Media release
2 September 2009
A new report released
today illustrates the need for strong, decisive
action to save one of the world's most important
natural wonders — the Great Barrier Reef
— from the impacts of climate change.
The Great Barrier Reef
Outlook Report 2009, released today by federal
Environment Minister Peter Garrett, is the
first comprehensive assessment of the health
of the Great Barrier Reef and its outlook.
"The Outlook Report
identifies that overall the reef remains
one of the world's healthiest coral reef
ecosystems, but that significant challenges
need to be met to ensure this remains the
case," Mr Garrett said.
"Comprehensive,
effective and immediate action on climate
change is critical. So too is action to
help the reef withstand the impacts of the
already changing climate."
Mr Garrett and Queensland
Climate Change Minister Kate Jones today
released a joint response to the Outlook
Report, outlining a cooperative, re-energised,
and whole-of-ecosystem approach to protecting
the reef.
"The response accelerates
existing efforts that make the reef already
one of the best protected in the world and
most able to withstand the effects of the
changing climate," Ms Jones said.
These efforts include
the 2004 comprehensive rezoning of the Great
Barrier Reef Marine Park, the recent overhauling
of the 30 year old Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park Act 1975 and the June 2009 signing
of a new Great Barrier Reef Intergovernmental
Agreement.
As a key part of the
response to the Outlook Report, Queensland
Premier Anna Bligh and Mr Garrett today
launched a new Reef Water Quality Protection
Plan.
"Under the Plan,
the Queensland and the Commonwealth governments
have committed to halving harmful runoff
entering the Reef from agricultural land
in the next five years," said Premier
Bligh.
"Improving the
quality of water flowing into the reef is
one of the most important things we can
do to help the Reef withstand the impacts
of climate change."
The Outlook Report also
highlights the importance of taking action
to reduce our carbon pollution.
"We know that a
failure to act on dangerous climate change
puts at risk significant places like the
Great Barrier Reef and this report confirms
the scale of the challenge ahead,"
Mr Garrett said.
"The governments'
response to the Outlook Report highlights
key first steps in addressing key pressures
on the reef," said Ms Jones.
"Both governments
recognise the significant environmental
and economic value of the reef, and are
determined to protect it now and into the
future."
The Outlook Report was
prepared by the Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park Authority based on the best available
information.
The report identifies
climate change, catchment runoff, loss of
coastal habitats and fisheries management
as key challenges facing the Reef.
The Outlook Report is
available from the Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park Authority — www.gbrmpa.gov.au
The joint government
response to Outlook Report is available
from the Department of the Environment,
Water, Heritage and the Arts — www.environment.gov.au
The Reef Water Quality
Protection Plan is available at www.reefplan.qld.gov.au
+ More
$861,500 Green Precincts
funding for Iconic Sydney Harbour
Media release
PW 270/09
19 September 2009
A high-profile Green Precincts project demonstrating
innovative water and energy saving initiatives
will receive $861,500 from the Australian
Government.
Minister for Climate
Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong and
Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, announced
the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust would
receive funding for their Sydney Harbour
Green Precincts project.
"Focusing on the
Sydney Harbour sites of North Head and Cockatoo
Island, the project is a great example of
innovative energy and water-saving technologies
being put to use in unique heritage-listed
settings," Senator Wong said.
"The project aims
to harvest enough rainwater and stormwater
to supply all non-potable water needs at
both sites and save more than 30 megalitres
of water each year.
"As we work to
secure Australia's water supplies and tackle
the effects of climate change, projects
like this are increasingly important to
show others how to reduce water and energy
use."
Minister Garrett said
the project would deliver substantial reductions
in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
"This funding will
assist the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust
to construct two solar energy farms to generate
20 per cent of the precinct's electricity
needs," Minister Garrett said.
"By installing
energy efficiency devices, solar powered
pumps and solar photovoltaic panels at both
sites, the precincts will save 148,800 kWh
of energy and 132 tonnes of greenhouse gas
emissions each year - the equivalent of
taking 37 cars off the road.
"With Sydney Harbour
attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors
a year, the Sydney Harbour Green Precincts
project aims to inspire and educate the
community to take action in their own homes
and workplaces to save energy and water."
The Sydney Harbour Green
Precincts project is one of 13 projects
supported by the Rudd Government's Green
Precincts Fund, an initiative to prepare
Australia for a future with less water and
to encourage local communities to better
manage their water and energy use.
