ERM acquires Energetics, CEFC, Confidence drops, WA's co-op housing, Qld gov raising housing stakes and more
ACT is moving up electrification
Since achieving 100 per cent renewable electricity in the grid, the ACT government has launched its new Integrated Energy Plan 2024–2030 to help Canberra transition to an all-electric city by 2030.
The plan, launched last Thursday, saw a number of initiatives such as energy bill savings, sustainable housing loans accessible to 10 per cent of Canberra households, plans to electrify all social housing and the launch of a new Community Partnership Electrification Program to cover the upfront cost of electrification for 350 vulnerable, low income households.
Apartment owners will now receive support via the new retrofit readiness program, which offers free advice and electrification planning for those living in multi-unit buildings. The IEP will also cover strata reform work to resolve regulatory barriers to electrification upgrades.
Those seeking trade certificates will also receive increased subsidies towards a Certificate III in Electrotechnology Technician. The Canberra Institute of Technology will also host the nation’s first TAFE, focusing on skills surrounding electric vehicles.
Hemp making its way down under
In a move that materials champions hope will open the door to more hempcrete as a sustainable product, the Tasmanian government wants to find a way to allow industrial hemp to be used in non-medicinal products such as extracts and resin.
The state government’s commitment to finding compliance pathways through national drug laws has been met with accolades from the Australian Hemp Council, which advocated for the federal government to loosen regulatory and legislative restrictions surrounding the material.
The organisation said the government should:
- allow hemp farmers to supply hemp mulch for horticulture
- change rules surrounding that force crops exceeding the 1 per cent THC level – as crops caught by the limit are currently to be destroyed despite having no drug value
AHC hopes the Tasmanian government’s move will set a good example for states such as Queensland and Victoria.
Since then, the Victorian government has also thrown in its support for “cutting red tape” for the state’s hemp industry. In response to its 2023 hemp inquiry, the government will support six recommendations in full, with the intention of streamlining hemp licensing and clear differentiation between industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis.
First of WA government’s green energy initiative approved
The first project, assessed as part of the Western Australia government’s green energy approvals initiative, has been given the go-ahead.
The Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation, in partnership with ACEN Australia, has been approved for a solar project of up to 150 megawatts, which will be located within a 13,000 square kilometre area in Pilbara, covered in the Yindjibarndi native title determination area.
If successful, the project will bring in three gigawatts of solar, wind and storage capacity, becoming one of the nation’s largest renewable energy developments. The opportunity can also create long-term training and employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians and support renewable energy uptake by industry in Pilbara.
The state initiative allows proposals to be put through the most efficient approval pathway to push through more renewable energy projects in WA.
Electric buses now driving on the roads of WA
The WA government says its 130 new electric buses will save $1 million each over the course of their 18 year lifespan compared to regular diesel buses. The $250 million joint investment with the federal government is soon to launch with key charging and other support infrastructure now installed at depots.
All 18 electric Central Area Transit buses are expected to enter service by the middle of next year, with each bus able to travel up to 300 kilometres on a single charge.
New LREZ for Townsville
Queensland’s new Premier, Steven Miles, has committed $40 million to a Townsville pilot project to push through rooftop solar in North Queensland. A local renewable energy zone will be established in Townsville as part of the commitment.
The project will investigate how units, renters and vulnerable customers can share power from local rooftops and batteries, allowing communities to access more renewable energy generated and stored locally from existing electrical infrastructures.
The LREZ will also benefit those who cannot invest in solar power for any reason and households during peak energy usage periods at night.
Victorian windfarm expansion underway
The Golden Plains wind farm based at Rokewood in Victoria, 130 kilometres west of Melbourne, has kicked off its expansions after developers TagEnergy secured the funding for the project’s second stage.
The currently 1.3 gigawatt wind farm is expected to produce 7 per cent of Victoria’s energy needs once the expansion is complete by 2027. The developers said it secured non-recourse finance from an international group of clean energy transition leaders, including the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, Commonwealth Bank of Australia Westpac, Denmark’s Export & Investment Fund, Japan’s Mizuho Bank, France’s Natixis Bank, the Bank of China and Deutsche Bank.
TagEnergy’s managing partner in Australia, Andrew Riggs, said the project will ease concerns about energy security in a state that has been Australia’s most dependent on fossil fuels.
Low income residents will now have access to cheaper electricity
Community housing tenants will now be invited to access the lowest electricity prices in South Australia through a virtual power plant – only accessible to public housing residents.
Unity Housing will offer the program for 1750 of its tenants in collaboration with Tesla and will become the first provider of community housing to offer its tenants access to South Australia’s Virtual Power Plant – the largest of its kind in the nation.
The plant was initially set up and funded by Tesla and the state government for public housing tenants, but it will now become Australia’s first to become available to low- to moderate-income earners.
In return for access to the grid, Unity Housing chief executive Matthew Woodward said Tesla will be able to install batteries and solar panels on the homes of the eligible tenants so more green energy can be generated and stored, and excess will return to the grid at no cost to the tenant. This arrangement could save tenants up to $582 a year.
NSW Budget: homelessness and domestic violence get some attention
Ahead of the NSW budget, Women’s Community Shelter had called for state government attention on housing affordability, homelessness and domestic and family violence. Chief executive Annabelle Daniel said the state government’s previous “emergency package” of $230 million towards domestic violence was lacking an uplift in funding for crisis accommodation and general commitment to traditional and social housing.
Peak body DV NSW had publicly released statistics, noting that the sector would need an immediate uplift of $54 million in funding to meet current demands. An additional 7500 transitional homes would also be required year on year.
In response, state government budget released on Tuesday had committed $5.1 billion to deliver 8400 new public housing, more than 50 per cent of which will be prioritised for victim-survivors of family and domestic violence.
An additional $1 billion will also be invested into critical maintenance to bring 33,500 homes “back online” and prevent further disrepair as part of the program as well as $527.6 million into emergency housing, homelessness support services and those in crisis transitioning into stable housing.
Daniel told The Fifth Estate that she was satisfied with the increase in funding but pointed out that their network of shelter received less than 50 per cent in funding from the state government – and are hoping to receive further support to bring base funding up to that level.
Budget: Logging
While spending on renewables and maintaining national parks had been a small win for sustainability, the Wilderness Society points to a bigger problem – namely the state-owned Forestry Corporation of NSW continuing to destroy native biodiversity through logging, which continues to be funded.
The Wilderness Society claims that the logging industry reported a $15 million loss in 2022-23, a $9 million loss in 2021-22 and another $20 million loss in 2020-21. Meanwhile, half of Australia’s GDP is dependent on healthy ecosystems.
“Yet the NSW government isn’t investing properly in nature, to the detriment of the communities and livelihoods that depend on it,” NSW campaigns manager Victoria Jack said.
Jack pointed to the NSW government’s biodiversity outlook report released last month, which indicated that 500 species were expected to become extinct in NSW in the next 100 years.
Budget: Win for insurance and resilience
With the Climate Council finding that one in 25 Australian properties will be uninsurable by 2030, the Insurance Council of Australia is celebrating a win as the NSW government announces significant funding into resilient home funding. This includes a $5.7 billion recovery and resilience package, of which includes a $525 million into the Resilient Homes Fund, which will be rolled out across the Northern Rivers and Central West regions help reduce risk of flood damage and save lives.
The Northern Rivers region will also receive $87.4 million via the Resilient Lands program which unlocks new land for development and relocate homeowners in high risk flood zones.
In addition, the government has committed to removing the emergency services levy which, along with stamp duty, means that NSW residents are hit by 20 to 40 per cent more in insurance compared to other states and territories.
New ACT recycling facility funding sparks debate
The ACT government has flagged $26 million in funding for a new recycling facility, made to expand food and garden organics recycling trials to 6450 households living in unit blocks.
The Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia’s chief executive, Gayle Sloan, said while the new funding was welcome, the government has yet to respond to a previous battery recycling facility destroyed by a suspected lithium-ion battery fire on Boxing Day 2022.
“Since this facility was destroyed, the battery fire crisis enveloping our industry has only escalated. The waste and resource recovery industry are seeing battery fires daily in our trucks and facilities, and yet there is still no safe disposal or collection pathway for items with embedded batteries”
The Total Environment Centre’s campaigner Mark Zihrul agreed, stating the fire and rescue services had attended more than 1000 battery fires across the nation last year, with many more in the sector not attended.
Australian Property Council joins Global Cooksafe Coalition
The Property Council of Australia, the nation’s peak property sector body, has officially joined the Global Cooksafe Coalition, a network advocating for fossil fuel-free cooking and energy-efficient appliances.
The Cooksafe Coalition’s Australia program manager, Virginia Jones, was featured in TFE’s Festival of Electric Ideas last year to educate the industry about the electrification of kitchens in both commercial and residential buildings.
CMI renews calls for climate investments
The Carbon Market Institute has renewed its calls for all political parties to strengthen their climate investment policy to meet Australia’s interim target of 43 per cent emission reduction by 2030. The organisation says it is the minimum to help achieve the global climate target and crucial in achieving the more than 70 per cent reduction required by 2035.
CMI chief executive John Connor said that many of his organisation’s members were large emitting companies evaluating investments into clean technologies and other emission reduction measures – and are looking for longer-term market signals beyond 2030 from the government.
A recent CMI survey found that 59 per cent of respondents agreed that it was important all political parties should share strong 2035 emissions reduction targets and plans before the next election – only 17 per cent disagreed.
We’ve been inhaling microplastics
On top of all the bad news about drinking water lately, a feature in the Washington Post indicates that we could inhale microplastics every time we breathe. A study has pointed out that people in the US inhale or ingest 74,000 to 121,000 microplastic particles annually through breathing, eating and drinking.
Plastic burrows into every major organ, causing inflammation and bringing other chemical additives such as flame retardants, lubricants, and solvents. Of the 10,000 chemicals used in the manufacture of plastic, scientists have identified over 2400 as potentially toxic. If there’s data to say it’s different in Australia let us know at editorial@thefifthestate.com.au
Winners of the 2024 National Biophilic Design Awards announced
The Living Future Institute of Australia has announced the winners of its 2024 National Biophilic Design Awards – which recognised the most innovative designers and architects for designs and buildings that “felt like an extension of nature rather than separate from it.”
With a study finding that Australians spend 90 per cent of their time indoors, chief executive of LFIA, Laura Hamilton-O’Hara, said biophilic design was a way to help people reconnect with nature.
Winners are:
- Cancer Council Victoria headquarters in East Melbourne, winning the interiors and renovations category
- Huff‘n’Puff Haus in Central Victoria, as well as the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre at the University of Wollongong, joint winning the building scale category
- Bendigo Law Courts near the centre of Victoria, winning the community and urban scale category
Decarbonising Steel: Why Australia should embrace the trend
According to a new report, the Australian dream of becoming the world’s next hydrogen superpower could be closer than we think, with clean iron production potentially being the country’s next golden goose.
BloombergNEF’s latest Decarbonized Iron: Australia’s Next Step in Global Steel Supply Chain finds that the nation has the potential to become world class producers of low cost and low carbon iron products that can help steelmakers across the world achieve climate targets.
The possibility is spurred by current low carbon steel producers such as Japan and South Korea. While successfully using carbon capture and storage technology to produce low carbon steel, the countries face challenges with their iron feedstock production being too expensive and difficult to scale and install.
Instead, Australia could be seizing “the opportunity to export low carbon intermediary iron products”, said the report. If Japan imports the emissions-abated iron feedstock used to produce steel, estimated to be $981 a metric tonne in 2030, steel produced will be 31 per cent cheaper than the steel produced from the electric arc furnace relying on imported feedstocks.
Cromwell converts its multi-bank lending to sustainability-linked loan
Cromwell has just converted its multi-bank $1.2 billion lending facility into a sustainability-linked loan, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas in scope 1,2 and 3 emissions along with its gender pay gap.
The facility was developed in collaboration with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and financial institution Societe Generale, which will act as the company’s sustainability coordinator.
Cromwell’s Group Head of ESG, Lara Young, said this was the next step after the company published its full scope 3 emissions inventory at the start of the year, which included a goal of stretching the company’s net zero approaches beyond operational control.
The sustainability loan is a step forward in the company’s current scope 3 emissions goal: to reduce to less than 30.16 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent for every square metre by 2028. Against the 2023 baseline, this would equate to more than 4.4 million kilograms of CO2e or emissions from 784 households.
AI and space-tech the key to dousing wildfires
Researchers at the University of South Australia have developed an energy-efficient early fire smoke detection system to detect bushfires and monitor inland and coastal water quality.
It will be installed on SA’s first cube satellite, Kanyini, a collaboration supported by the SA government, SmartSAT CRC, and industry partners. It involves the launch of a 6 U CubeSat satellite into low Earth orbit.
The breakthrough technology uses artificial intelligence to detect bushfires earlier using processing of large amounts of hyperspectral imagery, previously thought impossible, and on board a smaller and more cost effective vessel.
The Kanyini mission will be operational in 2025, and the research team hopes to commercialise the system by then.
Groundwater temperatures are increasing
Here’s a strong reason that Opposition Leader Peter Dutton needs to revise his destructive agenda to dismantle Australia’s Paris Agreement commitment – the temperature of our groundwater.
The world first modelling of global groundwater temperatures shows that shallow groundwater will be warming up by 2.1 degrees to 3.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century.
A research team led by Charles Darwin University’s Dr Dylan Irvine and University of Newcastle’s Dr Gabriel Rau, along with researchers from Canada, Germany and Austria, has revealed that climate change is causing long-term environmental implications through groundwater warming.
The highest warming rates will be seen in Central Russia, Northern China, parts of North America and the Amazon rainforest. Dr Irvine said rising groundwater temperature was concerning as it is critical for life on earth and will influence ecosystems, aquatic processes and water quality.
But there is still hope for Australia, as how much our groundwater will warm will depend on whether we can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate climate change, Dr Irvine said.
St Kilda Road Melbourne apartments kick off
The Fareham project is a set of sustainable apartments designed by architects BayleyWard, on St Kilda Road in Melbourne has started construction. Gamuda Land’s project is slated to achieve a minimum of 7.5 Star NatHERS rating and will be powered by an embedded network providing 100 per cent renewable energy, including rooftop solar panels.
The building will also have EV charging capabilities, secure bike parking, and an onsite bike workshop to encourage residents to use greener transportation. The building is due for completion in 2026.
Family-owned construction firm Maskscon has been engaged as builders.
Water Sensitivity Survey open
Our Urban Greening summits and Extreme Green Infrastructure masterclass unearthed strong feelings about water-sensitive design and the potential of a drought ridden future for our nation. So, the release of a new survey on the industry’s use of cost analysis tools and value tools is bound to spark interest.
The survey, by Water Sensitivity Cities, based at Monash University, asks for the industry’s input into what needs to be done and whether training on the tools was needed. Results will be used to update and maintain the tools. The survey is open until 20 June.
ERM buys Energetics
ERM has added another consultancy to its swag with the acquisition announced on Thursday morning of Energetics, one of Australia’s leading – and oldest – energy and climate risk consultancy.
The company’s global co-head of corporate sustainability and climate change, Matt Klein, said the acquisition broadened offers to clients.
Dr Mary Stewart, Energetics’ CEO, said the deal created a “great match”.
“Energetics first opened its doors for business 40 years ago. Since then, we’ve worked across every sector of Australia’s economy and developed long-standing relationships advising some of the country’s largest businesses. Energetics’ alumni can be found leading sustainability, climate and energy risk management teams here and overseas.”
The company was started in 1984 by Jonathan Justsen who remained with the company until 2016, when he left to pursue his interest in industry advocacy roles including as chief executive of the Race for 2030 Co-operative Research Centre where he’s been since 2022.
The deal comes after ERM’s acquisition of Point Advisory in 2022, expanding its capabilities in sustainability economics, energy, procurement, strategy and human rights.
CEFC invests in affordable home energy for consumers
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation will make its first investment in its household energy upgrades fund – a program designed to help consumers access cheaper home energy solutions and financing.
The $60 million investment will involve the organisation partnering with financial technology provider Plenti to provide financing to reduce the cost of clean energy technology such as solar, home batteries and energy efficiency upgrades for eligible customers. Customers can access discounts for Plenti’s green loans of up to 2.74 per cent annually.
Further developments for the fund are slated later this year, as the organisation said that there are plans for more than $850 million in potential green loans from 16 financiers in discussion.
Confidence drops as industry braces for economic downturn
The latest annual survey by Consult Australia paints a bleak picture for the industry as the economic downturn sets in, spurred by increasing reports of overwork and expectations of a higher-risk environment next year.
On Wednesday, news broke that the economy had grown by just 0.1 per cent.
Responses in Consult Australia’s survey this year were gathered from businesses in design, advisory and engineering, totalling 23,510 respondents. Top sectors for those reporting “too much work” include water and dams (47 per cent), transport (44 per cent) and energy and resources (43 per cent).
The survey reported that 57 per cent of responding businesses had redeployed staff to alternative projects due to pipeline issues, and 46 per cent have made resource cuts. The “escalating costs of doing business” is also the biggest challenge for 70 per cent of respondents. Industry sectors most likely to identify a lack of work were commercial buildings, rail and roads.
On top of that, 47 per cent of respondents have received an insurance premium increase of up to 10 per cent, and 62 per cent noted that fewer insurers are now offering coverage for their needs.
Western Australia’s new co-op housing project
The Kyloring Housing Co-operative project at Witchcliffe in WA has opened a crowdfunding campaign to allow the general public to invest in its development and receive benefits from interest payments. The project consists of cooperative housing that is energy-efficient, affordable and community oriented for those over 55 years old.
Those who invest in the project will also contribute economically and socially to the community within the buildings – with hopes to distribute wealth more fairly and close the inequality gap. Minimum term is $10,000 for five years.
Victoria to trial used coffee grounds concrete footpath
RMIT University will launch the world’s first trial of coffee concrete footpath in partnership with Central Victoria’s Macedon Ranges Shire Council. The project involves turning used coffee grounds into biochar, which makes concrete made using organic waste 30 per cent stronger when added to the mix.
The newly developed process is said to be low energy, without oxygen and processed at 350 degrees Celsius.
Civil infrastructure firm BildGroup has also partnered with the RMIT team behind the project to deliver circular economy outcomes using the newly generated resources. Dr Rajeev Roychand, part of the university’s development team, said that using coffee grounds contributes 3 per cent of greenhouse emissions. The process will also reduce the 75 million kilograms of ground coffee waste going to landfills every year – and replace the 655 million kg of sand used in concrete nationally.
The Queensland government is raising the stakes in housing
Brisbane property prices have increased by 65 per cent since the pandemic began, which is double any Australian capital city average – sitting at 34 per cent, noted in a recent article by Hal Pawson on The Conversation.
The latest data released by CoreLogic reveals that Brisbane now offers the second most expensive housing in the country, behind Sydney. Median property prices are now hitting $843,231 after a 1.4 per cent price rise in May.
Soaring rents, which have squeezed people on lower incomes, has led the Queensland government to start moving to reverse the long-term decline in its social housing stock.
The government is also flagging a boost in homelessness funding and services after historic policy inaction and complacency revealed a latest report for the Queensland Council of Social Service. The government also pledged earlier this year to add 53,500 social housing units by 2046 and would expand public and community housing stock by 73 per cent.
“Let’s hope this trajectory continues, as well as inspiring more progressive ambition and action by other Australian governments,” noted Pawson.