ETC News & Events @ Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Biotech & Bioengineering Conference
Dr Jaya Nair is organising this international conference which will focus on sustainable biosystems, to be held in Perth in July 2008 ...more info and brochure download

HUBER Technology Prize 2008
The ETC is proud to announce that two of our Phd students John Hunt and Kayu Cheng have been shortlisted for the HUBER Technology Prize 2008 to be awarded in Munich on 8th May 2008.

Kayu Cheng won 1st joint first prize (trophy + Euro 5,500)
John Hunt won 2nd prize (trophy + Euro 4,000)


...more info

Premier's Water Foundation [PWF] Update
Martin Anda leads a team of researchers and industry partners addressing Perth's water future by completing a waste water recycling trial by June 2009 at 3 sites within the Metropolitan and Peel Regions to demonstrate and evaluate the performance, reliability, attributes and feasibility of decentralised wastewater recycling. The Premier’s Water Foundation was created in response to the State Water Strategy released in February 2003 by the Western Australian Government. The Foundation’s programs support research and development projects that challenge boundaries and investigate innovative new ways of conserving water and maximising reuse of wastewater.

-Download the ETC PWF Info-Sheet PDF

Water Innovations WA Conference 29 May 2008
Martin Anda and his research team will be presenting the findings of thier work to date at the upcoming Water Innovations WA Conference on 29th May 2008. More details available at the Conference website : Program Overview

Waste water recycling and Water Sensitive Urban Design
Project Title: Demonstration of decentralised waste water recycling in small urban areas
The Environmental Technology Centre at Murdoch University is conducting a decentralised wastewater recycling trial to demonstrate:

• The performance and reliability required to meet regulatory standards
• Effects on soil and vegetation
• Pathogen disinfection
• Nutrients prevented from infiltration to groundwater
• Maintenance issues of the systems
• The effective amount scheme and bore water saved in the long term.

Papermaking workshops at ETC
Les Westerlund's PhD is focusing on the production of high quality art paper from a variety of recycled sources. Les offers free workshops to anyone interested in learning how to make paper. He is pictured right with Dr Stephen Smith from Imperial College London on a recent visit to the ETC.

To book a place contact Les on 08 9360 6396 or email L.Westerlund@murdoch.edu.au

- Read more about Les' work at his own website

FREE Tours for all WA Schools & TAFEs
The ETC is pleased to announce that all charges for WA Schools and TAFEs will be waived for basic tours of the site and an introduction to sustainable development. We hope to encourage all Schools and TAFEs to visit us over the next 2 years. Dr Stewart Dallas, Associate Director, said that he was keen to make sure that all School and TAFE students understood the importance of using environmental technologies to promote sustainable development.

Visiting the ETC is easy and an experience you won't forget. Trained guides will introduce you to sustainable development options, permaculture, innovative technologies and much more. Seminar & meeting facilities are available for hire. Specialist seminars can be organised upon request as can catering. BBQ facilites are also available.

-Visit the ETC Tours Page

ABC-TV Gardening Australia featuring Josh Byrne NEW BOOK OUT NOW!
The Green Gardener is Josh Byrne's first book and presents a thorough exploration of sustainable gardening practices. Josh has created a nooke for himself on the highest rating Gardening programme on Australian TV. Over the past two years Josh has combined his media career with Postgraduate research work at Murdoch University. Josh also manages to find time to be involved with some of the many projects undertaken at the ETC. Josh developed his skills as an undergraduate in his own garden and then became one of the mainstays of the early site development at the ETC. Much of what is onsite today is down to Josh's permaculture design and many months of hard work. Tune in on ABC-TV each week as Josh and the other presenters promote sustainable gardening and innovation. Josh's new book is available at ABC Shops & Centres and all good bookstores.

- Visit the ABC-TV website for more details about Gardening Australia

H2S Testing - Simple Water Testing Kit Available
Safe drinking water is one of the primary requirements for healthy life. Epidemics arising from waterborne diseases are a global health problem. About eighty percent of all infectious diseases throughout the world are water related. A simple test has been refined and modified by Dr Jaya Nair based on the detection of H2S reducing bacteria originally developed by Manja et al (1982). The test kit is now being introduced to Aboriginal Communities. The test is very simple and does not require technically trained personnel to conduct the test. As part of the kit, RADG has produced a video and training book, which are self-explanatory. It is economical compared to all other tests in terms of cost of chemicals, transportation, and storage.

- More info & contact details

WREN 2007 Conference Info
World Renewable Energy Network & ETC will present this international conference in Perth in 2007. Registrations and abstracts are now being accepted. The conference will be held at the Esplanade Hotel Fremantle, Western Australia 4-8 Feb 2007. Topics will include, but not be limited to; solar, wind and renewable energy sources; transport; biofuels; policy; research; funding opportunities; wave & tidal power; energy storage; innovation; and much more. Conference Convener, Dr Kuruvilla Mathew, says he expects more than 300 delegates at the conference. Social & technical tours will be organised. Registration is AU$800 full and AU$500 student/concession.

-Download the Conference Brochure
-Visit the ETC Conference Page