10/05/2005 - The Australian
Government continues its record levels of
environment spending in 2005-06, with $3.2
billion for the environment and heritage.
"This year's Budget sees an increase
in total environmental investment of more
than $460 million since 2004-05,” the Minister
for the Environment and Heritage, Senator
Ian Campbell, announced today.
"For example, the Government will deliver
an extra $200 million over five years in community
water grants, with $48.2 million allocated
in 2005-06.
"This comes on top of other grants like
the Envirofund, which is an important community
component of the Government's cornerstone
Natural Heritage Trust and National Action
Plan on Salinity and Water Quality programmes.
"Spending in my portfolio will be $923.7
million in 2005-06, an increase of approximately
$50.6 million on 2004-05."
Major environment portfolio initiatives in
this year's Budget include:
$100 million over five years to strengthen
Australia's position as a world leader in
environmental research with the Commonwealth
Environment Research Facilities, $40 million
of which will support research into issues
affecting the Great Barrier Reef, tropical
rainforests and coastal issues;
$46.3 million over four years to build and
operate an air link between Hobart and Antarctic,
improving Australia's ability to deliver internationally
renowned Antarctic research;
$5.2 million over four years for the National
Pollutant Inventory , which gives all Australians
access to information about pollutant emissions
in their local area;
$1 million over three years for a scoping
study into the use of hydrogen buses and establishment
of hydrogen fuel depots in Australian capital
cities;
$19.8 million over six years to rebuild 12
of the oldest field meteorological offices
in the Bureau of Meteorology's observation
network, thereby improving the operational
capabilities of its network;
$2 million over three years to assist with
the uptake of technologies to ensure the recycling
of used oil, reducing pollution levels associated
with industry; and
$10.5 million over fours years to help restore
and protect Australia's most important heritage
places through the new National Heritage Investment
Initiative.
"These new initiatives fulfill the Government's
2004 election commitments and focus on measures
that benefit the community as a whole,"
Senator Campbell said.
Senator Campbell said the Australian Government
was also continuing its focus on reducing
waste, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and
delivering practical water conservation solutions.
The new budget measures in the environment
portfolio include:
$300,000 over three years to develop a National
Recycling Hotline with Planet Ark to give
the community better access to information
about what waste can be recycled;
$900,000 over three years to extend the Green
Stamp Programme-a 2004 election commitment
to encourage recycling and waste and energy
reduction in the automotive industry; and
$1 million over three years to improve air
quality in Launceston, which in the past has
failed to meet national air quality standards
as a result of smoke.
"A whole-of-government approach to sustainability
is essential and, with the commitment of $3.2
billion, the Australian Government has continued
its record levels of spending on the environment.
"This record spending is part of the
Australian Government's approach to delivering
effective solutions for the environmental
issues facing our communities," Senator
Campbell said.
Environmental initiatives across other Australian
Government agencies include:
• $40 million-including $8 million from the
Natural Heritage Trust-towards the National
Weeds Strategy for the eradication of Australia's
most threatening and invasive weeds;
• $43 million to the Agriculture, Fisheries
and Forestry portfolio million to combat illegal
fisheries in Australia's northern waters;
and
• an additional $24.3 million to eradicate
the imported Red Fire Ant.
"The 2005-06 Budget also implements a
five-yearly registration fee for products
rated under the Water Efficiency Labelling
Standards (WELS) scheme.
"This scheme is expected to save the
community more than $600 million in water
and energy bills by 2021.
"The first of its kind in the world,
the scheme requires a range of water-using
appliances or products to carry an efficiency
rating label that provides consumers with
important information about how much water
the product uses and how efficiently it uses
it."
Senator Campbell said the new budget measures
built on the Australian Government's $1.8
billion commitment to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and the 2004 climate change strategy.
"The measures reflect the Government's
aim to seek solutions for climate change at
the large-scale technology end, as well as
supporting real emission reduction action
in the business and community sectors,"
he said.
"Water is another clear priority for
the Government, and the $2 billion Australian
Water Fund provides resources for three new
programmes: Water Smart Australia, Raising
National Water Standards, and Australian Water
Wise Communities.
"These measures work in conjunction with
the Government's flagship natural resource
management programmes, the Natural Heritage
Trust and the National Action Plan for Salinity
and Water Quality to improve the management
of Australia's natural resources.
"As well, the Australian Government remains
strongly committed to helping environment-based
community groups continue their work and is
rolling out a number of grant programmes.
"Envirofund is the community component
of the Australian Government's $3 billion
Natural Heritage Trust-the largest environmental
rescue effort ever undertaken by an Australian
Government.
"Envirofund empowers local communities
to develop solutions to local environmental
challenges. Local groups have the local knowledge,
expertise and enthusiasm to deliver on-ground
results.
"Smart investment in environmental research,
new technologies and community programmes
means an investment in the future of all Australians."
• For more information www.deh.gov.au/about/budget/2005
• Note: The figure of $923.7 million for environment
spending in 2005–06 excludes $227.1 million
for the Bureau of Meteorology's activities
that do not relate specifically to the environment.
