09/07/2005 - Greg Hunt
MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister
for the Environment and Heritage and Sussan
Ley MP, Federal Member for Farrer, today announced
that UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific
and Cultural Organisation) in Paris has accepted
the Barkindji Biosphere Reserve in New South
Wales as part of the World Network of Biosphere
Reserves.
"The Barkindji Biosphere Reserve has
become Australia's thirteenth such reserve,
covering more than 26,000 hectares of floodplains,
wetland and open plain country along the Murray
River around Wentworth in south western NSW,"
Mr Hunt said.
"It is the only new Biosphere reserve
recognised in Australia and we are delighted
that UNESCO has recognised the importance
of this project. The partnership between local
landowners, local indigenous people, LaTrobe
University, the Trust for Nature, Birds Australia,
CSIRO and the Myer Foundation and many others
demonstrates the project's broad base of support."
"While we welcome the NSW Government's
recent support for this initiative, it is
disappointing that Victoria continues to distance
itself from the project despite strong support
from stakeholders in Victoria."
"I particularly thank Sussan Ley for
her ongoing support for this nomination. She
understands the importance of protecting the
unique biodiversity of this region and preserving
its values for future generations."
Mrs Ley said she welcomed the announcement
as recognition of the combined efforts of
communities, governments and the education
and research sectors to help protect the local
environment.
"I am pleased that this partnership,
linking the local community, scientists, the
education sector with the support of leading
philanthropists and the Australian Government,
centres around the significant Murray wetland
systems in my electorate," Mrs Ley said.
"Managing these systems in a sustainable
way, while protecting their environmental
values and maintaining social and economic
development through strong community involvement
and participation, is a key goal of the Government.
Since 2002, the Australian Government has
provided $540,000 from the Natural Heritage
Trust to support the development of the Barkindji
Biosphere."
Mr John Irwin, an architect of the project,
said the NHT funding had been critical to
starting the project.
"This support helped us with scientific
monitoring, community consultation, and education
initiatives. Without the vision and support
of David Kemp, the former federal Environment
Minister, the project would not have got this
far," Mr Irwin said.
Biosphere reserves depend on cooperative
approaches by all stakeholders. This is the
first Biosphere Reserve in Australia conceived
with a strong element of local Indigenous
culture and community. For more information
on Biosphere Reserves see www.deh.gov.au/parks/biosphere
