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Portfolio budget statements

Environment Budget Overview 2005-06

Environment and Heritage Portfolio

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Other initiatives

Kakadu National Park

Following the abolition of entry fees to Kakadu National Park, additional funding of $16.4 million has been provided by the Government for the management of Kakadu and replacement of income foregone from entry fees to traditional owners.

In February 2005, the Kakadu Board of Management supported by the Australian and Northern Territory governments launched a strategic vision for tourism in Kakadu National Park, which emphasises the park's living culture, its natural beauty and partnership approach to management.

Great Barrier Reef Structural Adjustment Package - enhancement

On 1 July 2004, rezoning in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park increased the area of ‘no take' zones in the Park from 4.5 per cent to 33.3 per cent, creating the largest network of protected marine areas in the world. The Government has provided further funding towards the structural adjustment package that will assist fishermen, related businesses and communities affected by the implementation of the new zoning.

National Tidal Centre - additional funding

The Government established the National Tidal Centre in 2004 to collect, monitor and publicly provide sea level data at selected locations around Australia and in the South West Pacific. With funding drawn from government agencies that benefit from its services the Centre produces data to assist in deriving trends in absolute sea level, producing national tide predictions and tide streams, and monitoring effects of climate change on ocean levels. This supports Australia's social, economic, cultural and environmental goals, in particular defence, navigation, public safety and ship operations in Australian and nearby waters. The Centre can also, to a small extent, use data collection and monitoring instruments located in oceans around Australia to monitor tsunami traversing the Australian region. The Centre also provides information and support to the recreation, tourism and marine resource related industries.

Defeating the Weed Menace

(Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio)

The Government has committed $40 million - in addition to $8 million from the Natural Heritage Trust - towards the National Weeds Strategy for the eradication of Australia's most threatening and invasive weeds. Weeds do immeasurable damage to the environment, agricultural industries, and to the nation's biodiversity. The most effective weed strategy is early detection and prevention and this funding will support research, biological control, community awareness and action, towards continued success in the prevention, control and eradication of weeds in Australia.

Illegal Foreign Fishers in Australia's Northern Waters

(Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio)

Deterring illegal fishers is vital to the protection and sustainability of Australia's fish stocks. In December 2004, the Government announced a package of measures to boost efforts to combat illegal fishing in Australia's northern waters. The Government has provided $43 million to: strengthen processing and detention arrangements for apprehended illegal foreign fishers; assist in the apprehension and prosecution of illegal fishers; and improve the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service's ability to monitor and protect Australia from the potential quarantine risks posed by apprehended boats.

Eradicating the Red Imported Fire Ant

(Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio)

The introduction of the red imported fire ant poses a serious threat to native flora and fauna and also has the potential to become a pest to the agricultural sector. To combat this threat, the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Programme was launched in Queensland in 2001. This programme has been highly successful, with results to date showing that within the targeted ‘Core Treatment Zones', approximately 99.4 per cent of previously infested properties no longer have viable nests. In early 2005, the Australian Government provided supplementation of $24.3 million to continue the fight against this pest.

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Budget statements

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