STAKEHOLDER input is being sought on how best to integrate solar and energy storage into electricity networks to help ensure quality and reliability of supply and lower household power bills.

Released today by Energy Networks Australia and the Australian Energy Market Operator, the Open Energy Networks Consultation Paper proposes options for improving the electricity system to ensure household solar and storage work in harmony and deliver the most value for all customers.

Energy Networks Australia CEO Andrew Dillon said the consultation built on the work of the joint CSIRO-Energy Networks Australia Electricity Network Transformation Roadmap, released in 2017.

“The huge uptake of rooftop solar systems and the increasing growth of both household batteries and electric vehicles poses great opportunity but also significant technical challenges for the distribution and transmission of electricity,” he said.

“This is changing how our energy system has been designed to work for more than a century - from a centralised one-way flow of electricity to consumer to a decentralised system where many households feed power back into the grid.

“Until now, our distribution networks have done a remarkable job as a sponge, soaking up all this solar generation and managing the growing two-way flows.

“However, parts of our networks already can’t handle any more solar and as many of the early adopters also install batteries and buy electric vehicles, we will see major electricity flows that reverse in a millisecond that could cause major problems.”

Mr Dillon said effective management or ‘optimisation’ of a decentralised energy system would not only support its safe and reliable integration into the grid, but also unlock the true value of customer investment in these resources.

“If no action is taken, it will be bad news for everyone, especially consumers,” Mr Dillon said.

“Electricity quality may degrade, with volatile voltage reducing the lifespan of appliances, investment in solar or batteries may take longer to repay as customers are constrained in the amount of electricity they can put back into the grid or they may not even be allowed to connect a new rooftop system if their local area is saturated.

“Without a proper management framework, it also could mean distributors are forced to make costly investments in infrastructure that would push up network charges in household power bills.”

Mr Dillon said there were significant financial benefits to be gained from optimising solar and storage resources.

“The Roadmap identified that getting this optimisation right could avoid some $14 billion worth of investment and ultimately lower household electricity bills by more than $400 a year,” he said.

“Optimising the local grid to get solar and storage working in harmony with the system will maximise value for all. The question we are consulting on is how we best make this happen.”

The paper is available here.

Consultation is open until 3 August, 2018.

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DEFENCE is inviting Australian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to submit proposals for new technologies to protect Australian small, fixed-wing unmanned aerial systems (UAS) by making them harder to detect.

Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne said this was another opportunity for SMEs to contribute innovative solutions to enhance Defence capability.

“Australian SMEs are great innovators and we want them to put forward innovative concepts to protect our UAS from being readily seen or heard in different environmental conditions,” Minister Pyne said.

“Defence is looking for outcomes to reduce both the visual and acoustic detection of UAS from ground-based observation without disrupting the operation of the aircraft.

"UASs are used for intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance and especially in situations where manned flight is considered too risky. Having the ability to remain undetected conveys significant tactical advantages for such operations.  

"These proposals are being invited under the Small Business Innovation Research for Defence (SBIRD) initiative of the Next Generation Technologies Fund.

“This program is designed to stimulate innovative research for Defence application by SMEs with this being the first project under the initiative requiring a novel application of material sciences and advanced sensors.”

Funded proposals will be eligible for up to $100,000, for completion within nine months.

If successful, SMEs will then be eligible to apply for funding to support further research and concept maturation within 24 months, with maximum funding of $750,000.

”I look forward to a strong response from SMEs and cutting-edge solutions in their proposals,” Mr Pyne said.

Further information about the SBIRD program and how to submit proposals for this project is available from the Centre for Defence Industry Capability website: https://www.business.gov.au/centre-for-defence-industry-capability

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FUTURE State Budget surpluses are under threat if monopoly rail operator Aurizon continues with its plans to halt the movement of up to 20 million tonnes of coal each year for the next four years, Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said.

Mr Macfarlane said Aurizon told the Australian Stock Exchange in March its action to change rail maintenance practices on the Central Queensland Coal Network would impact on the movement of up to 20 million tonnes of coal per annum.

“Based on that impact, the Queensland Resources Council expects up to $500 million in reduced royalties to the Palaszczuk Government each year. Over four years, the lost royalties could be up to $2 billion. While there was reference to a likely impact of Aurizon’s action in the Budget papers, there was no estimate of the damage,” he said.

In her Budget reply speech to State Parliament, Liberal National Party Leader Deb Frecklington made the very important point that all Queenslanders would pay the cost of Aurizon’s actions.

Ms Frecklington said: “Our royalties are being threatened with a $2 billion hit because of Aurizon’s dispute with the Queensland Competition Authority.”

Mr Macfarlane said the lost royalties to the Queensland Government would mean less funds to reinvest in services and infrastructure for all Queenslanders.

“If Aurizon continued with its threat to stop these tonnages of coal, the wafer-thin budget surpluses of $148 million next financial year (2018-19), the $160 million in 2019-20 and only $110 million in 2020-21 would be quickly wiped out,” Mr Macfarlane said.

www.qrc.org.au

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BRISBANE employers looking to boost worker productivity should consider using more of one of the world’s oldest and most sustainable materials in their office fit-outs: wood.

Associate Professor Jacki Schirmer of the University of Canberra – who will be speaking at the Green Building Day conference in Brisbane today – said that was a key take-out from a recent survey of 1000 indoor Australian workers.

The research provides fresh evidence to underpin the business case for biophilia – the principle that exposure to nature increases human wellbeing, she said.

The study found that the more natural looking wooden surfaces workers could see from their workstation, the higher their workplace satisfaction and wellbeing – affording significant potential benefits to productivity.

However, the research paints a bleak picture of workers’ current access to nature at work with less than half (47%) enjoying access to natural light, only two in five (38%) being able to see indoor plants, a quarter (26%) unable to see any natural looking wooden surfaces and almost half (46%) spending less than an hour outdoors on work days.

Dr Schirmer said the results of the survey by strategic market research firm Pollinate held true even after rigorous analysis that controlled for factors known to impact on the wellbeing of workers such as age, income, gender and workplace culture.

“We are always looking for ways to improve health and wellbeing, and this research points to ways we can achieve that in the places many people spend a lot of their time – the workplace," Dr Schirmer said.

“The work has implications for businesses, because a large body of research has shown that workers who are more satisfied with their work and have higher wellbeing have better work productivity, and reduced rates of absenteeism – which means improving worker wellbeing has real benefits for businesses.”

Over 80 percent of workers (82%) exposed to eight or more wooden surfaces in their workplace reported being ‘satisfied or very satisfied’ with work, compared to over two thirds (69%) exposed to five to seven wooden surfaces and half (53%) with no wooden surfaces.

Employees working in offices with natural wooden surfaces on average also reported higher personal productivity, mood, concentration, clarity, confidence and optimism.

The effect on wellbeing was greatest when wood was used in combination with other natural elements such as plants, water features and natural light.

Dr Schirmer said: “We know it’s good for us to spend time outdoors interacting with nature, but with people spending so much time indoors, there’s increasing recognition of the potential benefits of bringing nature into the workplace and the home.

“The academic world is becoming increasingly switched on to biophilia as an area warranting real research and attention, and some engineering degrees are starting to include it as a subject.

“Importantly, wood is a particularly useful tool for bringing nature into the workplace in situations where it is not feasible to retro-fit other changes, such as increased natural light.”

Time and location of talk:

Associate Professor Jacki Schirmer will discuss the findings at the Green Building Day in Brisbane at Green Building Day at Aurecon Level 14, 32 Turbot St, Brisbane.

About the study:

A representative sample of 1000 Australian indoor workers participated in the research.

Survey participants were asked about the natural elements they could see from their workspace, including the number and type of natural wooden-looking objects they could see. They were also asked about the presence of other things that affect the wellbeing of workers, including noise levels, access to natural light, and their workplace culture. Finally, they were asked to self-rate their wellbeing, workplace satisfaction and personal distress using validated measures that are used worldwide to assess wellbeing, health and mental health disorders.

Over two thirds of indoor workers surveyed were in an office, with the remainder split between shops and factories/warehouses.

The study was funded by Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA), which had no input on the structure of the study.

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AUSTRALIA's exporters will be awarded for their work creating jobs and driving economic growth at the 56th Australian Export Awards. 

Nominations are now open for the 2018 awards program and all Australian exporters, large and small are eligible to enter. 

There are 13 categories including Digital Technologies, e-Commerce, Health and Biotechnology, Regional Exporting, Small Business and Emerging Exporters.

Australia's exporters make a substantial contribution to our economy. Last year, the Australian Export Awards' 77 national finalists generated more than $3.9 billion in export sales in 2016-17 and employed more than 31,000 people.

This year's event will again feature the Investment Award, honouring an international company or joint venture making a long-term contribution to Australia's economy. Introduced in 2016, this Award recognises businesses that are creating jobs, cultivating innovation and facilitating Australian industry expansion within global supply chains.

Australia's exporters are enjoying unprecedented access to the world as the Turnbull Government pursues Australia's most ambitious trade agenda. 

Earlier this year the Coalition concluded the TPP-11, which aims to eliminate more than 98 per cent of tariffs in a trade zone with a combined GDP of $13.7 trillion, and this month we will launch negotiations for a trade agreement with the European Union. 

These agreements build on the north Asian trade agreements the Coalition secured with China, Japan and Korea. 

The Australian Governemnt is focused on creating new opportunities for Australian exporters so they can sell more of their products and services to the world and employ more Australians. 

Award winners will be announced at the Australian Export Awards in Canberra in December. The awards are co-presented by Austrade and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

www.exportawards.gov.au

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QUEENSLAND'S coal industry is making a record contribution to the State Budget to deliver funding for Queensland infrastructure and vital services, like health and education, Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said. 
 
Mr Macfarlane said the resources sector was delivering for Treasurer Jackie Trad’s first Budget with coal royalties a record $3.768 billion for 2017-18 and overall royalties including minerals and LNG climbing to $4.327 billion. The Budget forecasts total royalties to increase to $4.458 billion in 2018-19 with a boost in royalties expected from petroleum and minerals. Coal royalties are projected to contribute $3.522 billion in 2018-19.
 
The 2018-19 Budget royalties windfall for the Palaszczuk Government is much greater than the Budget handed down last year, which projected coal royalties to be $2.432 billion and a total royalties of $2.989 billion.
 
“I’m pleased to say those high-vis workers are the highlights in the Budget.  The 280,000 men and women working in the resources sector are delivering for five million Queenslanders,” he said.
 
“Every Queenslander – regardless of where they call home – shares in the wealth of the sector through royalties paid to the Government. These royalties go to schools, hospitals and roads in the south-east of Queensland.
 
“On top of the billions of dollars in royalties paid by the sector, resources jobs continue to be a mainstay of employment and economic growth in Queensland, ensuring that every Queenslander benefits from this great industry.
 
“If the sector is to continue to deliver for Queenslanders it needs certainty and I thank the Treasurer for her commitment to not change royalty rates in this Budget and call on Ms Trad for an ongoing commitment to royalty stability."
 
Mr Macfarlane said the Queensland resources sector "now provided one in every $6 dollars in the Queensland economy, sustains one in eight Queensland jobs, and supports more than 16,400 businesses across the State – with almost 7000 businesses in the Greater Brisbane region – all from 0.1 percent of Queensland’s land mass".

www.qrc.org.au

WITH RECENT LAW changes setting clear expectations that franchisors need to consider how to prevent exploitation of workers, the Fair Work Ombudsman has launched a new resource providing practical advice to assist franchisors to promote sustained workplace compliance in their networks.
 
In a speech to the Franchise Advisory Centre’s Franchise Management Forum yesterday, Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James launched the Guide to promoting workplace compliance in your franchise network yesterday and emphasised the steps a franchisor can take to prevent workplace issues and avoid liability.
 
“A franchisor sets the tone for its network and needs to consider the capability and sophistication of its franchisees in managing its risks and deciding how to go about providing franchisee support,” Ms James said.
 
“The law states a franchise will not be liable for underpayments where it can show it has taken ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent this from occurring.
 
“The term ‘reasonable’ by its very nature requires that the particular business and its circumstances determine the expectations and the sorts of actions required, and this is where the Guide is a great resource.”
 
The Guide outlines useful strategies that head franchisors can implement to promote compliance with workplace laws in their networks.
 
“Workplace compliance is a compulsory requirement for any business,” Ms James said.
 
“The Guide will be useful for franchisors of all shapes and sizes. It sets out four practical steps franchisors should be taking, and recommends a variety of strategies to help franchisors manage their workplace compliance risks now and into the future.”
 
The Guide provides advice about how franchisors can work with their franchisees to:

• set expectations;
• educate and train;
• monitor compliance; and
• take further action.

Specifically, the Guide includes:

• information about the new laws that apply to franchisors;
• practical steps franchisors can take to promote workplace compliance in their networks, including tips from leading businesses;
• real life case studies to illustrate best practice approaches to compliance with workplace laws;
• a checklist that businesses can use to assess and benchmark their current practices; and
• advice about where franchisors can access more information.

In her speech, Ms James emphasised how several key franchise brands had learned “after things went wrong for them” that ensuring compliance in a network is an investment, not a cost.
 
“Brands that have invested in compliance have found this to be a small price to pay in comparison with negative brand coverage, market cap deterioration and a whole host of legal and accounting problems with franchisees down the track,” Ms James said.
 
“I have said again and again that certain markets are higher risk than others and have identified the characteristics that feature repetitively in systemic non-compliance: low skill work, labour intensive sectors, high levels of vulnerable workers and tight profit margins.
 
“Franchisors can choose to work with us to be a part of the solution, or choose to roll the dice. We hope that together with knowledge of their network and the dynamics of the market, this new guidance will support franchisors to assess their risks and make choices in the interests of their business and brand going forward.”
 
“If they haven’t already, franchisors should also strongly consider demonstrating their public commitment to compliance by entering in to a compliance partnership with the Fair Work Ombudsman.”
 
Located at www.fairwork.gov.au/franchisors, the Guide is part of a suite of resources to help franchisors understand and comply with the new laws designed to protect vulnerable workers.
 
Employers and employees seeking assistance can visit www.fairwork.gov.au or call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94. An interpreter service is available on 13 14 50. Information on the website can be translated into 40 languages.

Resources available on the website include the Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT), which provides advice about pay, shift, leave and redundancy entitlements and there are templates for pay slips and time-and-wages records.

Employers and employees can also sign up to remain informed and receive tailored information by registering for a free Fair Work Ombudsman My Account.

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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has teamed up with various retail associations including the Australian Lottery and Newsagents’ Association (ALNA), Master Grocers Australia (MGA Independent Retailers) and the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) to identify the growing problem of tobacco-related organised crime across Australia.

Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the ARA, said KPMG LLP’s Illicit Tobacco in Australia 2017 Full Year Report has shown a significant increase in the proportion of illicit tobacco consumption in the last year.

“According to the recent report, total illicit tobacco consumption rose from 14.3 percent in 2016 to 15 percent in 2017, costing the government $1.91 billion in excise,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“This rise in illicit tobacco consumption means almost $2 billion a year goes to criminals and gangs, instead of the vital government services which could improve our community and overall economy.”

The ARA, ALNA, MGA Independent Retailers and AACS have teamed up to support their workers in the industry and reduce the effects illicit tobacco is having on retailers across the country and the community as a whole.

“KPMG LLP’s report is further evidence that organised tobacco crime is at crisis point in Australia and the government must intervene,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“The increase in illicit tobacco consumption means there are more and more crime gangs in the tobacco market and it is becoming a growing and dangerous trade in Australia.”

With the retail industry employing over 1.2 million retail workers in Australia, Mr Zimmerman said frontline workers face the most danger as they are often left most vulnerable to crime and abuse.

“This is an enormous problem for businesses, and a serious issue for retail workers as we are seeing more and more break-ins from criminals who want to get their hands on tobacco products and sell them on the Black Market.”

Some gangs are also importing illicit tobacco from overseas, which can be more harmful than the actual product, and selling them on the streets to anyone who wants them, including young people,” Mr Zimmerman said.

Jos de Bruin, chief executive officer of MGA Independent Retailers agrees with the ARA, stating this new report highlights the significant impact illicit tobacco is having on independent retail.

“We estimate the growing crime epidemic is causing independent retailers across Australia a loss in sales of $200 million plus,”  Mr de Bruin said.

Therefore, the ARA iscalling on governments across Australia to step up their efforts in countering organised tobacco crime.

“Although the Federal Government has recently introduced a series of legislation to tackle his issue before Parliament, we believe Australia needs a coordinated national strategy, so all arms of governments are working together.

“All sides of government must take preventative measures and pass this legislation to ensure harsh penalties and eliminate this plague on the community once and for all,” Mr Zimmerman said.

About the Australian Retailers Association

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is Australia’s largest retail association, representing the country’s $310 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 million people. As Australia’s leading retail peak industry body, the ARA is a strong pro-active advocate for Australian retail and works to ensure retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 7,500 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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