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Tag: Victoria
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Small businesses score $5m energy saver bonus
The Victorian government has launched the Small Business Energy Saver Program through Sustainability Victoria. The initiative will offer $5 million in bonuses to small businesses across the state to support their transition to a low-cost, energy-efficient business model. Victorian small businesses with 19 full-time employees or fewer can receive up to $2,000 to install energy-efficient […]
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Reforming Victoria’s building regulatory system
The Building Reform Expert Panel is inviting feedback on the Framework for Reform and possible improvements to Victoria’s building system. A group established by the Victorian government to lead its review of the building legislative and regulatory system, the Panel is accepting feedback until May 19. The Panel has been asked to advise on changes […]
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Quarantine restart: What have we learnt?
This week, international travellers began arriving in Melbourne again, and are re-entering Victoria’s revised hotel quarantine facilities. Numbers have been capped at 800 per week and will increase to 1,120 per week on April 15 provided that key recommendations are addressed – including many relating to ventilation. Focus on airborne transmission It has been almost […]
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Hotel quarantine outbreaks prompt ventilation review
The Victorian government is conducting a review of hotel ventilation and air conditioning systems amid an increase in COVID-19 cases linked to quarantine. The situation has raised further concerns about the suitability of hotels as quarantine facilities, and the role of airborne transmission in spreading the virus. The Australian hotel quarantine system has registered outbreaks […]
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Next steps for phase-out of open-flued gas space heaters
Victoria’s Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has released a regulatory impact statement (RIS) on the phase-out of open-flued gas space heaters. The RIS is open for public consultation until February 22, 2021. Under certain circumstances, open-flued gas space heaters pose a risk of releasing unhealthy and sometimes lethal concentrations of carbon monoxide […]
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New technologies eligible for Victorian Energy Upgrades
The Victorian government has set new targets for the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program, and is expanding the range of technologies that households and businesses can access. The VEU program allows households and businesses to access discounts on energy-efficient products and services. This already includes reverse-cycle air conditioners for households, as well as a wider […]
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States leading the way to a sustainable future
Industry groups have applauded the Victorian and NSW governments’ significant investments in harnessing the power of energy efficiency and social housing to create jobs and drive the economic recovery from COVID-19. The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC), Energy Efficiency Council (EEC), Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), Property Council of Australia, and, as a […]
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COVID-19 outbreaks prompt hospital HVAC audit
The Victorian Health and Human Services Building Authority has commissioned engineering assessments of the HVAC systems within wards dedicated to suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients at 20 hospital sites over the next eight weeks. The assessment will work with health services to verify airflow rates, effectiveness of ventilation strategies adopted by hospitals, and any adjustments […]
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Victoria gets view of professional registration act
Work continues in Victoria on the implementation of the Professional Engineers Registration Act 2019, which will come into operation on July 1, 2021. The scheme will apply to engineers providing professional engineering services in and for Victoria in the areas of mechanical, electrical, fire safety, civil and structural engineering. Public consultation opens on August 26 […]
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RAC apprentices on hold for driving licences
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) is calling for refrigeration and air conditioning apprentices to be prioritised among those waiting for driver licence tests. In Victoria, COVID-19 restrictions have led to the suspension of driver’s licence testing in Victoria, resulting in a backlog of almost 30,000 applicants. This includes refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) trade apprentices, […]
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New CEO for Sustainability Victoria
Claire Ferres Miles has been appointed CEO for Sustainability Victoria. A government entity, Sustainability Victoria supports Victorian businesses and communities to reduce waste, act on climate change, improve recycling, and to use resources wisely. In the past it has offered funds for HVAC upgrades and run refrigeration masterclasses around the state. “All Victorians are seeking […]
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Professional registration bill passed
The Victorian parliament has passed legislation to introduce compulsory registration of engineers. The move is in line with the recommendations of the Building Confidence implementation plan, which seeks to restore the public’s trust in Australia’s building industry. Top priority in the plan is a consistent national approach to the registration of those involved in the […]
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Cladding safety plan unveiled
The Victorian government has announced a plan to replace combustible cladding. But the proposed approach has not met with support from all quarters. Earlier this month, the Victorian Cladding Taskforce delivered its report. It contains the results of audits performed on buildings in Victoria. Combustible cladding: state of play The report notes that although some […]
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VEU program targets gas bills and emissions
The Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program helps businesses and households cut power bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It does this by providing access to discounted energy-efficient products and services. Six new gas efficiency activities were recently added to the program, which provides access to energy-saving products through accredited providers. The activities can be undertaken by […]
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Plumbers bid to take over RAC?
The Victorian government is currently considering a proposal for mechanical services plumbers to install and service multi-head air conditioning systems. Last year, the Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning (DELWP) reviewed and revised regulations on plumbing work. Following the review, a series of projects were established to further examine different aspects of the regulations. […]
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Professional registration on track in Victoria
Victoria’s Legislative Assembly has passed the Professional Engineers Registration Bill 2019. The legislation, modelled closely on the existing Queensland Professional Engineers Act, is intended to fulfill the government’s 2014 goal to introduce a mandatory, statutory registration scheme, and work with other jurisdictions to develop a nationally consistent registration scheme for engineers. “The government remains determined […]
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Victoria pledges $2 million to refrigeration training
The Victorian Department of Industry and Training has granted nearly $2,000,000 toward improving skills and education opportunities in the refrigeration industry. GOTAFE, Bendigo Kangan Institute and industry representatives CA Group Services applied for funding to complete a number of projects. And on March 15, the Hon. Gayle Tierney, Minister for Training and Skills, and Higher […]
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DELWP releases new plumbing regulations
The Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has released draft Plumbing Regulations and a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) for public consultation. The new regulations are the result of the early public consultation phase that occurred in March 2017 and the subsequent targeted consultation process. Key changes proposed include: Additional experience requirements for […]
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Victoria announces free TAFE courses
As part of its 2018/19 budget, the Victorian state government has announced it will invest $172 million to make a selection of TAFE priority courses free from 2019 onwards. “Across the state, 30 priority TAFE and 18 pre-apprenticeship courses will be made free, with courses focusing on the skills our state needs,” read a press […]