Itron’s Director of Water – Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Island, Bruce Kain, has shared his insights on the challenges facing the utility industry and the work Itron is doing to help Australia reach a better, more sustainable water future. Mr Kain said that he has been working in the utility industry for the best part of fourteen years […]
Gippsland Water has released its new Climate Change Strategy, detailing how it plans to achieve net zero targets and manage the impacts of climate change. Gippsland Water Acting Managing Director, Simon Aquilina, said the organisation was taking a whole-of-business approach to managing the impacts of climate change current and future generations. “As the climate changes, we will continue to be […]
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the Federal Government’s intention to launch the Future Made in Australia Act, which would seek to enhance development of clean energy projects, boost education and training, build a stronger local manufacturing sector, and drive more international investment in Australian industries. Mr Albanese made the announcement in a speech given on 11 April in Queensland, […]
A waste-to-energy facility operated by Yarra Valley Water has marked a major milestone, having diverted more than 175,000t of commercial food waste away from landfill. This milestone for the Wollert facility, which was Victoria’s first food waste to energy plant, comes as Yarra Valley Water has started construction on its second, larger facility in Lilydale. Commercial food waste producers, such […]
Endeavour Energy has officially switched on the first community battery in New South Wales’s South Coast, marking a big step for the region’s push efforts towards net zero and providing savings on energy bills for locals. The community battery, one of 54 currently being rolled out across the Endeavour Energy network, will ensure residents can rely on a more sustainable, […]
A group of Tawny Grassbirds has taken up residence in the grasslands near Yarra Valley Water’s Lilydale Sewage Treatment Plant, marking one of the first sightings of this species in Victoria. Tawny Grassbirds are typically found in northern New South Wales and are rarely seen in groups of more than one or two. However, it’s thought that five of these […]
The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and Barwon Water are supporting an environmental monitoring program which will assess the health of the Upper Barwon River to guide its future management. The organisations have engaged the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action’s Arthur Rylah Institute to conduct electrofishing surveys over the next two years to understand the health of fish […]
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Coliban Water have reached an agreement regarding the new Operating Licence for the Kyneton Water Reclamation Plant, with the amendments to the licence including environmental performance standards that will protect the environment and human health. In 2019 Coliban acknowledged the historical non-compliance issues at the plant, and began a $20 million investment program. Over […]
The Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) has awarded Transgrid’s EnergyConnect project a design sustainability rating of ‘leading’, in recognition of industry-leading initiatives in the design and delivery of the critical interconnector. It is the first project to receive an official sustainability rating in Australia. Transgrid Chief Executive Officer, Brett Redman, said, “Transgrid and our construction partner Elecnor Australia are going above […]
AEMO has released its 2024 Gas Statement of Opportunities (GSOO) report, which has warned of a significant gap in supply for the southern states in 2028 due to decreased production from the Bass Strait, and stated that new investment is needed to make up the shortfall. The 2024 Gas Statement of Opportunities (GSOO) report signals that new investment is urgently […]
Melbourne Water is undertaking a program to establish new habitat for the critically endangered Leadbeater’s Possum, with funding support from the Federal Government. With only a small number of lowland sub-species of the Leadbeater’s Possum remaining in the wild, the Securing a future for lowland Leadbeater’s Possum initiative aims to re-establish habitat in the Yarra Valley, at the Yarra Valley […]
Origin Energy has issued a Notice to Proceed on a 300MW/650MWh battery to bolster the grid of the Mortlake region in Victoria’s west, to be delivered by EPC contractor, Fluence. Initially announced in late 2022 on behalf of the Federal Government, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) will provide up to $24 million in funding to the project, as part […]
A waterways monitoring program undertaken by Melbourne Water has led to the discovery of the oldest platypus ever recorded in the wild. The Melbourne Water Urban Platypus Program (MWUPP), in association with Ecology Australia and Cesar performs sampling to gather population health data of these cryptic monotremes. The male platypus was estimated to be one year old when he was […]
Final testing is underway on the Wurrumiyanga Solar Infill and Energy Storage Pilot Project, which is set to provide a 1.1MW solar array and a 3MWh energy storage system to the region. Once testing of the battery system is complete at Berrimah, it will be transported to Wurrumiyanga where another round of testing will take place to ensure successful integration […]
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) has released the first ever national guide on cooperation with First Nations people on renewable energy projects, which outlines meaningful engagement, consent, participation and benefit-sharing. This new guide sets out expectations for industry and details key considerations for engagement at each stage of a project’s life cycle. Co-authored by the CEC and KPMG, Leading Principles: […]
The Northern Territory Government has released the Surface Water Intake – Wet Season Flows Policy, which is set to provide protection to the territory’s waterways and certainty around water use for industry, landholders and anglers. The policy provides guidance to industry about access to wet season flows, and a pathway for responsible and sustainable economic development. The policy is precautionary, […]
Water utilities are at the forefront of climate impact as they grapple with challenges posed by climate change, including shifting precipitation patterns and increased water scarcity. By adopting sustainable practices, utilities contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and support the push towards net zero. With the release of its first sustainability report, Urban Utilities is highlighting its commitment […]
The New South Wales Government, Tamworth Regional Council, the University of Technology Sydney Institute for Sustainable Futures, and Taggle Systems are joining forces to improve water efficiency in the home through an innovative research study. The study aims to learn how much water can be saved when air cooling units are properly maintained. To collect this data, 100 eligible residents […]
The Tasmanian Government has announced a new plan whereby the approval process for new renewable energy projects will be streamlined. Minister for Energy and Renewables, Nick Duigan, said in a new move to secure the ongoing expansion of the sector, a dedicated approvals pathway will assist the continuing rollout of major renewable energy projects. “I’m very pleased to be progressing […]
Hunter Water has formally applied to build a permanent seawater desalination plant at Belmont in the Lower Hunter region, a move it says is a crucial step in securing the Lower Hunter’s water supply for generations to come. The New South Wales Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has put the plant’s modification application on public display, seeking community and […]
Barwon Water has received recognition for two climate change research projects undertaken by its staff, which have been announced as the joint winners of the Victorian Water Minister’s Climate Innovation Challenge (WMCIC). The challenge aimed to identify and reward groundbreaking projects addressing climate change within the water sector. Barwon Water was recognised for both ‘Meta-analysis of low carbon cement alternatives […]
Victorian Minister for Water, Harriet Shing, has announced the winner of the Minister’s Climate Innovation Challenge 2023. An innovative project between three Victorian water corporations to find greener alternatives to concrete won the major climate change prize. The winning project – a collaboration between Yarra Valley Water, North East Water, and Barwon Water – focuses on finding low-carbon cement alternatives […]
Queensland Premier, Steven Miles, has unveiled the government’s plan to legislate a new emissions reduction target of 75 per cent by 2035. Premier Miles said 75 per cent by 2035 is an achievable target that will support industry growth, attract greater investment in renewables and generate lasting benefits, especially in regional areas, and will also provide Queenslanders with greater access […]
The Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio has released the updated Gas Substitution Roadmap – which is set to help Victorians reduce their reliance on expensive fossil gas and ease cost-of-living pressures. The roadmap outlines the next steps for Victoria’s transition from fossil gas to cheaper, more modern electrical appliances. Fossil gas is no longer the cheap and […]
AGL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with battery recycling start-up, Renewable Metals, to jointly undertake a pre-feasibility study into developing a lithium battery recycling facility at AGL’s planned Hunter Energy Hub in NSW. The pre-feasibility study will outline key indicative project infrastructure and engineering requirements and identify regulatory approvals and licences necessary for the development, construction, and operation […]
The Victorian Government is legislating its emissions reductions and renewable energy targets, making official the new Victorian renewable energy target of 95 per cent renewable energy generation by 2035. The new legislation is designed to drive down power bills, encourage investment into Victoria’s renewable energy industry and create tens of thousands of jobs. Victorian Minister for Climate Action, Lily D’Ambrosio, […]
As part of the second phase of the $1 million Biosolids to Biochar project, South East Water is again partnering with RMIT, Intelligent Water Networks, Greater Western Water and Barwon Water to develop trials of a new pyrolysis technology (PYROCO). The project uses next generation pyrolysis technology to transform biosolids generated from wastewater treatment plants into biochar, a safe and […]
APA and Santos have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to determine the potential for carbon capture and storage (CCS) pipelines in South Australia. The scope of the MoU is to assess the potential to unlock decarbonisation opportunities by connecting heavy CO₂ emitters and/or CO₂ import locations to the Santos operated CCS facility in Moomba, South Australia via CCS pipelines. […]
The Federal and New South Wales Governments are partnering as part of the Federal Government’s Capacity Investment Scheme, announcing the successful bid of six major dispatchable energy projects across the state. The projects from this tender alone are equal to 8 per cent of the total 2022/23 New South Wales summer peak demand into the network at short notice – […]
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