Recent government news…

22 December 2011  The Australian and NSW governments have signed off on a program which paves the way for 30 years of sustainable growth in western Sydney. Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke and NSW Planning and Infrastructure Minister Brad Hazzard announced the Sydney Growth Centres Strategic Assessment Program which will streamline delivery of new homes to meet growth, cut red tape for developers and provide certainty for communities. Read more here.

20 December 2011  The Federal Government’s Department of  Climate Change and Energy Efficiency’s National Energy Savings Initiative Working Group has released the National Energy Savings Initiative Working Group Issues Paper for public comment. The Issues Paper seeks the views of individuals and organisations on issues pertinent to the Australian Government’s consideration of a national Energy Saving Initiative, including design and implementation considerations. Consultation will take the form of workshops in each State in late January & early February, and via submission. Submissions close on Monday 27 February 2012 at 4 pm AEST. Read more here.

15 December 2011  Sustainability Victoria announced a new Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation through its next strategic phase.  The Sustainability Victoria Board has appointed Stan Krpan to the role of SV CEO to commence January 3, 2012. Download media release here. (PDF, 94kb)

12 December 2011  The Federal Government released the latest report card on the nation’s environment,  Australia State of the Environment 2011. The report is the fourth in a series of independent assessments produced and presented to Parliament every five years on Australia’s environmental health. The report acknowledges the challenges presented by the legacy of centuries of over-consumption and pollution of our environmental resources, and tackles the major drivers of environmental pressures: climate change and a growing economy and population. Australia State of the Environment 2011 is available online at: http://www.environment.gov.au/soe/2011.