This is not normal: what's different about the NSW mega-fires

I write this piece reluctantly because there are still possible fire victims unaccounted for; people have lost loved ones, and hundreds of families have lost their homes. My heart goes out to them. I don’t want to detract in any way from the vital safety messages that our fire commissioners and Premier will be making about Tuesday’s fire potential.

Burning properties in Rainbow Flat after fire from
the Hillville Fire broke containment lines and crossed
the Pacific Highway.

Everyone needs to heed the fire service warnings to prepare, to have a plan, and to leave early if you’re not properly prepared. Know that the best firefighters in the world – volunteer and paid – will be out in force from NSW agencies and interstate to do battle with the worst that an angry Mother Nature can throw at us. But as we saw on Friday, the sheer scale and ferocity of mega fires can defy even the best efforts.

In the past I’ve have heard some federal politicians dodge the question of the influence of climate change on extreme weather and fires by saying, “It’s terrible that this matter is being raised while the fires are still burning.” But if not now, then when?

“Unprecedented” is a word that we are hearing a lot: from fire chiefs, politicians, and the weather bureau. I have just returned from California where I spoke to fire chiefs still battling unseasonal fires. The same word, “unprecedented”, came up.

Read the opinion piece from The Sydney Morning Herald by Greg Mullins - “This is not normal: what's different about the NSW mega-fires.”

Business calls for more detail on Labor's emissions policy

The heads of prominent Australian manufacturing businesses say it is not yet possible to quantify the financial impact of Labor’s proposed emissions plan, but some warn the added pressure could leave them little choice but to shift investment offshore.

Ruffy Geminder from Pact group.

Emissions-intensive manufacturers are set to be among the hardest-hit under the Opposition’s expanded carbon-reduction plan, which sets new emissions limits for businesses that emit more than 25,000 tonnes of carbon a year in a bid to slash national emissions by 45 per cent by 2030.

Read the story from The Age by Nick Toscano and Darren Gray - “Business calls for more detail on Labor's emissions policy.”

Townsville flood zone could face 'tornado'-strength winds, more rain as records tumble

Tornado-strength winds are possible along the north Queensland coast today as Townsville's flood emergency continues after record-breaking rainfall over the city and surrounds during the past week.

Firefighters joining in the flood rescue effort in Townsville.

Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) state manager Bruce Gunn said six-hour rain totals of 150-200 millimetres were predicted along the coast from Ingham to Bowen today, accompanied by strong wind gusts.

"There is some chance of tornadoes forming in that onshore flow," he said.

"As the convergence lines feed into the monsoonal low and cross the coast, there is enough favourable wind sheer to make that possible.

Read the ABC News story - “Townsville flood zone could face 'tornado'-strength winds, more rain as records tumble.”

Forget about recycling, we need to start re-using

With China banning all types of recyclable containers, it’s time for us to take a new path in the use of containers. In fact the word recycle could be replaced with the word reuse and to take our possible change of thinking further, let’s add the word zero to waste so we always refer to zero waste when discussing unwanted product.

We need to re-use, nor just recycle.

I believe that most people would agree that they would prefer purchasing household products and take away food and drinks in reusable containers. So it is time to seriously introduce container deposit legislation, which has been ignored by successive Victorian governments for many years.

To pay people to collect reusable containers makes a lot of sense rather than paying councils for a Band-Aid recycling service.

Read the comment by Peter Cox in today’s Age - “Forget about recycling, we need to start re-using.”

Latrobe Valley power plant plans locked up due to terrorism fears

Fears of a possible terror attack on Victoria's Latrobe Valley power stations have led the Andrews government to lock up a stash of public documents for the next decade.

The Yallourn power plant in Gippsland's
Latrobe Valley could be a target for terrorism.

The documents were withdrawn from public access within days of the state having learnt it faces a higher risk of blackouts this summer and an increased risk of energy shortfalls over the next decade.

The trove includes technical plans of the Yallourn brown coal power station, which, it is feared, could be used to strike at Victoria's power network.

Yallourn is the second largest power station in Victoria and provides about 22 percent of the state's power supply and 8 percent of demand in the national electricity market.

The ageing plant has replaced Hazelwood as the most emissions-intensive power station in Australia, but remains critical to Victoria's energy needs.

Read Adam Carey’s story in today’s Melbourne Age - “Latrobe Valley power plant plans locked up due to terrorism fears.”

Let's get together and go 100%

From our homes and smartphones to the electricity running our local grocery stores, clean energy is not only possible – it’s already happening. 

Solutions Project accelerates the transition to 100% clean energy by championing a movement that is more inclusive, more collaborative, and more celebratory.

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Check out more about 100% here.