Councillors from the MidCoast Council have voted unanimously in favour of adopting Our Water Our Future 2050, a long-term water strategy outlining how Council will provide sustainable and affordable water and sewage services to the community over the next 30 years. The Council said it is setting sights on building new off-stream storage dams and recycling larger volumes of wastewater […]
Woodside Energy, Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) and the Electrical Trades Union have reached in-principle agreement regarding its employees on its North West Shelf offshore platforms. In-principle agreement was reached on all claims relating to remuneration and other terms and conditions of employment. The next steps will be for the enterprise agreement to be finalised and then voted on by employees […]
The City of Sydney council has passed a motion that looks to introduce a new policy that will require new homes and businesses in the area to be gas free. The motion, moved by Councillor (Waskam) Emelda Davis, and seconded by Deputy Lord Mayor, Sylvie Ellsmore, will insert new clauses into the council’s planning rules to require new homes and […]
The Victorian Government is implementing an increase to penalties for gas and electricity distributors, with companies that commit serious breaches facing penalties of up to $10 million. The new penalty amounts will apply to Victorian gas and electricity distribution businesses for breaches of the Electricity Distribution and Gas Distribution System Codes of Practice that result in severe consumer harm or […]
The Western Australian Government has updated the WA Domestic Gas Policy for Perth and Canning Basin, and exemptions will not be considered in an effort to secure the state’s gas supply and support long-term economic and industrial development. The update follows the August 2020 update to the WA Domestic Gas Policy, which prevents the export of onshore gas through the […]
UNESCO has urged the Federal Government to take greater action to reduce emissions in its latest report, warning that the Great Barrier Reef is still under “serious threat” of climate change and further degradation. As global temperatures continue to rise, the Great Barrier Reef is once again under threat from marine heatwaves and the mass bleaching events that follow. The […]
The Victorian Government has announced that gas connections will be phased out from all new builds from 2024, transitioning houses to all-electric. From 1 January 2024, planning permits for new homes and residential subdivisions will only connect to all-electric networks, with houses taking advantage of more efficient, cheaper and cleaner electric appliances. These changes will apply to all new homes […]
Western Australia has released its Climate Adaptation Strategy, which prioritises 37 actions to ensure its communities are well equipped and resilient to climate change risks. Not a stranger to extreme weather events and natural disasters, the State Government has allocated almost $40 million in the 2023–2024 State Budget to deliver the strategy which will prepare them for the future. The […]
In the face of climate change and projected population growth, Melbourne’s water corporations have banded together to form Water for Life, a shared water plan that aims to balance the city’s water needs and secure supply for the next five decades. Developed by Greater Western Water, Melbourne Water, South East Water and Yarra Valley Water, this strategy aims to balance […]
Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, more recently known as DJAARA, has launched the Dja Dja Wurrung Climate Change Strategy: Turning ‘wrong way’ climate, ‘right way’, which advocates for direct djaara leadership and a more holistic approach to climate, Country and people. The strategy was released on 24 May 2023 at Wanyarra Dum (Frog Ponds) in White Hills, and emphasises […]
Women are set to lead the way for Victoria’s energy transition as the state’s independent regulator, Energy Safe Victoria (ESV), appoints a new Chairperson to its all-female commission team. ESV’s new Commissioner and Chairperson, Monique Conheady, begins her five-year term on 1 August. The experienced leader will work closely with Deputy Chairperson and Commissioner Michelle Groves and Commissioner Sarah McDowell […]
The New South Wales Government has announced the creation of new Regional Aboriginal Water Committees and is calling for expressions of interest from First Nations people across the state who want to ensure that Aboriginal voices play a major part in water planning and management. Director of Aboriginal Water at the Department of Planning and Environment, Darren Murray, said the […]
AusNet is taking steps to understand the vulnerability of customers living with disability to disruptions of electricity services with the release of Yarra Energy Foundation’s (YEF) Shine a Light: Understanding vulnerability at the intersection of disability and electricity services report. The report, commissioned through AusNet’s $30,000 2022 Vulnerability Research Grant, investigates the experiences, risks and impacts faced by customers living […]
In an effort to protect native flora and fauna across New South Wales, Transgrid has announced that it will be establishing several Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements (BSAs), one of which is set to be the biggest in the state’s history. The BSAs are designed to offset the biodiversity impact of most of Transgrid’s $1.8 billion EnergyConnect interconnector – the nation’s largest […]
The Australian Energy Council (AEC), the peak body for energy retailers and generators, has welcomed proposed updates to Australia’s Net Zero 2050 plan announced by Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, at an address to the Clean Energy Council. The Federal Government’s proposal to update the Net Zero 2050 Plan includes developing sectoral pathways to reducing emissions. […]
The ACT Government has established the Renewable Energy Innovation Fund (REIF) Industry Advisory Board in an effort to ensure the renewable energy sector continues to deliver the best outcomes for Canberrans. The Board includes seven experts from the commercial, research, and innovation communities. Professor Kenneth Baldwin will serve as the Chair of the REIF Board. Professor Baldwin is a member […]
The Tasmania Government has announced that consultation is open for its Water Miscellaneous (Delegation and Industrial Water Supply) Bill 2023. The draft Bill contains proposed amendments to water legislation designed to enable Tasmanian Irrigation to supply water to the Tasmanian Green Hydrogen Hub at Bell Bay. Tasmania Minister for Energy and Renewables, Guy Barnett, said any water supplied to green […]
The Federal Government’s Mandatory Gas Code of Conduct has now become law – coming into effect as of 11 July – and is expected to secure more reasonable gas prices for Australians. The Gas Code is intended to ensure that Australian gas is available for Australian users at reasonable prices, give producers the certainty they need to invest in supply, […]
The Northern Territory Government has released its Territory Water Plan, the first ever whole-of-government plan, which is a package of actions that will set the foundation for delivering water security for all Territorians. The Territory Government said that water security is about balancing competing and complex water demands, pressures and challenges over time to ensure Territorians have access to safe […]
The world is not on track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 for energy by 2030, according to findings released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) from the 2023 Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report. The report, released by the IEA, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), the World Bank, and the […]
The Queensland Government is calling for feedback on newly drafted legislation to legally protect renewables targets and energy workers as part of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan. The draft Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill 2023 establishes the framework to provide clarity and certainty to consumers, workers, investors, and industry as the state transitions to renewable energy under its […]
The New South Wales Government has successfully passed legislation to protect Sydney Water and Hunter Water from privatisation through the Legislative Council. Both Sydney Water and Hunter Water are statutory state-owned corporations and will be safeguarded from privatisation with the passage of the Constitutional Amendment (Sydney Water and Hunter Water) Bill 2023. The successful passage of the bill on Thursday […]
Unitywater has submitted its third Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), Innovate 2, following the successful completion of the Reflect RAP and Innovate RAP, marking National Reconciliation Week. The utility recently submitted the RAP to Reconciliation Australia to advance its commitment to reconciliation. Unitywater Executive Manager Customer Delivery and RAP Executive Sponsor, Rhett Duncan, said Unitywater had a number of initiatives to […]
The Victorian Government has announced a new and ambitious emissions reduction target of 75 to 80 per cent by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2045. Victoria is decarbonising at the fastest rate in the country – cutting its emissions by more than any other state since 2014 – having already cut the state’s emissions by 32.3 per cent below […]
The Federal Government has released its Budget 2023-24, with a focus on sustainable energy, water infrastructure and protecting the health of critical water systems. Key components of the energy budget included energy bill relief for consumers, hydrogen investment and legislation of a national Net Zero Authority to assist Australia in achieving net zero emissions. For the water sector, the budget […]
The New South Wales Government has announced it will protect Sydney Water and Hunter Water from privatisation by introducing legislation to Parliament to amend the Constitution Act 1902. As the first piece of legislation for the new New South Wales Government, Premier Chris Minns said the Government was delivering on its election commitment to safeguard the public ownership of the […]
The second stage of Central Highlands Water’s Ballarat Sewer Build is now well underway, crossing the Yarrowee River last week. The $25 million sewer project will provide for another 100 years of growth and safe sanitation for the city, with 6km of duplicated sewer running from Ballarat East to Ballarat South. Stage 1 of the project – completed in early […]
The Federal Government has released its new Gas Code – a mandatory code of conduct that proposes to establish a price anchor, or mechanism to drag gas prices down – for final consultation from stakeholders. Following significant consultation with gas producers and users since the beginning of 2023, the Gas Code improves upon the approach to implementing reasonable pricing outlined […]
The Western Australia State Government has announced an across-the-board power supply allocation will soon be in place for regional and metro areas across the South West Interconnection System (SWIS). Western Australia Energy Minister, Bill Johnston, announced the standard power supply allocation and said it will meet the evolving energy needs of Western Australians. “We’ve listened to the community and sought […]
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