Waste+Water Management Australia

10/06/2024

Do you know an engineering project advancing society? Here's your chance to spotlight the deserving team behind it! Nominate them for the prestigious Engineers Australia and stand a chance to see their work recognised as Australia's project of the year. Hurry, nominations close on Tuesday July 2. Submit your nomination now:

Excellence awards program Nominations open Home About us Excellence awards program Leaders in engineering pave the way for transformation not just in their field, but in the world at large. The progress engineers make pushes the boundaries of what’s believed possible, shaping how we think, live, w...

05/04/2024

BENTLEY SYSTEMS ISSUES CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2024 GOING DIGITAL AWARDS IN INFRASTRUCTURE
Bentley Systems Incorporated, the infrastructure engineering software company, recently announced its call for nominations for the 2024 Going Digital Awards in Infrastructure. The awards, which are judged by independent juries of industry experts, recognise infrastructure projects for going digital advancements in infrastructure. The deadline for nominations is April 15, 2024.
Users of Bentley software are invited to enter their projects in the Going Digital Awards in Infrastructure program, no matter which phase the project is in – preconstruction/conceptual, design, construction, or operations. The three finalists chosen for each awards category win a trip to Vancouver to attend The Year in Infrastructure and Going Digital Awards event as guests of Bentley Systems.
For additional information about the 2024 Going Digital Awards in Infrastructure program, or to nominate a project, please visit:

The Year in Infrastructure in is an exciting annual event hosted by Bentley Systems. Celebrate the year's top infrastructure projects and discover the latest digital advancements in engineering.

04/03/2024

COFFEE CUPS IN WA TO GO COMPOSTABLE WITH SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAN
Non-compostable coffee cups will be banned throughout Western Australia in the State’s latest step away from single-use plastics and lids.
The bans - part of the second stage of WA’s nation-leading Plan for Plastics - will be implemented with a common-sense, education-first approach to enforcement, with the State Government working closely with retailers and consumers to ensure the community can support the changes.
Plan for Plastics has already led to 430 million fewer single-use plastics going to landfill or litter annually in WA.
It is expected the plan’s second stage will save an additional 700 million single-use items annually, with hot beverage cups accounting for more than 154 million of these items per annum.
Compostable paperboard cups, certified to Australian composting standards, are excluded from the ban, while lids must be entirely plastic-free.

18/02/2024

Unlock career-changing content with Engineers Australia
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Visit:
https://m.engineersaustralia.org.au/resourcetrial2024?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=CEA&utm_campaign=FreeContent24&utm_content=leaderboard

For a limited time, we’re giving non-members access to a premium selection of EA OnDemand video content. EA OnDemand is our exclusive online streaming platform, with over 1000 presentations designed to enrich your engineering and professional skills. This is career-changing content — and yours t...

17/02/2024

MODERN WIND TURBINE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPERS WIN 2024 QUEEN ELIZABETH PRIZE FOR ENGINEERING

The 2024 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering (QEPrize) has been awarded to Denmark’s Henrik Stiesdal and Britain’s Andrew Garrad for their achievements in advancing the design, manufacture and deployment of high-performance wind turbines – developments that have enabled wind energy to make a material contribution to global electricity generation and deliver transformational impact in diversifying the global energy mix.
Awarded annually, the QEPrize is presented to engineers responsible for groundbreaking innovations that have been of global benefit to humanity.
Now in its second decade as the leading international accolade for engineering achievement, the 2024 QEPrize Laureates were announced by Lord Browne of Madingley, Chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering Foundation, during a reception at the Science Museum in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal, Royal Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Over the past four decades, Stiesdal and Garrard have made seminal engineering inputs that – from demonstration to full-scale implementation – have resulted in a phenomenal increase in the size of individual wind turbines and the scale of the wind farms in which they are sited, as well as in their engineering an economic performance.

16/02/2024

GEF COUNCIL APPROVES $1.1 BILLION AND SETS PLANS FOR BIODIVERSITY FUND

The Global Environment Facility’s 186 member governments have agreed to invest $1.1 billion for international action on biodiversity, climate change, nature renewal, and pollution control, and met for the first time as Council of the new Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF).
The GEF Council, meeting in Washington, DC, approved $918 million for 45 projects and programs from the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund, including four blended finance initiatives involving the private sector and five Integrated Programs designed to tackle complex challenges in their entirety.
Government representatives also endorsed $203 million for 21 climate change adaptation projects funded by the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), which are part of a family of funds that also includes the GEF Trust Fund, the Nagoya Protocol Implementation Fund, and the Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) Trust Fund.
The GBFF, the latest addition to this growing GEF-housed portfolio, is expected to start funding projects related to nature loss and restoration by the end of 2024. It was launched at the Seventh GEF Assembly in August 2023, less than a year after parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity requested that the GEF create it to support countries’ efforts to meet the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework goals on halting and reversing nature loss.

16/02/2024

INNOVATIVE CLAY TRIAL IMPROVES ESTUARY WATER QUALITY

An innovative new trial is helping to improve water quality in Western Australia’s Peel-Harvey estuary catchment by reducing the nutrients that fuel algal growth.
Scientists from Healthy Estuaries WA have applied a specially manufactured clay-based treatment to a drain in the catchment of the Peel-Harvey estuary (Bindjareb Djilba). The clay successfully bound up to 95 per cent of phosphorus at the treatment site, preventing it from fuelling algal growth in the downstream waterways.
Many of our waterways can receive excess phosphorus from fertiliser use in their catchment, potentially causing algal growth that can lead to fish kills and adverse human health impacts.
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) has been working on a novel clay known as Hydrotalcite clay, or HT-clay. It is made from a natural bentonite clay modified with hydrotalcite: a phosphorus binding mineral. The manufacturing process involves mixing several raw ingredients together, causing chemical reactions where the clay becomes coated in the phosphorus binding material.
The application of the clay to reduce phosphorus concentrations in the waterways complements ongoing work through Healthy Estuaries WA in the catchment. This work with farmers is reducing the amount of fertiliser applied to farms, preventing loss of further nutrients to the waterways.
The clay production and distribution have been funded by the State Government’s Bindjareb Djilba Protection Plan and Healthy Estuaries WA program.

05/02/2024

Unlock career-changing content with Engineers Australia
FREE 1-month access to a selection of premium video learning content.
Visit: https://m.engineersaustralia.org.au/resourcetrial2024?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=HEA&utm_campaign=FreeContent24&utm_content=Video

17/10/2023

Leading ocean energy developer Minesto has completed the manufacturing of the Dragon 12 wing and started system integration at quayside in Uddevalla port, Sweden. The quayside completion of the kite enables the integration of subsystems and further transport to the production site in Vestmanna, Faroe Islands. Final system integration at the quayside is logistically cost-effective and reduces the need for complex and expensive transport of the large wing.
The wing, spanning 12 metres, is a key component in the Dragon 12 system to which all other modules connect. All subsystems, including the 1.2 MW power take-off, steering pods, and control system, are being prepared for integration.
Read the full story at:

Leading ocean energy developer Minesto has completed the manufacturing of the Dragon 12 wing and started system integration at quayside in Uddevalla port, Sweden. The quayside completion of the kite enables the integration of subsystems and further transport to the production site in Vestmanna, Faro...

16/10/2023

ONE WEEK TO GO: WASTE EXPO 2023
Waste Expo Australia 2023 is one week away, with thousands of attendees expected to converge on the 2-day conference and exhibition at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
With 100+ exhibitors and 60+ conference speakers over 4 stages, the free-to-attend event on October 25 and 26 is set to showcase new innovations in the sector and discuss greener, cleaner and circular approaches to waste management.
The premium conference, focused on the theme of “Advancing Towards Sustainable Resource Recovery”, will address topics across four streams: Local Government and Policy, Commercial Demolition and Commercial and Industrial (CD&CI), Circular Economy and Waste Innovation, and Waste to Energy/Energy from Waste.
Conference keynotes to kick off Day 1 will spotlight the Hon. Ingrid Stitt, Victorian Minister for Energy, Tony Circelli, CEO Recycling Victoria, Lee Miezis, CEO EPA Victoria, and Matt Genever, Interim CEO Sustainability Victoria. The conference then splits into the four streams, with a networking drinks event to end the day at South Wharf.
Register for free at: https://bit.ly/3PYWuXn

15/10/2023

Waste Expo Australia is THIS MONTH!

Featuring 60+ conference sessions presented by 100+ expert speakers, and 100+ local and international brands on the expo floor showcasing the latest technologies and innovations, Waste Expo Australia is the ultimate sourcing platform for the waste and resource recovery sector.
Get access to Waste Expo Australia by registering for free today: https://bit.ly/3PYWuXn

12/10/2023

newcleo, the company developing innovative Generation IV reactors which use nuclear waste as fuel, recently announced that it has signed an agreement with Fincantieri, one of the largest shipbuilding companies in the world, and RINA, the inspection, certification, ship classification and consulting engineering multinational.
The deployment of newcleo’s innovative LFR (Lead-cooled Fast Reactor) for naval propulsion would involve placing a closed mini reactor on vessels as a small nuclear battery producing a 30MW electric output. This would require infrequent refuelling (only once every 10-15 years), very limited maintenance and easy replacement at end-of-life.
According to the company, using its nuclear technology to power marine vessels is both clean and safe, and can play a significant role in helping to rapidly decarbonise a sector grappling with huge fossil fuel consumption and its consequent carbon emissions.
Read the full story at:

newcleo, the company developing innovative Generation IV reactors which use nuclear waste as fuel, recently announced that it has signed an agreement with Fincantieri, one of the largest shipbuilding companies in the world, and RINA, the inspection, certification, ship classification and consulting....

11/10/2023

More than 16,000 digital smart water meters will be installed at homes and businesses across Perth, in one of the largest Australian pilots into the technology’s future potential.
Smart meters transmit wireless water-use data, providing an hourly overview of water consumption, through an online Water Corporation account, that will be available from mid-next year. The technology makes it easy to notify customers of high or unusual water use patterns, helping them identify leaks sooner and reducing the potential for surprise bills.
Water Corporation already has some 40,000 smart meters in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, parts of the Pilbara and Yanchep, where the technology has improved safety and efficiency by removing the need for physical meter reading.
Read the full story at:

More than 16,000 digital smart water meters will be installed at homes and businesses across Perth, in one of the largest Australian pilots into the technology’s future potential. Smart meters transmit wireless water-use data, providing an hourly overview of water consumption, through an online Wa...

08/10/2023

Progress towards Australia’s commitment to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 will be celebrated through one of the two new award categories in this year’s National Banksia Sustainability Awards.
The highly anticipated 35th National Banksia Sustainability Awards has introduced categories for Climate Impact Technology and Nature Positive to recognise and celebrate positive environmental outcomes.
Banksia Foundation CEO Graz van Egmond says the Climate Impact Technology Award provides a platform for start-ups to showcase their innovative solutions and contribute to a sustainable future.
The Banksia Awards stand out for their comprehensive coverage of sustainability issues based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With a diverse range of categories, the awards highlight crucial sustainability topics spanning from preserving biodiversity to responsible placemaking, promoting a healthy planet and healthy people, and fostering diversity and inclusion.
Read the full story at:

Progress towards Australia’s commitment to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 will be celebrated through one of the two new award categories in this year’s National Banksia Sustainability Awards. The highly anticipated 35th National Banksia Sustainability Awards has introduced categories for Clim...

05/10/2023

With a nearly sold-out roster of international and Australian suppliers across waste and resource recovery, Waste Expo Australia 2023 promises to be an exciting sourcing platform and venue for discovering new innovations in the sector.
On October 25 and 26, over 2,300 attendees will pass through the doors of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. While the 100+ exhibitors are a strong drawcard, the premium free-to-attend conference running alongside the exhibition also features compelling thought leadership, case studies and industry discussions.
Waste Expo Australia’s exhibition and conference are both free to attend.
Read the full story at:

With a nearly sold-out roster of international and Australian suppliers across waste and resource recovery, Waste Expo Australia 2023 promises to be an exciting sourcing platform and venue for discovering new innovations in the sector. On October 25 and 26, over 2,300 attendees will pass through the...

03/10/2023

An engaging early childhood education program is turning the region’s youngest citizens into water superheroes.
The Water Hero program, facilitated by Barwon Water’s education team, provides resource packs to kindergartens and early education centres to help educators speak to children about the value of water. Each pack includes an activity book, a water hero cape, badge and poster.
General Manager, Customers, Community and Strategy Laura Kendall said that the program is a wonderful way for preschool children to learn more about the delicate nature of the water cycle and the role that we all play in caring for this precious resource.
Read the full story at:

An engaging early childhood education program is turning the region’s youngest citizens into water superheroes. The Water Hero program, facilitated by Barwon Water’s education team, provides resource packs to kindergartens and early education centres to help educators speak to children about the...

01/10/2023

Engineers Australia’s Climate Smart Engineering Conference 2023 (CSE23) will be an exciting in-person event held at the world-class sustainable Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 29-30 November. This flagship conference, known for its knowledge-sharing, networking and engaging debate on engineering-led climate solutions, will reflect the critical role the profession will play in driving the economy-wide transition to net zero emissions.
Now in its third year, the program for CSE23 includes some of the profession’s brightest and boldest minds, including Former Chief Scientist of Australia, Dr Alan Finkel AC; Ruby Heard CPEng, Director, Alinga Energy Consulting; Eytan Lenko, CEO of Boundless Earth; CEO of Circular Australia, Lisa McLean; and best-selling author, Dr Margie Warrell to name but a few.
Read the full story at:

Engineers Australia’s Climate Smart Engineering Conference 2023 (CSE23) will be an exciting in-person event held at the world-class sustainable Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 29-30 November. This flagship conference, known for its knowledge-sharing, networking and engaging debate on...

28/09/2023

TRANSITION TO NET ZERO NOT ‘ONE SIZE FITS ALL’
New research from Victoria University’s Mitchell Institute has painted a clear picture of how Australia’s Net Zero by 2050 transition will impact regions and industries and recommended how to harness and mitigate the human cost.
Dr Melinda Hildebrandt used modelling completed by VU’s Centre of Policy Studies in 2021 to examine features of the most affected regions and industries, and some of the current transition initiatives already underway.
In early May 2023, the Federal Government established a National Net Zero Authority to support Australia’s transition by supporting workers, coordinating programs and policies and helping investors and companies.
“The National Net Zero Authority is welcomed, but to ensure the authority is effective, we recommend a nuanced approach taking into account the unique features of each region and industry – it can’t be a one-size-fits-all approach,” she said.
Read the full story at:

New research from Victoria University’s Mitchell Institute has painted a clear picture of how Australia’s Net Zero by 2050 transition will impact regions and industries and recommended how to harness and mitigate the human cost. Dr Melinda Hildebrandt used modelling completed by VU’s Centre of...

27/09/2023

WASTE TO ENERGY, CIRCULARITY: WASTE EXPO AUSTRALIA
CONFERENCE ANNOUNCED
The countdown to Waste Expo Australia 2023 continues. With just under a month to go, the full conference schedule has been released, detailing the 100 industry leaders who will share insights over two days at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
On October 25-26, the free-to-attend Waste Expo Australia conference will create a platform for industry discussions around the theme of “Advancing Towards Sustainable Resource Recovery”. The conference’s four streams cover Local Government and Policy, Commercial Demolition and Commercial and Industrial (CD&CI), Circular Economy and Waste Innovation, and Waste to Energy.
Find out more at: https://www.wasteexpoaustralia.com.au/en-gb.html?utm_source=WWM&utm_medium=bannerad&utm_campaign=WEA23

The largest gathering of waste management and resource recovery professionals in the country. Register today!

26/08/2023

Tickets released! Celebrate engineering excellence across Australia. Attend the Excellence Awards local winners announcements. Held in 9 locations from 4–8 September 2023, secure your seat today: www.engaus.org/excellenceawards

31/07/2023

BINGO has entered an agreement with ReDirect Recycling to supply waste-engineered timber to Australian Panels to be utilised in particleboard manufacturing.
Australian Panels is a leading manufacturer of melamine panels and components for kitchen cabinets and joinery in Australia. Engineered boards are made from pine logs and recycled timber, recovered from construction and demolition waste.
By diverting the engineered timber from landfill, BINGO is able to abate 49,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum, which is equivalent to taking about 10,904 cars off the road every year.
Read the full story at: https://www.epcgroup.com/bingo-partners-with-redirect-recycling/

BINGO has entered an agreement with ReDirect Recycling to supply waste-engineered timber to Australian Panels to be utilised in particleboard manufacturing. Australian Panels is a leading manufacturer of melamine panels and components for kitchen cabinets and joinery in Australia. Engineered boards....

31/07/2023

Waste Expo Australia 2023, the waste management industry’s premier event, recently announced the first session of its multi-stream conference: The Waste Summit!
The Waste Summit conference program will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, and interactive where attendees will learn about the latest developments in waste-to-energy technologies, sustainable packaging, and circular economy practices.
The Waste Summit conference program will sit alongside an expanded exhibition featuring over 110 leading resource recovery suppliers which include Bucher Municipal, Komatsu, Wastech Engineering, Pacific Materials Handling, Steinert, Repurpose It as well as a growing number of leading international suppliers from Denmark, Ireland, France, USA and Germany.
Read the full story at: https://www.epcgroup.com/the-waste-summit-2023/

Waste Expo Australia 2023, the waste management industry’s premier event, has just announced the first session of its multi-stream conference: The Waste Summit! The Waste Summit conference program will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, and interactive where attendees will learn about th...

30/07/2023

FACILITATING THE TRANSITION FROM MINING TO BLUE ECONOMY

The Anindilyakwa people of the remote Groote Archipelago have embarked on a remarkable transformation as they counter the forthcoming forfeiture of royalty revenue from the winding-down manganese mine, which has been the mainstay of their economy for 58 years. In a determined effort to safeguard their land, language, and culture while seeking profitable economic prospects, they are diving deep into the Blue Economy.
In what is being seen as a significant step in this transformative journey, the Groote Aqua Aboriginal Corporation (GAAC), under the stewardship of the Anindilyakwa Land Council (ALC), has partnered with the Northern Hub to initiate a pioneering aquaponics system on Groote Eylandt.
The aquaponics system, funded by the Northern Hub through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, represents a shift from traditional soil-based farming to a water-based cultivation method that harnesses the Archipelago’s pristine aquatic environment and crystal-clear waters. This innovative approach aligns with the community’s aspirations of respecting local resources, creating a carbon offset economy, providing food security, optimising nutrition, and striving for self-sufficiency.
Read the full story at: https://www.epcgroup.com/innovative-aquaponics-project/

The Anindilyakwa people of the remote Groote Archipelago have embarked on a remarkable transformation as they counter the forthcoming forfeiture of royalty revenue from the winding-down manganese mine, which has been the mainstay of their economy for 58 years. In a determined effort to safeguard the...

30/07/2023

VICTORIAN COMMUNITY HOUSING PROPERTIES RECEIVE FREE WATER EFFICIENCY UPGRADES
Hundreds of low-income social housing properties in Melbourne have had their water efficiency improved under a Community Housing Retrofit Program. The program, run by Yarra Valley Water across the metropolitan region, has fixed thousands of leaky taps, toilets and hot water services across the state.
Since its launch in 2016, the program has helped 783 community housing properties across Victoria save around 86 million litres of water per year and $340,000 per year – or $435 per property per year. The savings come from reducing water bills by identifying and repairing leaks and the replacement of inefficient fixtures and fittings.
Yarra Valley Water delivers the program in the metropolitan area on behalf of the Victorian Government, South East Water and Greater Western Water.
Over the last 12 months, community housing organisations have saved approximately 17 million litres of water in total – and nearly $68,000 through the program. This is the equivalent of 6.8 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
The program is supported by the Victorian Government and is available to groups serviced by Yarra Valley Water, South East Water and Greater Western Water. In regional Victoria, the program is delivered by Barwon Water, Central Highlands Water and Lower Murray Water.
Stay up to date with all the latest news with WWM Online News – access it FREE at: https://www.epcgroup.com/magazines/wwm-magazine

29/06/2023

With limited stands and sponsorship opportunities still available, Waste Expo Australia is taking last enquiries for exhibitors in 2023. Don't miss your chance to be on display among 100+ key brands to the waste management, recycling and resource recovery sectors. Get in touch with the Waste Expo sales team today: https://bit.ly/43DpB6x

13/06/2023

EXPERTS CALL FOR THE INCLUSION OF SOIL MICROBIOMES IN ONE HEALTH POLICY

Distinguished Professor Brajesh Singh from Western Sydney University’s Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment led a global team that calls for the inclusion of soil microbiomes in the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) One Health policy, to help address the policy’s goals. The article, published in international journal Nature Microbiology, showcases available data to highlight the need for an integrated science-policy-society interface that explicitly considers soil health and microbiomes.
Lead author Professor Singh said the explicit inclusion of soil health and its microbiomes is a vital step to deliver on the policy to ensure cost-effective and environmentally sustainable approaches are used for the management of One Health issues.
“The suggested holistic approach could offer preventive and mitigating measures to combat potential threats that the policy aims to address such as infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance and climate change,’ said Professor Singh.
Soil functions, carried out by soil microbiomes, underpin human, animal and plant health including food and water security and the mitigation of climate change impacts.
“Soil impacts planetary health in many ways including through the creation of healthy habitats, supporting human and animal immune systems and acting as an interface between air and water directly influencing environmental quality, a key pillar of the One Health approach,” Professor Singh added.
The One Health policy looks to sustainably balance and improve the health of people, animals and ecosystems through a unified approach.
Stay up to date with all the latest news with WWM Online News at: https://www.epcgroup.com/magazines/wwm-magazine/

13/06/2023

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH GO HAND IN HAND IN RECYCLING

The Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) has released an economic report that demonstrates the immense economic value of the recycling sector. The recycling sector connects with almost every household, business and government entity in the country, either directly or indirectly – processing over 40 million tonnes of material in the last financial year.
The Economic Contribution of the Australian Recycling Industry, authored by Australian Economic Advocacy Solutions, showed that over the past year, the recycling sector contributed almost $19 billion in economic value and provided over 94,000 jobs in Australia.
Recycling jobs also paid a livelihood over ten thousand dollars higher than average Australian weekly earnings, providing a high-value workforce in an expanding industry.
‘Recycling is an integral gear within the circular economy, delivering significant social, economic and environmental value. The Australian recycling industry contributes billions of dollars in economic value, while delivering environmental benefits such as resource efficiency and diversion of material from landfill. One job is supported for every 430 tonnes of material recycled in Australia,’ said ACOR’s CEO, Suzanne Toumbourou.
‘The recycling sector’s growth over the past decade has outstripped Australia’s economic growth by more than 1.5 times – while employment within the sector expanded four times faster than national employment growth – showing that environmental benefit and economic growth can go hand in hand,’ Ms Toumbourou added.
The Report is available for download from:https://www.acor.org.au/uploads/2/1/5/4/21549240/230523_economic_contribution_of_recycling_-_acor.pdf