Asbestos crisis was “destined to happen”

A former senior NSW Environmental Protection Agency officer says the state’s asbestos contamination crisis was “destined to happen” after the regulator failed to act on problems in the waste recovery sector uncovered back in 2013.

Australia’s most well-known carbon neutral farm may no longer be able to hold that title. According to a new study, Jigsaw Farms in western Victoria have now passed peak carbon offset capabilities, indicative of the challenge the broader red meat industry has in wrangling livestock emissions. 

As the ACT government reviews prospective tenders for a new recyclables facility in Hume, multi-national waste management giant Veolia is pitching for that business, and is also keen to build a solar panel and battery recycling centre in Canberra.

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Ex-EPA officer says asbestos crisis was ‘destined to happen’
A former senior NSW Environmental Protection Agency officer says the state’s asbestos contamination crisis was “destined to happen” after the regulator failed to act on problems in the waste recovery sector uncovered back in 2013.

Famed carbon-neutral farm’s emissions increase, reflecting enormous challenge for the meat industry
Australia’s most well-known carbon neutral farm may no longer be able to hold that title. According to a new study, Jigsaw Farms in western Victoria have now passed peak carbon offset capabilities, indicative of the challenge the broader red meat industry has in wrangling livestock emissions. 

Waste management firm looking to expand in ACT with solar panel and battery recycling
As the ACT government reviews prospective tenders for a new recyclables facility in Hume, multi-national waste management giant Veolia is pitching for that business, and is also keen to build a solar panel and battery recycling centre in Canberra.

WA’s weekend of record-breaking heat waves
Over the weekend several towns in Western Australia reported their highest temperatures ever recorded. Heat waves will continue today amidst warnings of extreme fire danger for the region.

ANZ boss criticises slow pace of renewable project approvals
ANZ Bank’s chief executive Shayne Elliot has lashed the slow pace of planning approvals for Australia’s rollout of renewable energy projects, at a time when the nation is facing pressure to speed up a critical transition to green ­energy.

Former judge from Black Saturday royal commission speaks out on electricity grid’s safety
A former Supreme Court judge who was a key figure in the landmark Black Saturday bushfires royal commission has blasted Victoria’s progress on upgrading the electricity distribution network in regional areas, with documents showing it could take 50 years to bury and replace wires in all fire-risk zones.

Electrical Trades Union calls for better apprentice wages, industry mentoring programs
The Electrical Trades Union has stated in a media release that the Federal Government’s review of apprenticeships must consider the ‘rock bottom’ wages and lack of industry based mentoring, both of which contribute to four in ten electricians not completing their apprenticeships which will stifle the transition to clean energy.

Limestone caves study provides new perspective on Australia’s ice age
At UNESCO World Heritage-listed Naracoorte Cave on South Australia's Limestone Coast, researchers have uncovered new information about the coldest times in the continent's history.