Sustainable Queensland: smart use of our natural resources
Queensland’s natural diverse ecosystems are a big part of why we love living here. Our natural resources have contributed to our prosperity.
Economic growth and sustainable use of natural resources have to be complementary goals: clearly, economic growth that relies solely on the use of non-renewable natural resources can’t be maintained in the long term.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has noted that ‘a move towards radical innovations or new technology systems is inevitable in the long run if OECD economies are to change their current resource and energy use patterns while sustaining economic growth and human welfare.’2 However, we cannot simply assume that technology will eventually catch up in time to solve our problems.
Sustainable development involves all our resources – energy, water, food, land and sea. The protection of land, rivers and seas is a shared responsibility and it starts with our own practices right now. We will continue to investigate and promote alternative, renewable sources and invest in new research, technologies and processes to improve the way we use our natural resources and minimise impacts on the environment. This will complement and build on our existing investments and partnerships, such as the:
- Sustainable Minerals Institute at the University of Queensland, and
- Centre for Low Emission Technology – a joint venture between the Queensland Government, CSIRO, the University of Queensland, Tarong Energy, Stanwell Corporation and the Australian Coal Research Association.
Healing Rainforest
Queensland’s magnificent tropical rainforests not only attract tourists, they may hold the secret to curing cancer.
North Queensland’s biodiscovery company, EcoBiotics Limited has discovered new chemicals with healing properties derived from local tropical rainforest plants. These chemicals are being evaluated as new anti-cancer, antibiotic and antiparasitic drugs.
EcoBiotics is exporting its research to the USA, the UK and Germany.
The company has seven staff, and is an inspiring example of combining Smart State science with Queensland’s pristine natural environment to create amazing new healing chemicals, regional jobs and export income.
The Queensland Government will:
- establish the Premier’s Taskforce to develop a Queensland Sustainable Natural Resource Development Strategy that will build on a range of existing Government programs in order to deliver an integrated and comprehensive response to challenges facing our natural resources. The Strategy will embrace the increasing role that renewable resources will play in addressing the key challenges we face with our resource base. The Strategy will also recognise the crucial role that improved scientific understanding and knowledge of our natural environment has in sustainably managing and developing our natural resources. The Queensland Government will partner with key stakeholders including the community, business, industry and conservation groups to develop the Strategy.
- establish the International Water Centre by providing $2.4 million in funding over four years. The Centre is a partnership with the University of Queensland, Griffith University, Monash University and the University of Western Australia. The Centre will be headquartered in Queensland and will improve the knowledge base for integrated water resource management. It will also develop and raise the profile of Queensland’s knowledge, skills and research in water resource management in domestic and international markets.
- fund innovative research to control the cane toad. The Queensland Government will provide $1 million to the Australasian Invasive Animal Cooperative Research Centre, in conjunction with Queensland research institutions, to assess prospects for a biotechnology solution to control the cane toad. The research will be used to develop a cane toad specific toxic bait that will limit the spread of cane toads and reduce their environmental impact.
- implement a range of Smart Water initiatives to reduce use of potable water, increase water recycling and re-use, increase water use efficiency and improve the performance of water distribution networks. These water initiatives will be based on our knowledge and research of Queensland’s water systems, demand and use; and on the development and adoption of new technologies and innovative practices. These initiatives will assist in securing Queensland’s water supply for the future.
- develop a package of Smart Energy initiatives to drive improved energy efficiency and protect our unique environment. The initiatives will target research and development, and promote increased adoption of innovative technologies and practices, to deliver more efficient energy use, reduced emissions from fossil fuels, and increased use of renewable energy.
Clean Clear Water
Water in dams, reservoirs and deep lakes has to be ‘stirred’ so that oxygen circulates through all the layers of water to keep it fresh in colour, smell and taste. Conventional machinery for maintaining water quality – reservoir mixers – is grossly inefficient in its use of electrical energy.
A small Queensland company, Water Engineering and Research Solutions (WEARS), has developed an energy-efficient reservoir mixer that uses 10 times less energy than conventional technology. The Queensland Government provided assistance for WEARS to develop and test its reservoir mixing technology. In 2003, WEARS received a National Science and Technology Award.
- work in partnership with the Queensland Farmers’ Federation to actively promote and support adoption of Farm Management Systems (FMS) by the intensive farming sector in Queensland. The FMS’s dual objectives of sustainability and profitability are pursued through a systems approach to the integration of business and natural resource management practices at the property level. Consistent with continuous improvement approaches, FMS involves identifying and managing risks, in particular environmental risks, implementing appropriate management practices, and monitoring and verifying performance.
- continue to adopt sustainable practices in the Queensland Government’s own operations and service delivery such as reducing waste, purchasing renewable energy, and improving energy and water efficiency.