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Estimated 10,000 contaminated sites in Victoria
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Friday, 23 December 2011 09:12 |
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With an estimated 10,000 contaminated sites in Victoria alone, Auditor-General Des Pearson says the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) and Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)are not effectively managing contaminated sites.
His report, "Managing Contaminated Sites', call on the DPCD, EPA and councils to review regulations, with the DPCD overseeing the framework, with the EPA prioiritising and actioning management of the high-risk sites and making councils responsible for better monitoring and management of the clean up.
An advisory committee was established in March by the Palnning Minister, Matthew Guy, which will aim to resolve the current ad hoc management. The report is expected early new year
Click here to read the full Auditor-General's report.
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Auditor General says children are at risk from contaminated soil
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Wednesday, 14 December 2011 00:00 |
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The Age has recently reported that children living in four homes in Footscray are facing an 'actual health risk' due to contaminated soil where they live.
The contamination was originally reported in 1994 - but the Maribyrnong city council and EPA have not effecively managed the sites and/or their clean up. Auditor General, Des Pearson says another dozen properties have been identified as positng a 'potential healt risk to children' and blame the Deaprtment of Planning and Community Development, EPA and councils for blamed the lack of action on ''an undue emphasis on avoiding legal and financial liability, rather than protecting human health and the environment''.
Click here to read the article in full.
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Tax deductions available for taking preventative measures to prevent pollution
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Friday, 21 October 2011 13:41 |
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Tax deductions are immediately available to businesses who incur capital expenditure when undeteraking eligible 'environmental protection activities'. As well, in certain circumstances, proactive businesses who incur costs when undertaking preventative measures (before pollution or waste occurs - such as proactively carrying out ESAs or underground storage tank removals to prevent contamination) may also be eligible for deductions.
Activities are limited to:
- the treatment, clean up, removal or storage of waste; and
- preventing, fighting or remedying pollution
In order to qualify for an immediate deduction, the environmental protection activities must be in regard to pollution or waste that is on or from:
1. the site from which the taxpayer’s earning activity is carried on; or
2. a site where an entity was carrying on any business that the taxpayer has acquired and carries on substantially unchanged as its earning activity.
Importantly, deductions are only available in the same income year that the expenditure is incurred.
To learn more - relevant deduction previsions can be found in the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997
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National Environmental Law Reform Announced
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Friday, 09 September 2011 14:10 |
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The Federal Government has recently announced reforms to Australia's national environmental laws, will 'reduce business costs through minimising red tape and paperwork, faster assessments, and more long–term certainty for business and the community'. The strategic reforms claim an approach to environmental interests that are 'better for the environment, better for business'
Amongst the many changes, the new new reforms outline a national approach to environmental impact assessments providing 'better upfront guidance on legislation requirements with more long-term certainty and transparency'. The new National standards and guidelines promise to reduce duplication and streamline state laws with federal laws.
Alongside the changes to execution of ESAs, the reforms also promise more transparent information to communities regarding the assessments, including making it standard practice to publish the Environment Department's recommendation reports.
The government suggests the reforms include 'considerable cost savings for business', including the possible introduction of cost recovery mechanisms.
Click here to learn more about how the reforms are 'Better for Business'
Click here to read more about all of the implications from reforms of the EPBC Act |
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Tuesday, 15 November 2011 00:00 |
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Alliance staff members participated in this year’s Hertz / BRW Corporate Relay Run around Albert Lake. The event was described as ‘electric’, with teams crossing the finishing line in the twilight hours of one of Melbourne’s finest spring days.
Although there were initial hurdles when the event was postponed due to thunder storms forecasted for the original day of the event, the re-scheduled Thursday night ensured nice calm weather with no rain to hinder the guys performance. And our team did Alliance proud finishing in the top 200 of over 500 teams.
Alliance is proud to be a member of the Melbourne corporate industry and it was great for us to spend an evening with other industry members from around Melbourne in such a relaxed atmosphere. We look forward to doing it again next year!
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Friday, 21 October 2011 13:15 |
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Although Remediation works are designed to remedy contamination and reduce risks to human health and/or the environment, if poorly selected, designed and implemented they have the potential to cause environmental, social and economic impacts.
Adopting sustainable remediation practices eliminates and/or controls unacceptable risks in a safe and timely manner, in turn maximising the overall environmental, social and economic benefits of the remediation work. Greener remediation techniques do not always cost more or take longer and Alliance is commited to providing clients with the option to chose sustainable or greener remediation technologies.
Companies that adopt sustainable remediation could benefit from the following:
» Maximising the value delivered by remediation works, by optimising the overall benefit to cost ratio.
» Cost savings through avoidance of unnecessary or unsustainable remediation.
» Effective management of risks to human health and the environment associated with soil and/or water contamination.
» Demonstrable commitment to sustainable development in remediation works.
» Positive impact on reputation and public relations, by demonstrating corporate environmental and social responsibility.
» Improving the robustness of remediation decision making.
» Contributing to sustainable development, which now forms a cornerstone of many government and corporate policies
To learn more about Sustainable Remediation - read SuRF's groundbreaking article "Integrating sustainable principles, practices, and metrics into remediation projects" here.
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