Updated on Monday, November 23, 2009 at 10:42AM by stevem

A Forty per cent increase in Sydney’s population over the next 20 years means the State Government has no option but to open up scores of suburbs for new developments, according to a radical proposal for Sydney to build 640,000 new dwellings. The Urban Renewal Action Plan compiled by major property companies argues a complete change to the way planning is done is Sydney is essential if the city is to cope with the explosion in population. In a document just provided to the Government, the NSW Property Council says the city is running out of old industrial sites like those in Alexandria and Pyrmont as areas for new housing and Sydney must move to a new, more difficult phase where there is large-scale development close to existing and new transport routes……. …..the Urban Renewal Commission would also have powers to compulsorily acquire land, some of which could be sold to developers for urban renewal projects and part retained for public use. Release of the Property Council’s proposals comes as the Government is preparing to announce a review of the five-year-old Metropolitan Strategy, the main planning document to guide development of the city.

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THE use of wasted heat from Swanbank power station to distil sea water in huge quantities was an option the state government failed to examine before deciding on the Traveston Crossing Dam. Former army intelligence captain Graham Bates, who now lives in Maroochydore, has written to federal environment minister Peter Garrett, mayor Bob Abbot and infrastructure minister Stirling Hinchliffe urging the option be given serious consideration. In a 37 page document, “Traveston Crossing Dam, solution or white elephant” he argues that cogeneration to produce pure water for storage in Wivenhoe dam was a more sustainable and viable option than a dam he says may never fill. Mr Bates said yesterday that the technology was proven and in use in both Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

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A GROUP of irate farmers has launched a legal challenge against BHP Billiton in to bid to stop the company from developing coalfields in the state’s north-west. Landowners and residents from the Liverpool Plains, near Tamworth, sought to overturn a BHP licence to explore in the area in a case before the NSW Land and Environment Court yesterday. Known as the Caroona Coal Action Group, it says the State Government failed to comply with the Mining Act 1992 when it issued exploration permit EL6505 to BHP in 2006. The action is the latest step in a prolonged stoush between farmers and miners in the region, which could have big ramifications for others looking to exploit the region’s coal resources.

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Queensland Premier Anna Bligh can expect a backlash at the next state election if she allows prime agricultural farm land to be be mined in the Darling Downs region, Nationals Senate leader Barnaby Joyce says. Senator Joyce today visited Felton, 30km southwest of Toowoomba, to join protest group The Friends of Felton. They are fighting a proposal by Ambre Energy, which has applied for a mining lease for the first stage of their coal-to-liquids project.

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Updated on Monday, July 27, 2009 at 09:47AM by stevem

CONTROL over a “wide range” of household appliances could be handed to power distributors so they could switch them off when too much electricity is being used. Southeast Queensland distributor Energex has proposed the radical takeover of “energy intensive” appliances as a method of tackling surging electricity use at peak times. The authority to switch off appliances would come in exchange for cheaper electricity when the equipment was used outside peak times.

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The Bligh Government, which relies heavily on mining royalties, insists that farmers and miners can live together. It claims to be working towards new policy that would ensure this. The miners, arguing that farmers do not own deposits under their land, are given relatively easy access to exploration rights. AgForce vice-president Ian Burnett said the amount of land earmarked for exploration or development rose sharply last year, with the state identifying a 45 per cent increase. Nearly 80 per cent of the state was now covered. “Many farmers face an uncertain future because of inadequate State Government planning policies to provide for the preservation of agricultural land for future food production,” he said.

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Updated on Friday, July 17, 2009 at 08:59AM by stevem

Updated on Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 08:27AM by stevem

Is it just me or does everyone think it’s remarkably easy to be a hypocrite? I am amazed at the people throwing rocks at Peter Garrett this week. No lawyer turned pop star turned politician is perfect, but I say we’re a hell of a lot better off with him in parliament than out. It must have been incredibly uncomfortable for Garrett to announce the approval of Australia’s first new uranium mine in 10 years but when it opens next year, the Four Mile mine in South Australia will be the 10th biggest in the world, earning about $260 million a year in exports.

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BILLIONS of litres of drinking water will pour through Victoria’s power stations after the state government dumped plans to use recycled water. Despite 12 years of drought and water shortages, the recycling project has been shelved in an announcement that coincided with rising water bills. The government has also abandoned plans to divert recycled water to the Yarra River, which would have freed up more drinking supplies. Releasing a $6 million business case report on the projects, Water Minister Tim Holding said they were too expensive.

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Updated on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 09:24AM by stevem

Updated on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 09:51AM by stevem

Updated on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 10:30AM by stevem

Updated on Friday, June 12, 2009 at 11:26AM by stevem

Updated on Friday, June 12, 2009 at 11:28AM by stevem

QUEENSLAND’S reputation as a low-cost, low-tax state is collapsing as prices for unavoidable items soar at double the inflation rate or more. Costs on the rise range from gas and electricity to petrol, water and council rates. With elimination of the fuel subsidy likely to cause a spike in the price of a range of necessities, the extra impost on Queensland families will top $1000 a year - with worse to come. The Queensland Competition Authority’s expected announcement next week of a 15.5 per cent increase in the retail electricity price cap from July 1 is a sign of the future.

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ENERGY Minister Stephen Robertson has admitted electricity price rises are inevitable in Queensland but the privatisation of retailers shouldn’t be blamed. The independent Queensland Competition Authority is currently finalising the power price cap - known as the regulated electricity tariff - for 2009/10. The government has come under fire from the opposition, business groups and the welfare sector for allowing power prices to rise, despite initially declaring deregulation of the industry wouldn’t push up prices.

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