General

Kite’s Amazing Milestone: 1 Million animals under our care!

Katestone’s newly released Kite has just reached the Milestone of 1 million animals under its care. Kite is Katestone’s Weather Risk Management Platform. Katestone Managing Director, Christine Killip is grateful for the fantastic support of the cattle feedlot industry.   “I’d like to thank the feedlots for their overwhelming support of our service. I never…

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Kite Feedlot Media Release

Get ready for summer with improved heat load tool   Australian feedlots now have access to a modernised, expanded heat load tool, based on the highly respected Cattle Heat Load Toolbox, or Katestone as it is often referred to.   Kite Feedlot is an online weather risk management system built on Katestone’s long-standing methodology which…

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2021 International Day of Clean Air for blue skies

Written by Plistina Almeida and Simon Welchman   This years’ theme to celebrate the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies is ‘Healthy Air, Healthy Planet”. As Katestone’s vision is Clear Skies for our clients and communities now and for future generations around the world, we thought we would delve into the real meaning…

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QLD’s EIS Generic Terms of Reference (ToR) amended to give more importance to Climate and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Written by Plistina Almeida and Simon Welchman   The American Meteorological Association defines Climate Change as any systematic change in the long-term statistics of climate elements sustained over several decades or longer. The most obvious evidence of Climate Change in the world is undoubtedly the global warming, which is led by an increase in the…

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Does the Ambient Air Quality NEPM Update apply to your application?

On 15 April 2021, the National Environment Protection Council (NEPC) approved the variation to the Ambient Air Quality National Environment Protection Measure (AAQ NEPM or Air NEPM) standards for ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2).  The variation tightens standards that have been in place for 23 years.   In 1998, the Air…

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When is odour sampling necessary or useful?

Written by Plistina Almeida and Simon Welchman   People don’t realise that odour is a very common environmental concern that is the subject of much research and environmental regulation. Whilst odours are not normally harmful to health, they can have a significant negative impact on a community.   Odour is inherent to some industries such…

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Are the zero emissions from electric vehicles really zero?

Written by Plistina Almeida and Simon Welchman   In Australia, more than 55% of NOx and 12.9% of PM2.5 emissions to air that are caused by human activities are due to motor vehicle traffic. Higher concentrations of these pollutants tend to occur in the morning and evening because peak traffic volumes can coincide with times…

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Air Quality and Meteorological Monitoring Gaining Ground for Approvals

Written by Plistina Almeida and Simon Welchman   Approvals and environmental licenses now routinely include conditions requiring periodic or ongoing air quality and meteorological monitoring.  Air quality is commonly a key factor when it comes to the go-ahead of large developments in Australia.   Typically, air quality impact assessment studies are used to assess proposed…

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How can strategic planning be used to avoid air quality impacts?

Written by Plistina Almeida and Simon Welchman   A common misconception that can lead to intractable land-use conflicts is that air quality impacts do not occur beyond the boundary of a site.  Whilst this may seem like a naive assertion to those with experience in air quality issues, it is common and may stem from…

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Pros and cons for air quality of waste-to-energy

Written by Plistina Almeida and Simon Welchman   Waste-to-Energy (WtE/W2E) or Energy-from-Waste (EfW) facilities have faced historical resistance. The potential of WtE as an alternative energy source is gaining momentum including the recent introduction of the Energy from Waste Policy in NSW.   W2E relies on a range of proven and emerging technologies that have…

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