Note from the President:

We are very excited about the planned events for next year in 2012. These include:
- Members Drinks and Green Building Tour
- Meet the Policy Drivers III
- Native Vegetation Framework related seminar
- Masterclass - Acoustic
- Best Practice Erosion and Sediment Control 2 Day Workshop
- Environment Institute Annual Dinner
- Masterclass – Native Vegetation
- Industry Night
- Ethics Training
- Banksia University
In the meantime we hope you can make our casual drinks evening on Tuesday 29 November to hear all about renewable energy initiatives in Antarctica.
Visit Upcoming Events for more details and information on how to register.

Upcoming Vic Division events

The Wind Chill Factor - TRUenergy's Renewable Energy Program in Antarctica

Date : Tuesday 29 November 2011 6.00-7.30pm
Venue: Level 16, 452 Flinders Street Melbourne, VIC 3000

Members Drinks and Green Building Tour

Date : Thursday 23 February 2012
Venue: To be confirmed

Visit Upcoming Events for more details and information on how to register.

National Centre for Cooperation on Environment and Development

The EIANZ supports the Australian Government’s establishment of the a National Centre for Cooperation on Environment and Development, and has submitted an Expression of Interest to participate in the Centre. The proposed new Centre would provide a neutral forum in which industry, scientists, non-government organisations and governments could cooperate in developing environmental standards, guidelines and procedures to be used under Australia's national environment law, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Call for Expressions of Interest – National Centre for Cooperation on Environment and Development

The Tips and Tricks - Best Practice in Environment Effects Statements

What an evening! On Wednesday 9 November, the joint EIANZ, PIA and NELA event 'Tips and Tricks - Best Practice in Environment Effects Statements' was presented to a full house, proudly supported by Freehills.
EIANZ Victorian Division President Elizabeth Hurst chaired the event followed by the first speaker of the night, Trevor Blake.
As Chief Environmental Assessment Officer for DPCD, his presentation provided valuable insight into the Government's side of the Environment Effects Statement process.
Philip Heath, Principal, Environmental Planning and Assessment at SKM then gave the audience his advice on undertaking EES's as a highly experienced practitioner.
Last but not least, Tim Power, a partner at our host Freehills, gave a legal perspective on the EES process, with a focus on anticipating and avoiding potential problems.
Due to the high demand and to cater for those who missed out, a follow up event is being considered for early next year, after the Government releases its response to the recent Parliamentary Inquiry into the EES process.

More information on this event will be provided shortly.
All of our speaker's presentations can be accessed via our website Future Events page.

Looking for environmental photos....

Are you a 'happy snapper'? Then share your favourite environmental 'pics' with us,
vic-events@eianz.org.

Western River Cove, Kangaroo Island - Sue Oliver

Other events to check out…

Melbourne's Growth Corridor Plans and Biodiversity Strategies Briefing and Panel Discussion
The recently released Growth Corridor Plans are high level integrated land use and transport plans that provide a strategy for the development of Melbourne's growth corridors over the coming decades. These plans identify areas for housing, jobs, transport, town centres, open space and key infrastructure for Melbourne's newest suburbs. The public and profession have been invited to comment on the draft Growth Corridor Plans.

Date: Tuesday, 6 December 2011
Time: 1:00 - 3:00pm
Venue: Carrillo Gantner Theatre Basement - Sidney Myer Asia Centre The University of Melbourne

For more details and to register go to the PIA website

Calling all environmental professionals

WANTED - Industry leaders
The EIANZ Victorian division is currently compiling a database of industry leaders in all sectors of the environment. Our aim is to create a hub of environmental knowledge that the institute can draw on when needed. Please send your details and your area of knowledge to vic-events@eianz.org .

Policy and Legislation Watch

Climate Change Act Review
The Minister for Environment and Climate Change has announced the Victorian Government will undertake a review of the Victorian Climate Change Act 2010. The Review will examine the Act with respect to: - the impact of a national carbon price on the Victorian Government's climate change policy objectives as outlined in the Act; and - appropriate policy mechanisms to achieve the Victorian Government's policy objectives as outlined in the Act. The EIANZ Victorian Division will be making a submission to the review, and would welcome the comments of members. If you would like to contribute, please email VicEianzPolicy@gmail.com by Friday 25 November. If you would like to make an individual submission, more information is available at here

Parliamentary inquiry into the Establishment & effectiveness of Registered Aboriginal Parties
The Victorian Division of the EIANZ will be providing a submission addressing the Terms of Reference for the parliamentary inquiry into the Establishment & effectiveness of Registered Aboriginal Parties. Submissions are due on 30 November 2011. We would like to hear your thoughts on this issue whether you are a cultural heritage expert an environmental professional who has experience in this area or an interested party. We would like to provide the viewpoint of the environment profession. If you would like to provide your opinion, please complete the short survey at RAP survey
If you are interested in further contributing to this submission please register your interest at VicEianzPolicy@gmail.com and visit the parliament website for further details.

Review of the Environment Protection (Vehicle Emissions) Regulations
EPA and the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) are conducting a review of the Environment Protection (Vehicle Emissions) Regulations ('the Regulations'). The Regulations are due to sunset on 29 January 2013. Comments are invited on the direction of the Regulations which aim to minimise the impacts of motor vehicle air emissions, noise and fuel.
The closing date for submissions is 12 December 2011
For further information see the EPA Website.

Energy Efficiency Information Grants Program—public consultation open (FEDERAL)
The Australian Government will establish a $40 million program providing grants over four years to industry associations and non-profit organisations that work with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and community organisations. These grants are aimed at assisting industry associations and non-profit organisations deliver information about the impacts of a carbon price on SMEs and community organisations and suggest practical steps to manage these impacts. The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency has released a discussion paper and is seeking stakeholder feedback on the design of the Energy Efficiency Information Grants Program.
Submissions are due on 6 December 2011.
For further information see the Government Climate Change Website.

Clean Energy Finance Corporation Expert Review (FEDERAL)
The Australian Government announced that it will establish a $10 billion commercially oriented Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) as part of its Clean Energy Future Package. A CEFC review panel has been appointed and the panel is seeking written submissions from stakeholders and their experiences on:
- the scope for the operations of the CEFC;
- the market gap in financing low emissions technologies;
- how this gap in financing could be overcome;
- how the CEFC could work with other government and market organisations.
Submissions are due on 6 December 2011.
For further information see the following Government Website.

New Marine Investigation
The Minister for Environment and Climate Change has requested VEAC to carry out an investigation into the outcomes of the establishment of Victoria's existing marine protected areas.
The terms of reference are now available. Contact VEAC to register your interest in this investigation.

Go Volunteer

Community Hydro Project - request for Volunteer Professionals.
See the new Volunteer section on our website for details.

Have A Topic Idea?

We'd love to hear it!
Just reply any time and let us know what topics you'd like to know more about.

Contact Suzanne Oliver at vic-events@eianz.org