Media
release
5 April 2010
The Government's priority is to ensure that
any environmental damage to the World Heritage
listed Great Barrier Reef is minimised.
Today the Minister for
Environment Protection requested the Great
Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority coordinate
a Scientific Panel to assess any environmental
damage and to inform options for the ship's
removal.
The next steps will
involve the Minister for Environment Protection
working closely with the Minister for Infrastructure,
Transport, Regional Development and Local
Government to consider whether additional
measures are required for the management
of shipping in the Great Barrier Reef.
The Australian Government
has made its resources available to Queensland
to assist with the grounding of the Shen
Neng 1 bulk carrier. The Australian Maritime
Safety Authority (AMSA) and the Great Barrier
Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) continue
to assist Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ)
in minimising risks to the environment and
is making all possible assets and personnel
available for the clean-up response. AMSA
advises that last night a line was secured
between the ship and the tug "Tom Tough"
to assist in stabilising the ship's position.
A second tug is expected to arrive tonight.
AMSA's Dornier surveillance aircraft is
providing observation flights, and two aircraft
applied dispersant to a small oil discharge
this morning. Indications today are that
the amount of oil identified is minimal.
AMSA has sent an investigator
to the area today, and is working with GBRMPA
to explore what breaches or possible offences
may have occurred under Commonwealth law.
Last year the Australian Government increased
the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's
legislative powers to the national standard
set by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act.
AMSA's Pacific Responder
has loaded with pollution response equipment
and is expected to arrive on the site on
Wednesday.
The National Response
Team (NRT) was immediately activated and
in addition to AMSA response personnel,
located in Rockhampton and Gladstone, NRT
members from NSW, Western Australia and
Tasmania are either on site or en route
today, and a further 12 NRT personnel from
States/NT and the Australian Marine Oil
Spill Centre are on standby for containment
and recovery operations.
The Australian Government
is committed to the ongoing protection of
the Great Barrier Reef.
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Great Lakes water quality
improvement plan launched
Media release
1 April 2010
Minister for Environment Protection Peter
Garrett today launched a new plan to improve
the water quality of the Great Lakes on
the New South Wales lower North Coast.
The Great Lakes Water
Quality Improvement Plan will help reduce
the level of pollution entering Wallis,
Myall and Smith Lakes, which together form
the Great Lakes water system.
The Great Lakes system
is a priority coastal hotspot and Myall
Lake is a wetland of international importance
under the international Ramsar Convention.
"The Australian
Government recognises the high ecological
value of the magnificent Great Lakes water
system and its importance to the local economy,"
Mr Garrett said.
The Great Lakes system
provides habitat for a diverse number of
native flora and flora species, including
large numbers of waterbirds, and also supports
significant oyster, fishing, tourism and
recreation industries.
The Great Lakes Water
Quality Improvement Plan was developed with
funding by the Australian Government in
partnership with the local community, industries
and agencies and is designed to address
nutrient hotspots in the three estuaries.
"The Australian
Government is committed to working with
the local community to protect the rich
ecology of the Great Lakes through the Great
Lakes Water Quality Improvement Plan,"
Mr Garrett said.
"The Water Quality
Improvement Plan will provide a clear framework
for reducing nutrient levels in the Great
Lakes using scientific modelling, tools
for informed decision making and improved
agricultural and urban design practices
for water management.
"The Plan will
also focus on providing opportunities for
capacity building and joint learning with
stakeholders, as well as creating opportunities
to raise awareness of water quality issues
and catchment management within the wider
community.
"The Great Lakes
Water Quality Improvement Plan is part of
the Australian Government's commitment under
the National Water Quality Management Strategy
to protecting our environmentally precious
coastal waterways by working with communities,
industry and other levels of government
to reduce pollution," Mr Garrett said.
The Great Lakes is one
of nine priority coastal hotspots identified
for open-call funding applications under
the Caring for our Country program this
year. Applications under the Caring for
our Country Business Plan close 15 April
2010.
