewater treatment plant for treatment. Wherever possible, the wastewater system should be designed to maximise the use of gravity to convey the sewage. Gravity wastewater systems do [...]
The Sunshine Coast could become the alternative energy capital of coastal Australia with Sunshine Coast Council set to build a solar farm to meet its electricity needs. Mayor Mark Jamieson said the Sunshine Coast would live up to its name by tapping into the energy of the sun to deliver a multi-million-dollar saving for ratepayers. “If our market-sounding exercises stack [...]
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