News & Events
Latest Updates 2008
July
Save money on your hot water bills
How much would you have saved this week if you had a solar hot water system?
June
Biomass Technology Review: Processing for Energy and Materials
Reporting on biomass processing options as a business opportunity for production of bioenergy and material products.
Sustainability Victoria CE appointed
The Chair of Sustainability Victoria, Mike Waller, today announced the appointment of Anita Roper as the new Chief Executive of Sustainability Victoria.
April
Sustainability Fund Round Three projects announced
Thirty-four projects to share in $6.5 million in support from Round Three of the Victorian Government Sustainability Fund, jointly administered by the Victorian Treasurer and Minister for Environment and Climate Change and managed by Sustainability Victoria.
March
Regional Solar Hot Water Rebate announced
On 21 March Minister Jennings announced a $33 million program to assist regional Victorians reduce their bills and greenhouse gas emissions by installing a solar hot water system. This program will start on 1 July 2008.
Latest Updates 2007
December
'Don't be a Tosser - Bin Your Butts' campaign results
Want to know how to get smokers to bin their butts? While we don't have a magic bullet, we can share with you how we approached the problem in Victoria.
November
Have you seen the ResourceSmart Hot Air Balloon?
Sustainability Victoria sponsors a hot air balloon with locally owned and operated business Global Ballooning to carry our ResourceSmart message to all Victorians. You can see the ResourceSmart balloon regularly rising with the morning sun over Melbourne.
Results of Local Government Data Collection Survey
Sustainability Victoria surveys all Victorian local councils about their waste and recycling services each financial year. Collection of this data enables the performance of the cost and yield of municipal kerbside services to be evaluated over time.
Apply for Litter Prevention Grants
Litter Prevention Grants drive best practice litter prevention activities across Victoria. The grants provide financial support and guidance to projects making lasting litter reductions and changing littering behaviour through education, infrastructure and enforcement.
ResourceSmart School of the Year
Croydon Hills Primary School has won the ResourceSmart School of the Year Award at theResourceSmart School of the Year Awards 2007, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground(MCG).
The heat is on at Warrnambool
A new tourist resort opening in the state's south west is saving energy and making money thanks to the benefits of geothermal heating.
Get moving - health benefits of sustainable transport
For the first time in 2007 the Global Corporate Challenge broadened its message by addressing the indirect health benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions through choosing alternatives to vehicular transport.
Read our 2006-2007 Annual Report
This year's Annual Report captures a year of great change. It is an open account of our own successes, the successes of others, and the challenges of our fast emerging sector.
October
Join our forum on product environmental labels
Sustainability Victoria will be holding two half-day consultations in the first week of December 2007 to discuss product environmental labels.
Benefits of Green Buildings - 500 Collins Street Productivity Study
Kador, the owners of 500 Collins Street, and Sustainability Victoria conducted a workplace productivity study following a green fit out of a number of floors.
Read our Business News
This month, find out the difference that a sustainable office really can make to productivity and absenteeism; Ken Guthrie looks at the role of wind in Australia's sustainable energy mix; and increase your chance of winning a Premier's Sustainability Award.
Get the right advice about energy efficient appliances
Buying energy and water efficient appliances has been made easier, with the Victorian Government launching a new information campaign available in 300 major retail stores across Victoria.
Making the switch
Tune in to Channel 31 on Mondays for practical advice on how to 'green' your space.
Enter the Premier's Sustainability Awards
Premier John Brumby invites Victorians leading the way in environmental sustainability to enter the State's most prestigious environmental awards.
September
Results from Environmental Sustainability and Industry Survey
Australian companies are deeply concerned about lowering their greenhouse gas emissions. Yet only 10% said they were informed to manage the risks associated with climate change, according to the largest survey undertaken by Australian industry on environmental practices.
Read our Business News
This month, we discuss the results of Australia's largest survey into business' environmental practices; Ken Guthrie reports on Europe's renewables scene and we extend the Byteback program with the help of Australia's biggest IT names.
ABGR and NABERS Office Accredited Assessor Training
Download the ABGR and NABERS Office Accredited Assessor application form avaliable now.
August
FirstRate5 House Energy Rating Software
The FirstRate5 House Energy Rating Software is avaliable now!
Business Plan 2007-2010
Read our Business Plan for 2007-2010
Energy efficient lighting
Energy and Resources Minister Peter Batchelor today urged Victorians to make the switch to energy efficient compact fluorescent light globes to reduce energy consumption and save money.
July
Insulation rebate program
Ceiling insulation is one of the most effective ways to improve the energy efficiency in your home year-round. In winter up to 40% of heat in the home can be lost and in summer up to 30% of heat can be gained through an uninsulated ceiling.
Halogen lighting solutions
12 volt halogen lights are often believed to be low energy. However, because their light output is confined to a small area, many of them need to be used at once to provide adequate light for a room. Halogen lights are more suited to task lighting (i.e. lighting up kitchen bench tops).
Victoria's first hybrid truck
Victoria's first hybrid truck has hit the road at the Queen Victoria Markets. Sustainability Victoria and Melbourne's 106 year-old bakehouse Ferguson Plarre launched the Hino Hybrid diesel-electric truck, which saves 25% of the greenhouse gas emissions of a regular diesel vehicle.
June
Launch of the Towards Zero Waste Progress Report
Launched in 2005, the Victorian Government's Towards Zero Waste Strategy is a call to action for all Victorians to minimise the amount of waste that we generate and maximise opportunities for recovering materials.
Billboard for the future - Solar in Schools
Bentleigh Secondary College is just one of 500 schools and community facilities that will benefit from the Solar in Schools program, a 5 million dollar Victorian Government Initiative.
Apply for solar in your school
The Solar in Schools initiative supports schools and community facilities to install gridconnected solar photovoltaic (PV) power systems, interactive energy monitoring systems and provide educational materials on renewable energy and energy demand.
May
Wind energy - myths and facts
This publication separates the myths from the facts and explains the importance of wind energy in helping Victoria make the transition to a low carbon future.
Changes to Photovoltaic Rebate Program
On 8 May 2007, the Federal Government announced $150 million in additional funding for solar technology as part of 2007-08 budget. This additional funding will support a doubling of the current rebate for solar panels on homes.
April
Premier's winners announced
The winners of the prestigious Premier's Sustainability Awards were announced on 18 April 2007 by Premier Steve Bracks at the Melbourne Exhibition and Conference Centre.
Comment on the VEET issues paper
The State Government has released details of the new Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) scheme designed to fight climate change and help save the average household $100 a year through reduced energy use.
March
The Solar Report - energy and hot water savings
The Solar Report shows the percentage which a household would save off their hot water bill if they had a solar water heater. This percentage is also the amount of greenhouse gases abated (i.e. not created) by heating water.
February
Householders to save money on energy and water bills
Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, Mr Steve Herbert MP, today announced $300,000 to improve the energy and water efficiency of 600 low-income homes in East Reservoir and West Heidelberg.
Calling for entries - sustainability fellowship
The Brian Robinson Foundation is now seeking applications for the 2007 Fellowship. The Fellowship was established in 2005 to nurture young people making a significant contribution to the future sustainability of Victoria.
January
VIC leads the world with weekly greenhouse indicator
People in Victoria are the first in the world to be given an indication of their greenhouse gas emissions every week.
Latest Updates 2006
December
Waste Wise resources for local governments
We work with Victoria's 79 local governments to effectively manage waste minimisation, recycling and littering. The Waste Wise program complements other sustainability programs and assists local governments to continually improve performance against achievable targets and measured outcomes.
November
Read the Stern Review - economics of climate change
This Review details a wide range of evidence on the impacts of climate change and on the economic costs. It confirms that the benefits of strong and early action far outweigh the economic costs of not acting.
October
Wind energy - understand the myths and facts
Wind energy is one of the most cost effective forms of renewable energy and has an important role in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. We have compiled the following information to separate the myths from the facts around wind energy.
Our Annual Report 2005-06
This Annual Report details the performance of Sustainability Victoria for the 2005-2006 financial year. In October 2005, EcoRecycle Victoria and the Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria merged to form Sustainability Victoria.
Local government data collection survey released
In September 2005 we commenced our survey on the waste management and recycling services provided by Victorian local governments during the 2004-2005 financial year. This is the fifth in the series of annual surveys undertaken for Victoria.
September
We have moved!
From Monday 2 October 2006, Sustainability Victoris will be located at Urban Workshop, Level 28, 50 Lonsdale St Melbourne. Ph: 03 8626 8700 Fax: 03 9663 1007
Infrastructure Investment Grants round now open
We are now accepting applications for infrastructure projects that increase the recovery of waste from Victoria's municipal and household sectors. Funding applications should be for projects that support the targets and priorities of Towards Zero Waste Strategy.
Renewable Energy Action Plan released
The Renewable Energy Action Plan sets out the actions the Government will undertake in the immediate future to accelerate renewable energy development in Victoria.
Energy Efficiency for Victoria Action Plan available
The Energy Efficiency for Victoria Action Plan sets out a comprehensive program of Government action to drive improvements in energy efficiency and greenhouse gas abatement. It also establishes the context for action and outlines the Government's broad objectives and strategies.
August
Victoria shows the way in recycling
Victorians recycled a record 55% of waste in 2004-05, according to the latest industry survey by Sustainability Victoria. A record 5,427,662 tonnes of material was diverted from landfill, an increase of 7% on the previous year and more than four times the amount since 1993.
Strategic Framework and Business Plan released
Sustainability Victoria is proud to present its inaugural Strategic Framework and Business Plan for 2006-2009.
Savewater! awards now open
The savewater! awards recognise outstanding achievements and innovation in water conservation by businesses, government, schools, local communities and individuals.
Securing a sustainable environment for Victoria's future
Our Environment Our Future is a $200 million action plan to help government, industry, businesses and households to protect our assets for future generations.
Welcome to our new website!
Sustainability Victoria was created in October 2005. This website provides information about our initiatives, programs and funding opportunities for Victoria.
Greenhouse abatement from wind report released
A new report shows wind is an effective way for Victoria to cut greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity generation. The independent study by McLennan Magasanik Associates quantifies how much fossil fuel generation is displaced by Victorian wind farms.
July
Sustainability and Waste Wise Schools Awards entries now open!
Celebrate your school's Waste Wise achievements by entering the 2006 Sustainability and Waste Wise Schools Awards. Great prizes are on offer for the winning schools!
May
Resource Recovery Kit now available
This kit is part of a training program for resource recovery facility staff. It provides a range of fact sheets and useful information about the safe and efficient operation of a resource recovery facility.
(IDEA) Awards 2006
If your recent design project is innovative, resourceful and powerful, submit it to the IDEA awards. Sustainability Victoria is a proud sponsor of the Eco Category. Final submissions close at the end of July.
Over 3 Million Attend Waste Wise Events in 2005
The Waste Wise Events program had a great year in 2005 with a 50% increase in the number of Waste Wise events from 2004-05. 3.2 million people attended Waste Wise events in 2005, a 56% increase.
March
Best Practice Kerbside Recycling - Updated Guide and Contracts
Sustainability Victoria has finalised the review of the Kerbside Recyclables Model Contracts and Contractor Accreditation System. Updated documents are now available for download.
Top | Last updated 17/07/2007
