Environment and Heritage
Australian Biological Resources Study
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of the Environment and Heritage | - | - | - | - |
The Government will continue to fund the Australian Biological Resources Study at the current level of $3.1 million per annum over the next four years to maintain the currency of Australia's extensive biodiversity knowledge base. This measure will improve knowledge of micro-organisms, enhance the retention of taxonomic expertise through training and disseminate biodiversity knowledge to land managers. Provision for this funding has been already included in the forward estimates.
Biodiversity Policy
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of the Environment and Heritage | -2.0 | -2.0 | -2.0 | -2.0 |
Savings of $2 million per annum will result from absorbing ongoing costs associated with the development of biodiversity policy, including statutory obligations and obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity by the Department of Environment and Heritage. These activities will continue to be funded from within existing resourcing.
Distinctively Australian
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of the Environment and Heritage | 1.3 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 4.8 |
The Government will provide funding of $13.3 million over four years commencing in 2003-04, for the introduction and implementation of new protection arrangements for Australia's cultural heritage. This includes funding for the establishment of the National Heritage List. The funding is contingent on the passage of the Australian Heritage Council Bill 2002.
Environment Protection Policy
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of the Environment and Heritage | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide additional funding of $4.1 million per annum from 2003-04 to 2005-06 and $3.5 million in 2006-07 to continue a range of environmental protection policy activities undertaken by Environment Australia.
Funding will provide for activities that fulfil statutory and international obligations relating to air and fuel quality standards, chemicals management and State of the Environment reports.
This measure will be funded through a reprioritisation of funding from the Diesel Vehicles Emissions National Environment Protection programme and the Transitional Assistance component of the Product Stewardship Arrangements for Waste Oil Recycling. The reprioritisation will not adversely impact on the expected outcomes of these programmes.
Great Barrier Reef Coastal Wetland Protection Programme
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of the Environment and Heritage | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
The Government will provide funding of $8 million over five years (including $1 million in 2007-08) towards the permanent protection and restoration of wetlands in catchments adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef. The Commonwealth has invited Queensland to match contributions.
Commonwealth funding for this project is additional to that being provided for environmental projects in Queensland through the Natural Heritage Trust and the National Action Plan on Salinity and Water Quality.
Meteorological radars - replacement and upgrade
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Bureau of Meteorology | 1.7 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 3.7 |
The Government will provide $13.8 million over five years (including $3.4 million in 2007-08) to the Bureau of Meteorology to enable it to install fifteen new meteorological radars to replace its oldest radar assets, and to install a further six selected radars with enhanced Doppler capability. Replacement of radars will occur at Williamtown in New South Wales, East Sale in Victoria, Townsville, Mackay, Gladstone, Mt Kanighan, and Charleville in Queensland; Learmonth, Port Hedland, Broome, Perth, and Carnarvon in Western Australia; Mt Gambier in South Australia; and Darwin and Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory. Doppler radars will be installed at Sydney and Tamworth in New South Wales, Melbourne and Yarrawonga in Victoria, Brisbane in Queensland and Adelaide in South Australia.
See also the related capital measure titled Meteorological radars - replacement and upgrade in the Environment and Heritage portfolio.
National Oceans Office
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| National Oceans Office | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide funding of $9.1 million per annum in 2003-04 and 2004-05 to the National Oceans Office. Funding will provide for the implementation of the South-East Regional Marine Plan and further development of other Regional Marine Plans and related activities as part of Australia's Oceans Policy. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.
Shipping support for Australia's Antarctic Programme
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of the Environment and Heritage | - | - | - | - |
The Government will continue to provide funding of $17.4 million per annum from 2003-04 to 2006-07 for shipping logistical support for Australia's Antarctic stations and the conduct of marine research in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean region. Provision for this funding has already been included in forward estimates.
Sydney Harbour Federation Trust
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Sydney Harbour Federation Trust | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
This measure represents the expected operating costs of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust over the period 2003-04 to 2006-07.
The implementation of the Trust's business masterplan for the remediation and rehabilitation of the Trust's properties will be funded from internal funding sources including asset sales of ex-Defence housing and rentals together with a Commonwealth contribution of $115.5 million over eight years commencing in 2003-04. The business masterplan will facilitate the protection and conservation of the environmental and heritage values of Trust lands and will enhance public access to the Trust's unique sites.
See also the related capital measure titled Sydney Harbour Federation Trust and the related revenue measure titled Sydney Harbour Federation Trust - rent in the Environment and Heritage portfolio.
Urban Environment Initiatives
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of the Environment and Heritage | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide funding of $24.2 million over five years commencing in 2003-04 for a range of urban environment initiatives.
The range of activities to be supported and specific funding levels for each activity are being developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders and will be announced after the Budget. The Government will give priority to initiatives addressing water quality, public information promotion, improved air quality and renewable energy, and chemicals and waste management.
This measure will be funded through a reprioritisation of funding from the Diesel Vehicles Emissions National Environment Protection programme and the Transitional Assistance component of the Product Stewardship Arrangements for Waste Oil Recycling. The reprioritisation will not adversely impact on the expected outcomes of these programmes.
World Class Weather Forecasting
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of the Environment and Heritage | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $31.2 million over four years to maintain the enhanced weather forecasting services which the Bureau of Meteorology has provided since 1996-97.
This measure will involve funding of $7.5 million in 2003-04, $7.7 million in 2004-05, $7.9 million in 2005-06 and $8.1 million in 2006-07. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates. Funding will support the Bureau's climate monitoring and prediction services, enhance rural and marine weather services, improve public access to the Bureau's databases and maintain the national rainfall observing network for drought monitoring and water resources assessments.