2. Compendium of Priorities and Initiatives (continued)
Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
Caring for our Country
Caring for our Country provides more than $2 billion in funding over five years from 1 July 2008 to June 2013. It will achieve an environment that is healthy, better protected, well managed and resilient, and will provide essential ecosystem services in a changing climate.
The program will focus on securing improved strategic outcomes across six national priority areas:
- the National Reserve System
- biodiversity and natural icons
- coastal environments and critical aquatic habitats
- sustainable farm practices
- natural resource management in northern and remote Australia
- community skills, knowledge and engagement.
The Government released the 2009‑10 Caring for our Country business plan in November 2008, and sought investment proposals against the above priority areas to achieve targets that will lead to the delivery of specified five‑year outcomes for Caring for our Country
Landcare
As one of the components of Caring for our Country, the Government is providing $189 million over four years, from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2012, towards activities that support sustainable primary production and natural resource management initiatives. To date, 186 landcare projects valued at $38 million have been announced.
Reef Rescue
Through the $200 million Caring for our Country Reef Rescue initiative, the Government is working with farmers, regional bodies, non‑government organisations, researchers and other stakeholders to improve water quality in the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon. Reef Rescue will operate over five years (2008‑09 to 2012‑13).
Water for the Future
The Australian Government recognises the immense challenges in tackling Australia's water scarcity and the impact of climate change. Water for the Future is a comprehensive national response to meet these challenges in both rural and urban areas.
Water for the Future is built on four key priorities: taking action on climate change, using water wisely, securing water supplies, and supporting healthy rivers. These priorities will be delivered through a 10‑year $12.9 billion investment in strategic programs, improved water management arrangements, and a renewed commitment to water reform nationally.
The success of 'Water for the Future' relies on all levels of government responding in a cooperative and coordinated way to secure sustainable, long‑term water supplies for the benefit of all Australians.
The Australian Government has devoted an unprecedented level of investment in driving reform in water resources management and use.
Driving reform in the Murray‑Darling Basin
The Government is supporting agencies at the frontier of driving water reform to ensure that they meet the challenges that lie ahead.
Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) — The development and administration of the Basin plan will ensure sustainable and integrated management of Murray‑Darling Basin water resources.
National Water Commission (NWC) — The National Water Commission will independently audit the effectiveness of the implementation of the Basin Plan and make public those reports.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) — The ACCC will regulate water trading and water charge rules to ensure efficient water markets in the Murray‑Darling Basin.
Restoring the balance in the Murray‑Darling Basin
Half a billion dollars has been brought forward over four financial years from 2008‑09 to accelerate water recovery purchases from willing sellers in the Murray‑Darling Basin to improve the health of river systems.
The entitlements purchased through this program will be managed by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder to protect and restore the environmental assets of the Murray‑Darling Basin.
Small Block Irrigators — Exit Grant Package
The Government is bringing relief to small block irrigators in the Murray‑Darling Basin who have been affected by drought and climate change. Through the Exit Grant Package the Government has committed $107 million for transitional assistance for farmers wishing to exit the irrigation sector but remain in their family homes and continue to be part of their local communities. Such farmers are entitled to assistance grants of up to $150,000. Two complementary grants of up to $10,000 for advice and training and the removal of production‑related infrastructure are also offered.
Bioremediation and revegetation works for the Lower Lakes
The Government has committed $10 million to bioremediation and revegetation works to address the impacts from exposure of acid sulfate soils around lakes Alexandrina and Albert, in South Australia, in a process that will engage with local communities.
Support for Antarctic operations
The Antarctic support industry is one of the largest industries in Tasmania, with approximately 60 per cent of Antarctic expenditure being directly injected into the Tasmanian economy. The Government is making significant investments in this area that will provide an important financial stimulus to the Tasmanian economy over the next two years.
Maintaining Australia's Antarctic engagement
Australia's international reputation as a leading nation in Antarctic affairs and science will be maintained through an additional investment of $25.2 million over two years (2009‑2011). The Australian Government has undertaken scientific research expeditions to Antarctica for more than 60 years. This investment will ensure Australian operations and scientific research into priority areas such as climate change and environmental protection will continue.
Australia—Antarctica Airlink
The Australia—Antarctica Airlink is an innovative, fast and efficient way of transporting scientists and other expeditioners between Australia and Antarctica. The Airlink, which operates out of Hobart, enables Australia to significantly increase the efficiency, capacity and flexibility of its Antarctic science efforts. As the single biggest boost to the Australian Antarctic program since it began more than 60 years ago, the Airlink is a much appreciated contributor to Australia's Antarctic endeavours. The Australian Government is confirming its commitment to the Airlink, providing continued funding of $11.7 million in 2009—10.
Bureau of Meteorology
The Bureau of Meteorology is receiving $78.5 million over seven years to enhance its radar network and implement a next generation forecast and warning system, increasing the level of service available to rural and regional Australians.
Strategic radar enhancement
The Bureau of Meteorology will commission four new radars to be installed over a five year period from 2009‑10 to 2012‑13 and invest in the underlying science to integrate this technology into the current radar network at a cost of $48 million over seven years.
For the surrounding communities this will mean:
- enhanced weather surveillance for areas of significant population mass that currently have limited or no radar weather surveillance
- improved cyclone tracking and early warning capability
- improved rainfall, storm and flood threat protection
- improved wind prediction (important for bushfire surveillance).
Next generation forecast and warning system
The Government is supplying $30.5 million over five years (2009‑2014) to the Bureau of Meteorology to roll out advanced weather forecasting and warning technology throughout Australia to enable more efficient and enhanced weather service delivery.
The number of towns receiving seven‑day weather forecasts will be increased from the current seven capital cities to 650 towns across rural and regional Australia, ensuring more equitable weather services for city and rural communities.
Heritage jobs projects
The Government will provide $60 million for heritage‑related projects as part of its $650 million Jobs Fund. Funding will be provided to 30 June 2010 for projects that deliver employment and economic benefits while achieving the best possible heritage outcomes.
Protecting and conserving national and Commonwealth historic built heritage
From 2010‑11, the Government will provide ongoing funding of $5 million a year for national and Commonwealth Historic Built Heritage grants.
The funding will provide ongoing investment in historic built heritage protection and conservation beyond 2010, support emerging historic built heritage needs and redress the decline in historic heritage grant funding that has occurred over the past decade.
National Collecting Institutions — touring and outreach
The Government will provide $4 million over four years (2009‑10) to the National Collecting Institutions to support touring of cultural exhibitions across Australia. The funding will be made available through changes to the existing Art Indemnity Australia Program.
Territory orchestras
Continued funding of $200,000 will support the Darwin and Canberra symphony orchestras, providing territory musicians with employment opportunities, performance experience and artistic development and territory communities with opportunities to experience performances of high‑quality symphonic music.
Strengthening Australia's Indigenous visual arts industry
The Australian Government is investing additional $9.9 million to further strengthen Australia's Indigenous visual arts industry. The funding provides increased operational support for Indigenous art centres and arts support organisations through the National Arts and Craft Industry Support (NACIS) program and support for industry implementation of an Indigenous Australian Art Commercial Code of Conduct. The measures will help build a stronger, ethical and sustainable Indigenous visual art industry by expanding economic and social opportunities, especially in remote Australia, while reinforcing the value of Indigenous culture.
Management of Commonwealth terrestrial reserves
The Australian Government will provide an additional $26 million over four years (2009‑2013) for the Commonwealth's parks and reserves, including Christmas Island National Park and the World Heritage‑listed Kakadu and Uluru‑Kata Tjuta national parks.
This investment will create employment opportunities, particularly in northern and regional Australia, while enhancing the quality of our parks, which have attracted, and will continue to attract, visitors from across Australia and all over the world.
Reef HQ Aquarium
The Australian Government will continue to fund the Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville to create greater awareness of the critical issues affecting the health and status of the Great Barrier Reef.
Further information
Further information about these and other environment, water and heritage initiatives relating to rural and regional Australia is available at www.environment.gov.au.
Information about the arts is available at www.arts.gov.au and Antarctic information is available at www.aad.gov.au.
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