02/02/2006
- The Australian and Queensland governments have joined
forces to provide up to $4.78 million for the protection
of environmentally sensitive local wetlands on World Wetlands
Day.
Australian Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator
Ian Campbell, announced a cash contribution of $2.39 million
today, with Queensland’s Environment Minister, Desley Boyle,
and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Henry Palaszczuk,
pledging to match this funding with in-kind contributions.
The joint funding commitment comes from the Commonwealth
and Queensland Governments’ $15 million Natural Heritage
Trust Wetlands Programme.
“This programme represents a collaboration not only between
Australian and State governments, but also with land owners
and regional natural resource managers, who should be congratulated
for their efforts to conserve our magnificent wetlands,”
Senator Campbell said.
“This funding will help to ensure a brighter future for
our wetlands, a beautiful part of our natural heritage,
and protect icons such as the Great Barrier Reef.”
The funding will support a range of projects running from
2005 to 2008 including:
• $1.34 million to develop and implement a grazing management
package to balance efficient pasture management with wetlands
management;
• $1.09 million to progress the Queensland Wetland Inventory
project to enable existing and new information to be incorporated
into the state wetland inventory database; and
• $180,000 to develop a toolbox of wetland assessment methods
and guidelines to assist landholders and enable local government
and regional bodies to administer wetland initiative and
controls.
“The health of our wetlands is connected to the health of
our rivers, coasts and at the end of the chain the health
of the Great Barrier Reef,” Ms Boyle said.
“This is not just a concern for Governments but also communities.
On World Wetlands Day I call on people to get involved and
take an interest in their local wetlands,” Ms Boyle said.
“Profitability and sustainability go hand-in-hand with modern
Australian agriculture, land and water use. The Queensland
Government is committed to protecting the sustainability
of our natural resources, such as water and vegetation,”
Mr Palaszczuk said.
For more information on the Queensland Wetlands Programme,
including wetlands profiles on management threats and solutions:
www.deh.gov.au/water/wetlands/qwp
For information on World Wetlands Day: www.deh.gov.au/water/wetlands/day/index.html
|
