Publication (Media): CRC researchers work to keep our beaches clean and climate cool

Publication Type:	Media Release
Publication Name:	CRC researchers work to keep our beaches clean and climate cool

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Lawrence, Ian (2002) CRC researchers work to keep our beaches clean and climate cool - Jan 13 2002, CRCFE, Canberra - Media Release.

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Please find following the third in our series of Summer media releases

Clean beaches and "cool" summer days
CRC researchers work to keep our beaches clean and climate cool
For immediate release, Sunday January 13 2002

CRC researchers are working to ensure your visit to the beach these
holidays is pleasant - clean water, and summer days that are not too hot.

One of the big issues being tackled is climate change brought on by
greenhouse gas emissions and possibly leading to those unexpected
sweltering hot days.

The CRC for Clean Power from Lignite has developed a process for removing
up to 80 percent of the water from brown coal before it is burnt for
electricity.

"Even removing 50 percent of the water from brown coal can lead to
reductions in carbon dioxide emissions of 15 percent," says Dr David
Brockway, Chief Executive Officer of the CRC.

"Five power generating companies in Victoria's Latrobe Valley and in South
Australia are working with us on a $29 million project to bring this new
technology into commercial application."

In other research, the CRC for Mining Technology and Equipment has
developed a method for extracting methane from coal beds inexpensively and
safely.

"Methane is an environmentally-friendly energy source that has been
hazardous and commercially unattractive to extract until now," says Dr Mike
Hood, Chief Executive Officer of the CRC. "Our new technique, known as
tight-radius drilling, will enable industry to extract the vast amounts of
methane contained in Australia's coal deposits safely from the ground
surface."

Meanwhile, the Australian Petroleum CRC is looking at ways of storing or
"sequestering" carbon dioxide underground as a way of getting the levels in
the atmosphere down.

"Our research with industry has shown that we may be able to story large
amounts of carbon dioxide in deep underground saline geological formations
for long periods of time," says Dr Peter Cook, Executive Director of the
CRC. "We are now looking at ways this can be done economically while still
make a significant contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gases in our
atmosphere."

In further revolutionary research, the Australian CRC for Renewable Energy
is working to develop and demonstrate a world competitive range of
lightweight, transportable, low maintenance and high efficient wind
turbines. These are being designed for generating power in remote areas as
a replacement for dirty noisy diesel generators that produce greenhouse gases.

Down at the beach, the Coastal CRC is recommending an 'Estuaries of
National Significance' program be developed by the Commonwealth, States and
local councils to protect and manage estuaries, where bodies of fresh water
meet and mingle with the sea.

"Our national survey of estuary users shows people know little or nothing
about issues affecting estuaries, or even that these areas do suffer from
human activity and planning neglect," says Tim Smith, researcher with the
Coastal CRC. "The program we recommend would provide financial assistance
for priority protection, restoration and planning projects for estuaries.

"Considering Australia has more than 970 tropical and temperate estuaries,
including bays, inlets, river mouths, mudflats, wetlands, mangroves and
salt marshes, this is a very important step in managing waterways and
ensuring the future health of our beaches and bays."

Meanwhile, the CRC for Catchment Hydrology and other scientists are
providing technical support for changes in urban design and other measures
to protect our waterways and bays from stormwater pollution, saving
government millions of dollars in cleaning water before it hits the beaches.

"We have developed innovative practices collectively known as the Water
Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) approach for an individual house or an entire
suburb," says CRC Director, Professor Russell Mein.

These new ways of dealing with suburban stormwater runoff include a series
of linked gravel-filled, vegetated channels along wide nature strips
designed to absorb and filter the stormwater, shallow grass channels and
constructed wetlands.

"The WSUD practices can remove up to 80 percent of phosphorus, 60 percent
of nitrogen and 90 percent of suspended solids from urban stormwater before
it enters the main drainage system," Professor Mein says.

And still working from the suburbs, concrete stormwater pipes and channels
in urban areas are being replaced with features such as ponds and wetlands,
as a result of CRC for Freshwater Ecology research.

"The past separate treatment of water supply, stormwater, and waste water
is now giving way to an integrated approach where stormwater is seen as a
valuable resource," says CRC scientist Ian Lawrence. "Introducing these
water features makes great financial sense, with blocks fronting on to a
pond, wetland or vegetated waterway often doubling in value.

"It also provides the community with a variety of social, recreational and
economic benefits, while bringing back plant and wildlife habitats for a
better environment."

For more information and interview contact:
Dr David Brockway, CRC for Clean Power from Lignite phone 03 9239 0800 or
0418 543 985
Prof Paul Lever, CRC Mining Technology and Equipment, phone 07 3365 5982 or
0418 191 805
Dr Peter Cook, Australian Petroleum CRC, phone 02 6200 3366, 0419 490 044
Dr Frank Reid, Australian CRC for Renewable Energy, phone 08 9360 6620,
0409 372 443
Professor Russell Mein, CRC for Catchment Hydrology, phone 03 9905 2940
Dr Ian Lawrence, CRC for Freshwater Ecology, phone 02 6201 5371,
Tim Smith, Coastal CRC, phone 07 3875 5176

FOR MEDIA ASSISTANCE - Jenni Metcalfe of Econnect Communication mobile 040
855 1866 or phone 07 3846 7144

*****************************
Dr Anne Campbell
Executive Manager
CRC Association Inc : ABN 42 892 101 689
RSISE Building, Cnr North & Daley Roads
The Australian National University,
CANBERRA ACT 0200
Phone: 02 6125 8835 Fax: 02 6125 8836 Email: crca@crca.asn.au
Web site: http://www.crca.asn.au

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