Archived News for Professionals in State Government - GovernmentCareer

The Queensland Government has opened the environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed multi-billion dollar Arrow liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Gladstone.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said the release of the EIS was a major milestone for the proposed 300-hetare LNG project on Curtis Island, in the Port of Gladstone.

Coordinator-General Barry Broe said it was a large, complex project involving local, state and federal government approval processes and one which would potentially impact on a number of environmental values.

“Consequently, in June 2009 the Coordinator-General declared it a ‘significant project’ for which an EIS is required,” Mr Broe said.

The Curtis Island facility is expected to have a capacity of up to 18 million tonnes of LNG per annum, through a staged development.

A nine kilometre-long feed gas pipeline would be needed from the Gladstone City Gate, traversing Port Curtis via a tunnel under the seabed.

Dredging of the sea bed of Port Curtis and the riverbed at the mouth of the Calliope River is also required to provide access to marine facilities on Curtis Island, and the mainland.

Coordinator-General Barry Broe said he encouraged members of the community to have their say on the EIS.

Queensland expedites major projects

Queensland has announced it will expedite the development of three major projects with significant economic benefits for the state.

SA demands changes to MDBA draft plan

The South Australian Government has issued 71 recommendations to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s Draft Plan, saying more must be done to ensure the health of the river system is maintained.

South Australia Safe Work Awards 2012 entries open

Entries for the Safe Work Awards 2012 have now opened, which will acknowledge and reward the innovators and drivers of work place safety in South Australia.

Victoria hits out at OH&S harmonisation

Victoria has lashed out at the proposed Commonwealth OH&S harmonisation laws, saying that the legislation could cost the state more than $3.4 billion over the next five years.

Victoria outlines hospital funding boost

The Victorian Government has announced a $35 million funding boost for the state’s hospitals to allow the purchase of replacement medical equipment.

Victoria rejects MDBA plan

The Victorian Government has announced it has rejected the proposed Murray Darling Basin Plan, saying the social and economic costs incurred from the plan would be too costly.

Work starts on Greenough PV project

The Greenough River Solar Farm is a 10-megawatt facility 50km south of Geraldton, with construction of the above ground electrical works starting four months ago to support the 150,000 solar panels across an area of 80 hectares.

Mining remains king of WA economy

Exports from Western Australia increased from a total value of $83 billion in 2009-10 to $112 billion in 2010-11, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

SA passes water industry legislation

The South Australian Government has passed the Water Industry Act that forms part of the largest overhaul of the State’s water sector in its history.

Storm brews over NER reform

Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, Michael O’Brien, has warned that his government may have no other choice but to reconsider its support of COAG’s National Energy Retail (NER) Law Bill if the Federal Government does not provide assurances that the Australian Energy Regulator will be sufficiently funded.

AI Group pushes for skills prioritisation

The Australian Industry Group (AI Group) has urged the Federal and State Governments to place a greater priority on skills and training at the upcoming Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting, saying the adaption of a national approach to training is a necessity.

Victoria announces new construction guidelines

The Victorian Government has released enhanced Implementation Guidelines for the Victorian Code of Practice for the building construction industry.

M80 work begins

The Federal and Victorian governments have announced work has begun on the next section of the $2.25 billion M80 upgrade, marking the commencement of the state’s largest road infrastructure project.

QLD students with disabilities given funding boost

$41 million in funding is being allocated to up to 29,000 Queensland school students with disabilities. The Gillard Governement’s More Support for Students with Disabilities initiative will provide greater access to classroom support and specialized equipment.

SA blasts Murray plan

The South Australian Government has blasted the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s (MDBA) draft plan, saying the allocated 2750 gigalitres for environmental flow is not enough to return the system to a state of health.

100 per cent SA allocations from July

The South Australian Government has announced that South Australian irrigators will begin the 2012-13 water year with 100 of their allocations.

Adelaide to overhaul planning laws

The South Australian Government and the city of Adelaide have announced a comprehensive overhaul of the city’s planning laws.

Cash for containers hits the road

The Northern Territory Government and Envirobank has announced the new cash for containers mobile depot will be operational shortly after Easter and will service large and small-scale volumes of returned containers.

COAG savages cities

The Reform Council of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has savaged the planning of the country’s capital cities, publishing a review that urges governments to do better in planning future land use, infrastructure assets and economies of the country’s major cities.