Abbott’s wind commissioner has been a boon for renewables, climate body says

The role of Australia’s windfarm commissioner has been a success and should be expanded to include solar and other large-scale renewables, a report by the Climate Change Authority has recommended.

 A windfarm in Bungendore. A Climate Change Authority report
says the role of windfarm commissioner, set up under Tony
 Abbott, has facilitated the uptake of wind energy. 

It says the post, set up under the former prime minister Tony Abbott to handle complaints and investigate potential risks, has actually facilitated the uptake of wind energy by helping to address community concerns.

The controversial role of national windfarm commissioner was established by the Coalition in 2015 as part of a deal with anti-wind senators in response to complaints about turbine noise.

Read the story by Lisa Cox from The Guardian - “Abbott’s wind commissioner has been a boon for renewables, climate body says.”

Waste-to-energy incineration should be 'last resort' as Josh Frydenberg flags expansion

Waste-to-energy projects may be expanded to help tackle the growing recycling crisis in Australia, according to Minister for Energy and Environment Josh Frydenberg.

Burning waste means we are still reliant on virgin resources.

But industry has warned that burning waste to produce energy should be an absolute last resort, and instead say the Government needs to lead by example by preferencing recycled materials in its infrastructure projects.

Speaking to AM's Sabra Lane today, Mr Frydenberg described Australia's waste management problem as an "important, urgent issue" that he was looking forward to working with the states to solve.

"We've already got more than 30 [waste-to-energy] projects underway in Australia...and we look forward to expanding these over time," Mr Frydenberg said.

Read Nick Kilvert’s story from ABC News - “Waste-to-energy incineration should be 'last resort' as Josh Frydenberg flags expansion.”