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Manly Council will modify one of its fleet of four buses to use environmentally clean biodiesel – a fuel made from plant and animal oils.
According to Manly Resident Chris Roberston, a number of companies are making the new fuel, including Australian Biodiesel, which made it from Manly restaurants’ waste oil.
Mr Robertson said that from Manly Wharf alone Coastal Recycled Cooking Oils Pty Ltd collected 1000 litres of oil each week. This is enough to power a single rubbish removal truck for 10 days.
In an official Minute, Manly Mayor Peter Macdonald said the fuel could be cheaper than ordinary petrol and was kinder to the environment.
“The use of biodiesel has already been tested by councils in Newcastle, Camden and Leichhardt, with positive results in terms of a reduction in fuel emissions,” he said.
Unfortunately, the Federal Government does not see things the same way. The renewable fuel sector says investors are being turned away because the Fuel Tax Act 2006, which came into effect on July 1, has reduced its access to the market.  Alternative fuels, such as biosiesel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG), are not eligible for fuel tax credit until July 1, 2011. The new Act makes all off-road uses of biodiesel non-competitive. Most regional biodiesel projects will now be unviable and several potential producers are considering terminating their projects.  But established businesses, which are closer to John Howard’s heart than any developing green technologies, will benefit from tax cuts on their use of damaging fossil fuels
Bob Gordon from Renewable Fuels Australia says the Federal Government needs to go back to the drawing board to make the legislation fairer.
He pointed out that in the rest of the world, all those countries that have emerging biofuel industries have high tariff regimes to protect them against imports until they’re established in the market. These countries are surging ahead with the biofuels industry, while Australia is in danger of strangling it at birth.  Even this country’s current role model in all things political, the United States, provides tax incentives for the production and use of non-petroleum fuels, including biodiesel.  
“Australia is going in the opposite direction. Progress is going to freeze in Australia, if not worse.”, he said.
This is consistent with John Howard’s approach to all things connected to the environment.  Short term political gain always comes first.  But at least we can look forward to some improvements in the air quality in Manly.
 

Filtra Limited, a Brookvale technology company formed in 1999, recently received a grant of $1.7 million to develop and commercialise a unique liquid/solid separator that will augment or replace clarifiers in sewerage treatment plants.  The money comes from the Government’s flagship innovation grants program, Commercial Ready, which provides $200 million a year to help small and medium-sized businesses bring new and inventive products and services to market.
The original concept for the Filtra technology was inspired by the inventor’s observation of wave cycles in water. His vision was to develop a technology that revolutionised the separation process in industrial operations.

Another local company, Datadot Technology Limited, Frenches Forest, received $1.5 million for further development of the robotic spray processes for the application of their ‘DatadotDNA’ vehicle anti-theft and identification technology. 

Businesses interested in applying for assistance can access more information at www.ausindustry.gov.au

The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) is calling for young Australians between the ages of 11 and 18 to enter the Human Writes personal essay and Rights in Perspective art competitions.

The two competitions were first held last year, as part of the Young People and Human Rights Dialogue project. The resulting report, ‘Rights of Passage’, provided a unique insight into what young Australian’s think and feel about human rights.

Human Rights Commissioner, Mr Graeme Innes AM, wants to keep the ‘dialogue’ with young people ongoing in 2006.

“In the competitions’ second year, HREOC aims to seek out some of the most creative and talented young people in the country to illustrate their views on important human rights issues in Australia,” he said.  “Last year the competitions attracted over 150 entries from all states and territories and I am hoping for a similar response in 2006.”

“Last year’s competitions also attracted some very positive feedback from teachers who found the essay and art competitions were a great way to get their students thinking about human rights.”

There are great prizes on offer! HREOC will award iPods or digital cameras to the national winners and the Australian Red Cross has prizes for State and Territory winners.

Winning and shortlisted artworks and essays from last year’s competitions can be viewed on the HREOC website at: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/human_rights/rights_of_passage/art/
and http://www.humanrights.gov.au/human_rights/rights_of_passage/essay/

For more information, including entry forms, hints and tips, eligibility, conditions of entry, downloadable posters and an audio file about the competitions go to http://www.humanrights.gov.au/competitions/index.html or call
02 9284 9635

Entries close FRIDAY 11 AUGUST 2006

 

 

At least 18 rock fishermen have been killed on the northern beaches since 1991.  In fact, rock fishing is the most dangerous sport in Australia.  Who would have thought those ordinary, middle-aged blokes standing around on the beach were such daredevils? 

A near-death experience involving a friend who was rock fishing a few years ago at La Perouse inspired a young Sydney designer to tackle the problem.  Justin Alfred was studying Industrial Design at The University of New South Wales when his friend was swept from the rocks and sustained lacerations to the body and head. 

Justin realised that safety equipment for the sport had particular requirements – fishermen needed a jacket that would allow them to move freely while casting.

His efforts resulted in the production of a helmet and jacket which together make up the Rock Fishing Aid. He demonstrated the Aid recently on the ABC’s New Inventors.  A detailed description and illustration of the jacket and helmet can be seen on the programme’s website

Rock Fishing Aid was his 2003 final year student project. His design won silver in the student category at the 2004 Australian Design Awards and is exhibited at the Powerhouse Museum.