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Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Surprise town Aussies are flocking to in new internal migration trend
A new favourite has emerged as the most sought-after regional hotspot for Australians relocating within the country as Aussies look for the best place to settle. Greater Geelong in Victoria has now overtaken Queensland's Sunshine Coast to become the country's most popular destination for internal movers, according to the latest Regional Movers Index (RMI). The Victorian city now claims 9.3 per cent of the nation's total net internal migration, nudging past the Sunshine Coast's 8.9 per cent share and ending its two-year reign at the top. The report, a partnership between the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) and the Commonwealth Bank, highlights a continued post-pandemic shift from cities to regional areas, with capital-to-regional moves up nearly 11 per cent from last quarter and 20.5 per cent higher than pre-Covid levels. The index focuses specifically on movement to and from regional areas, excluding capital cities like Sydney and Melbourne from the rankings. That means Geelong's top spot doesn't mean it drew more total movers than capital cities, but among all regional destinations, it had the largest share of net internal migration in the 12 months to March this year. The figure reflects the number of people moving into an area from elsewhere in Australia, minus those moving out, making it a strong indicator of growing popularity among those seeking a "regional lifestyle" while remaining relatively close to urban centres. RAI CEO Liz Ritchie said the data confirms a long-term trend. "The nation's love affair with regional life is showing no signs of abating," she said. "Contemporary regional Australia has what people are looking for... clichéd images and misconceptions about regional living are well and truly a thing of the past." Former Sydney resident Alanna is one of these regional movers; formerly a Sydney resident, she now resides on the Sunshine Coast. "For me, it's been the fact there's no traffic and (mostly) no issues with parking," Alanna said. "I don't know if I can ever return to a one-hour commute. "I love the lifestyle I can have with my partner, being able to live by the beach and having the beautiful hinterland close by. There are great camping spots and rivers to go boating and fishing on." Geelong's rise is part of a wider boom across regional Victoria, which attracted 34 per cent of all regional net inflows in the March quarter, up from 28 per cent a year earlier. The state also produced the two fastest-growing regional local government areas — Latrobe and Murrindindi. CBA Acting Executive General Manager Josh Foster said Geelong stood out for more than its location. "In a first for the RMI, Greater Geelong has become the star performer due to its idyllic location, established services and range of employment opportunities," he said. "This is underpinned by significant government and corporate investment in the region." The regional towns Aussies are fleeing to in droves Aussie couple's cost of living solution after ditching their 9 to 5s 'Alarming' new finding highlights harsh reality for struggling Aussies Major infrastructure projects like the Geelong Convention Centre and Barwon's Women and Children's Hospital are helping drive growth. The state government has set a housing target of 128,600 new dwellings in Geelong by 2051. Sydney continues to lead net capital city outflows (64 per cent), with regional NSW securing 40 per cent of total inflows. Queensland's regional share dipped to 17 per cent from 30 per cent last year, though the state remains attractive due to its climate and housing affordability. The Sunshine Coast still ranked second overall, while locations like the Gold Coast, Townsville and Fraser Coast remain strong magnets. Elsewhere, SA's Victor Harbour and WA's Denmark and Harvey also saw strong interest from movers. Ritchie called for greater government focus on sustaining this momentum. "There are big economic gains to be made by supporting, facilitating and nurturing growth across the regions," she said. "Those benefits can only be achieved by ensuring communities have the infrastructure, facilities and funding they need." Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
From discard to design: How brands are embracing sustainable electronics
In an era where the life cycle of gadgets is shrinking as fast as our attention spans, the pile of electronic waste or e-waste, is growing at an alarming pace. In 2022, the world generated a staggering 62 million tonnes of e-waste, according to the Global E-Waste Monitor 2024, a report 1 by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). Of this, only 22.3% was properly collected and recycled. India, the third-largest generator of e-waste globally, produced around 1.1 million tonnes, and the figure is expected to grow exponentially as smartphone, appliance, and electric vehicle usage continues to surge. But amid this grim data lies a flicker of innovation: a design revolution that's quietly reshaping how electronic devices are built and rebuilt. Designing for disassembly Gone are the days when sleek gadgets were sealed shut, their insides inaccessible without professional intervention. Today, more brands are adopting Design for Disassembly (DfD), an approach that enables products to be taken apart easily for repair, reuse, or recycling. This shift is driven not just by environmental concerns but also by growing consumer demand for more durable, repairable products. Tech companies, particularly in Europe and North America, are increasingly embracing modular design, where individual parts like batteries, screens, and cameras can be replaced without trashing the whole device. Even India is catching up. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has begun exploring circular design guidelines 2 , while the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is tightening Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) norms 3 , nudging brands to take ownership of a product's post-consumer phase. Sustainable materials, smarter choices Eco-conscious design isn't limited to modularity. Manufacturers are also rethinking the materials they use. Recycled aluminium, bio-plastics, reclaimed rare-earth metals, these are slowly becoming part of the electronics lexicon. Take circuit boards, for instance. Once deemed unrecyclable due to their composite materials, companies are now experimenting with biodegradable substrates and non-toxic soldering agents. Even packaging is undergoing a green makeover, with many firms switching to plastic-free, compostable alternatives. Closing the loop with circularity The big idea behind these design shifts is circularity, keeping materials in use for as long as possible. Startups and giants alike are launching take-back programmes, incentivising users to return old devices for refurbishing or recycling. Some firms are going a step further by integrating traceability tech like blockchain to map a gadget's life cycle from cradle to grave. What's particularly exciting is how sustainability is no longer a niche concern. It's becoming central to product strategy, thanks to informed consumers and a rising ecosystem of green design engineers and circularity consultants. Sustainability is no longer just about waste management, it's about smart, elegant design that balances performance with the planet. The India opportunity India's challenge is unique: a booming electronics market with relatively low awareness of formal e-waste disposal. A 2022 study by the Central Pollution Control Board revealed that over 90% of e-waste in India is processed by the informal sector, often in unsafe, unregulated conditions 4 . This not only harms the environment but also endangers workers' health. To address this, public-private partnerships are essential. They can bridge the gap between awareness and action, especially in urban centres where consumption is highest. A step in the right direction One such initiative is Project E-Waste, a collaboration between Mercedes-Benz India and SACH India, aimed at creating awareness and driving responsible e-waste disposal practices. While just a drop in the ocean, such efforts are crucial in shifting mindsets and setting benchmarks for other stakeholders to follow. In the end, the path from discard to design is not just about innovation. It's about intention. In a world hurtling towards tech-saturation, the most futuristic gadget may well be the one that knows how to deconstruct itself. References:
The Star
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
FBM KLCI slips, ending three-day winning streak as banks weigh
KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI ended its three-day winning streak by finishing lower on Thursday, as banking counters weighed amid the bearish performance of regional markets. The 30-stock index closed down 10.49 points, or 0.66%, at 1,573.02. During the day, it reached a high of 1,586.85 and a low of 1,572.27 points. Across the broader market, decliners outnumbered advancers 626 to 459, with 3.71 billion shares worth RM2.74bil transacted. Among FBM KLCI constituents, 21 counters fell, outweighing the eight gainers, while one counter remained unchanged. Maybank fell 10 sen to RM10.10, pushing the index down by 1.7126 points, while CIMB declined eight sen to RM7.16, dragging the index lower by 1.2190 points. Public Bank slid two sen to RM4.51, nudging the index down by 0.5503 points. RHB Bank fell nine sen to RM6.69 while Hong Leong Bank added eight sen to RM20.28. On the broader market, Kluang Rubber fell 40 sen to RM5.56, BLD Plantations slid 20 sen to RM11 and United Plantations declined 16 sen to RM22.32. Among the gainers, Malaysian Pacific Industries rose 38 sen to RM21.70, Heineken added 32 sen to RM27.82, Carlsberg gained 28 sen to RM19.44 and Batu Kawan climbed 12 sen to RM19.02. Meanwhile, the ringgit was quoted at 4.2870, gaining 0.1% against the US dollar and 0.11% against the Singapore dollar, which stood at 3.3041. Regional markets closed lower, with Japan's Nikkei 225 down 0.98%, South Korea's Kospi falling 0.73%, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng slipping 0.79%. China's CSI 300 Index dropped 0.91%, while the Shanghai Composite Index declined 0.68%.
