Strategic advice

Nuclear power may be an option for Australia in the coming decades, potentially occupying a supportive niche, providing dispatchable power in a high-renewables grid. While not presupposing the suitability of nuclear power for Australia, ATSE suggests that all technology options should be considered as part of Australia’s urgent decarbonisation project.

Waste materials can be used as vital feedstock for manufacturing, and emerging technologies are helping to increase the range of products that can be recycled and remanufactured to develop new products, including traditionally hard to recycle products.

Engineers Australia and ATSE support a review of energy planning and regulation. Energy planning and regulation must balance the power systems' physical requirements, the best interests of the end users and market considerations.

Clean water is critical to Closing the Gap in health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Access to secure, reliable and safe drinking water is essential to human health and well-being and is recognised by the United Nations as a human right. Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have inadequate drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) accessibility.

Our submission to the National Energy Workforce Strategy makes 5 major recommendations. ATSE calls for a national strategy to increase cooperation and integration of vocational education into high schools and universities, as well as investment in clean energy job in communities built around coal and gas.

ATSE welcomes the Australian Government’s commitment to renew the 2004 National Water Initiative with a National Water Agreement (NWA) to modernise Australia’s water management framework.

ATSE’s submission to the Australian Government Drought Plan makes four recommendations to help support the agricultural sector and local communities. The submission argues that the best drought strategy is to prepare for and mitigate drought risks before droughts hit. ATSE argues that government support should be focused on drought mitigation and preparation and planning is in place for other natural disasters.

The Universities Accord has outlined the generational reforms needed for the higher education sector, with deep engagement from stakeholders to outline a vision and a pathway towards the higher education system that Australia needs.

This issue of IMPACT showcases Australian experts at the heart of the breakthroughs we need to create healthy communities and thriving environments.