MEDIA RELEASE 12 March 2010Conservation Council of SA (Conservation SA), SA Council of Social Service (SACOSS), SA Unions (SAU), and Local Government Association of SA (LGASA) have compared notes on their state election prioritiesand agree that the major challenges facing the state include: Providing water security Strengthening local community and managing population growth Providing services and infrastructure to meet the needs of the growth Meeting the environmental sustainability challenge Creating and securing green jobs for the future

MEDIA RELEASE 3 March 2010

Minister for Environment and Conservation, the Honourable Jay Weatherill and the Conservation Council SA (Conservation SA) today launched the Green Hubs project at the Woodville Bowling Club.

MEDIA RELEASE 4TH MAY 2009

Like the majority of Australia’s environment and climate groups, the Conservation Council of South Australia (CCSA) is bitterly disappointed with the Federal Government’s backflip on its election promises to take strong action on climate change.

MEDIA RELEASE 1ST MAY 2009

SA's peak environmental body the Conservation Council of South Australia (CCSA), has today criticised BHP-Billiton after the release of the Environmental Impact Statement for its Olympic Dam expansion.  The special deals the company wants are unreasonable, unwarranted and will come at the expense of the natural environment.

MEDIA RELEASE 11TH JUNE 2009       Download : Plan B: An Agenda for Immediate Climate Action (1.07 MB)

A series of compromises by the federal government on its pre-election commitment to take strong action on climate change has led to national and peak state-based environment organisations today uniting in opposition to the proposed emissions trading legislation.

An emergency meeting of the environment organisations, representing more than 400,000 Australians, in Canberra has also produced a new report outlining a suite of measures that can be in place within two years to put Australia within reach of halving its greenhouse emissions within a decade.

The environment organisations involved are: The Wilderness Society, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, Environment Victoria, Queensland Conservation Council, Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Conservation Council of SA, Environment Tasmania, Conservation Council WA, and Conservation Council ACT Region.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Conservation Council of SA, Julie Pettett said the government’s approach to climate change was dangerously inadequate because it does not respond to the latest science and instead has been hijacked by vested interests.

 

“There is emerging consensus among leading international climate scientists that there is already too much carbon in the atmosphere and that we need to pull out all stops to avoid reaching catastrophic tipping points within the climate system.

“We face a climate emergency but the government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) fails all Australians and it undermines international negotiations. It fails the climate, fails the environment and fails to capitalise on the enormous opportunities in growing a green economy.

“We need a price on carbon but not one that locks in rising greenhouse pollution in Australia.”

Greenpeace spokesperson Jeremy Tager said small targets and half measures by the government through its proposed CPRS legislation had led to a failure to address the root cause of Australia’s growing greenhouse emissions.

“Australia’s energy emissions have increased by nearly 50 per cent since 1990 and now accounts for more than half of Australia’s total greenhouse pollution.

“The only way to tackle this threat to all Australians is to fast track the switch to clean renewable energy by phasing out coal-fired power stations, directing subsidies into renewable energy generation, energy savings and doubling the renewable energy target.”

“Environment groups have outlined a suite of measures that can be implemented right now to put Australia back on track to halve our emissions over the next decade, which the leading scientists are saying is what is needed,” Ms Pettett said.

“The good news is that many of these measures will create jobs, reduce fuel and electricity bills and create a new clean energy economy.”

Plan B: An Agenda for Immediate Climate Action outlines five essential measures that are proven and ready to be implemented:

A National Energy Savings Program – includes a green overhaul of buildings in Australia over the next decade to create new jobs and reduce the 30 per cent of carbon emissions that buildings account for; Fast Track to a Renewable Energy Economy – includes doubling the current Renewable Energy Target to 90,000 gigawatt hours by 2020 and phasing out coal-fired electricity plants; Shift to Low Emissions Vehicles and Sustainable Cities – includes setting targets for fuel efficiency, development of sustainable transport infrastructure and incentives for development of electric vehicles; Protection of Native Forests as Carbon Stores – includes ending logging of old growth and high-conservation value native forests to permanently protect the huge amount of carbon stored in them, and; A National Green Jobs and Industries Plan – Up to 80,000 green collar jobs are possible in Australia by 2030 if incentives through government policy are provided, such as through the development of the renewable energy sector, sustainable agriculture and tourism

This weekend the environment groups will join community climate action groups and tens of thousands of people expected to take in national climate emergency rallies to be held in every capital city.

Media enquiries: Julie Pettett, CCSA, 0417 879 439

Jeremy Tager, Greenpeace, 0400 376 974

Paul Sheridan, media relations, 0410 516 656

MEDIA RELEASE 24TH MARCH 2009

The Conservation Council of South Australia, South Australia’s peak environmental body with over 55 member groups, have today criticised the State Government for the deliberate guillotining of critical scrutiny of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Roxby Downs expansion.   The Government has announced that the EIS which is scheduled for release on May 1st will only be open for comment for eight weeks. This is less than required for a suburban shopping centre! The Roxby EIS will detail what will be the single biggest project in South Australia’s history. The largest document ever produced in SA, the EIS must address major issues such as: the massively increase in demands for SA’s power and associated infrastructure, the huge demand for water and the impacts on the coast and marine environment through the construction of a proposed deep sea port and desalination facility at Point Lowly.

MEDIA RELEASE

The Conservation Council of South Australia, South Australias peak environmental body with over 50 member groups, is holding its Summit on Energy in a Changing Climate tomorrow on Feb 5th. The keynote presentation will be given by Dr Chris Riedy, the Research Director of the Institute of Sustainable Futures from the University of Technology, Sydney.

Dr Riedys keynote will focus on the immediate priorities for action including the urgent need for reopening the space for meaningful voluntary actions in emissions reductions. CCSA will then present its Energy Report including over 50 draft policy recommendations for subsequent discussion and debate by the expert stakeholder panel representing business, industry and the social sectors.

The Conservation Council of South Australia (CCSA), South Australias peak environmental body with over 50 member groups, collectively representing tens of thousands of South Australians, says today that the Rudd Government has betrayed the Australians who voted it into office on the strength of its Climate Change promises.

It has betrayed the children of today and tomorrow. And it has betrayed those in the world who have contributed the least but will suffer the most from Climate Change.

This is not the action of a government serious about Climate Change, says Julie Pettett, CEO of CCSA. This is failing to act for the future of Australia.

MEDIA RELEASE

MEDIA RELEASE

Climate change is the single biggest threat to the economic, social and environmental health of our planet and all future generations. For individuals and communities, the problem can seem too big to do anything about.

download discussion document

South Australias peak environment body the Conservation Council of SA (CCSA) today poured cold water on Santos' plans to pump and dump carbon dioxide (CO2) underground using an unproven process known as geosequestration. CCSA criticised Santos' plans to bury CO2 and cited a range of environmental, technological, social and economic reasons as the basis for condemning the idea.

This proposal is the equivalent of just sweeping carbon emissions under the geological carpet said CCSA CEO Ms Julie Pettett. Long-term safety, feasibility and cost are the biggest concerns said Ms Pettett. Some of the other unresolved issues include the suitability of the area selected - and the distance from the location where the CO2 is generated. Even if the technology was proven to work, we would need at least 10-15 years before we can make any reduction in greenhouse gases (GHGs) whatsoever. Given that these storages need to last forever (and thats a long time!), without any leaks, raises the issue of liability down the track, as well as the serious issue of inter-generational equity she said.

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MEDIA RELEASEThursday 5 October 2006

Time for South Australians to go solar!Greenpeace and the Conservation Council of South Australia today urged any South Australian household or business whod ever thought about going solar to take advantage of South Australias proposed new solar laws. The solar feed-in laws just announced by Premier Rann will pay a premium for electricity generated by solar panels that is fed into the grid.

Conservation Council Campaigner Julia Winefield said today:

Environment groups warmly welcome the South Australian governments decision to pass a solar feed-in law. This is exactly the type of innovation that will be the way of the future.

Media Release, 18 September 2006

This week, as wind energy experts and developers from around the world gather in Adelaide, a public forum will ask whether South Australia can continue to lead the nation in renewable energy.

Adelaide is a natural choice for a conference on wind energy, as South Australia has 51% of the nations installed wind capacity.

However future growth of South Australias renewable energy industry is currently uncertain. This Thursday evening, the Conservation Council of South Australia Inc (CCSA) and Greenpeace will host a public forum looking at whether SA can retain its lead on renewable energy, how much more renewables could deliver and what needs to be done to achieve this.

CCSA Campaigns Officer Julia Winefield said, We are proud that SA is so far ahead of other states on renewable energy, but we are concerned that this situation could change if SA does not stay ahead of the game.

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Rann government needs to act.

Media Release 8 May, 2006

Australias major environment groups have today reaffirmed their united opposition to uranium mining and exports, and to nuclear energy as a solution to climate change, on the eve of the Federal Environment Ministers report to the United Nations on Australias efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In a communique released today, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, The Wilderness Society, the Australian Conservation Foundation and 13 other groups have spelt out the environment movements opposition to all aspects of the nuclear industry.

"Support for uranium mining and its export means support for a dangerous and environmentally destructive process to generate nuclear energy and develop nuclear weapons," The Wilderness Societys national campaigns director Alec Marr said.

"Total opposition to this lies at the heart of the Australian environment movement."

ELECTION 2006 Media Release 3 March 2006

The Conservation Council of South Australia and Greenpeace Australia Pacific have today congratulated Mike Rann and the ALP for committing to laws which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by the year 2050.

"This will be the first time greenhouse gas cuts have been made law in Australia. The ALPs election commitment to strong greenhouse gas laws gives SA its best shot so far at combating climate change", said Michelle Grady, CEO of the Conservation Council of SA.

"The greatest threat to South Australias future is climate change. Adelaide is reliant on the River Murray for up to 90% of its water in low rainfall years. The Murray is projected to lose up to four times SAs current usage in the next 50 years as a result of climate change if bold measures are not taken", said Ben Pearson, of Greenpeace Australia Pacific.

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Greenhouse gas emissions deep cuts welcomed -strong renewable energy targets now needed

The Conservation Council of SA and Greenpeace Asia Pacific today welcomed the Liberal Partys Greenhouse Policy committing to deep cuts in SAs greenhouse gas emissions.

We are pleased to see the Liberals commitment to our Election policy charter for greenhouse gas cuts of 20% on 1990 levels by 2020, on the way to 60% cuts by 2050. This is vital if South Australia is to make its contribution to avoiding the devastating effects of climate change, said Michelle Grady, CEO, Conservation Council of South Australia.

Adelaide, Thursday 15 December 2005 The reappearance of binding targets on the global and Australian agenda sends a clear message to Premier Mike Rann in finalising his Greenhouse Strategy, Greenpeace and the Conservation Council of SA said today: climate change is so serious and urgent that the only way to address it is to adopt strong binding targets.

Victorian Premier Steve Bracks set the pace on climate change action in Australia yesterday, proposing legislated targets to increase the States use of clean, renewable energy. This announcement follows the decision in Montreal last weekend by members of the Kyoto Protocol to continue its binding tagets mechanism, although the Howard Government remains opposed.

This Wednesday a temporary nuclear dump will greet our Upper House members on the steps of Parliament.

This temporary dump will be placed to urge the Upper House to pass anti-nuclear dump legislation. The legislation, which is debated on Wednesday, will help stop South Australia gaining a permanent nuclear dump.

While our nuclear dump is symbolic, the Bill before Parliament is not. It offers a clear choice, to support, or to help stop, real nuclear dumping said Simon Divecha, CEO of the Conservation Council of South Australia.

The Bill is responsible legislation, it will help us to find reliable solutions for nuclear waste storage instead of irresponsible disposal, concluded Mr Divecha.

On Wednesday the State Parliament chooses whether it supports environmental democracy, said David Noonan, campaigner for the Australian Conservation Foundation

The Parliament should choose to support South Australian peoples rights. Particularly Parliament should support the Kungka Tjuta campaign to have no more poison on their traditional lands. It can do this by passing the Bill, concluded Mr Noonan.

If South Australia gets this dump, the first wave of nuclear waste will arrive in 170 trucks, said Dr Jim Green, from the Campaign Against Nuclear Dumping.

130 of these trucks come straight from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation at Lucas Heights, Sydney, NSW. The proposed laws are fair and reasonable, they may help stop ongoing nuclear waste production concluded Dr Green.

For More InformationDr Jim Green, 08 8211 7604Mr David Noonan, Mobile 0408 821 058, Phone 08 8232 2566Mr Simon Divecha, Mobile 0417 879 439, Phone 08 8223 5155

The Conservation Council of South Australia fully supports the development of Green Power and wind farms in South Australia.

This state has a huge potential for the development of Green Power and the Conservation Councils experience with wind farms indicates that they can be developed, avoid impacts on native bushland and endangered species and address community concerns said Simon Divecha, CEO of the Conservation Council of South Australia.

At the Starfish Hill development, conservationists successfully worked with the developers and the government to answer threatened species concerns

The project adopted most of the conservationists proposed measures, addressing potential impacts on the endangered SA Glossy Black Cockatoo

SA has significant potential for wind farm development and getting it right with the community and traditional owners means that this potential will be realised.

The key to developing successful wind power is a consistent strategy that addresses the concerns of communities and respects the rights of traditional owners

The development of a state wide plan, that identifies appropriate sites for wind farms, precludes environmental and culturally sensitive areas, adopts sound development and builds the community support for them, could see twenty to thirty percent of the states power derived from the wind within 10 years. This will have valuable spin offs for the states economy.

For More Information: Simon Divecha 0417 579 439

Further resources:

Environment South AustraliaEnvironment South Australia Article - Wind Energy Projects in SA By Adam Johnstone South Australians are relatively ... Environment South AustraliaENVIRONMENT SOUTH AUSTRALIA Reducing Household CO2 Emissions with Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy ...

Public Forum on Wind Farms Tuesday 8 October, 7pm

The Conservation Centre, 120 Wakefield St, City

South Australia is poised on the edge of a wind farm expansion. Proposals for around 35 sites are being developed for SA, including at Yorke Peninsula, Fleurieu Peninsula and the South East.

Windfarms provide an important opportunity for SA to increase its renewable energy resources  currently more than 98% of SAs energy comes from non-renewable fossil fuel sources  which has major greenhouse and pollution implications.

Equally, there are important issues to be considered in windfarm siting, including visual impact, bird strike, impact on native vegetation, noise.

With the expected rush of windfarm applications expected in the next six months, the State Government is reviewing the Planning requirements associated with windfarms, via a Plan Amendment Report.

All these issues will be considered, with a panel of expert speakers from community, government and industry, at the Conservation Councils Public Forum this Tuesday 8 October, 7pm at 120 Wakefield St, Adelaide.

The speakers will include:- Mark Parnell, Solicitor with the Environmental Defenders Office Dr Andrew Scott, SA Government (Infrastructure SA) Terry Teoh, Pacific Hydro (windfarm developer) Mark Marziale, National Trust Simon Rothwell and Serge Doublet, the Real Friends of Mt Lofty Ranges

Comment:

Michelle Grady, CCSA Executive Officer

0417 879 439

Mark Parnell, Environmental Defenders Office 8278 6101

A NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP FOR SA?