Public sector and policy

Towards net zero

WA Government announces $26m in clear energy components manufacturing: the Western Australian Government announced $26.4m in funding for clean energy components in May-24. The investment includes $18.4m to deliver 50 locally-built Standalone Power Systems (SPS) and support local businesses in manufacturing wind turbine components. 

QLD Government writes clean energy and climate targets into law: the Queensland Government officially codified its ambitious renewable energy and climate goals into law in Apr-24. These targets entail a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by the year 2030. Although there was bi-partisan support for the emissions reduction legislation, the same consensus did not extend to the legislated renewable energy targets.

Cmwth Government announces feasibility licences for six offshore wind projects: the Commonwealth Government announced feasibility licences to six offshore wind projects within the Gippsland region, with plans to offer an additional six licences pending First Nations consultation. These 12 projects collectively hold the potential to generate 25 GW of electricity. Upon successful feasibility assessments, developers will have the opportunity to apply for commercial licences to construct offshore wind infrastructure and commence commercial electricity generation. 

Cmwth Government releases the National Battery Strategy to improve energy security: the Commonwealth Government announced the National Battery Strategy in May-24, which outlines targeted measures to foster a resilient and diverse domestic battery industry. By enhancing manufacturing capabilities, the strategy seeks to meet increasing demand for stationary energy, provide more options for consumers, and support renewable energy adoption. Headline actions include:

• $523m to assist Australian battery manufacturers in advancing up the value chain, focusing on high-value battery products crucial for the climate energy transition;

• $20.3m to enhance future battery capabilities through national collaboration, including the development of tools, programs and guidelines to support innovation, scale-up, and skills training within the battery industry; and

• $1.7b as part of the Future in Australia Innovation Fund, to facilitate innovation and commercialisation of projects, particularly in priority sectors such as clean energy manufacturing, including batteries. 

CSIRO supports policy makers in exploring attitudes towards renewable energy infrastructure: CSIRO has released the findings of its survey on Australians' attitudes towards renewable energy, based on responses from 6,700 participants nationwide. It found broad support for the renewable energy transition, though opinions varied on the pace and the extent of change, with affordability identified as a primary concern. While acceptance of solar and wind farms was generally high, there were reservations about transmission lines and network infrastructure. Clear communication and community engagement emerged as crucial for fostering acceptance of renewable energy projects. 

WA Government’s Clean Energy Future Fund extends closing date: the deadline for round 3 grant applications of Western Australia’s Clean Energy Future Fund was extended from 10 June 2024 to 24 June 2024. The grants are available for innovative clean energy projects which support the region’s transition to net zero emissions by 2030-31. Grants available as part of round 3 range from $100,000 to $4m.

Towards a circular economy

Cmwth Government announces fees-for-service for the waste export program: beginning on 1 July 2024, the waste export program will initiate cost recovery through the implementation of fees-for-service, excluding the introduction of a cost recovery levy or charges on waste export consignments. Exporters will be required to pay application fees for the assessment of new licences, licence variations, licence renewals, and exemptions, with fees payable upon submission of applications.

Cmwth Government releases Environmentally Sustainable Procurement Policy and Reporting Framework: the Commonwealth Government released the Environmentally Sustainable Procurement Policy and Reporting Framework in Apr-24. The ESP sets a baseline for sustainable procurement and encourages industry innovation by focusing on sustainability principles concerning climate, the environment and circularity. Initially, the policy will apply to construction services where the procurement value exceeds $7.5m. Additional categories such as ICT goods and textiles will form part of the policy from 1 July 2025. 

Australia represented at the fourth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-4): the Commonwealth Government participated in the fourth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-4) in Canada, continuing negotiations on a global approach to plastic pollution. Australia is advocating for an ambitious treaty addressing the entire plastic life cycle to support a circular economy and tackle climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. 

QLD councils work together to develop a regional waste and resource recovery management plan: ten councils in Queensland’s north-west have united to develop a regional waste and resource recovery management plan with funding provided by the QLD Government. The plan aims to enhance waste management services, provide sustainable recycling, and reduce household waste sent to landfill. Key initiatives include mapping and removing abandoned vehicles, introducing FOGO collection services, capping and closing landfills, and promoting regional equipment sharing and resource recovery infrastructure investment . 

ACT and Australian Governments fund new recycling facility: an investment of $26 million from the ACT and Australian Governments will fund the construction of a new recycling facility for Canberra, to replace the existing facility that was subject to a major fire in late 2022. The contract is expected to be awarded in the coming months.

VIC Government announces ~30% increase in the municipal waste levy:the Victorian Government announced its plans to increase the waste levy from $129.27/tonne to $167.90/tonne by 1 July 2025 as part of its state budget. The decision aims to enhance resource recovery and includes proportional increases for rural landfills. Additionally, the budget allocates $44m to combat illegal dumping, $15m to support recycling initiatives, and $7.5m for a waste levy rebate grant program for charitable recycles. 

VIC Government releases technical guide for validation of PFAS soil treatment technologies:the Victorian Government released a technical guide to support the development of and use of innovative PFAS soil treatment technologies, including a framework to assess and validate their feasibility and effectiveness, in Apr-24.  As a non-statutory document, the guide presents the current state of knowledge concerning treatment effectiveness and clarifies EPA’s informational expectations for approval processes. 

VIC Government consults on proposed recycling regulations and service standard: the DEECA is working with councils and Alpine Resorts Victoria (ARV) on Victoria’s new standardised four-stream household waste and recycling system. Under the proposals, households that receive waste and recycling services from local councils and ARV will have access to separate services for:

• General rubbish

• Mixed recycling

• Glass recycling

• FOGO

Consultation on the regulations, service standard and RIS is now open, closing on 14 August 2024. 

WA Government releases state waste infrastructure plan: DWER have released a new state waste infrastructure plan. The plan is underpinned by individual regional infrastructure plans. With an outlook to 2050, the plans focus on the built waste and recycling infrastructure needed for the state to achieve waste strategy targets in 2030. It includes some of the waste infrastructure characteristics, needs, challenges and opportunities unique to each region, and outlines government waste infrastructure principles.

QLD Government announces Circular Economy Investment Program: the Queensland Government announced the $5m Circular Economy Investment Program, aiming to encourage Queensland’s transition to a system of waste minimisation and avoidance, that also keeps resources in circulation at their highest value for as long as possible. The Program is open to individual businesses, as well as industry clusters/co-op groups, social enterprises, charities, not-for-profits and multisector partnerships. Grants between $250,000 and $750,000 (excl GST) are available for applicants that will introduce new, or transition to, circular economy practices/models and systems. Applications close on 29 July 2024.

NSW EPA releases FOGO mandate consultation: the NSW EPA is seeking feedback on proposals for three new mandates for the collection of source-separated FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics). The proposed mandates include:

• Certain businesses, including large supermarkets, institutions and hospitality businesses will be required to have a source-separated food organics collection from 1 July 2025.

• All NSW households will be required to have a source-separated FOGO collection from 1 July 2030.

• Large supermarkets will be required to report on surplus food donations to food charities from 1 July 2025

Public consultation is open until 15 July 2024. 

NSW EPA announces Joint Procurement Funded Support: the NSW EPA announced the Joint Procurement Funded Support Program, which enables NSW groups of councils to apply for up to $500,000 of tailored advice and assistance to jointly procure waste management services. Grants will be ongoing until 2027 or until funding is exhausted.  

NSW EPA undertakes waste levy review: the NSW EPA has commenced a review of their waste levy. An issues paper is available on their website and feedback is open until 15 July 2024. The three key issues discussed in the paper include:

1. Increasing resource recovery rates in NSW

2. Creating a level playing field for safe and sustainable waste management

3. Amplifying CE outcomes in NSW

SA Government sets 2024-25 levy rates: the SA Government has set 2024-25 solid waste levy rates at $161/tonne (for metropolitan areas) and $80.50/tonne (for regional areas) in the latest Government Gazette. 

SA Government announces plan for single use plastics ban: the SA Government has announced incoming changes (effective 1 September 2024) to their single use plastics bans. In addition to already banned items such as single-use plastic straws, new banned items will include plastic carrier bags, single-use plastic beverage containers, plastic confetti and food bag tags.