NSW energy minister wants Coalition to stop pitting ideology and populism against science

The new NSW minister for energy looks set to revive the debate over the National Energy Guarantee, telling a meeting of Sydney’s business community that the NSW Government still supports the policy and is calling on his federal counterparts to stop pitting ideology and populism against science.

NSW Energy Minister, Matt Kean, who wants Australia's Federal
Government to stop pitting ideology and populism against science.

In his first major public outing since his appointment in March, NSW energy minister Matt Kean told the CEDA hosted event that the NSW Government will continue to push its Federal counterparts to take measures to support new renewable energy projects and to put in place the policies needed to reduce emissions.

In calling for a new approach to climate policy, Kean criticised both sides of Government, including those within the ranks of his own Liberal party, for their part in making climate policy such a contested space.

Read the RenewEconomy story by Michael Mazengarb - “NSW energy minister wants Coalition to stop pitting ideology and populism against science.”

2018: Deteriorating air quality in NSW

In October 2016 the NSW government published a consultation paper “Clean Air for NSW” and we all went along to a public forum and made submissions about air quality. The stated intention was to develop “actions for government to meet its goal of improving average air quality results across NSW”, however the strategy never eventuated. We are now exactly two years down the track and air quality is worse than ever. The worsening PM 10 is focussed on the coal mining and burning regions of the Hunter and Newcastle, while PM2.5 exceedances affect both the Hunter and Western Sydney.

There are 28 sites with fine particle measurements for 2017 and 2018, and the standard is for the annual average to be less than 8 µg/m³. In 2017 there were 7 sites worse than the standard, and in 2018 there were 14. The average value across the 28 sites increased from 7.51 to 7.98 ug/m³. The worst place in NSW for fine particles was Liverpool at 10.1 µg/m³, while other pollution hot spots include Chullora, 8.6, Parramatta North, 9.2  Prospect, 8.5 and Muswellbrook 9.4.

Fine particles carry the greatest health burden, proven to cause death, heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, type two diabetes and low birth weight for babies, and are suspected of causing dementia. Western Sydney already suffers health disadvantage, so the bad air is exacerbating health inequality.

Read the story from Environmental Justice Australia by Dr Ben Ewald - “2018: Deteriorating air quality in NSW.”

Going plastic-free can be a surprising journey

As the NSW government holds out against banning lightweight plastic bags, a new plastic-free industry driven by innovative businesses and pro-active consumers is rapidly leaving our policy-makers and retailers behind.

Rugby league legend Mal Meninga was the National Retail
 Association's plastic bag ban ambassador ahead of
Queensland going single-use shopping bag free on July 1.

Today NSW is isolated. New bans came into force on July 1 in Queensland and Western Australia, in line with the ACT, Northern Territory South Australia and Tasmania. Victoria’s ban is due to be implemented next year.

You’d be forgiven for thinking this was the pinnacle of the single-use plastic debate. 

However, it is already possible to do much more in Australia than say "no" to plastic bags and straws or hand a reusable cup over counter to the barista (although all of this is fantastic progress). It is governments and big retailers who need to catch up.

Read the story from The Sydney Morning Herald by Louise Williams and Clara Williams - 

“Going plastic-free can be a surprising journey.”

NSW brumby protection plan sees scientific adviser quit

A scientific adviser to the NSW Government has quit over its decision to protect feral horses in the Kosciuszko National Park, saying the move shows a "wilful disregard" for science that "diminishes our collective future”.

Conservation groups say the brumby protection
plan will negatively affect native species.

Professor David Watson, an ecologist at Charles Sturt University, had been a member of the NSW Government's Threatened Species Scientific Committee since January 2015 and advised the Government on managing threatened plants and animals in the state.

On Wednesday, the Government passed the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Bill 2018, which gave protected status to feral horses, colloquially referred to as "brumbies", despite the committee advising against doing so.

Read the ABC News story by Michael Slezak - “NSW brumby protection plan sees scientific adviser quit.”

Santos renews plans to explore Deputy PM's land

Coal seam gas miner Santos has renewed plans to explore a remote part of NSW where Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce owns nearly 1000 hectares of grazing land. 

Documents obtained under freedom of information laws show Santos has kept alive its drilling ambitions around Gwabegar, a community in the heart of the Pilliga Scrub, about 130 kilometres from its operating CSG plant at Narrabri. 

As revealed by Fairfax Media on Monday, Santos has submitted new plans with the NSW Government to explore for CSG in ‘‘PEL 1’’, its ‘‘petroleum exploration licence’’ area centred on the Liverpool Plains in Mr Joyce’s electorate of New England. 

Opposition to CSG is widespread in New England and Santos has said its focus remains around the less-fertile Pilliga.

Read Heath Aston’s story in today’s Melbourne Age - “Santos turns up gas over Joyce’s land.”