Document
Index
Budget Paper 2
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Document
Index |
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Expense ($m)
Explanation
The Government will provide funds from 1999-2000 to 2001-02 to address urban environment problems under the Living Cities Programme. The Programme was an election commitment in Our Living Heritage.
The Programme addresses urban environmental problems and has five main elements:
Expense ($m)
Explanation
In December 1998, the Government announced Australia’s Oceans Policy, which will set in place the framework for integrated and ecosystem-based planning and management for all of Australia’s marine jurisdictions. Building on existing arrangements, the Oceans Policy will promote ecologically sustainable development of the resources of our oceans and encourage internationally competitive marine industries, while ensuring the protection of marine biological diversity.
Consistent with the Government’s election commitment in Our Living Heritage, an additional $20 million is to be funded from the Natural Heritage Trust, contingent on the sale of the second tranche of Telstra.
Further Information
Further details can be obtained from the Oceans Policy Statement which was released by the Minister for the Environment and Heritage in December 1998.
Expense ($m)
Explanation
The Government will continue its increased support for the operations and services of the Bureau of Meteorology, in response to the recommendations of the 1996 Review of the Operation of the Bureau of Meteorology. The Review recommended that additional funds be provided for the Bureau to perform effectively the range of functions expected of Australia's national meteorological service. This measure extends the additional funding initially provided for a three year period in the 1996-97 Budget to 2002-03.
Among other things, this funding will improve public access to the Bureau's databases and upgrade public and marine weather services and services to provincial areas.
Expense ($m)
Explanation
The Government has sought offers, by tender, for a three year ship charter for the period from 2000-01 to 2002-03. The current charter of the RSV Aurora Australis concludes at the end of the 1999-2000 Antarctic Summer season and new transport arrangements are required to be in place and working by September 2000 to ensure the continuation of Australia’s Antarctic programme. The three year contract will allow time for the evaluation of future air transportation systems as recommended in the Antarctic Science Advisory Committee report "Australia’s Antarctic Programme Beyond 2000; A Framework for the Future" and supported by the Government.
This measure delivers on the Government’s election commitment in Our Living Heritage.
Expense ($m)
Explanation
The Government has identified administrative savings to be generated from within the Environment and Heritage portfolio through the more efficient delivery of programmes. A review will be conducted over the next 12 months to scope options for further possible savings.
Expense ($m)
Explanation
The Government will implement the new Cultural Heritage Projects Programme (CHPP), to honour its election commitment in Our Living Heritage.
The CHPP will absorb the National Estate Grants Programme (NEGP) and support the conservation and restoration of places of cultural significance, with a priority for built works and indigenous heritage.
In addition to the new funds identified in this measure, the current funding to NEGP of $0.8 million per year will be included in the CHPP.
Expense ($m)
Explanation
The Government will continue to support the Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) process by seeking to complete the Government’s programme of RFAs by the end of December 1999. This increased funding honours the Government’s election commitment announced in Our Living Heritage.
Completion of the RFAs will provide environmental and industry certainty to communities for the next 20 years.
Further Information
The RFA’s affected by this measure are those for the Eden, the Southern, Lower North East and Upper North East regions of New South Wales, the Gippsland, Upper North East and West regions of Victoria, and for the South East region of Queensland.
See also the related expense measure under the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio titled Regional Forest Agreements.
Expense ($m)
Explanation
A portion of the Environment Protection Programme was due to lapse in 1999-2000. The Government will continue the current level of funding to address environmental priorities in a number of areas including:
Expense ($m)
Explanation
The Government will continue to provide funds for monitoring progress towards the implementation of a National Strategy for the effective identification, conservation and management of Australia’s biological diversity.
Expense ($m)
Explanation
The Government will continue to fund the Participatory Programme research grant scheme of the Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS) at current levels to provide the underlying taxonomic knowledge necessary for the conservation and sustainable use of Australia’s biological diversity.
Expense ($m)
Explanation
The Government will continue to fund Greenhouse Science for the four years from 1999-2000 until 2002-03 at the current level. Funding for the activity was due to reduce by $2 million in 1999-2000 and cease thereafter.
This measure supports continued investigation of climate systems, improving climate change models, detecting regional climate change and supporting international climate change science.
Further Information
This initiative is part of Australia’s commitment to supporting global research on greenhouse science under the Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Expense ($m)
Explanation
The Government will convert the former Taxation Incentive for Heritage Conservation Scheme (TIHC) into a grants programme. Under the new Cultural Heritage Projects Programme approximately $1 million annually will be allocated for grants to private owners of heritage listed buildings and structures to perform conservation work.
Further Information
The TIHC is administered under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and provides a rebate of 20 per cent on heritage conservation works completed to taxpaying private owners of heritage places.
Translation to a grants programme will not involve any additional impact on the 1999-2000 Budget as the taxation rebates previously available under the TIHC will cease.
See also the related revenue measure in Part II titled Cessation of Tax Incentive for Heritage Conservation.
Expense ($m)
Explanation
The Government will provide an additional $3.4 million from 1999-2000 to 2001-02 for improved surveillance and enforcement within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
This measure will ensure the protection, sustainable use and enjoyment of the Great Barrier Reef.
This measure delivers on the Government’s election commitment in Our Living Heritage.
Further Information
The reported incidence of illegal fishing activity in the Park is increasing. A targeted enforcement and surveillance programme is required to contain and reduce this activity. An increase in the level of fines applicable under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 is proposed to be commensurate with relevant fisheries legislation.
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