Media release
4 November 2011
The Gillard Government has welcomed today's
decision on establishing
marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean
as a significant advance in Antarctic protection.
After two weeks of negotiations
in Hobart, the Commission for the Conservation
of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)
has finalised a conservation agreement which
creates a roadmap for establishing a representative
system of marine protected areas in the
Southern Ocean.
The historic agreement,
finalised over the last hour, clears the
way for specific marine protected area proposals
to be considered by the Commission this
time next year.
Minister for the Environment,
Tony Burke, hailed the agreement as a major
breakthrough.
"This is one of
the most significant advances in the protection
of oceans in Antarctica since the establishment
of CCAMLR," Mr Burke said.
"It is the beginning
of nations showing the same respect to waters
around the Antarctic that was shown to Antarctica
itself when Bob Hawke led the campaign to
prevent mining 20 years ago.
"Creating this
roadmap is only the beginning of a process
to determine marine protected areas but
just getting this far is a massive advance.
"Today's decision
says that the Southern Ocean is a foundation
stone for marine life, not a resource to
be treated like a quarry.
"CCAMLR has always
been a leader in protecting the Southern
Ocean, but agreeing on this roadmap reinforces
CCAMLR leadership in marine conservation.
"Australia has
led the development of this proposal and
today's decision demonstrates the collaborative
spirit within CCAMLR."
In 2009 CCAMLR agreed
to work towards a representative system
of marine protected areas within the Convention
Area - an area of the Southern Ocean which
it governs - by 2012. That same year, the
Commission declared its first marine protected
area south of the South Orkney Islands near
the Antarctic Peninsula.
The general measure
adopted today will guide countries, including
Australia, on the preparation of individual
marine protected areas proposed for adoption
by the Commission in 2012 and beyond.
These proposals have
already been carefully considered by CCAMLR
scientists over the past two years, and
Australia, together with France, has already
begun work towards establishing a representative
system of marine protected areas in East
Antarctica.
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Implementation &
administration
The Commonwealth Department of Sustainability,
Environment, Water, Population and Communities
is responsible for the management of the
Building Better Regional Cities Program.
The Building Better Regional Cities (BBRC)
Program is a $100 million funding commitment
by the Australian Government to invest in
local infrastructure projects that support
new housing developments in regional cities.
The awarding of funding under the Building
Better Regional Cities Program is based
on a competitive selection process.
The objectives of the BBRC Program are to
invest in local infrastructure projects
that support an increase in the number of
homes for sale and rent that are affordable
for working families on ordinary incomes,
in communities that are experiencing positive
jobs and population growth that need more
homes to be built. This investment in regional
centres may also help to relieve the pressure
on major capital cities, so that Australia
can grow sustainably.
Two main groups are
set to benefit as a result of the Australian
Government's contribution under the BBRC
Program:
working families on ordinary incomes (low
to moderate income earners) living in regional
centres who are suffering from cost of living
pressures; and
new residents who want to move into the
area for jobs, who need homes.
Up to $15 million (GST
Excl) will be provided for infrastructure
in each successful regional city, for projects
that support new infill or greenfield housing
developments located within Eligible Regional
Cities. This could be for one development
or spread across several, depending on local
demographic patterns and community preferences.
Applicants can submit up to three separate
project proposals each, however, each project
proposal must be submitted on a separate
Application Form. Applicants can apply for
funding of up to $15 million (GST Excl)
(in total across all Applications).
The types of infrastructure
that can be funded under the BBRC Program
include:
Connecting or trunk infrastructure such
as water and sewerage headworks, upgrades
or extensions to drains and sewers (including
the augmentation or replacement of existing
infrastructure, where this is needed to
support infill or greenfield housing developments),
and connecting roads and bridges; and
Community infrastructure such as parklands
and open space; pedestrian and cycle paths;
community centres, and recreation facilities.
Applicants should ensure they do not seek
funding for projects of the kind listed
under the heading "What will not be
Funded" in the Application Guidelines.
Funding for the BBRC Program became available
in the 2011-2012 Financial Year and ceases
on 30 June 2014. Only one funding round
is proposed to be delivered.
Eligibility
Forty-seven regional cities (listed below)
are eligible to apply for funding under
the BBRC Program. Only the 47 local governments
listed at Attachment A of the Application
Guidelines are eligible to submit an Application
for funding under the BBRC Program. These
47 local governments directly correspond
to the Eligible Regional Cities listed below.
Cities not listed below are not eligible
for and cannot apply for funding.
