Solar Thermal Energy Plant in Mt Isa

Queensland's state-owned Stanwell Corporation is partnering with Australian company Vast Solar for a $600 million solar thermal energy plant in Mt Isa.

Vast Solar developed concentrating solar thermal energy technology and has been completing tests with contractors in Mt Isa since 2020.

If the feasibility study leads to approval, the plant is expected to come online in 2024.

Read More - Townsville Bulletin

Australian Government Pays Cayman Islands Company for Water

The Auditor-General is demanding answers from the Department of Agriculture after the Australian government pays $13 million above valuation price to a Cayman Islands company for water entitlements. Read more - ABC News

Green Power v Red Tape

Operators of a bio-power energy plant fuelled by sugar cane waste (bagasse) at the Tableland Mill are complaining that regulators AEMO and the Queensland Power Regulator are shifting the goalposts for approval. MSF Sugar completed the plant three years ago but has now been forced to resubmit reports and data on the plant's performance. 

Queensland's sugar industry has suffered as global supply chains and overseas subsidies force local mills to close. The mill at Maryborough was shuttered last year and diversification into bio-power has been seen as a lifeline for struggling Australian cane growers. Read more - The Australian

Sunshine Coast Snub: Infrastructure Australia Overlooks Fast Rail Proposal

Infrastructure Australia has excluded the North Coast Connect fast rail proposal from its priority list, despite backing from Stockland, Urbis, SMEC, and KPMG. The Commonwealth authority with oversight of funding stated that the presence of environmentally sensitive sites near the proposed route was a factor that presented project delivery risks. According to Infrastructure Australia, the costs of the project would outweigh the social, economic and environmental benefits. 

The Fast Rail link would reduce travel time between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast from 75 to 50 minutes, with new connections for booming population centres at Caloundra and Maroochydore. Read more - Queensland Times

P&E Court Shuts Down Illegal Sunshine Coast Apartments

The Sunshine Coast Regional Council successfully sought orders in this case that require property owners to remove kitchens, plumbing, and various fixtures from a three-story building that was being illegally used as an 'accommodation house'.

Although the building had been approved as a 'dwelling house' that might typically house a family, its owners advertised and leased out the self-contained rooms as apartments. District Court Judge Cash QC therefore made orders "directed towards alterations to the building intended to make it less attractive for use as an accommodation building". The owners were required to remove kitchens, doors, electricity meters, plumbing, water meters, locks and laundry sinks. Those works had to be completed within 45 days.

The Court ordered the owners to pay the Council's investigation costs of $21,666 and also its legal costs. The decision includes an interesting analysis of the principles that guide the award of costs in this jurisdiction, including the circumstances in which the costs of two barristers will be allowed.

Read more: Article

PFAS: Clean-ups, Contamination and Compensation

PFAS chemicals were widely used in firefighting chemicals at Australian military bases twenty years ago, and their effects are still being felt in surrounding communities. Contaminated groundwater has displaced residents and left them worried about the long-term health consequences from PFAS exposure. The Department of Defence just settled a class action with a payment of more than $200 million to landowners, including for loss of land value. 

In contrast to European regulators, Australia's Health Department continues to downplay the risks from PFAS. A federally-funded epidemiological study on the effects of PFAS on affected residents' health is due to report later this year. PFAS substances do not break down, but instead accumulate in soil and animals, so it may be a long time before we know their real impacts. Read more: ABC News 

Trouble in Paradise? Queensland's Growing Pains

The Queensland State Government has responded to SEQ's population explosion by announcing a new taskforce. But will that be enough to ensure sufficient new housing development? Gold Coast councillors backtracked from proposals to build up Biggera Waters and Labrador after backlash from residents, and Palm Beach councillor Daphne McDonald has slammed development proposals for the southern suburbs as "ludicrous". Leading developer Azzura Group is now calling on the council to refocus on the Southport CBD, where it wants to build the southern hemisphere's tallest tower. Read more - Queensland Times 

Development at Historic Prison Site Sparks Controversy

Late Friday afternoon, Brisbane City Council approved Stockwell's controversial development proposal for the historic Boggo Road Gaol. A two-storey commercial building will replace the current tree-lined boulevard, bringing retail and office space to the infamous 1880s prison site. Critics have complained that the development is dominated by carparks, which are sure to have significant value immediately adjacent to the new train station and schools. One community group has pledged to challenge the development in the Planning and Environment Court. Read more - ABC News

Gold Coast Mayor calls for higher-density development to address land shortage

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has come out in support of higher-density development to address the region's land shortage. More than 6,500 new homes are needed each year to accommodate the growing population, and construction on former canefields in Norwell Valley has been put forward as a solution. But other local councillors, including Cr Mark Hammel, have dismissed that proposal because the location is prone to flooding. Read more - ABC News article

Bushfires Fallout: NSW EPA and Forestry Corp clash over logging

The NSW EPA and Forest Corp are at loggerheads as they try to balance forestry jobs with the need to protect the State's remaining forests. Bushfires in 2020 destroyed approximately 80% of NSW forests, and Forestry Corp is stepping back from a site-specific agreement that was implemented in place of the CIFOA. The EPA lacks the power to seek preemptive injunctive relief against Forestry Corp until there has been a breach of regulations, and the budget estimates hearing is questioning the EPA Chief Executive on why damage to the forests must occur before action is taken.

Read more - Link to SMH Article #environment #forestry #bushfirerecovery

Controversial New Housing Estate Near Ipswich

 The developers of a new housing estate next to bushland and the Swanbank Industrial Area (source of many odour complaints) have submitted new plans to the council. Queensland Times article #housing #construction #environment