State Issues News

Wednesday, 02 July 2008

What is coal seam gas (CSG)?

Basically it’s methane gas with small amounts of other gases such as carbon dioxide which are removed before the methane is used as a fuel or chemical feed.

The CSG is naturally kept under some pressure within cracks, pores etc in underground coal seams by the action of water molecules. To get it out, a bore is sunk through to the coal seam where, under the natural water pressure or by a pump, the gas begins to flow to the surface with the water. At the surface a simple separation operation divides the gas from water and each is piped off. The gas is pumped through pipelines at high pressure to users.

Thursday, 26 June 2008

A report released today by The Wilderness Society, WWF-Australia and Queensland Conservation shows that Queensland’s environment is in a state of decline after ten years of Labor in power. In response, the conservation groups are seeking a strong commitment from Queensland Premier Anna Bligh to usher in a new era of environmentally responsible policy to build on some of the successes and address the major deficiencies in areas such as climate change, biodiversity protection and water management

Paradise Lost?: A review of Queensland Labor Government environmental policies 1998 – 2008 rates the Government’s performance in the areas of climate, water and biodiversity. It uses the State of the Environment Queensland 1999 and 2007 reports to track the impact of Queensland Government policies in protecting the environment. 

Download the report here  paradise_lost 1.97 Mb

Monday, 21 April 2008

The Queensland EPA released its State of the Environment Report 2007 on 12 April.

 You can download the complete report, its 'key findings' and the Queensland Government's response from the EPA's 'State of the Environment Queensland' page

Queensland Conservation will be devoting our next Spinifex newsletter to the report.

If you have any opinions on the report please use the contact page to let us know

Wednesday, 09 April 2008

Sustainability Minister Andrew McNamara has announced a possible review of the SCMP. The EPA is currently seeking views on the performance of the SCMP. The terms of reference for comments are unclear and not referenced to the objectives of the plan. Closing date for comments is 31 March. QCC has facilitated a groups discussion on a response. A paper outlining that response is prepared. A submission has been prepared.

At this stage, submissions are only about comments on performance of the current plan and proposals for improvement. Should the Minister decide to draft a revised plan, this is likely to be released in the third quarter of 2008 for public comment.

Thursday, 06 March 2008

Queensland Conservation's submission to the review of the Moreton Bay Zoning Plan     moreton_sub 20.36 Kb

Visit the Save Moreton Bay site for more information.

Friday, 21 December 2007

Queensland Conservation's submission to the Queensland Waste Strategy Discussion Paper   waste_strat_sub
32.99 Kb

 Read The Total Environment Centre's independent report on the State of Waste in Queensland   State_of_Waste_Qld_final 427.96 Kb

Wednesday, 28 November 2007

Queensland Conservation's response to the Environmental Offsets Discussion Paper   offsets_sub 77.36 Kb