16 February 2012 - Federal
Environment Minister Tony Burke today announced
a further 10 week extension to the due date
for his decision on whether to add the koala
to the list of nationally threatened species.
The Federal Government has requested further
information from the Threatened Species
Scientific Committee in relation to the
precise boundaries of where koala populations
are dwindling.
The Committee has found that the national
koala population is variable, with koalas
abundant in some areas such as South Australia
and declining in other areas such as Queensland
and NSW.
Consideration of a nationally threatened
species listing for only part of the range
of a widespread species such as the koala
is unprecedented.
"To enable detailed analysis and careful
consideration of the new information from
the Committee my decision will now be made
by 30 April 2012," Mr Burke said.
"There is a strong case that a nationally
threatened species listing is required for
koalas in areas where numbers have been
under greatest threat.
"But I can't provide a blanket threatened
species listing across Australia when there
are many places where koala numbers remain
high.
"That means any listing would need
to apply only to specific parts of Australia.
"The advice I've received from the
Threatened Species Scientific Committee
suggests that I could generalise these areas
to state boundaries.
"I agree with the Committee's findings
about the need to treat populations differently
in different parts of Australia but am seeking
further advice on whether there are more
precise habitat boundaries than simply adopting
state boundaries.
"I've asked the Committee to come back
to me with more precise boundaries which
detail the areas where koala populations
are dwindling.
"I don't expect that there will be
any need for a further extension of time
after 30 April."
A Senate inquiry has provided valuable information
and findings which are being taken into
account by the Government in making this
decision, in addition to the Threatened
Species Scientific Committee's advice that
has been provided in accordance with national
environmental law.
+ More
Development pressures
on Great Barrier Reef to be assessed
18 February 2012 - One
of the world's most treasured icons - the
Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area -
will undergo a joint assessment to ensure
future development along Queensland's coastline
is well-planned and its unique values are
protected.
The Bligh and Gillard Governments with the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
(GBRMPA) have signed a new agreement on
assessment processes to ensure future sustainable
development along the Queensland coastline
and protection and management of the Great
Barrier Reef.
This is the most comprehensive
and complex strategic assessment ever carried
out in Australia, which will help continue
to protect the unique environmental values
of the World Heritage Area and the Great
Barrier Reef coast.
A strategic assessment provides a big-picture
study under national environmental law,
the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999, of an area to assess
how environmental values can be best protected
while allowing sustainable development.
A strategic assessment considers federal
and state environmental planning issues
in a single assessment process. It means
that once a program has been endorsed under
the EPBC Act and the types of development
or activities allowed to take place have
been approved, individual projects do not
need any further approval under national
environmental law if done in accordance
with the approved program.
"Rather than always dealing with one
application at a time this allows an assessment
of the region as a whole," Federal
Minister for the Environment, Tony Burke
said.
"That gives us an opportunity to take
into account the cumulative impacts and
any indirect impacts such as increased shipping
movement.
"In short, it is a better way to protect
one of the world's greatest treasures and
I'm glad it's started."
Queensland Environment Minister Vicky Darling
welcomed the agreement saying that it reinforced
the value of coastal protection measures
already instigated by the Bligh Government
to protect the reef and assist with its
future management.
"The Bligh Government has a record
of safeguarding Queensland's spectacular
coastline and environment," Ms Darling
said.
"The Great Barrier Reef is one of the
world's favourite playgrounds, is a $5 billion
asset for our economy and supports more
than 60,000 jobs for Queensland.
"We have a record of protecting its
unique biodiversity and we are going to
ensure it stays that way for future generations.
"I expect the assessment will confirm
the effectiveness of the range of existing
protections this government has already
put in place.
"We have a strong platform of protecting
the unique natural diversity of the Great
Barrier Reef and adjacent coastline areas.
"In the last three decades, we have
worked tirelessly and delivered landmark
reforms to protect the biodiversity of this
spectacular part of the world through major
initiatives such Wild Rivers legislation,
Queensland Coastal Plan, Great Barrier Reef
regulations and expanded green zones in
marine parks.
Ms Darling said the strategic assessment
would not only benefit the environment and
local communities, but also industry through
streamlining of government environmental
processes.
"This strategic assessment enables
us to work hand-in-hand with the Commonwealth
Government to ensure development is well-planned
and systems are in place to protect the
area's World Heritage values," Ms Darling
said.
"The assessment will also help answer
any questions the UNESCO World Heritage
Committee has and we will be discussing
the assessment further with the delegation
visiting in early March."
GBRMPA Chairman Russell Reichelt said the
strategic assessment was an opportunity
to take a long-term view of managing the
Great Barrier Reef.
"The Great Barrier Reef is the largest
coral reef system in the world and it has
rich diversity," Dr Reichelt said.
"It is up to us
to protect this extraordinary place for
generations to come.
"Considerable management effort has
gone into building the resilience of the
Reef, which means it is in a far better
position to withstand threats to its health.
"We welcome the opportunity to work
closely with Queensland on a sustainable
plan for managing impacts from both onshore
and offshore activities."
