WATER: Soap, shampoo and your soil - ATA report released

Greywater use has become so widespread in many parts of Australia that it is now more a case of who isn’t using greywater to keep their gardens alive. This is great news for water conservation efforts. Greywater use is not an exact science, though, and successful greywater irrigation depends on a number of factors including soil type, plant type and ultimately which chemicals and elements make up your greywater.

Typically, laundry and bathroom water are the most common and safest waste waters to use depending on which products you are using. The Alternative Technology Association (ATA), in conjunction with Associate Professor Barry Meehan and RMIT University’s Environmental Science Department, has completed a study looking at the impact of bathroom products on soils. A previous study by Lanfax Laboratories had looked at laundry greywater.

WATER (WA): Draft 'Water Forever: Directions for Our Water Future' plan for Perth water sustainability

The Water Corporation's draft plan: Water Forever: Directions for Our Water Future is now available. The draft plan outlines how the Water Corporation will work with the community to adapt to a drying climate and help Perth and surrounding areas become more climate resilient. Comments on the proposed direction are invited by Friday 15 May 2009.

WATER (NSW): 2008 Progress Report on the Metropolitan Water Plan

The 2008 Progress Report lets you find out how the NSW Government is tracking in implementing the Metropolitan Water Plan, providing water for people and the environment. It shows that Sydney’s water supply is secure until at least 2015 and the city is well prepared for drought, climate change and a growing population. You can also view a short two-minute summary clip which outlines the major elements of the report.

ENV EDUCATION, WATER (NSW): Water Education Plan for greater Sydney 2008 - 2012

The NSW Government’s Water for Life Program has released a plan that supports educators to engage the public in water conservation and management. The Water Education Plan for greater Sydney 2008 - 2012 aims to assist delivery of quality education projects that build the capacity of the people of greater Sydney to play an informed and active role in working towards a sustainable water future. It sets priority strategies for water educators in greater Sydney to work towards shared goals and come together to share knowledge and resources.

ENV EDUCATION, SUSTAINABILITY: New National Action Plan for Education for Sustainability

The aim of Living Sustainably: the Australian Government's National Action Plan for Education for Sustainability, launched in April 2009, is to equip all Australians with the knowledge and skills required to live sustainably. The plan has been prepared in conjunction with the National Council on Education for Sustainability by the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.

SUSTAINABILITY: Renters Guide to Sustainability - New ATA Publication

Even renters can make changes to their home to make it more comfortable, save money and reduce their environmental impact. The Renters Guide to Sustainable Living, published by the Alternative Technology Association (ATA), shows how it’s done. The 16 page booklet is a free resource for anyone looking to lighten their carbon footprint as a tenant. The booklet also has handy information about how to negotiate changes with a landlord, rebates available as well as eligible tax deductions. There are tips for the whole house, showing room-by-room how to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

SUSTAINABILITY (VIC): Victorian Eco Innovation Lab

The Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab (VEIL) seeks to identify and promote emerging technical, social and organisational innovations that could form part of future sustainable systems. VEIL creates conditions to research, envision, innovate, create and test ideas and concepts for sustainable, desirable and realisable products, services, built environments and lifestyles.

SUSTAINABILITY (NSW): Sustainable Cities Awards now open

An initiative of Keep Australia Beautiful NSW, Sustainable Cities recognises outstanding environmental initiatives implemented by local government authorities, schools and community groups whilst raising public awareness of a range of environmental issues affecting metropolitan NSW. The overall Sustainable Cities award is presented each year alongside a number of sponsored awards covering issues such as urban wildlife, waste and sustainable communities.

BIODIVERSITY: Review of the National Biodiversity Strategy - submissions invited by Friday 27 May 2009

The Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council, on behalf of the Commonwealth and all state and territory governments, is inviting public comments on the draft Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010–2020. The draft strategy is an important national policy document that will guide how governments, the community, industry and scientists manage and protect Australia’s plants, animals and ecosystems over the next ten years. Submissions are invited by Friday 27 May 2009.

BIODIVERSITY: Birds Australia Conservation Forum 30 May 2009, “Reconnect (with) the Bush”

The Birds Australia Conservation Forum 2009 is being held in Brisbane on 30 May. The theme of the Forum is “Reconnect (with) the Bush”. Two meanings are encapsulated in this theme: “Reconnect the Bush” is about restoring corridors at the landscape scale, and “Reconnect with the Bush” is about engaging the Australian public by education, awareness raising, and encouraging them into action.

BIODIVERSITY: Registrations for ANPC Forum 'Minding our own biodiversity: conservation on private land ' close 17 April

The Australian Network for Plant Conservation Inc. (ANPC) Second National Forum (30 April - 1 May 2009, Halls Gap, Grampians, Victoria) will focus on conservation outside the formal reserve system, whether on small blocks or large landscape level efforts or cross-tenure projects. It will highlight the people and places involved and investigate the incentives and support available. This is your opportunity to participate, learn, contribute, debate and move this essential component of biodiversity conservation forward. The Forum will include presentations, case studies, facilitated discussion sessions and field visits to project sites.

BIODIVERSITY: Update on the review of the EPBC Act

An update report on the Independent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), which details the process to date and future proceedings, is now available.

BIODIVERSITY (NSW): Urban Nature Photography Competition - Parramatta River Catchment

Do you have a special place in the Parramatta River catchment? Whether it is your backyard or the bush, send us your photos of urban nature and show us how important your local environment and its native plants and animals are to you. With up to $3000 worth of prizes to be won this is your chance to showcase your photographic talents and be a part of the Urban Nature Photo Competition.

RIVERS: Riverprize 2009 nominations close 30 April

Australian community groups, catchment authorities and individuals working on restoration of rivers, lakes and wetlands are invited to submit their applications for the prestigious Riverprize now! The National Riverprize is now funded by an Australian Government grant under its Water for the Future plan. Entry to the 2009 Riverprize closes at 5pm AEST on 30 April 2009.

COASTS (QLD): Registrations for Queensland Coastal Conference 2009 close 28 April 2009

After the resounding success of the inaugural Queensland Coastal Conference in 2007, the 2009 'Waves of Change' Queensland Coastal Conference (12-15 May 2009, Gold Coast) is an opportunity to broaden your understanding of how management and planning of the Queensland coast is evolving. The Queensland Coastal Conference 2009 is not just about learning of new developments in natural resource management, but will be a balanced discussion of practical, on-ground coastal management and the policies and programs that inform coastal zone management in Queensland. Delegates will include Commonwealth, State and Local Governments, Natural Resource Management regional bodies, leading research and education organisations, coastal and marine industries, coastal and marine consultants, managers, planners and engineers, NGOs, user groups, indigenous groups and many other community organisations.

COASTS, CLIMATE: U.S.- China Coastal Cities Project

More than one-third of the world's population lives within 60 miles of a coastline and thirteen of the world's twenty largest cities are located on a coast. Given the reality of global warming, these coastal populations will face severe challenges to their sustainability in the decades to come.

As industrial and commercial centres, many coastal cities are major contributors in their own right to high levels of greenhouse gas emissions, and therefore face the prospects of greater regulation and economic dislocation. In addition, these cities are particularly vulnerable to such long-term effects of global warming as sea-level rise, flooding, air pollution, and severe storms.

The Shell Coastal Cities Project seeks to assess the dimensions of the challenges facing major, low-lying estuary metropoles. In its first phase, the study focuses on major coastal cities with a large petrochemical industrial base, including Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, Shanghai, Tianjin and Guangzhou. Research activities include the development of a comprehensive and fully comparable survey of public attitudes and beliefs, to be conducted jointly in both the United States and China .

COASTS, CLIMATE (NSW): Draft Policy Statement on Sea Level Rise

In the 20th century, the global average sea level rose by 17 cm and sea levels are projected to continue to rise. There is strong national and international evidence supporting a projected rise of up to 40 cm by 2050, and 90 cm by 2100, for the NSW coastline. Coastal land has been subject to natural coastal hazards for thousands of years, including coastal erosion and coastal flooding. Projected sea level rises will increase these hazards, and NSW needs to plan now for these long-term impacts to minimise social and economic disruption. To support sea level rise adaptation, the NSW Government has prepared a Draft Sea Level Rise Policy Statement. This sets out the Government's approach to sea level rise, the risks to property owners from coastal processes and assistance that Government provides to councils to reduce the risks of coastal hazards.

CLIMATE: Communicating Climate Change: Discourses, Mediations and Perceptions

The scientific, political and economic complexity of climate change brings up a number of challenges for communication. What are the meanings associated with climate change in different parts of the world and how have those meanings been produced, reproduced and transformed? How have the media in different countries been representing this issue? How do people perceive climate change and to what extent are they integrating it into their actions?

This e-book contributes to answering these questions by looking at three main aspects: the discourses of a variety of social actors on climate change, from scientists to religious leaders; the reconstruction of those discourses in the media and the multiple depictions of the issue in the press, television and the Internet; and citizens’ perceptions, understandings and attitudes in relation to climate change. The scholars that write in this book analyse these issues in the context of Germany, USA, Mexico, Portugal, Poland and other countries, and help understand the circular relations between discourses, mediations and perceptions.

CLIMATE, ENERGY: Clean Energy Innovation Centre assists small and medium sized clean energy companies

The Clean Energy Innovation Centre (CEIC) will help enhance the performance of Australia's small and medium sized clean energy companies by providing a range of business improvements services. The CEIC helps small and medium size (SMEs) businesses improve their productivity and competitiveness by providing professional business advisory and development services. The Centre will also help to build collaboration between researchers and businesses, and assist clean energy businesses to access the latest technologies and market specific information.

WATERWAYS (QLD): Entries for 2009 Healthy Waterways Awards close

Now in its ninth year, the Healthy Waterways Awards aim to recognise and reward the outstanding achievements of groups and individuals who devote their time to the waterways of South East Queensland. The Awards are open to anyone whose work contributes to achieving the Partnership's Vision including individuals, schools, community groups, students, government, industry, researchers, planners and designers. Enter by 5pm Wednesday 22 April 2009 to win a share of $22,000 in prize money.

WATERWAYS (QLD): THECA Forum 9 May 2009, Caring for our Waterways: 'Clear' or 'Muddied'

THECA’s ninth annual Forum (9 May 2009, Pullenvale Qld) will explore the current and future management of SEQ waterways and how best to manage these for the long-term future and sustainability of South East Queensland biodiversity. The Forum program is based around the themes of responsibility for waterways, the current state of waterways, and management for the future. Bookings are essential.

LANDCARE: Interim National Landcare Network formed

On the 1st February 2009, a working group of representatives from state and territory community landcare organisations met in Melbourne to consider the formation of a National Landcare Network. The commonalities of our experiences and goals, together with our shared vision for landcare, our environment and our communities lead quickly to affirmation: community landcare in Australia needs national representation and a national voice. The Interim National Landcare Network was formed and has two working subgroups addressing internal and external issues which need immediate attention.

WASTE MGMT: National Waste Policy Consultation Paper - submissions close Wednesday 13 May 2009

The Australian Government is leading the development of a national waste policy for Australia. Submissions close Wednesday 13 May 2009. A recent snapshot of waste and recycling trends in Australia (Waste and Recycling in Australia, 2008) showed our waste increased by 28 per cent between 2003 and 2007. This occurred in spite of a big increase in recycling efforts, through kerbside recycling programs and actions by the commercial and industrial sectors.

WASTE MGMT (VIC): Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Strategic Plan

Melbourne's population is growing and so is its waste - over 10 million tonnes was thrown out by Victorians in 2006-07. The Victorian Government's approach to waste management is addressed in the Towards Zero Waste Strategy which is a call to action for all Victorians to avoid producing waste in the first place, and to maximise opportunities for materials recovery. ("Materials" is a term used instead of waste, in recognition that what we discard is more often a resource and not waste.) Towards Zero Waste (TZW) established goals for Victoria's solid waste management and resource recovery. Its targets, to 2014, cover solid waste which is grouped into three categories - municipal (largely residential), commercial and industrial and construction and demolition.

POLLUTANTS: Ten years of National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) data

Information on reported emissions to Australia's air, land and water during 2007-08 was made available on 31 March 2009 with the publication of the annual data for the NPI. The NPI is a publicly accessible database containing information on emissions of 93 substances from more than 4100 industrial facilities around the country. The NPI also includes data from non-industry diffuse sources such as domestic household activities and motor vehicles. The NPI is a collaborative program between all Australian jurisdictions under the NPI National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM). This was the tenth NPI reporting year.

MERI: NRM Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement Framework now available

The Natural Resource Management Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement Framework (MERI Framework) is a broad, overarching document. It provides a generic framework for monitoring, evaluating, reporting on and improving Australia’s approach to managing key assets. The key asset classes in the natural resource management (NRM) context include human, social, natural, physical and financial assets. At the program level, evaluation strategies will be developed to provide details for implementing the MERI Framework. Monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvement are integral components of NRM programs. These activities provide approaches to assess the impact, appropriateness, effectiveness, efficiency and legacy of policies and programs and a process to promote accountability.