Green category
Presented by QER.
Winner
Representing this project (left to right): Gary Kong, Emma Colson, Michael Thompson
Digital Diagnostics
Crop Protection Systems
Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation
The Remote Microscope Diagnostics network, together with the Plant Biosecurity Toolbox and Pest Diseases Image Library, is the world leader in providing time sensitive and accessible information on outbreaks of exotic plant pests and diseases through web based diagnostic resources.
The toolbox contains diagnostic information on emergency plant pests and will eventually cover all known pests of importance to Australia. Information ranges from basic biology to molecular and taxonomic methods, meeting the needs of industry, scientists and government.
Recently, the web-based network had 1.5 million visitors from 182 countries within three months. The network portal is already linked to more than 30 camera microscopes and enables remote diagnostics of biosecurity threats from sites throughout Australia. The rowing remote microscopes service is structured to deal with each information request immediately or direct it to a national expert, putting Australia at the forefront of technology-based biosecurity support.
Highly Commended
Representing this project (left to right): Shawn Darr, Robert Hassett, Michelle Hopgood, Michael Cannon
Implementation of the Delbessie Agreement – Engaging and Serving Communities
Rural Leasehold Land Officer Assessment Teams
Department of Environment and Resource Management
The Delbessie Agreement (or State Rural Leasehold Land Strategy) is a partnership between the Queensland Government, AgForce and the Australian Rainforest Conservation Society. The agreement looks to support the productive primary industry and meet natural resource management challenges.
The agreement engages lessees through land condition assessment and negotiation of land management agreements. Rural Leasehold Land Officer assessment teams have successfully implemented the agreement, completed 139 land condition assessments and negotiated 86 land management agreements. The outcomes from the agreements have improved environmental awareness and support of rural communities and sustainability of grazing systems within the state’s leasehold land.
Finalists
Representing this project (left to right): John Martinkovic, Jennifer Black, Catherine George, Katherine Cooper.
ClimateSmart Home Service
Community Programs, Office of Climate Change
Department of Environment and Resource Management
The ClimateSmart Home Service is the centrepiece of the Queensland Government’s efforts to reduce Queenslanders’ carbon footprint by one-third by 2020.
The two year, $60 million program, commenced in January 2009 and was so successful it was extended for two more years for a further $60 million.
More than 270,000 Queenslanders have enjoyed using this service and are estimated to have reduced their carbon footprint by over 680,000 tonnes of emissions and saved over $115 million on their power bills.
For the price of just $50, until 30 June 2011, the service included:
- in-home energy assessment by a qualified electrician
- installation of a household energy monitor, up to 15 compact fluorescent bulbs and water efficient showerhead
- customised power and water savings plan
- access to an online portal.
Representing this project (left to right): Henry Olszowy, Tatiana Komarova
Development and application of the diffusive gradients in thin films technique (DGT) for the measurement of dissolved metals in water: DGT versus active sampling
Inorganic Chemistry Division, Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services
Queensland Health
DGT can be used to monitor the concentrations of biologically harmful toxic heavy metals in areas of ecological concern such as industrial or mining spillage into sensitive wetlands, creeks or rivers.
DGTs are made from inexpensive materials. They do not require long preparation, power source or active sampling equipment at deployment or intensive clean up and extraction after retrieval.
The accumulated data revealed heavy metal contamination of waters and tracked the contamination to the sources. This would be very difficult, time consuming and more expensive to achieve using any conventional active sampling techniques. The work created extensive interest from environmental authorities and allowed the Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services to initiate a new commercial activity.
All photos taken by Hugh O’Brien.
