The Australian Bite

Solar, Nuclear and Little Piggies

29 July 2010

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Solar power tower in construction. SOURCE: Torresol

On The Australian Bite this week, Nadia Hume investigates claims that Australia could operate on 100% renewable energy in ten years. Also, indigenous groups protest over plans to build a nuclear waste dump in their backyard. And pregnant pigs set for more luxurious digs under sweeping changes to the pig industry.

Industry buzz for renewable energy plan

Australia could achieve 100-percent renewable energy in ten years, according to a leading climate change thinktank. The report suggests using commercially available technology coupled with the best solar availability in the world. It’s called ‘Zero Carbon Australia Stationary Energy Plan’ and it’s started a buzz in the industry with Tim Flannery describing it as “ambitious” but “technically feasible”. But can Australia afford an energy transformation or does it want to? The reports author Matthew Wright (Executive Director of Beyond Zero Emissions) explains how it can work.

http://beyondzeroemissions.org/

Protest over nuclear waste dump

Five indigenous groups are protesting against the federal government and northern land council plans to build a nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory. Muckety Station, 120 kilometers north of Tennent Creek, was voluntarily nominated by the Northern Land Council in 2007 to the Howard Government, but traditional owners now claim they were not properly consulted about the deal. Five indigenous groups who lay claim to the land will commence a federal court challenge, claiming only one group was involved in the consultation process. 12-million dollars is being offered for the land, but owners say they’re not interested in the money. Lawyer Martin Hyde is representing the landowners.

Pig industry trots out some changes

Australian piggeries are divided over public and supermarket pressure to change their practices, in particular no longer housing pregnant pigs in sow stalls. In New South Wales northern pig producers have now agreeed to a voluntary gestational sow stall ban, but it’s likely to cost tens of millions of dollars to the industry and end up costing Aussie shoppers more for pork. The RSPCA have embraced the ban. Pork producer Greg Denelsen says the changes won’t be easy.

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