Nuclear Ban to be enshrined in legislation
The Nuclear Facilities Prohibition Bill 2007 (WA) was introduced and received its second reading speech in the Legislative Assembly on 20 June 2007. The purpose of the Bill is to prohibit the construction or operation of a nuclear powered electricity generator in Western Australia. The Bill will also prohibit the transportation of certain material to a nuclear facility site and prohibit the connection of nuclear generations works to an electricity transmission or distribution system. This Bill adds to the Nuclear Waste Storage and Transportation (Prohibition) Act 1999 (WA) which bans the storage and transport of nuclear waste.
Climate Change Bill to be introduced
A Climate Change Action Statement entitled Climate Change: Making Decisions for the Future was released by Premier Alan Carpenter in May 2007. The statement outlines that a Climate Change Bill will be introduced by the Western Australian Government that will establish a target of a 60 per cent reduction in GHG emissions by 2050.
Other objectives of the Bill include:
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establishing a mandatory energy efficiency scheme for large electricity consumers
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establishing a framework for Western Australia to be involved in national emissions trading, and
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assisting the introduction of other government climate initiatives.
Other features of the Climate Change Action Statement include:
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a Low Emission Energy Development fund
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a clean energy target of 50 per cent by 2010 and 60 per cent by 2020 and a renewable energy target of 15 per cent by 2020 and 20 per cent by 2025, and
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the state government purchasing 20 per cent of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2010.
Other legislative developments
The Environment Minister has announced that a draft Biodiversity Conservation Bill will be introduced into parliament.
Draft Guidance for Environmental Offsets released
A Draft Guidance for the Assessment of Environmental Factors (in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986): Environmental Offsets has been released by the Environmental Protection Authority for public comment. The draft guidance statement explains how proponents should deal with environmental offsets as part of the environmental impact assessment for development and planning projects. The Guidance Statement supports the EPA’s Position Statement No 9—Environmental Offsets.
The draft guidance statement is available from the EPA website.
Budget released
The 2007–08 Western Australian state budget has been released. Relevantly the budget allocates $100 million towards combating climate change. The funding will be used to:
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establish the Office of Climate Change
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support the Low Emission Energy Development Fund and the Waterwise Rebate Scheme
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implement the Renewable Energy Target for the South-West Interconnected System, and
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help establish a National Emissions Trading Team responsible for the final phase of the design of the national emissions trading scheme to ensure the best outcome for Western Australia.
States work together to improve energy efficiency
A media statement by Energy Minister Francis Logan has announced that all the Australian states have agreed to investigate the implementation of a mandatory energy efficiency program for big and medium-sized power consumers. Western Australia will take a guiding role in developing the scheme.
Second desalination plant to supply Perth’s water needs
Construction of a second desalination plant has been announced by Premier Alan Carpenter. The desalination plant will be Western Australia’s next major water source, instead of the proposed tapping of the South-West Yarragadee aquifer. The plant will be funded by renewable energy and will provide at least 45 gigalitres of water by 2011. The highlighted benefit of the proposal is that, unlike South West Yarragadee, it is climate independent.
State Water Plan released
The State Water Plan 2007 has been released by Water Resources Minister John Kobelke. According to the minister’s media statement, the plan will set new water efficiency and re-use targets for Western Australia, and will therefore respond to the challenges of climate change.
Biofuels report released for public comment
The Western Australia Biofuels Taskforce’s report on the Biofuels industry has been accepted by Agriculture Minister Kim Chance. The report outlines 24 recommendations to government regarding economic, environmental and social aspects of biofuels. The recommendation included lobbying the Federal Government to introduce obligations to reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of transport fuels based on the full fuel cycle.
Funding to fight marine parks climate change
An announcement of $21 million initiative to fight climate change in the Ningaloo and Shark Bay Marine Parks has been made by Premier Alan Carpenter. The Western Australian Marine Science Institution will use the funding to research ways to protect these marine environments.
Grants to assist with sustainable development
Over $1 million in funding announced by Regional Development Minister Jon Ford will be used to assist in the development of sustainable commercial, industrial and community projects under the Regional Headworks Program.
EPA Chief comments
Walter Cox finished his term as WA EPA Chief on 30 June 2007. According to the out-going EPA Chief, the major challenges facing the EPA are a shortage of expertise and the lack of policy framework on key environmental issues.
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