Waste + Water Management Australia V42.5 - Feb 2016

WASTE + WATER MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA FEBRUARY 2016

V42.5

ENVIRONMENT SUSTAINABILITY PUBLIC HEALTH SINCE 1973

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contents

February 2016 Volume 42 Number 5

Published by:

Editorial and Publishing Consultants Pty Ltd

ABN 85 007 693 138 PO Box 510, Broadford Victoria 3658 Australia Phone: 1300 EPCGROUP (1300 372 476) Int’l: +61 3 5784 3438 Fax: +61 3 5784 2210 www.epcgroup.com Publisher and Managing Editor Anthony T Schmidt Phone: 1300 EPCGROUP (1300 372 476) Mobile: 0414 788 900 Email: ats@epcgroup.com Deputy Editor Rex Pannell Mobile: 0433 300 106 Email: rex@epcgroup.com National Advertising Sales Manager Yuri Mamistvalov Phone: 1300 EPCGROUP (1300 372 476) Mobile: 0419 339 865 Email: yuri@epcgroup.com Advertising Sales - SA Jodie Chester - G Advertising Mobile: 0439 749 993 Email: jodie@gadvertising.com.au Advertising Sales - WA Licia Salomone - OKeeffe Media Mobile: 0412 080 600 Email: licia@okm.com.au Graphic Design Annette Epifanidis Mobile: 0416 087 412

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CIRCULATION 7020 Registered by Australia Post Publication No. 100001890

ISSN 1838-7098

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Industry News

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Wetlands and Waterways

15 Waste Expo 2016 16 Cover Feature: Solar Bins Australia

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20 Special Report: Landfill Levy 22 Diesel, Dirt & Turf Expo 24 E-Waste Recycling

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26 Greenhouse Gas 28 Renewable Energy 34 Focus on Water 36 Dams & Catchments

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38 Pipes & Pipelines 42 Sustainable Cities 45 Liquid Waste

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About the Cover City of Canada Bay Mayor, Angelo Tsirekas with two of the City's new Bigbelly solar compactor bins. The Bigbelly bins, provided by Solar Bins Australia, use the sun's energy to power a compactor that compresses waste when it is disposed of, reducing the potential for bins to overflow and the need for collection trips.

Turn to Page 16 for the full story.

EDITORS COLUMN

The Nuclear debate continues...

Dear Readers, Whilst it may have been hoped by some sectors of the community that the recently concluded South Australian Royal Commission into the nuclear fuel cycle may have provided a more definitive answer - either in the positive or the negative - regarding the use of nuclear power generation, it would appear that the Commission's preliminary findings are doing little to satisfy those on either side of the debate.

Established by the South Australian Government in March last year, the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission was charged with the task of undertaking an independent and comprehensive investigation into South Australia’s participation in four areas of activity that form part of the nuclear fuel cycle.

Those activities relate to the potential for the expansion of exploration and extraction of minerals and the undertaking of further processing of minerals; the manufacture of materials containing radioactive substances; use of nuclear fuels for electricity generation; and the storage and disposal of radioactive and nuclear waste.

In each case the Commission considered the feasibility and viability, as well as the risks and opportunities associated with those activities, - taking into consideration the future impact of these activities upon the South Australian economy, environment and community, and the measures that might need to be taken to facilitate and regulate those activities.

Interestingly, after almost a year of evidence from a total of 128 witnesses, Commissioner Kevin Scarce said that one of the reasons that 2

Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

he agreed to lead to Commission is that he believed that much of the nuclear debate has been framed upon fear and as such, he thought it was important to have a discussion based on facts.

That said, it would appear that Commission's Tentative Findings don't bode well for those in favour of utilising nuclear power as an efficient method of assisting South Australia to achieve its 2030 Greenhouse Gas emissions reduction targets. In fact, the Report stated: "Taking account of future demand and anticipated costs of nuclear power under the existing electricity market structure, it would not be commercially viable to generate electricity from a nuclear power plant in South Australia in the foreseeable future. However, Australia’s electricity system will require lowcarbon generation sources to meet future global emissions reduction targets. Nuclear power may be necessary, along with other lowcarbon generation technologies. It would be wise to plan now to ensure that nuclear power would be available should it be required."

Unfortunately, for those on the 'no nuclear' side of the debate, any joy that they may have garnered from this 'too expensive to be viable' finding was extremely short-lived.

In short, when it came to the question of management, storage and disposal of waste, the Report states: "The storage and disposal of used nuclear fuel in South Australia is likely to deliver substantial economic benefits to the South Australian community. An integrated storage and disposal facility would be commercially viable and the storage facility could be operational in the late 2020s.

To deliver long-term benefits to future generations of South Australians, a special arrangement such as a state wealth fund should be established to accumulate and equitably share the profits from the storage and disposal of waste."

Not surprisingly, for many, the finding that South Australia is suited - and should benefit financially - as a provider of long-term storage and containment services for nuclear waste was the worst possible outcome. In fact, it has been described to me by several people in recent days as a finding that delivers "... all of the pain, with none of the gain."

Notwithstanding the fact that these are the Royal Commission's Tentative Findings, one thing is clear, the nuclear debate is not only set to continue, if you'll excuse the cheesy pun, it looks like it's about the 'heat up' considerably.

That said, I for one am glad that the discussion surrounding nuclear power seems to have at least moved to one which is based more on facts rather than extremely emotive and often unfounded accusations and counteraccusations... So on that front at least, I believe we must consider the Commission a success.

You can download a copy of the Royal Commission's Tentative Findings at: http://nuclearrc.sa.gov.au/app/ uploads/2016/02/NFCRC-Tentative-Findings.pdf

Anthony T Schmidt Managing Editor

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Allows for the shortest possible wheelbase for the best manoeuvrability

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www.buchermunicipal.com.au

INDUSTRY NEWS

New future for advertising banners in Australia The NSW Minister for Environment Mark Speakman recently awarded funding to the Vinyl Council of Australia for a landmark project with the advertising industry for trials to recycle PVC coated banners into new products.

Currently over 1,200,000m² (500 tonnes) of advertising banners go to landfills around Australia every year at a significant cost to business and a waste of durable materials.

The challenge is that the banners are made of two excellent polymers (vinyl as a coating over woven polyester) which are hard to separate and reprocess - which is exactly why they are so suited for all weathers and conditions; they are tearresistant, waterproof, can be welded and are very tough.

This is the same ‘problem’ for other vinyl coated fabrics, including truck tarpaulins and grain covers, all of which currently go to landfill in Australia (total over 6,000 tonnes combined per year) and in most countries around the world.

As a result of this grant, during 2016, a team of university researchers will work with companies and industry associations to crack the puzzle to find a low cost, viable process and useful end product for advertising banners in the first instance, with the possibility of applying to other coated fabrics in the future.

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Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

This project will leverage upon results from a smaller project conducted in 2014-15 by Monash University and the Vinyl Council and its members using the same material which identified some possibilities for reprocessing and new products.

"We are delighted to have created a team of brilliant minds, innovators and leaders in their fields contributing their time, expertise and facilities to find a low cost solution to this world-wide problem and waste of materials.

This grant of $68,833 will leverage industry investments for a total budget of $168,132," said Helen Millicer, Manager of the Industry Recycling Strategy at the Vinyl Council of Australia.

ABOUT THE VINYL COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA The Vinyl Council of Australia is the peak industry association representing the Australian vinyl value chain and associated sectors including pipe, flooring and window fabricators. The VCA works to advance the health, safety and environmental performance of the vinyl industry in Australia by sharing information, engaging with stakeholders and fostering cooperation, as through this project.

"We have skilled research assistants in chemistry at UNSW, industrial designers at Monash University, highly experienced reprocessors at Welvic, innovative and successful manufacturers in PMG Engineering and Close the Loop, and suppliers Rojo Pacific and APN Outdoor who are keen to lead the advertising industry to a more sustainable future," she added.

Together the Vinyl Council of Australia and Outdoor Media Association will provide industry-wide engagement and coordination.

"This problem is too big to do it alone and therefore we are delighted to have received funding support from the NSW Environment Trust as part of the NSW EPA’s Waste Less, Recycle More initiative, funded from the waste levy," Ms Millicer added.

"A grant such as this that supports innovation and reprocessing in Australia is a game changer. It means that we can manage a focused and properly resourced project with contributing partners to find viable products and end-market alternatives and thereby prevent loss of quality material to landfill," she concluded.

For more information and photos contact: Helen Millicer, Project Manager, Vinyl Industry Recycling Strategy, Vinyl Council of Australia, email: helen.millicer@vinyl.org.au, Ph: 0413 875 872 or visit: www.vinyl.org.au or www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/2015problem-waste.htm

INDUSTRY NEWS

Sustainable waste management moves ahead in Tasmania Construction of a controlled waste cell is underway at Copping – a small township and agricultural district in Tasmania’s south-east between Dunalley and Sorell.

Work started after the State Government accepted the recommendation of the Tasmanian Development Board to provide a supporting grant of up to $2 million to facilitate the proposed C Cell waste facility.

Tasmania is the only state in Australia that does not have a Category C refuse disposal site. As a result, local companies, authorities and organisations stockpile or freight hazardous waste interstate for disposal.

Matthew Groom, Minister for Environment, said in adopting the board's recommendation the government acknowledged the development of the C Cell would make an important contribution to sustainable economic development.

“This is a choice between leaving hazardous waste lying around polluting or storing it properly in a secure location.

This is the only responsible environmental course of action,” Mr Groom said.

In supporting the development, the government agreed to provide a grant of up to $2 million to Southern Waste Solutions to assist with construction of the facility.

Southern Waste Solutions, which is owned by the Clarence City, Sorell, Tasman and Kingborough Councils, has secured from the private sector $4 million of the $6 million capital necessary to construct the waste facility.

Mr Groom said the Environmental Protection Authority undertook a rigorous assessment of the project and set strict controls for the site to ensure contaminated waste was managed effectively.

“This vital and strategic piece of infrastructure will help underpin future economic development including major projects where contaminated waste will need to be managed.

“It will also support our reputation as the Antarctic gateway by providing a feasible option for Antarctic waste disposal.

Construction of the C Cell will be completed by 30 June 2016.

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Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

Is your leadership in Water or the Circular Economy not being recognised or rewarded?

Perhaps it's time to have a chat with the Banksia Foundation Australia’s most respected Sustainability Awards Program Convenor, The Banksia Foundation, is looking for new sponsorship of its Sustainable Water Management and Leadership in the Circular Economy Category Awards.

The Banksia Board are seeking corporate leaders to work with, in order to seek out and profile innovative Australian case-studies. Corporates are needed to support these Awards; to communicate the progress that is being made in these two vital areas, as well as how it is being achieved and by who.

Benefits of Sponsorship Banksia Sustainability Award Sponsors benefit from the Foundation putting their business in the spotlight. It is an opportunity to align your business with Australia’s leading national sustainability awards program, now in its 27th year, and reach your target market through a reputable third party endorsement platform.

Sponsorship of an Award offers exclusivity and will deliver these specific benefits: • access to a number of practical and valuable promotional platforms; • a well respected third party endorsement; • a unique opportunity to develop promotional and educational concepts that will contribute to the enhancement of your own achievements; and • connection through Banksia’s Sponsors and Alumni network

About the Award Categories The Banksia Sustainable Water Management Award recognises those who demonstrate leadership and innovation in assuring continued access to quality freshwater resources and marine environments. We all realise that water is life, however the growing pressure on water resources – from population and economic growth, climate change, pollution, and other challenges – has major impacts on our social, economic,

and environmental well-being. In 27 years, Banksia has awarded 26 winners in this category, proving just how critical this Award has been to Australia’s development. From committed Catchment Management Authorities and campaigns to save water to dolphin conservation and ghost net mitigation, this Award continues to recognise those making significant difference to the environment.

To ensure that your business plays a key part in recognising Australia’s sustainable water Managers, contact the Banksia Foundation to Sponsor this category.

The Banksia Leadership in the Circular Economy Award is a new category for 2016. Banksia realises that this is still a relatively new concept in Australia, however to accelerate the transition to a Circular Economy, it is important to identify and promote the pioneers of creative disruption- those who are contributing to resource conservation and waste reduction in their own or another’s supply chain. This Award will recognise innovative approaches that allow the Australian economy to develop within natural limits; preserving and enhancing natural capital, optimising resource yields and eliminating waste.

Banksia is looking for a Sponsor who is willing to seek out Australia’s disrupters – where breakthrough technology and design will spark new circular models of commerce, displacing existing markets and creating new ones. Join Banksia for the inaugural Banksia Leadership in the Circular Economy Award and be seen as a national trailblazer For more information about sponsorship and working with the Banksia Foundation across these two important areas, please contact Graz van Egmond, CEO, Banksia Foundation on 0419 101 248 or email graz@ banksiafdn.com

INDUSTRY NEWS

If your business isn’t booming in NSW – it should be!

New South Wales has jumped the field in the Australian economic stakes and is now seen as the prime state in which to do business in construction. If your business is about building Australia, your industry is part of that boom.

Latest data shows New South Wales holds the top ranking on population growth, retail trade, dwelling starts and housing finance, while being in second place, and rising fast, for employment and equipment investment.

NSW is now a seriously competitive state for earthmoving and civil construction – as players from interstate head into NSW and seek opportunities, where there are none at home. This means every job is hotly contested, your rates need to be sharp and you need to know decision makers across contractors and suppliers. If you’re not in front of them on a regular basis, then they forget about you.

Mega-projects like Woolgoolga to Ballina, Sydney Airport at Badgeries Creek, Pacific Highway Upgrades, M4 Upgrades, just to name the big ones, are being tackled by both local contractors and subcontractors, and

equipment suppliers from interstate. Even though some of these projects won’t break ground for another year or two – you need to be meeting decision makers now to develop and foster relationships that could be long-term contracts in the future.

Whether you are running the survey team that maps out a green-fields site for development, or you are the landscaper or waster & recycling, or sit anywhere in-between along the infrastructure supply chain, CIVENEX is the place to sell or buy, or to plan your future sales and purchases.

All of your business aims, long, medium or short term, should be built around plans based on what your business has and will need in the way of skills, manpower, capital and ongoing staff education, training and development.

Every year private contractors, State, Federal and Local Government staff, design engineers and site managers are among the 3,500 visitors to CIVENEX. At the 200 exhibitor sites at CIVENEX 2016 you will see the very latest technology, adaptation and initiatives built into

the equipment or materials you plan to buy.

It is at CIVENEX where business-to-business negotiations take place and where industry meets those government bodies that generate infrastructure and where Private-Public Partnerships have their genesis.

To join the boom and stay on the wave, come to CIVENEX 2016 on May 18-19, 2016 at the Hawkesbury Showgrounds. It is the biggest infrastructure event of the year in the biggest infrastructure boom in Australia’s history that is being driven by private enterprise and government in Canberra and Sydney.

You cannot afford to miss CIVENEX 2016 if your business or employer is involved in Civil Construction, Outdoor Design, Plant and Machinery, Materials Handling, Software, Communications, Supply & Hire, Technical Services, Water Issues, Waste Management, Fleet, Maintenance, Roads or Drainage.

Organisations interested in booking sites, either indoor or outdoor, at CIVENEX 2016 should call Scott Leighton on (02) 8267 3005 or email: scott.leighton@ipwea.org

Where business gets done.

18 &19 may 2016

live auction and business hub

exciting new venue: hawkesbury showground

Come and see what all the talk is about.

CIVENEX 2016 is Australia’s premier infrastructure expo. As a visitor, you’ll see live demonstrations and the latest innovations in earthmoving, equipment hire, recycling, machine automation, parks and gardens care, new technologies and so much more.

As an exhibitor, you’ll be marketing your products to decisionmakers and experts in their fields.

For further information on visiting or exhibiting at CIVENEX 2016, please contact CIVENEX Event Manager: • Email: civenex@ipwea.org • Ph: 02 8267 3005

www.civenex.com

Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

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INDUSTRY NEWS

ABOUT CLEANAWAY Cleanaway Waste Management Limited is Australia's leading waste management company, operating a national network of unique collection, processing, treatment and landfill assets from over 200 locations across Australia. Cleanaway's philosophy is that 'all waste is a resource', and it aims to incorporate recovery, recycling and reuse throughout its operations and those of its clients. Cleanaway's mission is to make a sustainable future possible for all its stakeholders.

Cleanaway: A new chapter for Australia's largest waste and recycling company Australia’s largest waste management and recycling company has revealed its new brand, on the same day it officially became Cleanaway Waste Management Limited. The ASX ticker will also change from TPI to CWY. Ushering in the next chapter in its over 50 year history, CEO and Managing Director Vik Bansal said this was a key milestone in our good to great journey.

The occasion has been marked with events at some of Cleanaway’s 212 sites across Australia.

“But this represents far more than a rebranding, it represents far more than a change in style and colour, it represents us as a whole, moving forward as one under a single brand. It represents Cleanaway making a sustainable future possible, now and into the long term.”

Mr Bansal said the rebrand project – which officially kicked-off on October 30 2015 - has been embraced enthusiastically internally and has been carried out by a dedicated number of people across the

business. It is being achieved in a tight time frame, and on a fit-for-purpose budget.

“In doing that, we have unearthed some amazing pieces of information; some great and important pieces of our heritage, and we will use that as a source of pride to cement us as the market leader,” Mr Bansal said.

Freshly branded and detailed trucks, new uniforms and a new website, www. cleanaway.com.au are just a few of the visible changes that have been made under the unified brand. The process to rebrand the entire Cleanaway fleet of trucks and all sites will take close to two and a half years.

Mr Bansal stressed that the change would not alter or impact on the exemplary service offered across Australia by the more than 4,000 strong workforce.

"We continue to strive to deliver best waste management outcome all day every day," Mr Bansal.

CDEnviro increases production capacity by a third CDEnviro, a leading provider of waste reduction and recycling equipment for application in the sewage, waste water, waste management and utility industries, has announced that it has increased its product assembly space by 32% to allow for the production of 60 additional machines every year.

CDEnviro designs and manufactures a range of waste reduction and recycling equipment for application in the sewage, waste water, waste management and utility industries.

The expansion has been funded by CDEnviro following an upturn in the global waste and recycling industry. The company is responding to an increase in demand around the world for the range of classifying equipment they provide for solid/liquid separation, screening and recycling.

Strong foundations in key export markets will provide the basis for the company’s 8

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accelerated growth programme during the next five years, with major growth in market share anticipated in North America, Australia and central Europe.

Raymond Cooke, Operations Director at CDE, said: “2015 was an exciting year for our company and we have been looking ahead to our growth potential for the coming years. We felt that it was a necessary step to develop a new assembly bay at our headquarters. This has increased our capacity by a third and allowed for an additional 60 machines to be exported every year.”

CDEnviro recently announced its attendance at the IFAT exhibition in Munich, Germany from 30th May to 3rd June , as well as RWM Birmingham in the UK from 13th to 15th September.

CDEnviro will use the five day IFAT exhibition in Bavaria to launch the new S:MAX G to the international market.

Marc Jennings, CDEnviro General Manager commented on the new range saying, “It is the first unit that separates both rag and grit with this level of efficiency and will be officially launched into Europe this year at IFAT”.

For further information on the full range of CDEnviro products and services, please visit www.cdenviro.com

INDUSTRY NEWS

Draft water sharing plan for North Coast groundwater A water sharing plan covering coastal sands groundwatwer on the New South Wales north coast will be in force for 10 years once it is finalised by the state’s Department of Primary Industries.

The draft North Coast Coastal Sands Water Sharing Plan includes 14 groundwater sources covering the entire length of the north coast of NSW. It includes the centres of Newcastle, Foster/Tuncurry, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay and Tweed Heads.

DPI Water Rural Water Manager, Lyndal Betterridge, said groundwater played an important role in providing water for the longterm security of local farming, industries, towns and the environment.

“The draft plan includes rules for protecting the environment, managing water extraction and facilitating water trading.”

Ms Betterridge said the completed plan would be legally binding for 10 years, giving security and certainty for water users and the environment.

“As water use in many of the coastal sands aquifers is well below the sustainable limit, water will be made available in the future for additional extraction.

“The NSW government, rural landholders and the community all recognise that we need to ensure groundwater management is sustainable.

“This water sharing plan is an important step in that direction,” Ms Betterridge said.

The draft plan was scheduled to be on public exhibition from 8 January until 22 February 2016 – the closing date for submissions was 22 February.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Capturing energy from organic waste

New waste-to-energy gasification plant for Belfast The Full Circle Generation investment fund, which consists of the developer RiverRidge Energy and a consortium of investors made up of Green Investment Bank, Equitix and P3P Partners, has awarded a contract worth more than €202 million to Bouygues Energies & Services, a subsidiary of Bouygues Construction, for the turnkey delivery of a waste-to-energy gasification plant in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Bouygues Energies & Services will be responsible for the engineering, procurement and construction of the 15 MWe facility, and will then carry out operation and maintenance for 17 years. The waste-to-energy power plant will be the largest in the island of Ireland.

Jean-Christophe Perraud, CEO of Bouygues Energies & Services, said: “This new contract follows on the contract that we signed in February for the 10 MWe waste-to-energy gasification plant in Hoddesdon, England.

It confirms Bouygues Energies & Services’ capacity to deliver a large, complex industrial project in the energy infrastructure sector.

The new facility will go a long way towards helping Northern Ireland achieve its annual targets for recycling and generating energy from renewable sources.”

The gasification plant will have a capacity of 60 MWt. When converted by two steam turbine generators, this will generate 15 MWe of power. Net annual green electricity exported to the grid will be 100 GWh. A neighbouring Bombardier Aerospace manufacturing plant will be the principal user.

The waste-to-energy facility will contribute to treating more than 150,000 tonnes of feedstock derived from local commercial and industrial waste and will enable Northern Ireland to save 50,000 tonnes of carbon per year.

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Bouygues Energies & Services will provide a turnkey solution using a state-ofthe-art technology developed in conjunction with Biomass Power Ltd. Construction works, which will involve 200 people at peak periods, commenced in January this year, with handover scheduled for late 2017. The operation and maintenance contract will subsequently lead to the creation of 20 local full-time jobs.

Bouygues Energies & Services develops tailor-made and turnkey projects for photovoltaic, thermal, cogeneration and waste-to-energy power generation plants.

The Bouygues Construction subsidiary is capable of delivering all aspects of a project, whether it be financial engineering, design and construction or operation and maintenance. Bouygues Energies & Services is currently operating a photovoltaic plant in Thailand, which it constructed. It is now constructing two thermal power plants in Saint-Martin (in the French West Indies) and Gibraltar, as well as a waste-to-energy gasification plant in England.

ABOUT BOUYGUES CONSTRUCTION As a global player in construction and services, Bouygues Construction designs, builds and operates buildings and structures which improve the quality of people’s living and working environment: public and private buildings, transport infrastructures and energy and communications networks. A leader in sustainable construction, the Group and its 53,500 employees have a long-term commitment to helping their customers shape a better life. In 2014, Bouygues Construction generated sales of €11.7 billion.

The Victorian Government has allocated $300,000 to explore new ways of capturing energy from organic waste that will help keep the waste out of landfill and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Victorian Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Lisa Neville, said the funding would support local government and businesses to install small-scale on-site or precinct-scale anaerobic digestion technology for organics recovery and as an alternative energy source.

Anaerobic digestion breaks down organic waste, such as food and compost, to produce heat and gas which can then be used to produce energy.

The funding aims to help overcome barriers to uptake of these technologies by supporting pilot projects that demonstrate the viability of organics recovery and processing, and which can easily be replicated.

“This funding will support businesses that produce organic waste onsite and have identified alternative technologies as a future opportunity,” Ms Neville said.

“These new technologies could reduce our reliance on fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil, resulting in a reduction in our emissions.”

Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio, said there was a significant opportunity to increase the recovery and reprocessing of food waste in the commercial and industrial sector.

In 2011-12, over 280,000 tonnes of food waste was generated by the commercial and industrial sector with only 10 per cent recycled.

Ms D’Ambrosio said the funding presented opportunities for economic development with the potential to create jobs and drive investment in Victoria’s waste and resource recovery industry.

“The use of recovered organic materials as a renewable energy source is an emerging opportunity that we are committed to exploring further.” These new technologies present an exciting opportunity to grow sustainable jobs in Victoria.”

Funding applications close 21 March 2016 – for information on the grants, visit: www.sustainability.vic.gov.au

INDUSTRY NEWS

Wave energy device lands at Port Fairy An ocean energy company has completed the deployment of a 250 kilowatt bioWAVE pilot demonstration unit off the Victorian coast near Port Fairy in the state’s southwest.

The $21 million project has been in development for three years by BioPower Systems (BPS), with $11 million funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and $5 million funding from the Victorian Government.

The bioWAVE device is a 26-metre tall oscillating structure designed to sway back-and-forth beneath the ocean swell, capturing energy from the waves and converting it into electricity that is fed into the grid via an undersea cable.

The design was inspired by undersea plants and the entire device can lie flat on the seabed out of harm’s way during bad weather.

When large wave events or storms occur, the bioWAVE is automatically triggered to

cease operating, and the pivoting structure assumes a horizontal position against the seabed to avoid damage. This improves structure economics, leading to lower generation costs.

BPS Chief Executive Officer, Timothy Finnigan, said the usually powerful swell at the site abated enough for the installation to be completed smoothly.

“Installation of the bioWAVE in the Southern Ocean marks the culmination of an intensive development phase, and the beginning of a testing and demonstration phase.

“We will now turn our attention to commissioning the plant for operation, and we aim to be delivering electricity into the grid very soon,” Dr Finnigan said.

The bioWAVE was deployed by a craneequipped ship, which transported the device to the site and lowered it into the water.

The structure was angled slightly, piercing the surface like a diver to avoid any impacts

from the waves, before being levelled out and landed on the seabed. Divers monitored the process from below to ensure accurate placement.

Acting ARENA CEO, Ian Kay, said deployment of the device was a major achievement for Australia’s emerging wave power industry.

“BPS has overcome a range of logistical and technical challenges over the better part of a decade, taking BioWAVE through extensive research, design and testing phases.

“Developing new technologies takes considerable time and resources, and government support is crucial for enabling this process.

“The device will be tested and monitored throughout its operation to produce an independent performance assessment that will be shared with the energy industry in line with ARENA’s knowledge sharing agenda.”

WETLANDS & WATERWAYS

Community grants to bolster river health

New floating wetland system to pioneer residential stormwater treatment With a stronger focus on green technologies and conservation, engineers and environmental scientists are continually exploring new solutions to managing impacts for urban developments have on our natural ecosystem. One Sunshine Coast engineering firm has increased the focus to protecting natural environments with the introduction of a Floating Wetland Treatment System (FWTS) to treat stormwater run-off within a greenfield master-planned community.

Covey Associates Environmental Manager Dr Christopher Walker has been responsible for the installation of a $1 million FWTS within a 2.5 hectare lake at the Parklakes 2 residential community at Bli Bli on the Sunshine Coast.

“Floating wetlands can be established early in the development as they are not impacted by runoff from civil or house construction sites as traditional constructed wetlands and bio retention basins.

“As they can be installed at the start of the development process, residents are able to enjoy an aesthetic benefit from the system earlier on and the area surrounding the wetlands is better utilised for parks, playgrounds and passive open space.”

“This is the largest installation of a FWTS to treat stormwater run off in a residential community anywhere in the world so it’s a great opportunity to create an aesthetic and functional solution to managing stormwater runoff in many residential estates, Dr Walker said.

The ground breaking project will also be the focus of a three-year research study which will be undertaken by Peter Schwammberger, the University of the Sunshine Coast PhD candidate who will be 12

Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

responsible for monitoring the project and evaluate its success.

The FWTS are made up of recycled plastic bottles injected with ecofriendly foam, covered in coconut fibre and then planted with native species. The roots grow down into the water and the plants absorb the nutrients keeping the water clean.

Dr Walker said while traditional constructed wetland systems have been an integral part of residential estates to treat stormwater for many years, the FWTS has the potential to allow stormwater treatment to begin very early in the estate’s development.

“With constructed wetlands, you typically have to wait until 60-80% of the development is complete before they can even start to be constructed. This is because sediment from ongoing construction works can impact the health of wetland plants, even with upstream site management,” Dr Walker said.

Dr Terry Lucke, who leads USC’s Stormwater Research Group in the School of Science and Engineering, said the floating wetland project is a unique opportunity for the University to collaborate on an innovative, cutting edge research project that will generate significant international interest.

“One of the important aspects of the research study is that the investigation will be undertaken on a full-scale FWTS field installation rather than just using laboratorybased experiments.

“These results will be more appropriate and better aligned to the requirements of regulatory authorities on the eastern seaboard of Australia and elsewhere,” Dr Lucke said.

A total of 24 community groups in the Swan Canning catchment in Western Australia will share $390,500 in funding to improve water quality in the local rivers and wetlands.

Under the Swan Alcoa Landcare Program, the community groups will deliver 41 projects aimed at reducing harmful nutrients and contaminants entering waterways and groundwater in the Swan Canning catchment.

WA Environment Minister Albert Jacob said the Swan Alcoa Landcare Program was a strong collaboration between the State Government, local government, environmental groups and industry; and had been delivering outstanding outcomes across the catchment for 17 years.

“Since it was established by a WA government in 1999, the landcare program has supported 1,251 on-ground projects,” Mr Jacob said.

“These initiatives have focused on revegetating priority waterways, bushland restoration, dieback management, creating native animal habitat, weed control and the management of pests.”

The Minister said the program, which was managed by Perth NRM, helped local landcare groups to make a real difference.

“I applaud the work done by community groups and their unrelenting commitment to the environment as well as the ongoing support from the project’s partners, Alcoa and the Burswood Park Board,” he said.

In addition to the Swan Alcoa Landcare Program, the State Government has invested heavily in works to protect the rivers. For 2015-16, the Government allocated $16.74 million for river works, with more than $7 million being invested in six nutrient-stripping wetlands since 2008.

Another $2 million has been invested in foreshore protection and rehabilitation works. Oxygenation equipment in the Canning River had a $1 million upgrade last year to double its capacity to prevent algal blooms and fish deaths.

FACT FILE • The WA State Government has invested more than $4 million into Swan Alcoa Landcare Program projects since 1999 • Alcoa’s $3.7 million, local government’s contribution and the number of volunteer hours pushes the total value of the program’s projects to more than $16.5 million • On average, more than 10,000 volunteer hours are invested into the program’s projects per year

WETLANDS & WATERWAYS

Action plan to improve Victoria’s riparian land A five-year plan has been launched to improve the health of Victoria’s rivers, wetlands and estuaries.

The State Government delivered an extra $10 million in the May 2015 budget to improve riparian land, including land that runs alongside waterways, through on-ground work, such as fencing to manage stock and revegetation programs.

And the Regional Riparian Action Plan will accelerate the on-ground work, as well as introduce new initiatives to improve the health of waterways.

The plan was developed in consultation with key stakeholders including:

• catchment management authorities (CMAs); • traditional owners; • Landcare; • Environment Victoria; • the Victorian National Parks Association; and • the Victorian Farmers Federation.

Victoria’s Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water, Lisa Neville, said healthy waterways were environmentally important for providing habitat for native animals, providing a connection between areas of remnant vegetation and as a filter

for nutrients and sediments from catchment run-off.

Ms Neville said waterways were also important drivers of social, recreational and economic activity through fishing, tourism, walking and boating.

“We are supporting the community and key stakeholders to improve the health of our waterways to protect the environment, drinking water supplies and the shared benefits they deliver for Victorian communities.

“The action plan and the $10 million delivered in the May budget will go a long way to maintaining and improving the health of our rivers and riparian land.

“As well as being vital for the environment, healthy waterways are drivers of economic activity through tourism, recreational and social activities, and provide shared benefits for communities across Victoria.”

Minister Neville said the plan and associated funding would help combat the impact of climate change on the state’s waterways and also provide jobs through projects across regional Victoria.

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Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

13

WETLANDS & WATERWAYS

Recently declared as a Ramsar site, the Yoshigadaira Wetlands are located on an active volcano.

Four new Ramsar Sites for Japan The Government of Japan has recently designated four wetland areas as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites).

These are the Yoshigadaira Wetlands located on an active volcano, two tidal mudflats, Hizen Kashima-higata and Higashiyoka-higata, and the Hinuma Lake. Japan has also increased the area of Keramashoto Coral Reef from 353 hectares to 8,290 hectares. With these new designations Japan now has an impressive 50 Ramsar Sites within its territory.

The Yoshigadaira Wetlands are located in the centre of Honshu Island on the northeast flank of Mount Kusatsu-Shirane, an active volcano that erupted eight times in the 30 years to 2015. The Site comprises a group of moors, ponds, a lake and a stream which developed on low-permeable layers, depressions and a crater created by the volcanic activities. The Site is unique because of the high temperature and acidity from the volcano and volcanic gases. The water of the Anajigoku stream is extremely acidic (pH 2.62.8) with abundant iron and sulphur. It hosts the largest community of the aquatic liverwort in East Asia.

Higashiyoka-higata and Hizen Kashimahigata are tidal mudflats on Ariake Bay. These Site are internationally important in the life cycle of migratory waterbirds such as the critically endangered spoon-billed sandpiper, the endangered black-faced spoonbill, and the vulnerable far eastern curlew and 14

Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

Saunders’s gull. Over the years, the extensive mudflats of Ariake Bay have been subjected to land reclamation and the construction of dykes. As a result these Ramsar Sites have an increasingly important role in biodiversity conservation in the Bay. They also support the livelihoods of the local communities and their traditional fishing and recreational activities.

About 6,000 years ago a rise in sea level on the east coast of Honshu Island formed a cove, and subsequently the narrowing of the cove’s entrance with sand from rivers made it into a brackish lake, namely Hinuma.

The seawater flows ten kilometres upstream to Hinuma through Naka River and Hinuma River at high tide, and blends with freshwater.

Hinuma provides habitats for many species, including nationally endangered species such as the four-spot midget damselfly and Steller’s sea eagle. More than 88 species of birds are observed at Hinuma.

The Keramashoto Coral Reef is located in Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan.

Originally designated as a Ramsar Site in 2005 with an area of 353 hectares, its area was greatly increased in 2015 to 8,290 ha.

The Site is internationally important as a representative of the coral reef ecosystem in the Ryukyu Islands biogeographic region, as well as for its biodiversity. Globally threatened species include the critically endangered hawksbill turtle and the endangered green turtle and loggerhead.

Keramashoto Coral Reef and the surrounding areas are among the most beautiful marine waters in Japan and are highly valued for nature observation and tourism. Two nearby villages have developed a programme to conserve the coral reefs and to promote sustainable resource use.

ABOUT THE RAMSAR CONVENTION The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is the intergovernmental treaty that provides the global framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands. It is the only global treaty to focus on a single ecosystem. The Convention was signed in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and entered into force in 1975. Since then, 169 countries, almost 90% of UN member states from the entire world’s geographic regions have acceded and become Contracting Parties.

Under this treaty, member states undertake to protect and sustainably use all the wetlands on their territory by undertaking local measures and collaborate through international cooperation to maintain the ecological characteristics of wetlands. Each Member State upon adopting the Convention designates at least one site considered to be of high value to the country and the world because of the ecosystem services they provide. These sites are added to the network of Ramsar Sites of International Importance. Currently there are over 2200 designated Ramsar sites around the world, covering an area of 210 million hectares, an area larger than Mexico.

WASTE EXPO 2015

4 & 5 October 2016 | Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN FOR WASTE SUMMIT 2016 Do you have a dynamic story to share, a presentation to deliver or the desire to share knowledge, engage thinking and discussion? Then Waste Summit, located at Waste Expo 2016 is the platform for you!

If you would like to make a submission for consideration in the seminar program, please email: education@wasteexpo.com.au With over 2,000 visiting delegates annually, Waste Expo is Australia’s largest Waste Management, Resource Recovery and Sustainability Event.

Submissions across all areas of Waste Management, Resource Recovery and Sustainability are welcome.

This year, there is particular interest in submissions addressing: • Sustainable Solutions • Resource & Materials • Landfill Efficiency/Industrial Ecology/ • New Developments in Circular Economy Technology and Equipment • Education, Communication • Product Stewardship Programs and Engagement • Recycled Organics • Solutions for Healthcare • Recycling Trends and Markets Facilities • Energy from Waste

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Waste Summit is the only FREE education program of its kind, providing the opportunity to engage with professionals from sectors including government, corporate, healthcare, transport and facilities such as sporting, hospitality and venues.

FAQ’s Submission format: Brief summary (up to 2 pages) providing an outline of your proposed seminar/presentation/case study or panel session.

Please include Presenter/Panelist biographies where possible.

Seminar format: Theatre style presentations, panel session discussions and case studies are welcome. Waste Summit presenters will be equipped with lectern, microphone, panelist table setup where required, laptop & screen for video/images/power point, AV technician and assistance.

All sessions will be held within the Waste Summit theatre. All sessions are FREE to attend.

Session Length: 45 – 90min. Timing should include any allowance for audience Q&A if applicable to your submission.

Content: The aim is to provide education and insight. Whilst we appreciate certain brands and products may be referenced in the presentation the session is not a sales pitch but rather an education forum for the industry to share knowledge and present on current issues, trends, legislation, case studies, innovation and technology.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSE 1st APRIL 2016 For further information, please visit: www.wasteexpo.com.au or email: education@wasteexpo.com.au

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Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

15

COVER FEATURE

SOLAR POWERED Smart Waste Bins Arrive in Canada Bay

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Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

"We have been recognised at a state and national level for our commitment and innovation towards sustainability and this is another example."

MAYOR ANGELO TSIREKAS, CITY OF CANADA BAY

COVER FEATURE

City of Canada Bay deploys a fleet of Bigbelly Solar Bins

Bigbelly stations around the world work to reduce the costs of collection, whilst providing an avenue to improve other community services.

“We aim to work closely with City of Canada Bay to ensure a positive impact on the community,” Ms Stolze added.

T

The City of Canada Bay prides itself on clean parks and streets. With 38km of foreshore along the northern boundary and canals and stormwater outlets throughout, litter often finds its way onto the shores from within the catchment, detracting from the amenity of the area.

To combat this, Council has an active litter management service that services approximately 400 bins throughout the City and also includes litter collection teams who conduct litter picks in the City's parks and retail precincts. Council has implemented a number very successful proactive litter management programs, including a Bin Your Butts project at Rhodes and Concord, and the Stop Litter in the Bay project which ran along the Bayrun and at Cabarita Park.

As part of its proactive approach to litter and waste management, the City of Canada Bay is always looking for innovative ideas which assist with efficiencies - sourcing any new and innovative ideas that may help reduce costs and assist in reducing litter.

After coming across the Bigbelly stations, Council decided to trial several units to test whether introducing bins with greater capacity would provide efficiencies in staff resourcing due to a reduction in collections.

Not surprisingly, the fact that the bins are solar-powered was an additional 'win-win' for the Council, which is also committed to installing solar across the City.

he City of Canada Bay in Sydney's inner-west is taking an innovative lead on waste and recycling, installing a fleet of solar powered waste and recycling bins across the city which can hold up to five times the amount of waste of a conventional 120L wheelie bin.

The Bigbelly bins, provided by Solar Bins Australia, use the sun's energy to power a compactor that compresses waste when it is disposed of, reducing the potential for bins to overflow and the need for collection trips.

The Bigbelly bins also use cloud technology to alert Council staff when they are full to reduce inspection requirements.

By saving service trips, they are estimated to reduce greenhouse emissions related to bin servicing costs by up to 80 per cent.

The Bigbelly compactors have been installed in six locations across the City, including the seating area near the entrance to Strathfield Station, at high foot traffic areas along Great North Road in Five Dock and along Henley Marine Drive.

City of Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas said the trial of the Bigbelly bins was another innovation introduced by Council that showed it was leading the way in terms of the environment.

"We have been recognised at a state and national level for our commitment and innovation towards sustainability and this is another example," he said.

"The Bigbelly waste stations were installed in January to take advantage of the holiday period with people out and about. This month, we are installing the first of our recycling stations which will be at Livvi's Place, Five Dock, as part of our first public place recycling trial in the City."

"I look forward to seeing the benefits of the Keep Our Bay Beautiful Litter campaign in the future," he added.

Mayor Tsirekas said that in the first month of installation, collection trips had reduced significantly from up to seven days a week in certain locations down to twice a week.

A proactive approach to litter management

ABOVE: (L-R) Solar Bins Australia National Operations Manager, Silke Stolze; City of Canada Bay Sustainable Projects Officer, Nicole Thompson; City of Canada Bay Mayor, Angelo Tsirekas and City of Canada Bay Team Leader Street Cleaning, Michael Scarpellino with two of the City's new Bigbelly solar compactor bins.

BELOW: At 3 of the 4 locations with Bigbelly solar compactor bins, Council's litter bin collections have reduced from 5 per week down to 1 collection a week.

The City of Canada Bay will continue to monitor the progress of the Bigbelly pilot program and hoped to see the results maintained over the trial period.

The Bigbelly bins have been used around the world in New York, Boston and London as well as closer to home in areas like Nambucca Shire, Scenic World in the Blue Mountains and Wet 'N' Wild Sydney in New South Wales.

The bins were deployed and will be monitored by Solar Bins Australia, Australia’s leading smart waste provider.

National Operations Manager of Solar Bins Australia, Silke Stolze stated “We have been working closely with the City of Canada Bay’s team over the festive season and have already seen significant reductions in collection requirements.”

About the City of Canada Bay Bounded by the Parramatta River in the north and east, the Municipality of Ashfield, the Burwood and Strathfield Council areas in the south and the Auburn Council in the west, the City of Canada Bay is located in the inner-western suburbs of Sydney, about 6-12 kilometres from the Sydney GPO. The City of Canada Bay is a predominately residential area, but also has some commercial and industrial areas. The City encompasses a total area of 20 square kilometres, including many parks, reserves and foreshores.

COVER FEATURE

About Bigbelly Bigbelly, Inc. is the world-leading provider of smart waste & recycling management solutions with more than 1,500 customers in 47 countries. Solar powered, the Bigbelly Smart Waste & Recycling System combines cloud computing with smart compacting waste and recycling stations.

Trial delivers outstanding results Importantly, even though the Bigbelly solar bin trial has only been underway for a relatively short time, these innovative bins are already delivering outstanding results, with a significant reduction in the number of collections required. Indeed, at 3 of the 4 locations with Bigbelly solar compactor bins, Council's litter bin collections have reduced from 5 per week down to 1 collection a week.

In short, by providing a significant increase in capacity, the Bigbelly solar compactor bins are not only helping to reduce the litter problems that inevitably result from overfull litter bins in public spaces, they are also delivering a significant increase in service efficiency.

By reducing the collection frequency by as much as 400%, the Bigbelly bins have not only delivered a significant reduction in vehicle usage (which has resulted in fuel savings and a reduction in associated The new bins feature colourful and attractive graphics which explain how the bins work whilst also educating the community about the waste and recycling message.

Introducing Mapmybins Greenhouse Gas emissions) it has also enabled Council to utilise some of the field staff in other areas.

Building on the success of the Bigbelly litter bins, the City of Canada Bay has also installed the first of its Bigbelly recycling stations at the Livvi's Place playground and recreation reserve in Five Dock. The new unit forms the centrepiece of the City's public place recycling trial, and will be used to measure participation and contamination rates in the collected recyclables.

Not surprisingly, the implementation of the bins has created a lot of community interest, with members of the public talking to Council staff about the technology - particularly the solar powered compaction aspect. In fact, interest in the new bins is such, that they're now being used as a 'frontline tool' in community waste and recycling education.

Council has now installed colourful and informative decals on the bins which explain how the bins work whilst also educating the community about the waste and recycling message.

The City of Canada Bay's 12-month trial will evaluate all aspects of the Bigbelly solar compactor bins, including: value for money, reduced operational costs and operational efficiency. It will also take into account feedback from cleansing staff and the community, as well as litter levels in the vicinity of each of the new bins.

About Solar Bins Australia Solar Bins Australia is Australia’s leading provider of smart waste and recycling management solutions with more than 50 customers across all states of Australia. As the exclusive partner to Bigbelly, Inc their systems help customer beautify their public space and reduce operational costs by 70-80 percent.

For further information, please visit: www.solarbins.com.au 18

Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

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Visit www.mapmybins.com.au 19 Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

SPECIAL REPORT LEFT: Changing the process of levy collection would also eliminate the benefits of stockpiling for unscrupulous operators.

Levy Avoidance – Creating uncertainty for the industry to grow

Mike Haywood, Principal, Mike Haywood Sustainable Resource Solutions When State Governments determined it would be a prudent and sound environmental policy to implement a 'Landfill Levy', local government and Industry were told that this levy was both a recovery to the community of the cost of the loss of arable land, the impact of landfills and to encourage the implementation of the strategies of the Waste Hierarchy.

Some businesses have taken advantage of the levy as a back door way to increase profits, with some businesses even stockpiling material and retaining the levy proportion of the gate fees paid to them by their clients. Industry, local government and the community have an expectation that this fee is used for the purposes mentioned above, not as an income stream for certain sectors of the industry.

While the levy has resulted in significant improvement to the way waste is handled, there have also been a number of perverse outcomes in the way that certain industry sectors have responded. In fact, in most States the actual cost of landfilling is less than the Landfill levy (in some states the Levy is two or three times higher than the actual disposal fee charged). This creates an incentive for operators to either retain waste outside of the landfill (Stockpiling) or 'create' materials said to be suitable for some for 'beneficial reuse'.

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Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

INDUSTRY WILL ALWAYS DUMP WHERE THE DISPOSAL COSTS ARE CHEAPEST For industry, the current Levy structure means that the key variable affecting their behaviour is the cheapest method of disposal. For the disposal facilities it has become all about bringing in as much volume as you can get for as much revenue as you can get for it.

In effect, landfills have turned into high volume very low margin disposal facilities. Given that they generally have long term closure dates – often decades in to the future - they are taking what they can get today and leaving the post closure costs to the next generation.

Given the volume of airspace available and the regulator’s inability to control what is happening in the industry, most facilities are operating very close to the legal and financial edge. In effect, even those that are trying to operate within the legal framework are being forced to be 'take risks' just to stay in business.

THE LEVY IS CHARGED AT THE LANDFILL GATE NOT THE DEPOT Due to the way the Levy is applied and collected by the landfill operator or depot, it is not in their respective interests to transfer waste to the landfill as that will trigger the obligation to pay the Levy. Therefore, if you stockpile, you get to keep the cash. The current system encourages stockpiling.

Under the current arrangement, a fire in such a stockpile would not only mean the operator avoids disposal fees, but they would keep the levy component that should have or would have been paid had the material been disposed of at a licensed facility. The State not only misses out on the levy revenue, it also has to foot the bill to put out the fire.

If the State government received the levy up front, a facility would not have been able to recover the levy in such a case as the material would not have been recycled in an approved facility.

I believe that this will stop stockpiling in its tracks, as a facility cannot operate on $25- $30 per tonne.

Allowing the industry to collect the levy and pass it on to Government when it disposes the waste to landfill encourages stockpiling and illegal activity.

If Treasury collected the levy direct from the waste producer and provided rebates for approved Resource Recovery Processes the incentive to stockpile stops immediately.

In short, while most of the strategies are sound and are delivering the outcomes that the levy was intended to achieve, not all strategies are working; it’s a simple equation and it goes like this: • The depot collects and holds the levy • The Government collects the levy at the point of disposal • The depot wants to keep the levy • The Government has to try and get the levy • The depot will implement strategies to retain the levy

DO YOU SEE THE PROBLEM? • • • •

Industry has the Money Government wants the Money Industry wants to keep the Money How does Government get its Money?

THIS IS THE SOLUTION! • The Government collects the Money • The Industry wants the Money • Industry implement approved recycling practises & lodges auditable documentation to get the Money • Government keeps the remaining Money!

SPECIAL REPORT

The weakness of the current process is that the money is collected and held by the depot and paid to the EPA either monthly or quarterly based on the depot’s mass balance system, and therein lies the problem.

The larger players in the industry have been advocating mass balance measures for more than a decade as they believe that it is the only way that EPA’s across the country can regulate the industry in a transparent and consistent way.

A mass balance approach will give EPA’s the tools to regulate the riskier operators by establishing a sound basis for benchmarking recycling outcomes versus stockpiling.

To ensure that mass balance reporting is appropriate, accurate and auditable, the following key performance management tools should be key to any program: • Ring fence the waste site (one way in and one way out over a weighbridge) • Establish a physical separation of landfill and resource recovery operation • Use cameras on boom gates and E-Tag readers on weigh bridges • Live reporting to EPA • EPA invoices and collects the levy direct from the customer, not the depot operator It is an interesting historical fact that the EPA relies on the waste sector to collect, report and pay the Landfill Levy component to the EPA - especially as many of those sites now charge a gate fee plus Levy and GST. The industry is acting as a 'tax collector'.

THE SOLUTION IS SIMPLE: RESTRUCTURE THE LEVY SYSTEM If an EPA had a live feed from the weighbridge of any facility that receives waste materials, it could charge the levy direct to the disposal company.

This technology is available and would not be too different to current toll road technology; only instead of charging by sectors of distance travelled, the charge would be made on the basis of tonnes delivered.

At the moment, as the levy is only paid at the landfill gate, there is a benefit to any depot or business operator to stockpile the material and withhold the payment of the levy which it has collected. If the EPA charged and collected the levy component regardless of whether the material is stockpiled or disposed of into a landfill, the operator would want to process the material for beneficial reuse in order to claim the levy back when they lodge their Regulatory Assessment Statement (RAS).

The payment of the levy direct to Government will further stimulate recycling, when industry collects the levy it has the potential to stimulate activities to avoid disposal and therefore payment of the levy. “The avoidance of disposal is not of itself recycling.”

This may take a little planning and thought, however it would be up to the disposal facility to claim back the levy component for waste recycled through an approved depot or process and NOT disposed to landfill. Cash transactions would be completed as normal (tonnes being reported as levy owed to EPA/State Revenue by the relevant depot) and each month the Depot/Business would be able to claim back levy rebates for the sales of approved recycled products or commodities based on the weighbridge transactions recorded at the time of egress.

A simple monthly spreadsheet (that we might call a RAS) is all that would be required and EPA would refund the difference It is important to note that the RAS would not need to take into account total tonnes delivered to site as this information would have already been communicated to EPA from the live data. This document is only for facilities to either pay cash transaction levies or to claim appropriate levy rebates for approved recycling practises and products.

If the facility recovers and dispatches significantly more material than their cash transactions in a given period, and that is what we would expect from a recycling facility, the EPA would rebate the payment within 30 days. This timeline is often much better trading terms than they have with their customers.

The EPA would also send out a monthly billing cycle to the waste transport businesses to collect the levy direct. Again this would be done on a 30 day basis.

While this approach may require some additional EPA staffing levels to manage,

there are not a lot of customers in each State, and anecdotally there is potentially millions of additional dollars to be collected.

In order to enable the EPA to directly collect levies, there needs to be a tightening up of the waste transport licencing policy.

It would be a simple position to add to the licence fee of any licenced waste facility a simple condition that all transactions from waste transporters who operate for 'fee or reward' need to be an EPA approved and licenced carrier.

With all waste transport licence approvals, a waste transporter will be issued with an E-Tag which will be required to be attached to the window of the transporting vehicle; similar to the technology used in many toll road networks.

When a truck passes over a weighbridge data will be downloaded into the system this data could also include GPS data where a truck has stopped and unloaded where there is no landfill or legal reason for unloading, councils would also log GPS data where they have cleaned up illegally dumped waste; this would have the added benefit of reducing commercial volumes of illegal dumping.

For further information, contact the author Mike Haywood, direct via Email at: mike@mikehaywood-srs.com.au A live feed from the weighbridge of any facility that receives waste materials would enable the EPA to charge the levy direct to the disposal company.

Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

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COMPARE THE MARKET AT ‘DIESEL DIRT & TURF EXPO’ The upcoming Diesel, Dirt and Turf Expo is a great opportunity to check out the best deals and the latest and greatest gear for the construction industry, while the rest of the family can have fun and be entertained all day.

Keeping up-to-date with the latest advances in technology can be a challenge for time-poor construction contractors, builders and specialist sub-contractors.

Well organised industry expos are an efficient and time-saving way to compare equipment and services. They offer the added benefit of being able to closely inspect equipment and meet face-to-face with product specialists who speak your language and have intimate knowledge of machines’ capabilities.

The “Diesel Dirt and Turf Expo” is owned and operated by members of the construction industry and is being staged in April at the Penrith Panthers, right in the middle of Western Sydney’s growth boom region.

At this family-friendly and entertainment-packed event, exhibitors will be showing all the latest gear, while offering visitors unbeatable, Expo-exclusive deals on price, finance and support. Admission and ample parking is free and open to all daily on Friday 15th, Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th of April. Just arrive and enjoy the experience – there is no registration required or entry formalities.

The Expo brings together major construction equipment brands such as Komatsu, JCB, Takeuchi, Kubota, Hyundai, Toro, Terex, Case, Dieci, Yanmar, Mustang, Kanga, Ditchwitch, Toyota, Dynapac, Luigong, Yuchai, Airman, Hitachi, Vermeer and Liebherr, to name a few.

Visitors can also check out a comprehensive range of attachments from suppliers such as AugerTorque, Kinshofer, Norm Engineering, Auswide Trailers and Ramps, Digga, Boss, Atlas Copco, Hogan Buckets, Salmon Buckets , Flip screen, Atom Lasers, Peter Gardner Engineering, EI Engineering, Xcentric Rippers, Atlas Engineering, Doherty and Millers and more.

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Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

Other exhibits include a huge range of tyres, mowers and landscaping equipment, lasers, scales, plant hire equipment, finance and business services.

Continuous machinery demonstrations will be a big drawcard in the purpose-built demo area throughout each of the Expo’s three days – a great opportunity to test gear to help you make those all-important purchasing decisions. Operators Challenges will test your skills, with visitors having a chance to win cash prizes as well as bragging rights for the next 12 months!

In the ‘Boys Toys’ department, visitors can drool over the large display of the latest in bikes and boats, trucks and cars - whatever your interest, you will be impressed. And for those who are into vintage trucks and machinery, there will be enough there to satisfy the most ardent enthusiast.

The excitement continues with the Flair Riders Stunt Show that will keep the crowds enthralled, watching these guys perform amazing stunts in 12 shows over the three days of the Expo.

Blokesworld will be filming the expo to produce a one-hour episode that will go to air later in the year. The team will be interviewing exhibitors and visitors throughout the three days.

There are hospitality areas where visitors will be entertained with live music playing throughout the day, while for the kids there’s huge jumping castles, farm animals, face painting, a Little Big Rigs live display and more.

Raffle prizes include a year’s supply of beer, a TORO Ride on Mower and ten $250 fuel vouchers to be raffled as well as a huge number of exciting giveaways throughout the Expo’s three days.

For further information, please visit: www. dieseldirtandturf.com.au

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E-WASTE RECYCLING

It's all in the Box PGM Unveils Australian-First BluBox Automated e-Waste Processing Technology Victorian Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Lisa Neville recently visited PGM Refiners in South-East Melbourne to launch Australia’s first automated electronic waste processing system, which will significantly improve Victoria’s e-waste processing capabilities.

Known as the BluBox, this world-leading technology not only significantly increases the speed and efficiency of e-waste recycling, it also eliminates a lot of timeconsuming and often hazardous manual handling.

The Victorian State Government invested $470,000 in funding towards the purchase and installation of a new state-of-the-art machine capable of processing large quantities of e-waste in a faster, more efficient way.

“This Australian-first technology represents a significant advancement in how we process e-waste, demonstrating our commitment to keeping these materials out of landfill,” Minister Neville said.

“This machine will reduce environmental and health impacts by eliminating the need to manually dismantle products, which can be unsafe and labour intensive,” she added.

This new technology will be able to process 2,500 tonnes of e-waste each year, 24

Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

recycling more than a tonne of e-waste an hour. It will produce saleable commodities through resource recovery which can be used by local manufacturers to create new products.

Also speaking at the launch, State Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams, added: “It’s great to see Australian first innovative recycling technology here in Dandenong, helping the environment and creating job opportunities for local Victorians.”

Electronic waste from televisions, computers, phones and other electronic devices is the fastest growing waste stream in Australia, putting pressure on waste management infrastructure and the environment. The Victorian Government is currently considering submissions from its discussion paper, Managing e-waste in Victoria – starting the conversation, to meet its commitment on banning e-waste from landfill.

The Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Lisa Neville speaking at the launch of PGM Refiners BluBox.

While it might look simple from the outside, the BluBox Technology represents the latest in state-of-theart e-waste recycling. Fast, safe and efficient, the BluBox can recycling up to 300 LCD screens per hour while eliminating the risk of mecury exposure to workers and the environment.

Kavan Jayaweera, CTO of PGM, Gabrielle Williams, Member for Dandenong, Lisa Neville, Minister for Environment & Climate Change, Karl Baltpurvins, General Manager, Technical & Environmental Services, Toxfree, Steve Gostlow, Managing Director of Toxfree and Stan Krpan, CEO of Sustainability Victoria.

Developed in Switzerland in response to the rapidly growing amount of e-waste being generated globally, the BluBox is Australia’s first automated electronic waste processing system. PGM Refiners, part of the Toxfree Group, has an exclusive license agreement to use the BluBox technology in Australia and New Zealand.

The Victorian BluBox is specifically designed to process LCD screens; however, it has an ability to process a wide variety of e-waste from laptops and tablets to hair dryers and toasters. Importantly, the BluBox process captures the mercury vapour and mercury solid found in LCD screens.

One of the major issues associated with recycling LCD screens, is that traditional manual dismantling is not only extremely labour intensive, it also poses a significant environmental and safety hazard. This is due to the backlighting tubes, which contain hazardous mercury vapour and solids.

Manually dismantling LCD screens requires a

high degree of control and a significant amount of safety measures in place, otherwise there is a high risk of mercury exposure to both personnel and the environment.

Indeed, the level of environmental and safety controls required to manually dismantle and recycle an LCD without exposing either the operator or the environment to mercury vapour or solids can make manual recycling an extremely cumbersome and costly exercise - and one which results in an everincreasing stockpile of LCD screen e-waste.

Since 2007, sales of LCD screens have exceeded CRT display sales (NPD Display Search Quarterly Advanced Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report) to the point where CRT screens (old generation TVs and monitors) are no longer readily available, and the number of operation units in the market place has declined rapidly in recent years.

What's more, the price point of LCD screens is now such that they are widely regarded as a 'disposable item' if they malfunction.

(L-R) Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams, Chief Technical Officer and founder of PGM, Karvan Jayaweera and the Minister for Environment & Climate Change, Lisa Neville study the end product of the recycling process.

Understandably, as the disposal of CRT displays decline, the disposal of LCD screens continues to increase, as people are now replacing broken / obsolete units with an array of cheap and readily available flat screens.

In response to this ever-increasing demand for a safe and efficient LCD screen recycling option, PGM invested in the BluBox technology as it provided a recycling solution which is safe, environmentally responsible and productive.

In comparison to manual dismantling - which takes an average of one hours to recycle up to 2 LCD screens - the BluBox systems can recycle an estimated 300 LCD screens in the same one hour timespan!

The LCDs are fed into the top of the BluBox, from where they move through a number of fully-contained, automated shredding and separation processes. The result is a range of clean commodity fractions (ferrous metals, mixed plastics, precious metals), which are safe and mercury free.

The output streams are then subjected to a number of additional downstream value adding recycling processes prior to shipping to a range of secondary raw materials users.

For added safety, the entire BluBox system is packed in a 40ft HC container, which is constantly working under negative pressure to ensure highest safety standards.

For further information, please contact PGM Refiners on 03 9792 2050 or visit the website: www.pgmrefiners.com

See the BluBox in Action Activate the QR Code to see the BluBox e-Waste Recycling Technology in action.

Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

25

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

Emissions increase for first time in 10 years as Australia begins climb to new record high The latest inventory of greenhouse gas emissions released by the government indicates that Australian emissions increased 1.3 per cent over the 2014-15 fiscal year – representing the first increase in annual emissions since 2005-06 – more than ten years ago.

The government’s latest National Greenhouse Gas Inventory (NGGI) figures, published over the Christmas holiday, show an increase in emissions for four straight quarters, driven by a 33 per cent jump in emissions from land clearing, along with an increase in brown-coal generation, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production.

The increase in fiscal year emissions is the first since 2005-06, when Australian emissions reached their historic peak The government's figures also indicate that Australia’s emissions growth will continue, with a 6 per cent increase emissions forecast through to 2020 – despite the government’s Direct Action Plan policies.

The government’s latest emissions outlook is a significant downgrade from its earlier forecast, which predicted emissions growth of 17 per cent through to 2020. The downgrade was expected by market observers, with the new projections unwinding optimistic economic assumptions used by successive Labor and Coalition governments, to more accurately reflect flatter economic activity.

Despite the downgrade, the government’s new figures indicate that Australia’s forecast emissions growth rate is now among the highest in the world.

According to the latest United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) submissions, Australia is one of only five developed economies currently expected to grow its emissions to 2020, behind only Finland, Sweden and Estonia.

Australian emissions will grow over the next five years as the majority of developed economies begin to cut their emissions. The United States is forecast to cut emissions by 17 per cent on 2000 levels by 2020 under ‘current policy’ settings, while the European Union (18 per cent), Russia (31 per cent) and 26

Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

the United Kingdom (37 per cent) have all begun to reduce their emissions.

Australian emissions on track for new record high, no ‘peak’ before 2030 The government’s outlook for emissions growth confirms estimates published in November by energy market analysts, RepuTex, which calculated that Australia’s emissions would grow 6 per cent through to 2020.

According to RepuTex, Australia’s emissions growth will force the government to use an ‘accounting credit’ to meet its international commitment, as ‘real emissions’ will fail to reach the minus 5 per cent target on 2000 levels by 2020.

The government’s updated figures confirm this analysis, with official projections indicating that Australian emissions will now grow to be 6 per cent above 2000 levels in 2020, short of the minus 5 per cent target.

The government will therefore use its ‘carry-over credit’ for past performance to meet its international commitment under the Kyoto Protocol.

According to RepuTex, this indicates a disconnect between Australia’s abatement task – an ‘accounting measure’ used to track Australia’s progress to its 2020 target – which has fallen to ‘below zero,’ and Australia’s real national emissions, which are growing.

“Meeting Australia’s abatement task is largely just a victory in accounting terms. We have met our target, but we used a credit to get there, so it’s not a sign of any progress to reduce emissions” said Hugh Grossman, Executive Director of RepuTex. “Australia’s task has fallen despite an increase in emissions over FY15 and a growth trajectory ahead, so there is a substantial disconnect between our national abatement task and the emissions reality” he said.

According to RepuTex, Australia’s current policies are likely to result in emissions growing to historic levels, and beyond, with no peak expected prior to 2030.

“As major new LNG and Coal Mining facilities begin to ramp up, even under

lower commodity prices, we will see their demand for electricity grow, which will increase emissions from coal-fired power generation,” said Mr Grossman.

“Under those conditions we are likely to see emissions grow close to the 2005-06 high just prior to 2020, before reaching a new record high after 2020”.

“We project this pathway will continue to grow under current policy, with no peak in emissions within sight for the Australian market prior to 2030” he said. \Following the Paris climate agreement, and with an election on the cards for 2016, Australia’s emissions growth is likely to place more pressure on the government to strengthen its climate policy credentials to counter increased international and local scrutiny.

The government has announced a review of its Direct Action Plan policy in June 2017, reporting by November 2017, however any new policy is unlikely to take effect until 2018-19, in around three years’ time.

According to RepuTex, while the policy review is a positive step, Australia’s growing emissions may become a liability for the government as it enters an election year.

“Australia’s growing emissions could become either an Achilles heel for the government, or a catalyst for action,” said Mr Grossman.

“As emissions grow towards a new high, and the ERF is exhausted, we are likely to see increased local and international scrutiny, which may prompt the government to give some more direction on the ‘how’, ‘what’ and ‘when’ of its climate policy” “While the government won’t jump the gun on its 2017 policy review, without a new statement of intent it will be hard for the electorate to distinguish between the new PM’s ambition and the Abbott-era of climate policy” he said.

RepuTex is Australia’s largest provider energy and emissions market analysis, with customers at over 150 power, energy, metals, mining, land-use, waste, financials and government agencies.

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RENEWABLE ENERGY

Clean energy attracts record global investment Global clean energy investment in 2015 reached a record figure of nearly $329 billion, according to research by Bloomberg New Energy Finance, a company specialising in analysis of developments in the energy sector.

Bloomberg New Energy Finance said the figure was up four per cent on 2014’s revised total of just under $316 billion, and was achieved because of a surge in investment in China, Africa, the US, Latin America and India.

The multi-national said the record figure for 2015 was achieved despite four influences that might have been expected to restrain it.

These influences were: • further declines in the cost of solar photovoltaics, meaning that more capacity could be installed for the same price; • the strength of the US currency, reducing the dollar value of non-dollar investment; • the continued weakness of the European economy, formerly the powerhouse of renewable energy investment; and • perhaps most significantly, the plunge in fossil fuel commodity prices.

Over the 18 months to the end of 2015, the price of Brent crude plunged 67% per tonne and international steam coal delivered to the north west Europe hub dropped 35% per tonne. Natural gas in the US fell 48% on the Henry Hub index per million British Thermal Units.

Michael Liebreich, chairman of the advisory board at Bloomberg New Energy 28

Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

Finance, said: “These figures are a stunning riposte to all those who expected clean energy investment to stall on falling oil and gas prices.

“They highlight the improving costcompetitiveness of solar and wind power, driven in part, by the move by many countries to reverse-auction new capacity rather than providing advantageous tariffs, a shift that has put producers under continuing price pressure.

Mr Liebreich said wind and solar power were now being adopted in many developing countries as a natural and substantial part of the generation mix.

“They can be produced more cheaply than often high wholesale power prices; they reduce a country’s exposure to expected future fossil fuel prices; and above all they can be built very quickly to meet unfulfilled demand for electricity.

“It is very hard to see these trends going backwards, in the light of December’s Paris Climate Agreement.”

Bloomberg New Energy Finance said the biggest piece of the $328.9 billion invested in clean energy in 2015 was asset finance of utility-scale projects such as wind farms, solar parks, biomass and waste-to-energy plants and small hydro-electric schemes.

This totalled $199 billion in 2015, up six per cent on the previous year.

The biggest projects financed last year included a string of large offshore wind arrays in the North Sea and off the coast of China.

These included the UK’s 580MW Race Bank and 336MW Galloper, with estimated costs of $2.9 billion and $2.3 billion, Germany’s 402MW Veja Mate, at $2.1 billion, and China’s Longyuan Haian Jiangjiasha and Datang & Jiangsu Binhai, each of 300MW and $850 million.

The biggest financing in onshore wind was of the 1.6GW Nafin Mexico portfolio, for an estimated $2.2 billion. For solar PV, it was the Silver State South project, at 294MW and about $744 million, and for solar thermal or CSP, it was the NOORo portfolio in Morocco, at 350MW and around $1.8 billion.

The largest biomass project funded was the 330MW Klabin Ortiguera plant in Brazil, at about $921 million, and the largest geothermal one was Guris Efeler in Turkey, at 170MW and an estimated $717 million.

After asset finance, the next largest piece of clean energy investment was spending on rooftop and other small-scale solar projects.

This totalled $67.4 billion in 2015, up 12% on the previous year, with Japan by far the biggest market, followed by the US and China.

Preliminary indications are that both wind and solar PV saw around 30% more capacity installed worldwide in 2015 than in 2014.

The wind total for last year is likely to end up at around 64GW, with that for solar just behind at about 57GW. This combined total of 121GW will have made up around half of the net capacity added in all generation technologies – fossil fuel, nuclear and renewable – globally in 2015.

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Big solar in Australia takes major step forward Australia’s largest utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants located in western New South Wales (NSW) were officially opened on 20 January at a ceremony at Nyngan.

AGL Energy Limited’s (AGL) Nyngan and Broken Hill solar plants comprise more than two million solar panels (2,044,140) feeding power into the national electricity grid.

AGL constructed the plants with $166.7 million funding support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and $64.9 million from the NSW Government.

The plants were constructed in partnership with First Solar – a leading global provider of comprehensive photovoltaic (PV) solar systems – Bogan Shire Council (Nyngan) and Broken Hill City Council.

AGL Managing Director and CEO, Andy Vesey, said developing two solar plants of the magnitude of Nyngan at 102 megawatts and Broken Hill at 53 megawatts was a major accomplishment.

“It signals the birth of large-scale solar in Australia. We are proud to have achieved this on time and on budget,” Mr Vesey said.

Since becoming operational in July (Nyngan) and December (Broken Hill) 2015,

AGL-Broken-HillSolar-Plant. Photo courtesy of ARENA.

the two plants have generated over 200,000 MWh of renewable energy, which is enough to power around 34,000 average Australian homes.

Annually, the two plants combined will produce approximately 360,000 MWh of renewable energy, powering more than 50,000 homes.

Mr Vesey said Australia must continue to build large scale renewables to reduce emissions.

“Achieving this will require a sustainable energy market and the resolution of two key barriers – energy market design and the closure of older, high-emitting power plants.”

Development of the two solar plants has provided significant economic support to the region.

Nyngan and surrounding communities received an economic boost of around $14 million through direct and indirect costs. In Broken Hill, during the plant’s construction, around $15 million was injected into the local community. It is expected the plants will lead to increased tourism for both communities.

Mr Vesey thanked the local communities for their contribution to the projects during construction and highlighted that it was

just the beginning of a 30-year partnership between the regions and AGL during the estimated operating life spans of the two plants.

Australia’s Environment Minister, Greg Hunt, was at the opening and, on behalf of the Clean Energy Regulator, presented the solar plants with certificates of accreditation officially recognising them as accredited renewable energy power stations.

Acting CEO of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, Ian Kay, said in the future, the opening of the plants would be recognised “as the moment big solar started to become a major contributor to Australia’s energy supply”.

Jack Curtis, First Solar’s Regional Manager for Asia Pacific, said Australia was poised to take advantage of low-cost utility-scale solar.

“In many parts of the world, solar energy is already cost-competitive with conventional generation.

“Considering the substantial and sustained cost reductions in the solar industry and the lessons learnt at projects like Nyngan and Broken Hill, it is inevitable that utility-scale solar projects in Australia will compete on an unsubsidised basis, in the near future.”

Solar boost for communities Victoria and Queensland Community organisations in Victoria and Queensland are being helped to lower their electricity bills and safeguard the environment under the Australian Government’s Solar Towns Program.

Up to $300,000 is being made available to community organisations in each of four regions across Victoria and two electorates in Queensland to install solar photovoltaic cells or a solar hot water system on their premises.

Organisations within the City of Monash, the Mount Alexander Shire, the Macedon Ranges Shire and the Town of Sunbury in 30

Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

Victoria, and those within the electorates of Bonner and Moreton in Queensland had until 12 February to apply for grants to purchase and install renewable energy systems.

The Solar Towns Program is an opportunity for communities to engage at a local level with clean renewable energy. A number of community organisations in Victoria and Tasmania have already received funding to install systems on their premises.

Under the program, the government has allocated $2.1 million to support community organisations that wish to install a renewable energy system – a solar photovoltaic panel

system or a solar hot water system – on an existing building that provides support to the local community.

RENEWABLE SPECIAL ENERGY REPORT

National bioenergy database to be developed A national database will be developed to provide an accurate picture of where untapped sources of biomass are available in Australia.

The $6.2 million project will be delivered by the Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation (RIRDC) with funding support of $3 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

The aim of the database is to uncover new opportunities and make it easier to develop biomass generation and biofuel projects in Australia.

ARENA Chief Executive Officer, Ivor Frischknecht, said there was there was not currently any central, national source of data to assist with planning of bioenergy projects and existing local data was incomplete.

“Australia’s growing bioenergy industry has cited this lack of reliable information as a significant roadblock to getting new projects off the ground.”

Mr Frischknecht said the RIRDC would work with states and territories to collect data on the location, volumes and availability of biomass for inclusion on the Australian Renewable Energy Mapping Infrastructure (AREMI) platform.

AREMI is a centrally accessible repository for ARENA project information and shares mapping data and information with the renewable energy industry.

Mr Frischknecht said the new resource would build on existing work and assist project development and decision making.

“RIRDC will coordinate current efforts, as well as drawing on and updating existing information to provide industry and researchers with an accurate estimate of bioenergy potential nationally.”

“The AREMI platform will enable RIRDC to geospatially map existing and projected biomass resource data alongside other parameters, such

as existing network and transport infrastructure, land use capability and demographic data.

“This will provide better linkages between biomass suppliers and end users, and support local businesses to get more value from organic material destined for landfill, disposal or other low value uses.”

The first iteration of the database is planned for release in late 2016.

The RIRDC’s core business is to maintain and enhance the productivity of the rural industries it supports and to address national rural issues through government-industry partnership.

It is specifically charged with managing investment in RD&E for primary industries which are too small to set up their own RD&E entity and to address multi-industry and national interest RD&E needs.

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RENEWABLE ENERGY

Supporting clean energy in Victoria’s Gippsland region

Cairns to host new energy innovation hub Ergon Energy – a Queensland Government owned company – is investing in a new energy innovation hub and research laboratory at Cairns in the state’s north.

Ergon will soon merge with Energex – another government owned operation – which has launched a major battery storage trial.

The merger will create Australia’s largest energy company which will be headquartered in Townsville from mid-2016 and deliver regional jobs and energy solutions to remote and isolated communities around Queensland.

The Ergon laboratory will continue leading research into battery energy storage, integration of solar and large scale renewables into electricity networks, and other electricity network technologies.

State Treasurer, Curtis Pitt, said the research hub was designed to improve knowledge that would allow Ergon to develop systems and technologies to help Australia achieve carbon reduction and renewable targets in cost effective ways.

“I’m hoping facilities like this will attract the brightest minds in the area of energy research to regional Queensland so our newly-merged energy company can capitalise on their expertise.

“The government’s new energy services subsidiary will look at options to utilise renewable technologies, particularly in remote and isolated areas, to improve reliability and sustainability of electricity supply.”

Ergon Technology Development engineers have briefed Mr Pitt on some of the latest research into battery energy storage systems and other initiatives being undertaken in Cairns.

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Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

“Their knowledge combined with the testing, ‘real world’ research trials and technology development have positioned Ergon among the pre-eminent players in the emerging world of energy technologies,” Mr Pitt said.

“Ergon had already proven its ability to deliver world-class technology through its ROAMES aerial mapping technology and the recently deployed Grid Utility Support System network battery storage.”

The Energex battery storage trial will use technology from leading solar companies like Tesla, and will further advance developments in the rooftop solar industry.

The trial’s three battery systems will provide Energex with real time data to better understand how best to integrate new technologies into the network.

Energex Executive General Manager Asset Management, Peter Price, said the trial was part of a long-term strategy to manage demand on the network based on customers’ changing consumption habits.

“The way our customers consume electricity has changed significantly with the emergence of solar PV and battery technology, and we have changed with them,” Mr Price said.

“The future of energy usage in Queensland is about choice; providing customers with a choice as to how they consume their electricity and how much they rely on the network.”

The government has a goal of one million rooftops or 3,000 megawatts of solar PV capacity in Queensland by 2020, and the emergence of battery energy storage systems will play a key role in achieving that goal.

A $20 million New Energy Jobs Fund has been established by the Victorian Government to encourage businesses in the Gippsland region to develop projects that create jobs and support clean energy.

Grants of between $50,000 and $1 million – and under exceptional circumstances, up to $2 million – are available to support new energy technology projects.

The fund will support growth in the uptake of renewable energy generation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, drive innovation in new energy technologies, and assist community groups to develop renewable energy projects.

Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio, said advances in technology had triggered a wave of ‘smart’ energy technologies such as in-home displays, smart meters, energy storage, electric vehicles, and decreasing the cost of distributed generation.

“Renewable energy is vital to Victoria’s energy future – making energy supplies cleaner, attracting investment and creating jobs. We can build a strong, sustainable energy industry that powers our broader economy, creates well-paid jobs and delivers health and social benefits, while reducing our environmental impact.”

The initiative forms part of the government’s $200 million Future Industries Fund to support high growth, high value industries that are critical to securing Victoria’s future as a competitive, innovative and outward looking economy.

Up to $5 million will be made available in the first funding round. Communities, industry and businesses have until 16 March 2016 to apply.

The government is developing a Renewable Energy Action Plan to capture Victoria’s share of the investment in renewable energy expected to occur in Australia by 2020.

It is also working with the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to identify funding programs and initiatives that could leverage support for projects through the New Energy Jobs Fund.

RENEWABLE SPECIAL ENERGY REPORT

Ararat home to major wind farm development The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has committed $67 million as part of a five-year, $276 million senior secured debt financing to what will be Australia’s third largest wind farm, at Ararat in Victoria.

A consortium of GE and Downer EDI started construction of the Ararat Wind Farm in July 2015, and power is expected to be delivered to the grid from April 2017.

Ararat Wind Farm Pty Ltd is co-owned by a consortium of Renewable Energy Systems (RES), GE (NYSE: GE), Partners Group on behalf of its clients, and OPTrust.

The wind farm has secured a $276 million debt financing package through a financing

consortium comprising Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), Canada’s Export Credit Agency, Export Development Canada (EDC) and the CEFC. Corporation CEO, Oliver Yates, said: “This 240MW project is set to be the third largest wind farm in Australia and has attracted almost half-a-billion dollars of direct international investment into Victoria.

“In addition, 35 of the towers will be built in Portland, Victoria, by Keppel Prince. We are pleased to be supporting a project that is helping grow Australia’s local industry so it can meet the demand we expect will result from the revised RET.”

Mr Yates said the Ararat project benefited from a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Australian Capital Territory Government.

He said the PPA guaranteed the purchase of approximately 40 per cent of the energy produced at the site. The PPA was awarded under the ACT’s wind auction in February 2015.

The Ararat Wind Farm aims to produce enough electricity to power around 120,000 homes each year. The project will benefit the local economy, directly employing around 165 workers in the construction phase and another 120 indirectly.

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FOCUS ON WATER

Restoring key Adelaide water main

Reef Water Science Taskforce releases interim report Climate change is the most significant long-term threat to the Great Barrier Reef, but work undertaken now to improve water quality will help to build its resilience into the future, according to an interim report by the GBR Water Science Taskforce.

Taskforce Chair and Queensland’s Chief Scientist, Dr Geoff Garrett, said despite significant investment and goodwill from the State Government and all partners, accelerated uptake of improved land management practices was needed.

“We need to take stronger action and we need to do it now.”

Dr Garrett presented the interim report to Great Barrier Reef Minister, Steven Miles, who said it was an important milestone in developing the Queensland Government’s approach to meeting its ambitious water quality targets and the priorities for investing an extra $90 million over the next four years.

The targets are to reduce nitrogen runoff by up to 80 per cent and reduce total suspended sediment run-off by up to 50 per cent in key catchments such as the Wet Tropics and Burdekin by 2025.

Dr Garrett said there was a significant challenge ahead in delivering a transformational change program across such a vast scale.

“The Great Barrier Reef is precious, but it is in trouble. A sustained and greater effort is needed to ensure the reef is protected for future generations to enjoy.

“A healthy reef, that is resilient to the future impacts of climate change, needs clean water. To have clean water, we need to greatly reduce the amount

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Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

of fertiliser, sediment and chemicals coming from all sources; farms, urban development and industry.”

Dr Garrett said the taskforce consulted with multiple stakeholders and key groups to gather views on what management approaches have worked and what haven’t, and their views on investment priorities and how to meet the water quality targets.

He said the taskforce’s key findings related to complexity in areas such as governance, science and program delivery; fragmentation of policy, funding and extension services; and poor communication and engagement.

“Achieving the targets will require a long-term commitment, strong leadership, additional funding and financial and technical assistance to land managers,” Dr Garrett said.

“There is no one silver bullet. That is why the taskforce is recommending a range of tools to deliver the significant changes needed to cost-effectively improve reef water quality.

“They include more financial incentives and other market instruments, better extension, a focus on innovation, targeted finer scale monitoring, substantially improved communication, outcomes-based regulations that are staged over time and greater leveraging of investment.”

The Taskforce sought comments from a wide range of stakeholders on the conclusions and recommendations of the interim report – the deadline for responses was 22 February.

A final report is due to be presented to Minister Miles by May 2016.

Fulton Hogan is upgrading a key water main that has been supplying water to Adelaide’s central business district for the past 90 years.

The Hackney and North East Road Trunk Water Main Renewal project involves 2.2 kilometres of pipe relining, under-boring and replacement of various sections of the pipeline.

The project was awarded to Fulton Hogan by SA Water in July 2015.

Crews recently carried out relining on sections of the pipeline using what is known as the Titeflow die-reduction method.

Project Manager, Christopher Maiolo, said: “This was a big accomplishment because it is the largest diameter pipe reline ever completed in Australia using this method.

“The reason the method was chosen to reline several sections is because the pipeline runs under some of the busiest roads and streets adjacent to the CBD and the method significantly reduces the impact to stakeholders and minimises traffic disruptions.”

The Titeflow die-reduction process involves temporarily reducing the diameter of the new pipe, using over 50 tonnes of hydraulic pressure, and pulling it through the old “host” pipe.

Once the pipe has been completely pulled through, the pressure is released so the new pipe “relaxes” over a 24-hour period to its original size within the old pipe, effectively replacing the old pipe.

“We’ve used this method on two sections spanning over 750 metres of the busiest parts of the trunk water main,” said Mr Maiolo.

The next stage of the project involves over 20 cross connections from a redundant water main to a new main, extending 11 kilometres from Hope Valley Reservoir to the Gilberton Pump Station, along North East Road; another major arterial road with very large traffic volumes.

FOCUS ON WATER

Safeguarding Port Phillip Bay’s beaches and foreshores

More efficient infrastructure for Queensland irrigators Queensland irrigators accessing the Murray–Darling Basin can apply for a share of up to $53 million funding to upgrade or build new water infrastructure under Round 10 of the Healthy HeadWaters Water Use Efficiency program.

The program supports irrigators to build or upgrade infrastructure to boost their on-farm water efficiency.

It helps them to invest in modern and efficient irrigation systems and technologies that reduce water loss and allow greater flexibility in water use, delivering water savings and on-farm productivity benefits.

The program also returns a share of water savings to the Basin's rivers, wetlands and floodplains, supporting positive environmental outcomes.

The current funding round (round 10) is open to more irrigators than any previous round, with the Condamine catchment and additional Border Rivers zones now able to participate.

Applications can be submitted at any time until 30 June 2016, with assessments made at the end of each month.

Successful irrigators will receive up to 90 per cent of costs to upgrade onfarm water infrastructure to assist them in managing their businesses, while ensuring the long-term viability of the Basin by making more water available for the environment.

Infrastructure works eligible under the program include: • converting to overhead irrigation machines;

• upgrading from surface irrigation to trickle methods; • upgrading or reconfiguring water storages to minimise seepage and evaporation losses, and boost storage capacity; and • replacing inefficient storages.

Up to 50 per cent of the water saved as a result of the infrastructure upgrades can be retained by the irrigator, with the remainder transferred to the Australian Government to restore environmental flows.

Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, said the program, funded by Canberra and delivered by the Queensland Government, was an important part of the Australian Government’s vision for a productive and healthy Murray-Darling Basin.

“Since it began in 2010, the Australian Government has committed $90.3 million in funding across 57 projects as part of this program,” Minister Joyce said.

“In this time, the Healthy HeadWaters program has contributed 17.5 gigalitres of water to Bridging the Gap to the sustainable diversion limits set under the Basin Plan.

“Irrigators have also benefited by retaining 11 gigalitres of additional productive water as a result of on-farm efficiencies.”

For more information, visit the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines website at: www.dnrm.qld.gov.au

Nearly $5 million will be spent to protect eight beaches and foreshores of Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay from erosion, and increase the amount of open beach space available to the public.

The $4.8 million Protection of Port Phillip Beaches and Foreshore Program will benefit local communities and people who visit the Bay’s beaches, with about four out of every five Victorians visiting the coast at least once a year.

The program aims to provide effective protection of coastal foreshores and improve the public amenity of Port Phillip Bay beaches. It includes: • beach renourishment at Sandringham; Sorrento West; Eastern Beach Geelong, St Helens and Moorpanyl; Hampton; Frankston South; and Carrum; • annual beach monitoring with input from the community and local government; and • two awards to post graduate university students for coastal research projects in Port Phillip and Western Port.

Victoria’s Environment Minister, Lisa Neville, said her department consulted extensively with land managers, including councils, to finalise the program and would consult further to implement it.

“Whether it’s renourishments that widen and lengthen beaches or the work we do with local communities to ensure erosion is properly monitored over the long term, this funding is important for the health of the Bay’s coastline.”

“These renourishment projects have been prioritised and we will work with local land managers to deliver the projects over the next two years.”

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DAMS & CATCHMENTS

Temporary management plan for Wivenhoe and Somerset dams

Wivenhoe and Somerset dams in south east Queensland are being temporarily lowered through low-flow releases as part of Seqwater's Dam Improvement Program.

Somerset Dam is being lowered to 80 per cent of its full water supply storage volume, while Wivenhoe Dam’s full water supply storage volume will be lowered to 90 per cent.

The latest assessment of Somerset Dam indicates improvement works may be required earlier than previously planned to ensure the highest safety standards are maintained.

The lowering of Somerset’s storage volume is a precautionary approach to best manage the dam while further assessments can be undertaken to confirm the final nature and detail of any necessary future works.

The new dam full supply levels will have a minimal impact on the security of the region’s water supply, which remains high.

Seqwater Chief Executive Officer, Peter Dennis, said the Somerset assessment was part of Seqwater’s Dam Improvement Program which included the regular assessment and monitoring of the region’s 26 dams.

Mr Dennis said lowering water supply storage levels in dams was an industry accepted practice to protect the safety of communities while dam upgrade works are completed.

“The preliminary assessment of Somerset Dam has significantly improved our knowledge and understanding of the dam structure and highlighted the possibility of an earlier upgrade to ensure Somerset continues to perform as required.

“Based on previous assessments, Somerset Dam is scheduled for an upgrade

by 2025. This latest assessment may bring forward some upgrade work.

"It's important to recognise that Somerset Dam managed both the 1974 flood, the largest since the dam was built, as well as the 2011 large flood event. We also need to make sure the dam can handle floods much larger than these floods”.

Mr Dennis said as much of the released water as practicable would be used to reduce the draw down on the region’s other major water supply dams, including North Pine and Hinze dams, by increasing production at the Mt Crosby water treatment plants and using the Water Grid.

Construction of Somerset Dam started in 1935 and was completed after World War Two. Any works undertaken will be the first major upgrade since the dam became operational.

Contenders shortlisted in Wellington Dam EOI A shortlist of four contenders has been selected by the Western Australian Government in response to the Wellington Dam expression of interest (EOI) process.

The shortlist includes a Western Australian-based joint venture led by Aqua Ferre; local irrigation co-operative, Harvey Water; Israeli-based leader in desalination, IDE Technologies; and Valoriza, a Spanish firm specialising in the use of brackish water for agriculture.

Fifteen responses were received and evaluated against six principles - economic, technical, financial, organisation capability, 36

Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

project team capability and social and environmental merit.

The successful companies were shortlisted by a technical advisory group that included representatives from the National Centre of Excellence in Desalination Australia, the CSIRO, Irrigation Australia, the Department of Agriculture and Food WA, vegetablesWA, South West Development Commission and the Department of Water.

The process was run though Tenders WA and co-ordinated by Deloitte.

All shortlisted respondents indicated that

a level of government support would be needed and Water Minister, Mia Davies, said the government would work with the companies to define the level of support ahead of a possible request for proposal.

"Possibilities for involvement by the Federal Government will also be discussed," Minister Davies said.

Wellington Dam is the second largest reservoir in WA and the largest surface water storage in the southwest. Rising salinity has meant the reservoir, with its 85 gigalitres of annual allocation, has been under-utilised.

Kangaroo Creek Dam being strengthened Kangaroo Creek Dam in the Adelaide Hills is being upgraded under a $94 million project.

The upgrade is being undertaken by Bardavcol, a South Australian civil engineering and construction company.

The project will widen the spillway and raise and strengthen the dam wall – it will help to better manage any major floods and increase the dam's ability to withstand earthquakes.

The dam embankment will be increased by approximately five metres and the spillway widened by 30 metres.

The first stage of the three-stage project involves removing vegetation, setting up the site and building access roads.

The second stage will remove rock from the hillside next to the spillway by using heavy machinery and controlled explosives.

Some of the rock material will be re-used to strengthen the existing embankment downstream of the dam wall.

Stage three will focus on the spillway and dam wall. The reservoir level will be lowered during the project to allow works to be safely completed. The reduced water level will not impact on drinking water supplies.

The project will see the equivalent of up to 220 full time workers directly and indirectly employed over the next three years and Bardavcol Managing Director, Darren Foster, said SA Water had shown faith in the local construction industry.

“Bardavcol is taking on four local graduate engineers and providing a great training ground for our future construction industry leaders on the back of being awarded this project.

“We will also be purchasing $2.5 million worth of new machinery as part of this project, which demonstrates the trickle-down effect of supporting local companies.

“This investment sustains and provides new jobs and is all spent locally in SA.” The tender was conducted in line with the SA Government’s Industry Participation Policy, which assists local businesses to win work on major government projects.

The project is scheduled for completion in 2018 and will align Kangaroo Creek Dam with standards set by the Australian National Committee on Large Dams.

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PIPES & PIPELINES

New 3D environment doubles productivity for trench and sloping ditch design Intergraph® Process, Power & Marine (PP&M) has released a new Task Based Modelling Environment for Civil Design as part of Intergraph Smart™ 3D. The Civil Task includes next-generation 3D design capabilities for electrical and piping trenches, as well as sloping ditches. This new Task was developed in joint collaboration with leading global engineering companies. The main partner was Technip, with its France office developing specifications, and with Technip Malaysia who has been using the new environment in a project since June 2015.

The Civil Task answers the market demand for a civil engineering application enabling routing and dynamic modification of ditches and trenches through a complex sequence of changing: elevations, transitions, materials and branching needs. The environment includes a set of placement methods to accommodate electrical cables, layers of piping and various fluid types. In addition, the Civil Task provides downstream integration to other SmartPlant® solutions, ensuring information integrity and reuse for all disciplines.

Tom Szoka, vice president of 3D solutions at Intergraph PP&M, said, “We started this multi-year development project together with our clients to fill in the void for efficient 3D design in the civil engineering industry. Our goal was to provide a smarter, integrated solution for 3D modelling of underground civil objects and we are happy to witness our customers’ success – on average we have seen that Civil Task is twice as fast as the previous methodology.”

Joao-Carlos Pereira-Fialho, 3D engineer at Technip France, said, “Modelling and modification of complex 3D underground objects, such as ditches or trenches, is very time-consuming without a dedicated tool. With the new Civil Task environment in Intergraph Smart 3D we can make data available to all disciplines, automate processes, and save tremendously on the time needed for trench and ditch modelling.”

Gerhard Sallinger, Intergraph Process, Power & Marine president, said, “We are privileged to work with one of the leading global engineering companies during this development project. At Intergraph PP&M we strive to develop and invent new, smarter ways of working together with our customers and are glad to see the benefits provided to our customers materialize.”

Intergraph Smart 3D – a next generation, data-centric, and ruledriven solution – is specifically designed to deliver mission-critical requirements. Breaking through barriers imposed by traditional technologies to enable a truly iterative design environment, Smart 3D provides a competitive edge to EPCs and owner operators alike.

A fundamental component of Intergraph’s SmartPlant® Enterprise, Intergraph Smart 3D provides all of the capabilities needed to design plant, marine, and materials handling facilities, and then maintain their 3D “as-built” representations. Take advantage of data-centric technology, a strong rules- and relationship- based architecture, customized automation capabilities, and an integrated reuse approach to execute even the largest and most complex projects with centralized visibility and control.

Find Out More For more information about Smart 3D, use the QR Code or visit: ppm.intergraph.com/products/3dproduct-family/intergraph-smart-3d

AGPA helping to secure the future of Australia's pipeline industry The Australian Pipelines & Gas Association (APGA) is leading the world in providing opportunities for young people to learn new skills and, importantly, to encourage them to stay in the pipeline industry.

Like other industries, Australia’s pipeline industry is faced with the twin challenges of retiring expertise and lower levels of engagement among newer recruits, APGA Chief Executive Cheryl Cartwright said.

In an address to the Queensland Gas Conference and Exhibition held late last year, Ms Cartwright said the small size of the pipeline industry in Australia and 38

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the multidisciplinary nature of pipeline engineering presents a complex challenge.

“We found that post-graduate courses would be unviable in Australia, so we decided to instead describe what a person needs in order to become a competent pipeline engineer,” she said.

“The result is a framework of competency standards that cover the spectrum of knowledge and experience required by the different elements of pipeline engineering. The framework enables easy understanding, assessment and documentation of competency throughout an engineer’s career," Ms Cartwright said.

APGA has also established a semi-formal group of young professionals who are empowered to arrange their own networking events, training and education within the industry. The Young Pipeliners Forum (YPF) will celebrate its first decade in 2016 and participation has led to many graduates electing to stay in an industry they never dreamed of joining while at university.

“Both the YPF and the competency standards are being adapted by pipeline organisations overseas, once again demonstrating Australia’s ability to arrive at innovative solutions to complex problems,” Ms Cartwright added.

PIPES & PIPELINES

Rhino Linings Limits the Leaks Corrosion of water and wastewater infrastructure, and in some cases the subsequent leakage, costs the industry in excess of $1B each year. The main assets that are impacted by corrosion are the pipelines, storage tanks and treatment plants. As much of this infrastructure is ageing, it is starting to require refurbishment or replacement. One method of refurbishment of water industry assets is to carry out surface repairs and then apply protective coatings.

Based on the Gold Coast, Rhino Linings Australasia is the only manufacturer of spray applied coatings in Australia.

The company sources all its materials from local suppliers except for some very specialised chemicals which are imported from the parent company, Rhino Linings Corp. in America. Being a local manufacturer allows the company to be more responsive to customer requests.

When refurbishing or repairing any pipes, channels or tanks that carry potable water, special coatings are required as it is essential that no chemicals leach into the drinking water. For pipelines, different coatings can be applied to the inside and outside of the pipes, especially if the pipes are buried in ground. For concrete storage reservoirs, water authorities are lining the insides to stop corrosion and prevent leaks.

The structure of the polymer used for wastewater and sewerage treatment infrastructure, such as clarifier tanks and sewage channels, has to be resistant to abrasion and chemical attack.

A major consideration in applying any surface treatment to a structure is the requirement to minimise downtime. “The beauty of our coatings is that they are rapid setting,” said Denis Baker, Rhino Linings Special Projects Engineer. “We can spray them on and they cure in

SUPERIOR PROTECTION

6 seconds for Pure Polyurea and 20 seconds for Polyurethane.”

Rhino Linings' 'high build coatings' are 1000 microns thick as opposed to paints and epoxies which might only be several hundred microns. High build polymer coatings are also flexible which allows them to stretch and shrink as substrates expand and contract due to temperature and ground fluctuations.

All coatings developed by Rhino Linings for the water industry are continually tested to ensure they comply with the latest standards. Rhino Linings coatings are tested for compliance with AS4020 at the Australian Water Quality Centre in Adelaide.

The company is committed to the development of new technologies, products, and services that offer the best solutions to the needs of their customers, applicators and distributors.

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Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

39

PIPES & PIPELINES

Nuflow Technologies forges ahead with international expansion The only Australian-based company licensed to roll out the innovative Nuflow barrier technology is set to help ensure the future supply of clean drinking water in Asian countries by providing a barrier against dangerous toxins from entering pipe water supplies. The breakthrough comes as Gold Coast-based pipe repair company Nuflow Technologies announced its international expansion, with operations now established in Hong Kong, India, Thailand and Singapore.

Nuflow Technologies director Ed Ahern said the company aimed to ensure a safe and viable supply of water for communities in each of the target markets, where serious issues with existing pipes and drainage had been identified.

“Asia is our closest neighbour, so it made sense to focus on establishing a market there as we unrolled our strategy for international expansion,” Mr Ahern said.

“But in my view, there is a real need to address concerns with some of the systems that have been put in place there, and we are working with local authorities and companies in each targeted country to work on solutions to the problems that have arisen.”

In Hong Kong, Nuflow Technologies is conducting trials using its patented pipe-lining systems to prevent lead from entering copper pipes after it was revealed dangerous levels of the poison had tainted

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drinking water at housing estates in Kowloon City last year.

“We have adapted our product and developed a process to eliminate lead deposits that were found to have contaminated the copper piping in a high percentage of the units in the city, and after successful trials last year we are currently in the process of obtaining approval to carry out this major project in the next six months,” Mr Ahern said.

Nuflow Technologies has already made inroads in the immense Indian market, where the company has worked with local contractors over four years to correct pipe corrosion that was causing discolouration to local water supply, rendering it unfit for drinking. With clients including ITC Hotels, one of India’s largest chains with more than 100 luxury hotels across the country, Mr Ahern said Nuflow Technologies’ experienced technicians worked with local contractors to fix broken underground pipes without digging, which was particularly important when working with historic buildings found in many Asian centres.

Nuflow Technologies is also working with Thai authorities to line water mains and fix leakages in Bangkok’s central supply system, while in Singapore, trials will be conducted in 2016 to address corrosion in drainage work in high-rise buildings in the populous city.

Nuflow Technologies, Director, Ed Ahearn

Founded in 2004, Nuflow Technologies has established its place as one of Australasia’s leading pipe repair and unblocking specialists, providing costeffective solutions to fix cracked, leaking and corroded pipes without digging.

With 32 franchisees in Australia and 6 in New Zealand, Nuflow Technologies is on track to meet its goals for international expansion in 2016.

Through its international network, Nuflow Technologies offers comprehensive pipe repair and relining solutions across Australia, New Zealand and Asia, with capacity to repair leaking sewerage, stormwater, commercial or residential pipes without excavating any surfaces. The company offers a range of innovative in-house developed products and solutions, including Nuflow’s patented Blueline and Redline technologies.

Widely recognized as an provider of innovative and versatile relining systems, Nuflow Technologies is dedicated to research and development of new products, including the latest Sumoline technology. All Nuflow products are made in Australia at the company’s Gold Coast plant.

For more information, please visit the website: www.nuflowtech.com.au

Powering a Sustainable Future Kennards Hire Test & Measure deliver hydrostatic testing solutions Dams and reservoirs are important resources for a lot of rural communities. They have been used to provide and store water for agricultural purposes, industrial use, and households for hundreds of years. Ample high pressure water supply and water-main flow pressure make the difference for a thriving community in unforgiving Australian climates.

Meeting strict National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) compliance and industry standards, Kennards Hire Test & Measure’s Hydrostatic Test Pumps enable automatic pressure testing of pipeline systems, vessels and containers. The Hydrostatic Test Pumps are designed for the Plumbing and Civil industries to pressure test watermain, pipeline and sewer force mains for possible leaks. These pumps supply more efficient and effective readings against pipeline leakages, resulting in better reservoir and dam water supplies.

Nirav Patel, Project Engineer from Leed Engineering came into the Kennards Hire Test & Measure specialist branch in Glandore, S.A. knowing exactly what he needed. Leed Engineering was commissioned to test water-main pressure of a newly laid pipeline infrastructure - running water from the Murray River, to a reservoir in the Barossa region. They needed NATA compliant equipment to get an official reading and certification for the project.

The Hydrostatic Pumps were perfectly suited for the task. Leed Engineering has been a happy customer of Kennards Hire Test & Measure, having hired the Hydrostatic Test Pump on three separate occasions.

“The pump has been very good. There is never a problem with the equipment and it’s always fit for purpose. Kennards Hire Test & Measure has always delivered the equipment on time,” explained Nirav.

Michael Hein, Kennards Hire Test & Measure Product Specialist, was pleased with the feedback from the customer.

“Leed Engineering has been so impressed with the flow and high pressure of the pump. They’ve used the pump on 3 other projects now,” Michael said.

This unit has been designed with ease of use in mind. Portable 14L water tank and conversion hoses enable use with an onsite reservoir.

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Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

41

SUSTAINABLE CITIES

Move to carbon neutral cities in Australia The Australian Government’s carbon neutral certification scheme could be expanded to include cities and precincts as the government moves to make cities more liveable and sustainable.

The Carbon Neutral Program currently recognises companies for their emissions reduction efforts, but there is no established mechanism to apply this more broadly, according to Environment Minister, Greg Hunt.

“With the City of Adelaide and the much-heralded Barangaroo development in Sydney recently announcing their commitments to become carbon neutral, it is vital that we work together to develop a framework to recognise wider efforts to reduce emissions.

Mr Hunt said examining the expansion of the program was an important step as it marked the first time entities other than organisations – in the form of a city or precinct – had indicated their intent to join the program.

“During 2016, the Department of the Environment will work with Adelaide City Council and Barangaroo to develop and test a methodology that can stand the rigour of the carbon neutral certification framework.

“This action supports the Australian Government's agenda to improve the sustainability of cities through cleaner, more efficient and resilient urban communities.”

Minister Hunt said cities were one of the great drivers of the economy – most Australians lived in them and the majority of businesses were based in or around them.

“It is only by ensuring our cities are well-planned, serviced with world class digital and physical infrastructure and environmentally sustainable that they will continue to grow as economic assets.”

The Carbon Neutral Program certifies organisations, products, services and events as carbon neutral. Participants must meet the carbon accounting and auditing requirements of the National Carbon Offset Standard in order to become certified under the program.

Mr Hunt said carbon neutral precincts and cities would require a holistic approach for emissions management across a wide range of activities within their boundary.

“This approach will drive precincts and cities to reduce their emissions and seek opportunities for using already certified carbon neutral products and services.”

In South Australia, the passage last December of the Local Government (Building Upgrade Agreements) Amendment Bill 2015 cleared the way for building owners to begin revitalising ageing building stock.

Passage of the bill, according to State Climate Change Minister Ian Hunter, would have the added benefit of advancing plans for Adelaide to become the world’s first carbon neutral city.

“For commercial property owners, building upgrades can reduce operating costs, increase yields, help attract and retain tenants and improve asset values,” Mr Hunter said.

“Benefits to tenants include net reductions in operating costs, improved indoor amenity, staff productivity, and contributions towards corporate social responsibility goals; not to mention greenhouse gas savings of up to 32 per cent.”

Adelaide’s Lord Mayor, Martin Haese, said the passing of the bill was an important step towards a carbon neutral city.

“Property owners will be able to access new sources of finance for building upgrades, improving building performance and enhancing the competitive advantage of city businesses,” he said.

Accurate information on air quality Victorians now have ready access to information about the quality of the air they breathe. An interactive map, known as EPA AirWatch, provides the community with a quick and reliable way to check local readings of air quality and obtain health advice on days when poor air quality is recorded.

Using data from the Environment Protection Authority’s 19 air monitoring locations across metropolitan and regional Victoria, EPA AirWatch shows a range of common pollutants in the air.

Victorian Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water, Lisa Neville, said the readings would prove particularly helpful for people with heart and lung conditions, children under 14 years, pregnant women and those aged over 65.

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“Victorians are urged to check EPA AirWatch, particularly on days with strong winds and in times of bushfire, when there can be a lot of smoke in the atmosphere.

“Air quality is better now than in the 1970s due to controls implemented through the Environment Protection Act 1970 to reduce sources of air pollution and industry complying with more environmentally friendly practices and tighter emissions regulations.”

Ms Neville said the EPA’s ability to monitor air quality during statewide emergencies such as bushfires had also been boosted with the use of rapid response air monitoring equipment recently provided by the government.

She said the equipment could be deployed within 24 hours and provide hourly air quality measurements and health advice directly to

EPA’s website. The website also provides the community with regular updates from the Department of Health and Human Services on the potential impact smoke can have on ambient air.

EPA AirWatch is available at: www.epa.vic. gov.au/EPAAirWatch

SUSTAINABLE CITIES

Greening Australia’s capitals Australia’s capital cities are well advanced in their long term plans and local investment to meet the challenge of developing greener cities, according to Katrina Fong Lim – the Lord Mayor of Darwin and Chair of the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors.

“Cities have long recognised that increasing green space is a practical solution to the effects of climate change and associated increasing extreme weather events,” Alderman Fong Lim said.

The CCCLM Chair said Australia’s capital cities were the engine rooms of the Australian economy, contributing over one thousand billion dollars of economic activity in 2013-14.

Lord Mayor Fong Lim said The Council of Capital City Lord Mayors welcomed the Federal Government’s recognition that cities mattered. She was responding to a speech

by Australia’s Environment Minister, Greg Hunt, who said Canberra planned to work with cities on long-term and integrated planning, infrastructure planning and funding, and greening of cities.

She cited examples of programs for the greening of capital cities including:

Adelaide Adelaide City Council is working on a $1 million greening program, finding ways to introduce trees into difficult urban spaces.

Brisbane Brisbane City Council is committed to a number of activities which green the city, including projects such as its Bushland cover and 2 Million Trees projects

Canberra As an inland city that already experiences heatwaves and extreme heat days, the

ACT Government recognises the risks of increasing ‘city heat’. Canberra’s urban forest is aging, so a major renewal program is planned for coming years to keep and extend the tree canopy.

The ACT Government is developing strategies on both Climate Change Adaptation and Living (Green) infrastructure to address the impacts of climate change.

Darwin The City of Darwin is a tropical city with good canopy cover of 19 per cent in the CBD and 30 per cent across the municipality.

Results from the CBD tree canopy survey estimate the structural value of the 1,150 CBD trees to be over $2 million.

Shade provided by these trees is believed to create energy savings to the adjacent buildings and deliver gross carbon sequestration of 20 tonnes CO2 equivalent.

The major thematic schemes of the City Centre Master Plan2 include linking the green and blue (sea) networks and cooling the city, including increasing pedestrian comfort through street tree planting.

Hobart Hobart City Council is collaborating with the Tasmanian Government in developing a Sustainable Buildings Program for Hobart’s commercial building sector that is proposed to include Environment Upgrade Agreements.

Hobart City Council maintains and protects 60 per cent of the city area as native bushland or formal parklands, a significant proportion of which is within walking distance of the CBD.

Melbourne The City of Melbourne is delivering against its Urban Forest strategy, which aims to increase canopy cover from 22 per cent to 40 per cent by 2040, increasing forest diversity of species and improving vegetation health, soil moisture and biodiversity.

Perth The City of Perth is preparing its Urban Forest plan 4 which will provide a strategic management framework aimed at protecting the existing urban forest and managing and growing it into the future.

The City has developed a draft Environment Strategy and implementation plan due to go to Council for adoption shortly.

Sydney City of Sydney’s Sustainable Sydney 2030 recognises the importance of greening the city. Sustainable Sydney 2030 incorporates action plans that include activities such as: • Urban ecology – protecting biodiversity including enhancement of local habitat, stormwater harvesting and installation of native bees in six of the city’s community gardens; funding various research projects into the city’s flora and fauna • Greening the City – includes actions to increase the urban canopy including planting trees, working with property owners to increase their urban canopy, landscaping of the 28,000 square metres of public space, working with relevant public transport and utility authorities to increase greenery in partnership.

• Green Roofs and Walls Policy - provides numerous social, environmental and cultural benefits, and helps make the City of Sydney a more climate change resilient city.

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SUSTAINABLE CITIES

Significant emissions cuts by Sydney’s commercial landlords Sydney’s top commercial landlords have cut 45 per cent of their emissions since 2006, saving $30 million a year.

The City of Sydney-led Better Buildings Partnership includes the major landlords and property managers of more than half of the city centre’s commercial office floor space.

Members of the Better Buildings Partnership have improved the overall sustainability performance of their buildings through measures such as: • building system upgrades; • improved facilities management and green infrastructure, including locally produced trigeneration; • low carbon energy; and • recycled water networks.

Improving the energy efficiency of buildings has avoided more than 145,000 tonnes of carbon emissions in the last year and shaved more than $30 million a year from the bottom line.

It has reduced energy use across the partnership’s 92 buildings by six per cent, cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduced water consumption by more than 33 per cent on 2006 levels.

BBP Chair and group general manager HSE and sustainability, Paul Edwards, praised members for their impressive savings.

“The partnership has delivered exceptional results, clearly demonstrating the value of working in collaboration with peers,” Mr Edwards said.

“The BBP has again taken a major step towards 70 per cent reduction by 2030, hitting 45 per cent this year.

“The power of working together is proving again to be the right approach – delivering outstanding value to members and introducing new standards, such as new waste guidelines, which help the whole industry.”

The BBP’s waste guidelines are part of a suite of tools that is improving sustainability management practice for commercial buildings.

The City of Sydney has worked closely with the BBP on the development of its energy efficiency master plan and climate adaptation plan.

The City’s climate adaptation plan was adopted during 2015 to prepare for future impacts of climate change.

The impacts include more heat waves and extreme weather, such as the storms Sydney experienced in April 2015. The plan was prepared with help from major science groups and leading business and property organisations, including the BBP. The adapting for climate change strategy contains 39 different actions to help deal with issues ranging from changing rainfall patterns and rising sea levels to more severe heat waves.

For more information, visit: www.sydneybetterbuildings.com.au 44

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LIQUID WASTE

Cloudy Waters Meeting the Challenges of Liquid Waste Logistics

by Terry Daley, CEO Wastedge.com The emergence of mobile tablet apps linked to cloud systems; higher-speed, reliable internet connections; and always-on, 99.7% web service availability commitment by cloud service providers, are the 4 main factors enabling such technologies to be applied to modernise and streamline traditionally non-technical industrial services and collection scheduling business processes.

New business systems infrastructure, Software as a Service (SaaS) Cloud systems’ world-wide adoption is now growing at greater than 19% per annum.

New solutions born in the cloud are proving to be 80% faster and easier to implement than traditional solutions and open up even further opportunities for integration of mobile apps, especially for field service operations.

Average reliable internet speeds available in Australia at 7.8 megabytes per second, (cable TV speed) which pushes Australia down to 46th fastest country (into the third world group) – but at least this is now sufficient for cloud business systems.

We’re starting to see local major telco’s committing business speeds of 36 to 50 MB/ sec to any office-site business node. Even 100MB/sec speeds are appearing as new multi-cable connection options emerge and as the National Broadband Network (NBN) and equivalent technology upgrades roll out.

So Australia’s current and planned business communications infrastructure is geared to support the explosion of mobile and internet access and the next wave of machines and sensors that will connect to cloud systems through the internet.

This new wave is called the Internet of Things or IoT for short. For instance, there are food waste sludge container systems on the market today in Australia, where internet connected containers in restaurants send signals to alert their collection re-processing companies when they are nearly ready for collection.

These systems in turn enable a whole new radically different approach to collection scheduling efficiency (similar to how parking bay availability lights speed up getting to a parking spot in multi level car-parks).

Imagine Uber-Style Waste Services (On Demand) Already in the USA there are cloud service applications emerging such as Spoiler Alert, that makes it easier for companies to donate (or sell) left-over food, connecting non-profit collectors and giving donors tax credits for logged transactions. Rubicon is another “Uber-style” broker offering to amalgamate waste collections offering these to independent “local” haulers who bid on providing a ride for the waste or wanted materials, for more efficient, price and time effective collection and transport services than the big players in the industry can offer. (Watch this space!)

Yet while many field service businesses are adopting and implementing innovative applications of emerging technologies, in waste-realms there are still quite a number of neglected blue-collar backwaters.

One such sector of the waste recovery industry that is often found to be relying on paper, whiteboard or excel planning systems is the Liquid Waste industry.

Hazardous waste treatment data is now being demanded by reporting authorities, but there seems to be little attention given to early mobile in-field data capture and cloud integration systems.

Liquid waste from collection and transport through to treatment is also one of the most hazardous sectors of the waste industry and has its own unique business process peculiarities and precautionary practices for safety of staff.

It’s amazing how different each niche of the waste industry can be, yet how important it is to have standard sectorspecific business processes augmented with practical software support systems.

Unfortunately the less mainstream the segment of the industry is – usually the least has been done to facilitate, streamline and support good practise.

Liquid Waste Service sectors are grouped as per: Liquid Waste Collection/Transport • Aqueous Controlled Substances • Aqueous Non-controlled Liquids • Grease Trap Pump-outs

Waste + Water Management Australia | February 2016

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• Food Sludge • Portable Toilet Hire • Sullage Pits and Septic Tanks • Used Oils Recovery • Cruise ship and Navy pump-outs Hazardous Liquid Waste Transport/ Treatment • Mining Liquids (e.g. from fracking) • Other Hazardous Liquid Wastes Industrial Liquid/Waste Services • High Pressure Water Blasting • CCTV Pipe Inspections & Cleaning • Refinery Clean-outs & Tank Washing Storage, Treatment & Disposal • Water Extraction • Chemical Treatment

Typical business processes and difficulties Milk-Run versus Super-sucker Scheduling Of the above, grease trap and septic would be the simplest, often described as a milk run, where all collected liquids can be comingled in the one tanker. Yet scheduling and pricing for these services isn’t straightforward.

Semi-rural regions where there’s likely to be more septics, need some ability to group regions into day of service cycles – some suburbs may need visiting multiple days of the week, whereas remote areas may only be every second week mid week.

Also, given the regulations to pump out restaurant grease traps, at a minimum, every 13 weeks, if you pump out a site early due to overflow (excess usage or reduced capacity tank size) then the next cycle date needs to be reset from the pump out date rather

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than against any fixed number of weeks cycle. Cycles could also be variable based on differing popularity of two neighbouring restaurants meaning that one will fill up faster than the other so you almost need to build predictions based on call-out history.

Diverting a truck across to the other side of town for an overflow or ‘forgotten’ service can also be more costly than the profit on the job if it had been able to be done on a planned schedule.

Super-suckers’ scheduling also needs to cater for scheduling additional equipment trailers that may be shared by a group of trucks (not needed on all jobs).

There’s also considerable difficulty in scheduling labour resources as most heavy-industrial sites will need helper staff to be safety inducted – so if someone’s off sick, you need to be able to find a replacement with recent enough site and special equipment handling experience for the job. Staff and equipment may be booked out onsite for days or weeks at distant locations or spill areas. Large or small truck size may be needed for difficult access sites but in turn may result in multiple trips due to the smaller truck pump-out capacity. Some newer truck systems allow for some simple processing onsite to give back usable extracted / recycled materials.

Job Scheduling is often more vehicle and equipment centric rather than date/driver grouped and many companies still grapple with white-board based manual planning systems rather than shared electronic diary planners. Some that are using electronic diary planning boards suffer the separate silo syndrome, where they have to double enter data into multiple systems that don’t integrate/collaborate.

Service Pricing Paradigms (Danger Money?)

Pricing for industrial clean-up jobs also needs to cover a wide range of factors specially for High pressure water blasting and industrial tank/pit clean-outs that might require use of oxygen tanks and full protective suits: • Labour rates per day or per hour • Special rates (e.g. outside tank recovery time) • Rates per resource skill level • Rates for consumables used on the job • Rates for material treatment/disposal • Mark-up rates for other services managed - E.g. need to hire a plumber, or - Electricians to turn off power, etc • Equipment usage rates - Per lineal metre - Per hour of use - Per day hire plus cleaning/refuel • Miscellaneous Charges - Contract per tank rates - Working at height or depth charges Additional Safety aspects of worker health / infection protection and general PPE equipment provision, training and site induction checklists are all areas that need to be provided as checklists (an area made much easier to share and check data entered by mobile app touch screens, than multi-part paperwork).

Liquid service pricing for simpler grease trap services still needs to be able to determine the difference between an emergency overflow call out (arrestor alarm triggered) and a simple ring-in request for an unscheduled service with enough notice.

And rates per litre need to go down to 5 decimals of a dollar if you are to factor in marginal levy component rates. Quoting for casual jobs or new businesses often needs someone with chemical expertise if there is no clearly defined pricing policy.

Pricing per litre may also need conversion into price per kilogram, dependant on the specific gravity factor of the liquid, so that it can be reconciled with the weigh over the weighbridge at the treatment plant, to double check that none was lost in transit.

Pricing for services such as Mining Liquid Waste Extraction, often involves triangular travel plan segments that have related additional charges – such as travel to remote sites, off-road components, travel from site to specialist disposal facilities and travel time back to base depot (all with variable rates).

If your systems don’t trap and check such

LIQUID WASTE

In other cases, regular equipment maintenance and safety checking is critical, as in the case where a high pressure water blaster hose broke loose and swished around, slicing of it’s operators limbs.

Dangerous Data Details

pricing components are applied to specific job types, you can easily miss out on job profits by overlooking missing paperwork.

Handling Hazards Your local Waste Contractors Association can also help with supply of Tanker Safety Tips in the Liquid Waste Industry from (e.g.

WCRA-NSW: Google it on “Vacuum Tanker Safety FAQ” ). Hazards abound from simply handling heavy and hazardous equipment and materials. Risk assessment forms and site induction guidelines often need

to be attached to job booking ‘paperwork’ as reminders – or readily available as downloadable documents and site safety guides and checklists that can be available on field staff mobile tablets along with detail job instructions. Sometimes simply using appropriate PPE gear isn’t enough...

Many would recall the fatal incident where gases overcame a worker descending into a pit, then the second worker who leapt in to help, and the third, who had at least phoned for help before also descending in a rescue attempt.

Liquid waste services come with a far greater depth of data for each job. In the case of hazardous liquid waste both here and overseas, there’s a need to classify waste in detail by the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (EWC in Europe): • Waste Codes • UN number • UN Class • Proper shipping name • Packing Group • Flashpoint temperature safety range • HAZCHEM code • Industry Origin code (ANZSIC code) • Disposal Treatment codes Also prior to shipment a sample from the liquid needs to be chemically analysed by the producer to confirm major hazardous components.

LIQUID WASTE

Contaminants are the designated constituents of a waste which are of concern in terms of appropriate handling, treatment, storage and disposal. Contaminants, in descending order of hazard, should be noted with the appropriate code numbers.

As the materials handled can be Toxic, Corrosive, Explosive (sensitive to impact or friction or combination with other goods) or infectious, they also need to have staff briefed on treatment required for exposure to such materials.

Treatment Plant Processes The weighing in of materials at treatment plants is similar to normal waste disposal weighbridge operations. Sites often also charge for tanker wash-out when a tanker vehicle is changing between materials that clash or are dangerous in combination Using IBCs for storage, treatment can often save on treatment chemicals if combining acids with alkalis to neutralise one waste with another before water extraction.

Transporters and shipments need to be pre-booked under registered transport

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certificate numbers on trucks that have carrier certification/license codes and the treatment/ disposal destination also has to supply its registered site license code and signature to the documentation process.

In Europe, the official transport documentation may now be electronically based and signed for on field staff mobile devices – so long as official Environmental Agency approved forms can be reproduced on demand from such electronic data versions.

They are now aware that electronic systems collaboration allows, for instance, for the police and roads traffic authorities to share such data linked to the license plate of the vehicle via their systems should the transport vehicle be involved in any accident.

Modern mapping data systems are also emerging that can show restricted bridge or tunnel access for chemical transporters, as a backdrop to route planning.

In summary Amidst all the above, difficulties arise from proper materials identification and classification, poorly filled out overly-

voluminous paperwork, delays if needing to induct new staff to sites, (long learning curve) incorrect waste codes, missing or unsigned dockets and a high degree of difficulty in juggling all the scheduling factors for operational efficiency versus responsiveness.

The liquid waste industry has a wide range of diverse sub-sectors by waste stream, each with unique business processes and data handling requirements that present interesting challenges for streamlining and augmenting human intelligence in management. Those that work in these areas are passionate about handling such diverse hassles efficiently and safely and can now look to new systems for their planners and field staff to make their life easier and safer.

Remember, process improvement is a recyclable practice (seek continual improvement to processes) and note that the path to innovation in business means doing something different, smarter and better that will make a positive difference in terms of value, quality.

Think outside the box, don’t just continue to plod along the well trodden path as donkeys of old would do!