Solar Photovoltaic (PV) electricity systems are part of Australia's energy supply matrix. In the case of New South Wales (NSW), the state government has had to deal with a complex policy problem. In order to play its role in the federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, the NSW government initiated the 7 year Solar Bonus Scheme in 2010. However, in attempting to maximise community investment in small-scale solar PV systems, it relied on faulty financial modelling that applied a generous Feed-in Tariff (FiT) and underestimated the level of investor participation and installed capacity. Consequently, the scheme has resulted in very high public costs that will require policy changes that bring investors and energy retailers into conflict, and unpopular electricity retail price adjustments. This paper uses a structured case and stakeholder analysis to critically analyse the FiT policy, while also highlighting important lessons for policymakers engaging in FiT design.

Public participation in environmental policy development offers governments and private organizations opportunities to gather community views and test policy instruments and solutions. In this study, a concept mapping analysis of 1702 online comments from 344 individuals has been undertaken to determine the balance between climate change debate and policy development, and some of the major issues surrounding policy implementation. The results show that counterproductive and intolerant climate science debate, opposing political party policy alignments, and disagreement on policy implementation serve as impediments in developing workable climate change policy. The research also exposes how individuals can 'hijack' the online discussion forums in attempts to further their own agendas. This suggests that online forums might be better designed to integrate with the larger policy development system.

The Sustainable Development (SD) of capital and regional cities is one of the most pressing challenges facing Australia. In this study, we analysed the collective views of 226 individuals and public and private organizations to determine SD pathways for cities. Our analysis of 1712 stakeholder statements showed that deficiencies in infrastructure investment, climate change resistant and environmentally harmonized developments, integrated transport networks, land use patterns and SD governance present ongoing challenges and opportunities for governments and communities. Critically, our analysis suggests that an estimated A$400-755 billion infrastructure underinvestment over past economic cycles, tight financial conditions and noted shortcomings in multi-level SD governance will likely see pathway realizations delayed by several years into the future.

High annual volumes of television and computer waste presents a challenge to Australian communities, resulting in the development of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation. This study aims to establish, through the use of public interest theory, whether EPR legislation in Australia was in the public interest. Using a regulatory analysis, the results show that during the first 3 years of the scheme, over 130 liable parties joined co-regulatory arrangements each year to fund upstream recycling services for television and computer waste. In program terms, the scheme has been highly successful recycling over 130,000 tonnes of metals, leaded and non-leaded glass, plastics and other materials while limiting landfill transfers to approximately 6900 tonnes, all at a cost of A$50-60 million per annum to producers. The scheme has also seen a range of upstream recycling partnerships established between the co-regulated administrators and formal technical and social enterprise waste management organizations. However, while the upstream material recovery rate is steady at approximately 95%, the results suggests that exporting waste for downstream processing will continue in the future. Analysis also points to substantial funding for 'over target' collections, downstream recycling infrastructure and landfill diversion strategies as critical for averting severe environmental impacts from e-Waste dumping. The study concludes by suggesting that while the successes of EPR scheme are in the public interest, its potential deficiencies could limit such benefits and therefore need to be addressed. Notably, the scheme could be enhanced through the application of improved recycling target methodologies, including the estimation and forecasting of domestic Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) stock levels.