Conserving Australia's iconic environment

Caring for our Country

The Government has committed to a second phase of the Caring for our Country program, investing a further $2.2 billion over 5 years (from 2013‑14).

This builds on the success of Phase 1, which exceeded its outcomes in nearly all national priority areas, including:

• securing over 47,000 hectares of nationally threatened ecological communities; and
• more than 30,000 farmers adopting improved sustainable farm and land management practices.

Phase 2 of Caring for our Country will build on this success.

The program is based on continual improvement and consultation, to ensure that the needs of stakeholders and the environment can be best met. To this end, the program will now be delivered through a national sustainable environment stream and a national sustainable agriculture stream.

Protecting our oceans

The Government is working to ensure a sustainable marine environment. We are investing $58 million over six years to develop and manage new Commonwealth marine reserves, supported by bioregional planning and a fisheries adjustment policy.

The reserves will improve the way our oceans are managed — helping them remain healthy while recognising the needs of individuals and industry.

This Budget also supports our Great Barrier Reef. An additional $12.5 million over four years (from 2013‑14) will fund research to help the Reef adapt to climate change. $8 million has also been prioritised under the Caring for our Country program to ensure the Reef's resilience through continuation of the Reef Guardian initiative, and funding for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

Reforming environmental regulation

The Budget also provides $38 million to implement Commonwealth environmental law reforms — streamlining legislation and leading to better environmental outcomes and stakeholder cooperation.