Media release
10 February 2011
Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke
has extended the due date for a decision
on whether to add the koala to the list
of nationally threatened species.
Mr Burke said he had
extended the decision until October to take
into account any findings from a Senate
inquiry into the status, health and sustainability
of Australia’s koala population.
It follows advice from
the Threatened Species Scientific Committee
that there was not enough data about Australia’s
koala population to inform a decision.
“Koalas are an iconic
Australian animal, they hold a special place
in the hearts of Australians and I have
taken this decision carefully,” Mr Burke
said.
“The Committee found
that the national koala population is variable
with too many in some areas and declining
populations in others.
“Information on koala
populations is sparse and patchy, which
makes estimating national population size
and trends challenging.
“The Committee noted
that existing data on koala populations
is patchy at best and inadequate to make
this judgement at this time.
“That’s why the Gillard
Government supports the Senate inquiry to
assess the threats to and management of
koalas across the country.”
+ More
Australia Pacific LNG
project gets environmental approval
Media release
22 February 2011
Tony Burke, Minister for Sustainability,
Environment, Water, Population and Communities,
has approved, with strict environmental
conditions, the Australia Pacific LNG project
at Gladstone proposed by Origin Energy and
ConocoPhillips.
"After a rigorous
assessment, which sought the advice of experts
and included public consultation, I have
concluded that the APLNG project can go
ahead without unacceptable impacts on matters
protected under national environment law,"
Mr Burke said.
"While I have considered
the significant economic benefits of this
project, my focus has been on protecting
environmental matters of national significance
through strict conditions that will minimise
any potential environmental impacts.
"In relation to
the Great Artesian Basin, I have taken a
precautionary approach by requiring 'early
warning' thresholds and detailed ongoing
monitoring.
"The companies
must submit for my approval water management
and monitoring plans detailing how impacts
on aquifers, groundwater and surface water
will be minimised, including through strict
limits to maintain aquifer pressures.
"Water pressure
must be maintained above conservative thresholds
that will be set on the advice of experts.
Should these be exceeded, the companies
must have plans ready to re-establish pressure,
through re-injection or other means.
"In making my decision,
I considered the potential impacts on agricultural
land, and have set strict environmental
conditions to ensure water resources are
properly managed to protect nationally significant
matters.
"These conditions
are consistent with those I attached to
the Santos and Queensland Gas Company coal
seam gas projects in October last year.
"I appreciate the
importance of looking at the cumulative
impacts of previously approved and other
proposed coal seam gas projects in the region.
That's why I'm requiring the companies to
work on a regional groundwater flow model
for coal seam gas developments across the
Surat and Bowen basins.
"The conditions
also contain protection measures for threatened
species and ecological communities, migratory
species and national and world heritage
values. For the LNG facilities on Curtis
Island, these include requirements to minimise
light and noise, reduce vessel speeds, limit
vessel movements, and manage feral species
and weeds.
"To offset unavoidable
impacts in the Curtis Island industry precinct,
the companies must secure an area five times
the size of their project sites, to be added
to the National Park estate or protected
in perpetuity.
"Any dredging activity
will be subject to strict conditions to
minimise impacts on marine species and water
quality, including through ongoing water
quality monitoring and restrictions on the
number and types of dredges that can be
used at any one time to reduce turbidity.
"This project will
contribute significantly to the Queensland
economy and support thousands of jobs, and
my conditional approval shows that we can
support growth while protecting our precious
environment."
For more information, and the full list
of conditions, go to: www.environment.gov.au/epbc
Thank You
