20
November 2008 - The ACT’s two iconic rivers
– the Molongolo and Murrumbidgee - will
benefit from a share of more than $28.5
million from the Rudd Government to protect
Australia’s environment and promote sustainable
farming.
Details of the two ACT
projects to receive support under the Caring
for our Country Open Grants were announced
today by Environment Minister Peter Garrett
and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries
and Forestry Tony Burke.
The funding is part
of the $2.25 billion earmarked for the first
five years of Caring for our Country, launched
in July this year.
Mr Garrett said the
projects, ranging from $80,000 to $400,000
would lead to significant environmental
benefits and advances in land management
practices in all states and territories.
“Through Caring for
our Country, the Government is taking a
comprehensive, targeted and integrated approach
to natural resource management funding,
encouraging organisations to work together
to deliver on national priorities,” Mr Garrett
said.
“Many of the organisations
funded through this Open Grants scheme look
beyond their local environmental issues
to link up with others to deliver better
environment and land management practices
on a larger scale.
“The ACT Government’s
Upper Murrumbidgee demonstration reach project,
for example, will stretch along the river
for approximately 80 kilometres from the
‘Scottsdale’ property in NSW (20 km south
of Michelago) to Kambah Pool adjoining the
southern suburbs of Canberra.
“The project will act
as a demonstration to the community of the
cumulative benefit of river rehabilitation
in a waterway with high conservation value
with several nationally-listed threatened
species of freshwater fish including the
Trout Cod, Murray Cod and Macquarie Perch
all calling it home, “ Mr Garrett said.
Both Ministers said
climate change and other pressures such
as invasive weeds and pests emphasised the
need for the Government to work in partnership
with communities for the future of Australia’s
environment and farming industries.
Of the 137 Open Grants
projects funded across Australia, 72 projects
worth approximately $14.4 million address
sustainable farm practices and Landcare.
Mr Burke said Caring
for our Country also recognised the major
environmental work undertaken by the nation’s
farmers.
“Our farmers understand
how to manage Australia’s natural resources
in a sustainable way, while making productivity
gains,” Mr Burke said.
“Caring for our Country
will support that on-going work, including
many projects which will see farmers working
closely with other community and industry
groups.
“We look forward to
working together to secure a sustainable,
resilient and productive environment for
all Australians to share.”
Further information and a full listing of
successful grants is available at www.nrm.gov.au
+ More
Minister acts to protect
wetlands and endangered fish
20 November 2008 - Federal
Environment Minister, Peter Garrett has
acted to protect a Ramsar site and endangered
fish by refusing a request to release more
water from Lake Crescent in Tasmania.
Using his powers under
the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), Mr Garrett
has ruled the application by the Tasmanian
Government to release up to five megalitres
of water per day from Lake Crescent as clearly
unacceptable.
“In making my decision
I have taken into account the Interlaken
Lakeside Reserve Ramsar site and the endangered
golden galaxias - a fish which only occurs
in Lake Crescent and the connected Lake
Sorell,” Mr Garrett said.
“Following an extended
period of dry conditions, these lakes are
already in a critical condition. I believe
that a further release of water from the
Lake would exacerbate the risk of serious
long-term impact on these matters of national
environmental significance and I am not
prepared to run that risk.
“I am aware of the hardship
being suffered by farmers in the Clyde Valley
region who, like many Australians working
on the land, have been affected by the ongoing
drought. However, water levels within both
Lake Crescent and the adjoining Lake Sorell
are already below the critical levels defined
in Tasmania’s water management plan.
“In the absence of substantial
and sustained rainfall, these water levels
are expected to drop further due to evaporation,
with potentially severe impacts on the ecosystems
within these lakes. Accordingly, the immediate
outlook for the golden galaxias population
in Lake Crescent is bleak.
“I am also aware that
the Tasmanian Government has recently brought
on line an alternative water supply for
communities in the Clyde Valley for stock
and human use, as well as for some irrigation.
This alternative water has been provided
by pumping water from the Shannon River
to the Clyde Valley,” he said.
Mr Garrett said
the Australian Government was committed
to working with the state to ensure the
critical water needs of rural Tasmania are
met while at the same time protecting matters
of national environmental significance.
