Media release
16 December 2010
Minister for Sustainability, Environment,
Water, Population
and Communities, Tony Burke today released
the Sustainable Population Strategy Issues
Paper and called for all Australians to
have their say about Australia's changing
population.
The paper distils the
major issues identified in reports prepared
by the three independent Sustainable Population
Strategy Advisory Panels established by
the Minister in July. The reports focus
on demographic change and liveability, productivity
and prosperity, and sustainable development.
Minister Burke thanked
the panel chairs - Professor Graeme Hugo,
Ms Heather Ridout, and the Hon Bob Carr
- and members for the valuable contribution
they have made to the national dialogue.
"Changes in Australia's
population will affect us all, in our work,
in our communities and in our built and
natural environments," said Minister
Burke.
"The key to understanding
policy for a sustainable Australia begins
with the principle of regional difference.
Looking at the pressures
on different communities around Australia,
from Penrith to the Pilbara, demands a much
more detailed conversation than dealing
with arbitrary targets.
"The issue of a
sustainable population goes to the quality
of life enjoyed by all Australians. It goes
to the quality of the air we breathe, the
green spaces we share and how much sunshine
is left at the end of the day after a long
commute."
The release of the Government's
Issues Paper is an important part of the
broader community discussion in which all
Australians are encouraged to contribute
their views on how to manage our changing
population.
This will help to inform
the Government as it develops Australia's
first Sustainable Population Strategy, which
is to be released next year.
"Population change
presents important challenges and opportunities
across portfolios and all levels of government
- at the national, state and local levels.
But it is a debate that involves all Australians.
"We all have a
responsibility to consider the impacts of
a changing population on Australia for today
and into the future.
"The objective
of a Sustainable Population Strategy will
be to ensure that future changes in Australia's
population are compatible with the sustainability
of our economy, environment and communities.
"The ultimate goal
of the Sustainable Population Strategy is
to improve the wellbeing of current and
future generations through more effective
recognition and management of the impacts
of population changes.
The issues paper as
well as details of the public consultation
process and the formal submission process,
are available from the department's website:
www.environment.gov.au
+ More
Science to support Australia's
biodiversity
Media release
6 December 2010
The Gillard Government has invested in five
research hubs that will provide first-class
science that is essential for sustainably
managing Australia's biodiversity.
Tony Burke, Minister
for Environment announced the investment
saying that Australia's biodiversity and
ecosystems are unique and need to be protected
into the future.
"There are still
huge gaps in our understanding of our environment,"
Mr Burke said.
"I am pleased to
announce that I have approved funding for
up to $68.5 million for five new biodiversity
research hubs over the next four years -
two terrestrial, one marine, one for the
Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait, and
one to undertake critical biodiversity research
in northern Australia - under the Australian
Government's National Environmental Research
Program (NERP).
"This is the International
Year of Biodiversity and the National Environmental
Research Program marks a new era of conservation
and sustainable environmental management."
Within each hub, world-class
researchers across a number of institutions
and disciplines will work with environmental
managers, policy developers, community groups
and industry across Australia to tackle
Australia's priority environmental issues.
"The funding is
essential to help us protect and restore
biodiversity as we continue to shape the
sustainable use of our land and marine resources,"
Mr Burke said.
"It will also boost
our research capacity, particularly in Tasmania,
Queensland and northern Australia, providing
real research jobs and educational opportunities
in regional Australia."
Professor Hugh Possingham
of the University of Queensland, with funding
up to $11 million, will lead a terrestrial
hub to provide research on halting and reversing
the decline of biodiversity across the nation.
Professor Ted LeFroy
of the University of Tasmania, with funding
of up to $6 million, will lead a terrestrial
research hub that supports regional biodiversity
planning.
Professor Nic Bax of
the University of Tasmania, with funding
of up to $11 million will lead a marine
hub focussing on the tools environmental
managers need to ensure the sustainable
management of Australia's marine assets.
Professor Michael Douglas
of Charles Darwin University, with funding
of up to $14.7 million, will lead a northern
Australia hub which will undertake critical
biodiversity research in northern Australia
to address issues such as climate change
and future sustainable development across
the north.
"Australia's greatest
assets include the Great Barrier Reef, Torres
Strait and tropical rainforests, and up
to $25.8 million will support research and
its administration to protect its environmental,
economic and social values," Minister
Burke said.
"I will invite
eight lead researchers across four research
institutions (James Cook University, Australian
Institute of Marine Science, CSIRO and the
University of Queensland) to form a research
team to work with regional stakeholders
in tropical North Queensland, to address
issues of development, climate change and
effective management to ensure this fragile
ecosystem is sustainable in the long term."
