Media release
28 March, 2011
Environment Minister Tony Burke is meeting
with Western Australia's conservation and
environment groups, recreational fishing
and boating and commercial fishing industries
as the Gillard Government develops a draft
plan for marine reserves in the south-west
region.
In Perth and Fremantle
today, Mr Burke said he wanted to hear first-hand
from the people living and working in the
region ahead of the Gillard Government's
Community Cabinet later in the week.
"For generations
Australians have understood the need to
preserve precious areas on land as national
parks. Our oceans contain many iconic, precious
and fragile sites which deserve protection
too," Mr Burke said.
"Australia has
the third largest marine environment estate
of any nation in the world.
"Almost 90 per
cent of the marine species found here in
the south west are not found anywhere else
in the world - a third of the world's whale
and dolphin species are found in this region.
"We know that Australians
need their oceans to be healthy if they
are going to keep providing us with fish
to eat, a place to fish, provide sustainable
tourism opportunities and a place for families
to enjoy.
"That's why the
Gillard Government is working with communities
to establish a network of marine reserves
to drive a sustainable future for our marine
environment; to ensure our oceans stay healthy
and continue to sustain fish stocks.
"The first of these
marine reserves will be in the south west.
"Today I am here
to listen to the views of the people who
work in the fishing industry and local environment
groups who work so hard to protect the stunning
natural environment here in Western Australia."
Mr Burke said a draft
plan detailing the proposed marine reserves
for Western Australia would be released
in a few weeks, followed by a three month
period where communities would have an opportunity
to have their say about the plans.
"We want to continue
working with the community here in Western
Australia as we develop these marine reserves
and I am committed to taking into account
all of the views of interests during this
process," he said.
"This week the
Prime Minister and government ministers
will visit Fremantle for Community Cabinet
and I will be conveying the views put to
me today directly to the Cabinet."
Mr Burke said this week's
Community Cabinet meeting would provide
a unique opportunity for people in Western
Australia to raise matters that concern
them with Gillard Government ministers.
"The Gillard Labor
Government is committed to delivering for
Western Australia and this community meeting
is part of that commitment," he said.
"It will give local
communities the opportunity to speak directly
with government ministers about what is
working well and what can be done better
for communities here in Western Australia."
Mr Burke said the Gillard
Government was making major investments
in Western Australia.
"We are making
record investments in building better infrastructure
- better roads, rail, hospitals, schools
and social housing that will benefit West
Australian families," he said.
"We are also investing
to ensure the people of Western Australia
have access to vital healthcare close to
home, providing our students with 21st Century
facilities and the vocational training and
skills they need to make the most of opportunities
created by our growing economy."
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Gillard Government to
help protect the Great Barrier Reef from
pollution
23 March, 2011
The Gillard Government will undertake research
to protect the Great Barrier Reef from harmful
pollutants, including runoff from agricultural
land during extreme weather events.
Minister for Sustainability,
Environment, Water, Population and Communities,
Tony Burke, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries
and Forestry, Joe Ludwig, and Parliamentary
Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and
Forestry, Dr Mike Kelly, today announced
funding for 18 new research projects designed
to improve water quality and ultimately
protect the Reef.
“Significant flood events
are a natural phenomenon and can move vast
quantities of sediment, nutrients and pesticides
from agricultural land into the Reef's lagoon,”
Minister Burke said.
“Most of the pollution
entering the Reef is stored in the catchments.
These pollutants can leave the Reef vulnerable
to both short and long term impacts such
as coral mortality and increased algal blooms.
“The Great Barrier Reef
is one of Australia’s most unique ecosystems
and the Government's investment in safeguarding
the reef will be of benefit to future generations.”
Minister Ludwig said
the timing of this research will enable
the Government to monitor and understand
the impacts of real flood events on the
Reef's lagoon.
“Many farmers are already
engaged in activities that aim to protect
the Reef,” Minister Ludwig said.
“This important research
will lead to a better understanding of land
management practices that will help farmers
reduce runoff of nutrients, chemicals and
sediments across the Reef catchments.”
The funding builds on
the Government's commitments through its
Reef Guardians initiative and the $200 million
Caring for Our Country Reef rescue program
which are accelerating the adoption of improved
land management practices across Reef catchments
and reducing the run-off sediments, nutrients
and chemicals.
Dr Kelly said the Government
would invest $8.85 million under Caring
for our Country for 18 research projects
that aim to reduce runoff of dissolved nutrients
and chemicals from agricultural lands to
the Reef lagoon by 25 percent by 2013.
“The 18 projects are
complementary and together will improve
understanding of the link between farm practices
and the quality of water entering the Reef,”
Dr Kelly said.
Issues to be examined
include:
Pesticide dynamics in
the reef and lagoon
The pollutant load in reef catchments
Land management practices in the sugar cane,
grazing, banana and grain crop industries
Assessing the cost-effectiveness of improved
land management practices
Industry-specific research into nutrient
losses from sugar cane, ground cover on
grazing; land and off-farm runoff of nitrogen
and phosphorus from the banana industry.
