Home > Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook > Appendix A: Policy Decisions Taken Since the 2011‑12 Budget > Expense Measures > Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

Appendix A: Expense Measures (Continued)

Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

Clean Energy Future — Creating Opportunities on the Land — Biodiversity Fund

Expense ($m)
	2010‑11	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14	2014-15
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities	-	36.6	34.6	249.8	250.8

The Government will provide $946.2 million over six years (including $199.8 million in 2015‑16 and $174.8 million in 2016‑17) to establish a Biodiversity Fund. The fund will support the establishment, restoration, protection and management of biodiverse carbon stores including: reforestation and revegetation in areas of high conservation value including wildlife corridors, rivers and wetlands; management and protection of biodiverse ecosystems, including publicly owned native forests and land under conservation covenants or subject to land clearing restrictions; and action to prevent the spread of invasive species across connected landscapes.

This measure delivers on the Government's plan for a clean energy future.

Further information can be found in the joint press release of 10 July 2011 issued by the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer and the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.

Clean Energy Future — Creating Opportunities on the Land — natural resource management for climate change

Expense ($m)
	2010‑11	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14	2014-15
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities	-	0.9	6.3	19.6	2.7
Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency	-	-	7.9	3.9	1.6
Total - Expense	-	0.9	14.2	23.5	4.3

The Government will provide $48.4 million over six years (including $5.1 million in 2015‑16 and $0.5 million in 2016‑17) to provide assistance to natural resource management organisations to plan for the impacts of climate change and to establish an independent Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Advisory Board.

This measure includes $44.0 million over five years to assist natural resource management organisations to update regional plans for the impact of climate change, including to guide the implementation of carbon farming projects. The funding will also support research and analysis to develop scenarios of regional climate change impacts for use in natural resource management and land use planning.

Funding of $4.4 million over six years will be provided to enable the Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Advisory Board to review, oversee and provide advice to the Government on the implementation of the clean energy future land sector initiatives.

This measure delivers on the Government's plan for a clean energy future.

Extractive Industry Activities — Independent Expert Scientific Committee and National Partnership Agreement

Expense ($m)
	2010‑11	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14	2014-15
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities	-	50.0	25.0	25.0	25.0
Department of the Treasury	-	10.0	20.0	20.0	-
Total - Expense	-	60.0	45.0	45.0	25.0

The Government will provide $200.0 million over five years (including $25.0 million in 2015‑16) to support the management of extractive industry activities, particularly coal seam gas and major coal mining developments.

This measure aims to build scientific evidence and understanding of the impacts on water resources of coal seam gas extraction and large coal mines. The measure is supported by:

the establishment of an Independent Expert Scientific Committee to advise on research priorities, commission and coordinate research, and engage with relevant stakeholders on coal seam gas and large coal mines; and
a National Partnership Agreement with the States and Territories to improve regulations and standards relating to coal seam gas and large coal mines.

Further information can be found in the press release of 21 November 2011 issued by the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer.

Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse Program — reduction in funding

Expense ($m)
	2010‑11	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14	2014-15
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities	-	-50.0	-	-	-

The Government will reduce funding by $50.0 million in 2011‑12 for the Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse Program, a component of the National Urban Water and Desalination Plan.

The program will now provide funding of $43.8 million for eligible projects which capture, treat and use stormwater to ease the pressure on drinking water supplies and deliver improved water quality to urban waterways.

Savings from this measure will be redirected to support other Government priorities.

Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory — Jobs Package — expansion of Working on Country Indigenous Ranger program

Expense ($m)
	2010‑11	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14	2014-15
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities	-	-	1.3	3.2	4.1

The Government will provide $19.1 million over four years from 2012‑13 (including $6.2 million in 2015‑16) to expand the Working on Country Indigenous Ranger program in the Northern Territory by 50 positions, to over 330 rangers.

Funding under the program is provided to Indigenous and non‑Indigenous organisations that employ Indigenous staff to undertake a range of environmental activities, including control of feral animals and weeds, and protection of important cultural sites and areas of national and international significance.

The Indigenous Ranger program is a component of the Caring for our Country initiative, and the costs of this expansion will be partially met from within the existing resources of that initiative.

Further information can be found in the joint press release of 14 November 2011 issued by the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, the Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development and the Minister for Indigenous Health.

Sustainable Australia — Suburban Jobs — reduction in funding

Expense ($m)
	2010‑11	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14	2014-15
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities	-	-2.5	-18.5	-22.5	-11.5

The Government will reduce funding for the Suburban Jobs program by $55.0 million over four years.

The remaining program funding of $45.0 million over four years will continue to be available to assist state and local governments to plan and provide for employment hubs to support local jobs.

Savings from this measure will be redirected to partially offset the Illawarra Region Innovation and Investment Fund and to support other Government priorities.

See also the related expense measure titled Illawarra Region Innovation and Investment Fund — establishment in the Innovation, Industry, Science and Research portfolio.

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