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Presents a new air quality policy for environment protection. Relationship between air quality policy and emission control; Concept of environmental security; Emphasis on environmental policy in general and air quality policy.

The article reports on the approval of Port Phillip Bay Channel project. The Port of Melbourne Corporation has applied for improving the shipping channels along the Port of Phillip Bay. The application has been approved by the Australian Government but with the addition of sixteen more conditions imposed by Peter Garrett, the Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts. The specifications include protection for migratory birds and saving peatlands for balanced diversity. The development is described briefly.

The article features the developments of environmental activities of the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand (CASANZ) in Queensland. The organization released various reports pertaining to environmental protection including the Proposed Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Plan for Gladstone, the discussion paper Clean and Healthy Air for Gladstone Proposed Key Pollutant Inventory and Proposed Suite of Health Outcomes. Such papers were released by the Environmental Protection Agency and are also available via the institution's website. It states that the South East Queensland Regional Air Quality Strategy is being reviewed and comments from its members will be considered for the CASANZ submission that will be addressed to the branch's president.

The article offers information on the schedule of activities at the New South Wales/ACT branch of the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand (CASANZ). It is noted that the branch is currently increasing member involvement and membership. The branch also plans to hold more technical meetings to assess the overall performance of the branch. The branch also invited speakers from the DEC to talk on NOx management, from the legal profession to comment on PAHs, and from the consulting sector to delve on risk management. A petrochemical plant site tour is also scheduled.

The article offers information on the National Environment Protection Council's (NEPC's) Annual Report on the environment. NEPC originated from a Special Premiers' Conference in October 1990, at which the Prime Minister, Premiers, and Chief Ministers of Australia agreed to formulate an intergovernmental agreement on the environment. This agreement took effect on May 1, 1992. NEPC's aim is to make National Environment Protection Measures (NEPMs), and to assess and report on their effectiveness and implementation in participating jurisdictions.

The article offers information on the schedule of activities at the Victoria/Tasmania branch of the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand (CASANZ). First in their list is an informative and inspiring talk by Terry A'Hearn from EPA Victoria about the EPA business initiative to become carbon neutral. The next event is a site visit and technical session at the Szencorp Building in South Melbourne, Australia. Other branch events include a seminar on carbon trading and the Werner Strauss Branch Annual Achievement Awards and AGM.

The article reports that Victoria's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is investigating whether Melbourne has become quieter or noisier since 1976. The initial study published in 1978 showed the installation of noise monitoring equipment in 40 residential sites across Melbourne. The initial study provided data on noise levels around which noise policies and programs were developed. The follow-up study is designed to encapsulate key growth corridor areas which were largely semi rural at the time of the first research.

The article reports that green waste recycling programs gives odor problems in the west side of Melbourne. It states that the industry has not been able to keep pace with the massive uptake of green waste recycling options by the community. It explains that in response to the community's concerns that Environmental Protection Authority is requiring an inbound waste limit on the facility. The restriction will mean that the recyclers will no longer be allowed to accept excessive amounts of green waste at the site.

The article reports that a draft Western Australian State of the Environment Report has been released by the Environmental Protection Authority for public criticism. It states that even though many portions of the Western Australian environment are in good condition, there are still several issues that need to have more focus on. It includes issues on climate change, consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, phytophthora dieback, introduced animals, land salinization, weeds, and salinization of inland waters.

The article focuses on appeal of Environment and Heritage minister Ian Campbell for the need to deploy everything to reduce emissions from electricity generation in Australia. The successful Renewable Energy Target scheme has assisted the industry to drive down costs and establish a vibrant sector. Furthermore, the Renewable Remote Power Generation Program has replaced many diesel power generation facilities. Australian Business Council for Sustainable Energy director Ric Brazzale have welcomed the renewed commitment of the government to addressing climate change.

The article focuses on the release of the Regulations 2004 by the National Environmental Standards Relating to Certain Air Pollutants, Dioxins and Other Toxics in New Zealand. The document provides a guide for practitioners in local government implementing the first suite of national environmental standards. Significantly, the guide presents the relationship between the national environmental standards and existing local government controls. Furthermore, it also refers to the standards addressing dioxins and other toxics, ambient air quality, the wood burner design standard, and the control of greenhouse gases at landfills. Finally, it also contains information on what local government must do to comply with the regulations.

The article focuses on the potential of solar energy to dominate in the energy industries in Australia. The research conducted by Andrew Blakers of the Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems at the Australian National University focuses on the significance of photovoltaic solar energy conversion as a competitive alternative with any low-emission electricity generation technology by 2030. Blakers contended that the Silver solar cell technology can deliver electricity at a cost that matches wind energy. Furthermore, it is essential to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel based electricity generation. Finally, the key to a clean energy future is the setting of clear and challenging targets and the provision of reliable, long-term support to the solar industry.

The article focuses on the decision of the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) to tackle the environmental consequences of modern living in Australia. The key goal of EPHC was to get manufacturers involved in recycling their products. Significantly, ministers reported strong progress in the recycling of tires, televisions, mobile phones, and newspapers. Furthermore, the EPHC emphasized the need to reduce their plastic bag use. Moreover, the EPHC has adopted clearer application trigger for the National Environment Protection Measure which supports the National Packaging Covenant. A National Action Plan on dioxins was adopted by Ministers to address dioxin emissions.

The article focuses on the record growth of the environmental compliance cost in various organizations in the U.S. Organizations are spending 10 billion dollars to comply with the natural environment laws. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contended that its enforcement actions have seen companies, governments, and other institutions agreed to reduce pollutants by half a million tonnes. Granta Nakayama of the EPA enforcement division contended that the statistics show significant progress in criminal enforcement and securing environmental compliance. A significant number of entities have voluntarily disclosed violations to EPA.

The article focuses on the efforts of ensuring capabilities to produce radical new designs of passenger aircraft that will meet strict global rules controlling the influence on climate change in Great Britain. The author predicted of a four-fold growth in global airline traffic an the commercial incentive for the civil aerospace industry to grasp future technologies. In an effort to achieve better design efficiency, a policy of de-risking of new technologies is necessary to ease the technical and commercial uncertainties of introducing new designs of components. However, the missions of oxides of nitrogen are heading steadily in the right direction. The Advisory Council for Aeronautical Research in Europe aims to develop radically cleaner, quieter aircraft for 2020. Significantly, the new aircrafts will have revolutionary designs which features a doomed swept-wing design.