Archived News for Industry Professionals - July, 2014
Hundreds of millions in savings are coming for local governments in Victoria, as a majority switch to LED street lights.
Resource rehab will run to billions
A conference this week discussed what can be done with Australia’s 50,000 disused mine sites.
Locals in fight to fix world's water worries
The first ever WorldSkills Water Innovation Challenge has mixed technophile and tradie to produce sanitation solutions for the world’s poorest regions.
Bad choice of boots and cyber-fears for Army's future
Questions are being asked over the Defence Department’s decision to reject an Australian bid to supply $15 million worth of safety boots, after the contract was given to a company to make the boots in Indonesia.
Drone laws called for in push for privacy
Some MPs say remotely piloted aircraft put public safety and privacy at risk, and there should be new laws to protect them.
Green lights reach new level for air safety
An Australian invention will save lives in the air, reducing a major cause of fatal plane crashes.
Grog-free mine move could mean dry times for Rio
One mine in WA is going alcohol-free, but some workers say the cost-cutting effort is an attack on their lifestyles.
Ship turbo fire brings warning of painful pressure
Two men have suffered injuries after a bulk carrier caught fire off the Pilbara coast in WA.
Study says coal is draining Hunter dry
A report from an anti-coal community environment group says mines in the Hunter Valley use too much water.
Tassie's new group to get west working
The Tasmanian Government has put together a task force to help with rampant job losses in the state’s west coast mines.
Britain cools on coal, could be gone by 2023
The operator of the UK’s electricity grid says environmental rules will force the closure of almost all its coal-fired power plants by 2023.
Clean tech brings dawn of low demand
Everyday Australians are driving down demand for electricity at a fairly high rate, as rooftop solar and energy-efficient devices take hold.
Concrete claims fail to solidify for CFMEU probe
Accusations of industrial blackmail and illegal conduct have come to light in recent sittings of the royal commission into trade unions.
Extra steps questioned for big money moves
An inquiry will be held into corporate pressure and safety issues for the cash-in-transit sector.
Firing finding shows bosses should be mentally mindful
A Fair Work finding has shown the importance of big businesses looking after their employees’ mental health as much as their physical safety.
Local gas and pragmatism in union's new view
The new head of the Australian Workers’' Union is moving away from the plans laid by his predecessor, and pushing for better protection of some domestic resources.
Potential builds for energetic new face
Some high-tech building projects could be a sign of the future of intelligent structural design.
Queensland closure to push big rigs onto Murphy's
No oversize trucks will be allowed to travel up the Toowoomba range for part of this month.
Restart sending many back on path to work
The Federal Government has officially launched its Restart programme, designed to help more mature-aged job-seekers into the workforce.
Some spared by weekend repeal change
The next version of the carbon tax repeal bill will include big fines for energy companies that do not pass savings on to customers.
Strike set in WA port fight
Western Australian stevedores and port maintenance workers will strike, saying lengthy negotiations have yielded little progress.