Media release
- 30 October 2009 - An independent marine
scientists' report into the environmental
effects of the Montara oil spill says a
systematic, long-term monitoring effort
is the only way to ascertain the true impacts
of the spill on the region's biodiversity.
This supports the Government's actions to
commission a long-term monitoring plan with
the company - PTTEP.
The report describes
the results from a survey of marine life
in the region of the Montara oil spill.
The seven day survey was undertaken by a
team of three marine biologists who studied
the birds, marine reptiles and mammals in
the area to identify impacts resulting from
the spill.
Federal Environment
Minister Peter Garrett said the assessment
of the spills impact on birds, marine reptiles,
whales and other cetaceans in the region
is the first of many scientific studies
to be undertaken as part of a long-term
environmental plan.
"This survey report
confirms a large diversity of wildlife in
the region. It finds there isn't enough
information to make conclusions about impacts
on birds and marine life in the region,
so the marine biologists have recommended
a 'systematic, long-term monitoring effort'
- which is exactly what will be done,"
Mr Garrett said.
"Since the spill
was first reported, my Department has developed
and implemented a plan of action to help
any wildlife affected by the oil spill in
Commonwealth waters. This plan was developed
by an expert in oiled wildlife and includes
measures for treating any wildlife found
that might be affected by oil at Ashmore
and Cartier marine reserves.
"Water sampling
and other environmental monitoring also
continues in the region of the oil spill
but as I have said repeatedly I remain very
concerned about this spill and the long
term impacts on the environment. I am certainly
very anxious to see this spill stopped quickly
and safely," Mr Garrett said.
"While acknowledging
the difficulty of the task at hand, I share
the frustrations that efforts to get this
spill stopped have so far not been successful.
However I am determined that the environmental
impacts of this spill are properly assessed
and the long term monitoring plan I have
commissioned will help ensure that happens."
The report 'A rapid
assessment of the impacts of the Montara
oil leak on birds, cetaceans and marine
reptiles' recommends:
* long term monitoring
of seabird and turtle breeding islands in
the region
* monitoring of the reefs to ascertain the
impacts of the oil slick on fish and sea
snake populations
* further monitoring at sea to determine
the impacts, if any, on population dynamics
for species breeding in the region and migratory
species visiting the region, and
* toxicology studies of birds, mammals,
reptiles and fish to assess if oil is present
in the tissue of the animals.
Agreement on a scientific environmental
monitoring program was reached between the
Australian Government and the company responsible
for the Montara well, PTTEP, in addition
to operational monitoring, surveillance
and wildlife programs currently underway
in the region. That long term plan was informed
by the preliminary findings of this marine
study.
"The long term
monitoring plan outlines scientific studies
to be implemented over the next two to ten
years that will provide information on marine
life, wildlife and habitats, water quality
and shoreline ecology to shape our environmental
response, so that we appropriately address
any impacts of oil in the region in years
to come," Mr Garrett said.
The assessment report
is available at www.environment.gov.au
+ More
Hattah Lakes wetlands
receive environmental water
Gavin Jennings Victorian Minister for the
Environment,Climate Change
Joint media release
30 October 2009
The Australian Government will provide 3.1
billion litres of water to the internationally
significant Hattah Lakes wetlands in Victoria,
providing increased drought refuge for water
birds and maintaining the health of River
Red Gums.
The water will be released
into Lake Yerang and Mournpall to complement
2.1 billion litres to be delivered by the
Victorian Government.This is in addition
to one billion litres Victoria delivered
in September.
Federal Minister for
Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny
Wong, said the Federal Government’s contribution
was part of the Commonwealth’s environmental
water holdings, purchased through the Government’s
water buyback program for the Murray-Darling
Basin.
“In this era of extended
drought and climate change, we face monumental
challenges in the Murray-Darling Basin,”
Senator Wong said.
“The Rudd Government
is taking action to meet these challenges.
“We have taken over
Basin-wide planning and will put a new,
lower, scientifically-based limit on water
use in the Basin for the first time ever.
“We have committed more
than $4 billion so far to upgrade and modernise
water and irrigation infrastructure in the
Basin to help our farmers and regional communities
and to protect food security.
“And we are buying back
water to help restore health to our rivers,
securing the purchase of 612 gigalitres
of water entitlements at a cost of $947
million to 30 September this year.”
Victorian Environment
and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings
said the environmental water for Hattah
Lakes would keep threatened species and
communities alive.
“The lakes are not only
an important ecological site, but have a
cultural significance for the local Aboriginal
community and are important for regional
tourism,” Mr Jennings said.
“This latest allocation
of water will build on the Victorian Government’s
environmental watering program protecting
strategic sites during the drought.”
Hattah Lakes is listed
under the Ramsar convention as a site of
international importance for migratory birds
and supports a range of aquatic-dependent
species listed under bilateral agreements
and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999.
The lakes are important
for maintaining the genetic and ecological
diversity of the region because the floodplain
complex supports a large variety and number
of waterbirds and includes breeding habitat
for many species.
The Hattah Lakes have
previously received Commonwealth, Victorian,
Living Murray and private donations of water
aimed at avoiding irretrievable loss of
River Red Gums and providing a drought refuge
for water-dependent species.
It is anticipated that
this watering will maintain, and perhaps
improve, the health of the River Red Gums
as well as improve the extent and diversity
of wetland vegetation.
Other species listed
under the EPBC Act could also benefit through
maintenance of habitat and other wetland
values.
The sites to receive
water were selected by the Commonwealth
Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) based
on input by the Victorian Government and
after receiving advice from the Environmental
Water Scientific Advisory Committee.
More information about
the sites and the Australian Government’s
environmental watering program can be found
at: www.environment.gov.au/water/policy-programs/cewh/
+ More
Heritage conservation
supporting Australian jobs
Media release - 23 October
2009 - The largest ever investment in Australia's
heritage is helping to drive our nation's
economic recovery, the Minster for the Environment,
Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett said
today.
More than 21000 jobs
around the country will be either directly
created or supported through the $60 million
set aside for heritage conservation in the
Government's Jobs Fund initiative.
“The figures tell the
story of how successful the Jobs Fund initiative
has been, with 190 heritage projects funded
around the country that will support over
2400 jobs, 230 work experience positions
and over 110 traineeships,” Mr Garrett said.
“Around 500 jobs are
already being created from the first $6
million provided for heritage conservation
in 2008–09.
“In addition 13 of the
projects receiving support are either located
in Indigenous communities or have a particular
focus on Indigenous employment, contributing
to the Government's effort to Close the
Gap,” Mr Garrett said.
Projects receiving funding
included those related to World and National
Heritage listed places, National Trust properties
and community projects, both large and small,
around the country.
Heritage investment
through the Jobs Fund for 2008–10 includes:
ACT: $789,433.00, supporting
around 80 jobs
New South Wales: $17.4 million, supporting
around 1070 jobs
Northern Territory: $2.3 million, supporting
around 65 jobs
Queensland: $5.8 million, supporting around
200 jobs
South Australia: $2.3 million, supporting
around 80 jobs
Tasmania: $4.2 million, supporting around
135 jobs
Victoria: $13.4 million, supporting around
800 jobs
Western Australia: $6.3 million, supporting
around 175 jobs
Norfolk Island: $158,363.00, supporting
around 10 jobs
“By working together we are improving protection
for our important heritage places and in
turn delivering flow-on employment, skills
development and economic benefits to communities
all around Australia.
“Our natural and cultural
heritage values are important drivers of
regional economies. They are the linkages
for communities with their history to share
and build sustainable livelihoods.
“We've long known our
heritage places are important to the well-being
of our community as they contribute to our
national identity.
“They also contribute
to our economic prosperity—particularly
our National and World Heritage places—as
they are drawcards for both domestic and
international tourists and support local
businesses and service industries in communities
across Australia,” Mr Garrett said.
“The interest in this
program has been outstanding. My department
received 560 applications, showing the strong
community interest in heritage conservation
and presentation.”
The $60 million for
community heritage projects has been developed
in consultation with Senator Bob Brown as
part of the Australian Government's Jobs
and Training Compact.
For more information on projects go to www.heritage.gov.au
