Media
Release - 22 May 2009 - Conservation projects
at four of Tasmania's most important convict
sites will receive a significant boost with
the assistance of more than $2.5 million
from the Australian Government.
Funding was announced
today by the Federal Minister for the Environment,
Water, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett,
during a visit to the Cascade Female Factory
with the Tasmanian Minister for Environment,
Parks, Heritage and the Arts, Michelle O'Byrne.
"I am pleased to announce funding through
the Australian Government's Jobs Fund for
conservation work at some of Tasmania's
most important historic sites," Mr
Garrett said.
Minister Garrett said
funding for these National Heritage-listed
places includes:
$897,650 for the Port
Arthur Historic Site Separate Prison for
conservation works including repairs to
the roof and ceiling, to stabilise masonry,
painting, and the installation of on-site
interpretative material.
$523,000 for Cascade Female Factory to complete
the viewing platform at the site and reinstate
the perimeter definition to the once walled
boundary of two yards.
$591,000 for the Woolmers Estate to provide
disability access to the historic woolshed,
protect weather damage to convict graffiti,
restore cottage foundations and install
visitor information.
$500,000 for Brickendon Estate to stabilise
farm precinct structures including stables,
timber barns and brick outbuildings.
Mr Garrett said the Australian Government
investment in these important sites will
lead to significant employment opportunities
in the local building industry.
"As a result of
this funding, a range of skilled local tradespeople,
such as stone masons and artisans, will
be employed at each of the sites.
"The projects also
offer opportunities to support young people
undertaking apprenticeships and traineeships
and help them develop skills for their future
careers.
"Equally important
is the positive heritage outcomes these
projects will provide to the four convict
sites - all of which are included in the
Australian Convict Sites World Heritage
nomination.
"The $60 million
for heritage projects under the Jobs Fund
is one of the largest investments in heritage
conservation ever to be undertaken in Australia.
It is designed to support and create jobs
and develop skills that build both community
and social infrastructure.
"This major investment
in Australia's historic, Indigenous and
natural heritage provides real economic
stimulus by focusing on projects that have
an immediate employment impact, as well
as ongoing economic benefits" Mr Garrett
said.
The Tasmanian Minister
for Environment, Parks, Heritage and the
Arts, Michelle O'Byrne, welcomed the news.
"I welcome this
commitment by the Australian Government
to support our local communities and for
recognising the importance of protecting
these significant National Heritage sites,"
Ms O'Byrne said.
"Tasmania's convict
journey is a fascinating and very human
tale. It is ultimately a tale of survival
under extreme conditions and now, with this
support, these important places will be
conserved and restored for future generations
to experience."
The $60 million for
community heritage projects has been developed
in consultation with Senator Bob Brown as
part of the Government's $42 billion Nation
Building - Economic Stimulus Plan.
For more information on Australia's heritage
projects visit www.heritage.gov.au
Recycling scheme for
mercury-containing lamps
Media Release - 22 May
2009 - The Australian Government today initiated
a scheme to establish partnerships with
industry to increase recycling of mercury
containing lamps.
"I am pleased to
announce this project in addition to the
raft of product stewardship measures supported
today by the Environment Protection and
Heritage Council," said Minister for
the Environment, Heritage and the Arts,
Peter Garrett. "With ministers' commitment
to a new national waste policy by the end
of the year, we are making real progress
in tackling this national challenge.
"The Fluoro-cycle
scheme addresses one of the outstanding
issues relating to the use of energy-saving
fluorescent lamps, namely how to dispose
of them safely at the end of their lifespan.
"It is now commonly
understood that the fluorescent lamps contain
a small amount of mercury, and while this
amounts to no more than a pen tip per lamp,
it is important that we look at ways to
dispose of it responsibly, particularly
at the commercial level.
"This new scheme
targets this end of the spectrum - the commercial,
high-use sector. More than 90% of all lighting
waste is sourced from commercial and public
lighting. It is here that increased recycling
activity will have the most impact from
both an environmental as well as economic
point of view. It will build on considerable
existing infrastructure as well as some
individual but fragmented activities by
companies to recycle their waste lamps."
With federal funding
of up to $500,000, the scheme will be delivered
jointly by the Australian Government and
the Lighting Council Australia in collaboration
with the Property Council of Australia,
the Facility Management Association of Australia,
the Australian Council of Recyclers, the
Australian Local Government Association
and other key bodies.
The voluntary scheme
will target key generators of waste lamps
through an outreach program to recruit them
to the scheme and establish suitable recycling
arrangements.
It is anticipated that
this scheme will be extended to compact
fluorescent lamps from households, subject
to the outcomes of this commercial trial.
