30 November 2011
The Gillard Government
will fund a further 43 projects across the
nation to protect Australia’s natural environment
through the open call component of Caring
for our Country.
Minister for the Environment,
Tony Burke, today announced that the 43
projects funded would protect the environment
and safeguard our iconic natural places,
plants and animals.
"Through Caring
for our Country the Gillard Government is
investing in a healthy, better protected
and more resilient environment," Minister
Burke said.
“Funding will be provided
to rural, urban, Indigenous and coastal
community groups to undertake projects to
manage World Heritage areas, increase native
habitat, protect Ramsar wetlands, and improve
the health of our coastal and aquatic environments.
“The great part of Caring
for our Country is that it supports volunteers
and community groups to make a real difference
to their local area.
Tony Burke said that
protecting World Heritage areas was a key
focus of the latest round of Caring for
our Country funding.
“We now are investing
more than $1.5 million to manage World Heritage
sites around Australia,” Mr Burke said.
“Monitoring and continuing
work on world heritage sites ensure that
they are protected and conserved into the
future.
“More than $500,000
is being provided to support a feral animal
control program on the Ningaloo Coast.
“More than $100,000
is being provided to support indigenous
participation and reducing the impact of
fire on the Bungle Bungle World Heritage
area.
“A further $400,000
is being provided to restore and protect
105 hectares of critically endangered Mabi
forest building connectivity and resilience
in the Wet Tropics World Heritage area.
Today’s announcement
builds on the $31.3 million in funding for
other open call projects, $66.4 million
for Australia’s regional natural resource
management organisations to help protect
our biodiversity and enhance our sustainable
use of resources, as well as $38 million
for Great Barrier Reef water quality improvements.
For further information about Caring for
our Country including a list of funded projects
visit www.nrm.gov.au .
+ More
Gillard Government acts
to protect the Coral Sea
25 November 2011
The Gillard Government announced today the
proposed establishment of the world's largest
marine protected area in the waters of the
Coral Sea that fall within Australia's Exclusive
Economic Zone.
Environment Minister Tony Burke said the
Coral Sea was recognised across the world
as a marine region of significance for its
unique biodiversity. And in Australian waters
the environment is in near pristine condition.
The proposed Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine
Reserve covers approximately 989 842 square
kilometres - an area of ocean more than
half the size of Queensland.
The western side of the reserve has taken
into account recreational and charter fishing
as a use.
"Australia's vast oceans provide a
source of food and resources, and are a
place of recreation. But we cannot afford
to be complacent," Mr Burke said.
"In the space of one lifetime, the
world's oceans have gone from being relatively
pristine to being under increasing pressure.
"The environmental significance of
the Coral Sea lies in its diverse array
of coral reefs, sandy cays, deep sea plains
and canyons. It contains more than 20 outstanding
examples of isolated tropical reefs, sandy
cays and islands.
"There is no other part of Australia's
territory where so much comes together –
pristine oceans, magnificent coral, a military
history which has helped define us and now
a clear proposal for permanent protection."
The shallow reef systems of the Coral Sea
support tropical ecosystems abundant in
hard and soft corals, sponges, algae, fish
communities and other creatures such as
nautilus and sea stars. Many of the reefs
are known for their high densities of shark
species.
The Coral Sea islands support critical nesting
sites for the green turtle and a range of
seabird species. It is also renowned for
its diversity of predatory fish, such as
albacore, yellowfin and bigeye tuna, broadbill
swordfish, black marlin and mako sharks.
Beyond the shallower waters lie deep sea
troughs and canyons, open ocean reefs and
undersea mountains - and while much of the
area is relatively unexplored, it is likely
to support unique deepwater ecosystems.
Recent discoveries have included deep, cold
water coral communities.
Several important species found in the Coral
Sea are under pressure elsewhere from over-harvesting
and habitat degradation. It is a refuge
for many iconic species under serious threat.
"Australia has a unique opportunity
to protect this precious marine environment
for future generations," Mr Burke said.
"That's why our Marine Bioregional
Planning Program is so important. It is
more than conservation - it's about making
sure the future of our oceans is one of
strength and resilience."
Mr Burke said the proposed Coral Sea Marine
Reserve is the last component of the Gillard
Government's proposed network of marine
reserves around Australia.
"Although we are still to complete
our consultation process and declare a final
network, Australia is on track to deliver
a world-leading system of marine reserves
which will include examples of all the different
marine ecosystems and habitats found in
Australian waters," Mr Burke said.
The proposed Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine
Reserve is remote. The nearest point is
more than 60 kilometres from the coast and
it extends out to 1000 kilometres from the
mainland.
Along with its environmental values, the
Coral Sea is an important heritage site.
During World War II it was the scene of
a battle between the Japanese and Allied
naval and air forces from the United States
and Australia. Three ships are known to
have sunk in the north-eastern area of the
Coral Sea—the USS Lexington, the USS Sims
and the USS Neosho.
Many vessels that traversed the Coral Sea
to transport materials between Sydney and
northern Australia and Asia were wrecked
on the treacherous reefs that now bear the
ships' names.
Mr Burke said the Government had consulted
a wide range of marine users and interest
groups in the development of the proposed
Coral Sea Marine Reserve.
"Now there will be a further opportunity
for these stakeholders and regional communities
to have their say in this important process.
I encourage people to get involved,"
Mr Burke said.
"We extended the 60-day consultation
period to 90 days to ensure people have
every opportunity to provide feedback on
the proposed Coral Sea Marine Reserve. The
feedback and input the Government receives
will assist in finalising the proposal."
During the three-month public consultation
period, officers from the Department of
Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population
and Communities will be visiting coastal
centres along the Queensland coast. They
will hold information sessions and meet
with representatives of various industries
and stakeholder groups.
Public information sessions will be held
in Hervey Bay, Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay
and Townsville. The public information sessions
are also supported by a range of marine
use sector and interest group meetings.
The consultation period will close on 24
February 2012.
For more information on the proposed Coral
Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve, including
details of public information sessions scheduled
across the region, go to www.environment.gov.au/coasts/mbp/index.html.
