TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALIA

COMMONWEALTH ENVIRONMENT EXPENDITURE
2002‑03

THE HONOURABLE DR DAVID KEMP, MP
MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND HERITAGE
14 MAY 2002

 Commonwealth of Australia 2002
ISBN 1740 92704 4
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Contents

Minister’s Foreword
Chapter 1: Introduction
Scope of the 2002‑03 Environment Budget Statement
Chapter 2: Budget Overview and Strategic Directions
New Measures In The 2002-03 Budget
Chapter 3: Key Environment Activities
The atmosphere
Biodiversity
Coasts and oceans
Human settlements
Inland waters
The land
Natural and cultural heritage
Antarctica
Chapter 4: Cross Portfolio Initiatives
Environmental research, information and training
Incentives for sustainability
Global sustainability—Australia's role
Working with the Indigenous community
Appendix 1: Environment Activities by Portfolio
Appendix 2:  Environment Expenditure
Appendix 3: Contact Details of Departments and Agencies
Index

Minister’s Foreword
This Budget records the continued expansion of the Government’s historic level of commitment to the restoration and protection of the Australian environment and Australia’s heritage.
The $1 billion addition to the Natural Heritage Trust, building on the $1.5 billion committed during the first phase, begins in this Budget with expenditure of $250 million.
The $1.4 billion National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality, a joint programme of the Commonwealth and the States, begins in earnest with expenditure of $100.7 million in 2002-03.
Taken together, these two programmes represent the greatest commitment by any Commonwealth Government to the environment since Federation.
This is as it should be.
Australians have clearly recognised that the range of threats to the sustainability of our environment has to be addressed as one of our very highest national priorities if we are to achieve a level of economic and environmental certainty capable of preserving our unique lifestyle and heritage.
I am proud to say the Howard Commonwealth Government recognised and accepted this great challenge immediately it came to office in 1996.
Never has the environment had a higher priority in Government. The new Sustainable Environment Committee, which oversees key environment policy and issues, is chaired by the Prime Minister.
The first phase of the Natural Heritage Trust, which began in 1996, stands as one of the most imaginative efforts that has been developed anywhere on our planet to engage the community directly, at all levels, in efforts to restore and protect the environment.
Its foundation was recognition that ever widening community involvement, skills development, and commitment to the processes of environmental restoration and protection was crucial to achieving the change towards a culture of sustainability that is required to achieve our national objective of a sustainable Australia.
Almost 400,000 Australians have now been engaged in environmental projects through the first phase of the Natural Heritage Trust and that number will grow significantly over the second phase. The Government intends to encourage high-level community involvement.

The National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality is an equally historic and community based environmental programme. 
The Prime Minister has said dryland salinity is our greatest environmental challenge. The reality of the threat it poses to the natural environment, to farming, to communities, to water quality, and to biodiversity in our naturally salinity prone country is with us right now, most notably via damage to the West Australian wheat belt and the Murray-Darling basin. 
Without a strong commitment to restorative and preventative works in the National Action Plan, Australians in every State confront a very high likelihood that salinity will impact on many millions of hectares of currently viable farmland over the next 20 to 30 years.
Regional and catchment based plans to combat this, deliberately and crucially, will engage a high level of community commitment and involvement.
These are perhaps the largest elements of a much broader commitment to the environment and heritage reflected in the suite of programmes and initiatives funded through this Budget.
•	Australia led the world with the establishment of the Australian Greenhouse Office as a stand-alone unit, within the Environment and Heritage portfolio, to help the Commonwealth develop policy to address the challenges of climate change. The important work of the AGO will continue with an allocation of $113 million in this Budget.
•	The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, established in the 1970s, has become an international benchmark for bodies engaged in the protection of coral reefs, which, worldwide, face massive challenges. Important work will commence in this Budget, through an allocation to the Authority of $31.2 million, on achieving a significant expansion of areas of the reef afforded enhanced protection, under the Representative Areas programme to ensure the preservation of the entire spectrum of the Great Barrier Reef’s unique biodiversity.
•	Work will continue in this Budget on another world-wide first initiated by this Government, which is the development of an Oceans Policy covering Australia’s entire Exclusive Economic Zone – an area four times the size of our land mass.
•	This Budget also provides for the historic return of environmental flows to the very hard pressed Murray-Darling river system, in order to restore more of its once rich environment, and protect the livelihoods of the millions of Australians who rely upon it.

These are but some of the largest and most important elements of this Budget. They illustrate that the environment has achieved the Government priority status it needs if we are to achieve a sustainable future.
This document describes the breadth of the work the Commonwealth is undertaking to involve as many Australians as possible in restoring and protecting our environment.  I am proud to be associated with this effort.

DAVID KEMP

Chapter 1: Introduction
Scope of the 2002‑03 Environment Budget Statement
Protection and conservation of the environment is one of the Commonwealth Government’s key priorities. In late 2001 the Prime Minister announced a new whole of government approach to the environment through the establishment of the Sustainable Environment Committee (SEC) of Cabinet. Chaired by the Prime Minister, the SEC will address in an integrated policy framework crucial environmental issues such as salinity, water quality, greenhouse policy, land clearing, biodiversity, and oceans policy.
In 2002‑03, the Government will spend a record $1.8 billion on environmental programmes across the Commonwealth Government as a whole - an increase of over $198 million on 2001-02 expenditure.
This statement details the Government’s expenditure on the environment and environment-related activities for 2002‑03 and subsequent years, identifying new initiatives managed by the Environment and Heritage portfolio and, where appropriate, by the Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry portfolio. It also provides an overview of environment programmes across the Commonwealth Government as a whole.
Outline
Chapter 2 of this statement sets out new and additional measures in the 2002‑03 Budget, as well as new initiatives arising from the Commonwealth Government’s environment-related strategic directions and priorities for 2002‑03.
Chapter 3, Key Environment Activities, examines the Government’s environment-related programmes in more detail.
Chapter 4, Cross Portfolio Initiatives, describes activities which do not fall under specific themes and which cross thematic boundaries, including Indigenous measures, international initiatives, and environmental research contributing to achieving environmental sustainability.
Expenditure for environment-related activities across the whole of the Commonwealth Government is listed in Appendix 2.
Structure
Activities reported in this statement are grouped thematically. The themes reflect those used in the 2001 State of the Environment (SoE) Report, and are also aligned with the reporting structure of the Environment and Heritage portfolio. The statement can therefore be easily cross‑referenced with other budget publications, particularly the 2002‑03 Portfolio Budget Statement for Environment and Heritage, and non‑budget publications such as the State of the Environment Report. Table 1.1 illustrates the relationship between the Report’s themes and the outcomes and outputs of the Environment and Heritage portfolio.
 Table 1.1: Mapping Environment and Heritage outputs into SoE themes
2001 State of the Environment Report Themes	Environment and Heritage outputs	
Atmosphere	Protecting Australia's atmosphere
Greenhouse – meeting the challenge of climate change	
Biodiversity	Understanding, protecting, and conserving biodiversity
Managing Commonwealth national parks and reserves	
Coasts and Oceans	Protecting Australia's coasts and oceans	
Human Settlements	Operating a world class assessment and approvals system
Improving the environmental performance of industry	
Inland Waters	Improving the quality of inland waters and promoting their sustainable use	
The Land	Conserving, rehabilitating, and promoting sustainable land use	
Natural and Cultural Heritage	Protecting and conserving Australia's heritage places	
Antarctica	Advancing Australia's interests in Antarctica	
	Cross portfolio initiatives(a)
Meteorology – monitoring and prediction in support of sustainability	

(a)	Cross portfolio initiatives are those not attributable to any one theme.

Financial data and descriptions of programmes are based on information currently available. Identification of environment expenditure depends on the extent to which spending can be ascribed to environmental purposes, and this varies across programmes. Therefore some expenditure with environmental implications may not be recorded in this statement.
Unless otherwise indicated, all financial information presented in this statement represents the net cost to the Commonwealth. The figures do not include any goods and services tax which may be payable by the Commonwealth and is recoverable as an input tax credit.

Chapter 2: Budget Overview and Strategic Directions
Underlining a strong whole of government approach to sustainable environment issues, the Prime Minister established the Sustainable Environment Committee (SEC) of Cabinet in December 2001. Chaired by the Prime Minister, the Committee includes the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, the Ministers for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Education, Science and Training; Industry, Tourism and Resources; and Forestry and Conservation. The SEC provides for a whole of government focus on achieving environmental sustainability in Australia in co-operation with the Australian community.
The major environmental priorities for the Government for the next year and new initiatives funded in the 2002-03 Budget are outlined in this chapter. The Government is committed to honouring its election promises. Through the Budget it has put in place a comprehensive response to the environmental challenges facing Australia. 
The Government will continue Australia’s largest ever environmental programme, the Natural Heritage Trust. Through a simplified programme structure, and a more strategic, targeted investment, the Trust will continue to restore our land and protect our rich biodiversity and natural and cultural heritage. It will continue to engage the Australian community in Landcare, Bushcare, Coasts and to achieve a sustainable future for our economy and our environment. 
The National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality will dovetail with the extension of the Natural Heritage Trust to address the pressing problems arising from dryland salinity. 
To enhance the quality of life for all Australians, the Government will continue working towards improving the quality of the air we breathe particularly in urban areas. 
The Government through legislative amendment will, for the first time, provide substantive protection of Australia’s historic heritage.
The Government will continue to combat greenhouse gases with a total funding commitment of almost $1 billion since 1997, and work with industry to foster a more energy efficient and cleaner Australian economy. It will also work with business to expand opportunities and markets for environmentally friendly products and processes. The Government will also progress the work to ensure the sustainable use of our coasts and oceans. 
A summary of Commonwealth Government expenditure on the environment and related activities is also provided with more detailed information outlined in Chapter 3: Key Environment Activities and Chapter 4: Cross Portfolio Initiatives. 
New Measures In The 2002-03 Budget
New measures announced since the 2001-02 Budget are outlined below and are included in Budget Paper No. 2 – Budget Measures 2002-03. These measures may be funded from new sources or from existing resources of the Environment and Heritage portfolio. 
The Government will provide $14.9 million for new measures in 2002-03.
Table 2.1: New measures
Title of Initiative (a)	2002‑03
$m	2003‑04
$m	2004‑05
$m	2005-06
$m	
National Oceans Office	9.1	-	-	-	
Boat Harbour and Sisters Beach sustainable sewerage system, Tasmania	1.0	1.0	1.0	-	
Sydney Harbour Federation Trust	10.5	-	-	-	
Rationalisation of Australian Greenhouse Office Programmes	- 5.7	-	-	-	
Expansion of the Market for Biofuels (b)	-	-	-	-	
Total	14.9	1.0	1.0	-	

(a)	All initiatives are funded under the Environment and Heritage portfolio unless stated otherwise
(b)	The Government will provide $2.5 million in 2002-03 and 2003-04 from the Greenhouse Gas Abatement Programme to fund a study addressing market barriers to the uptake of biofuels.

Descriptions of Budget Measures
National Oceans Office  
The Government is committed to improving the quality of Australia’s coasts and oceans while promoting the sustainable use of these precious resources. The National Oceans Office supports the National Oceans Ministerial Board in implementing and further developing Australia's Oceans Policy. 
Australia’s Oceans Policy sets in place a framework for integrated and ecosystem-based planning and management of Australia’s marine jurisdictions. The Policy promotes the ecologically sustainable development of the resources of Australia’s oceans and encourages internationally competitive marine industries, whilst ensuring the protection of marine biodiversity. 
In 2002-03, the Government will provide $9.1 million to the National Oceans Office for the further development of Regional Marine Plans and related activities as part of Australia's Oceans Policy. In particular, the funding will enable the finalisation of the South-East Regional Marine Plan and initial development of a marine plan for the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Torres Strait region.
The Government aims to achieve maintenance of the long term viability of various industries located in, and dependent on, Australia’s coastal environment through the development of a new Commonwealth Coastal Policy. Developed cooperatively with State and Territory Governments, this policy will take into account the fragility of Australia’s coastal ecosystems.
In 2002-03 the Government will continue to pursue a permanent global ban on commercial whaling and promote the establishment of a sanctuary for whales in the South Pacific. 
Boat Harbour and Sisters Beach sustainable sewerage system
The Government will provide $3 million over three years from 2002-03 on a $ for $ basis to the Waratah-Wynyard Shire Council in Tasmania for development of Sewerage Schemes for Boat Harbour Beach and Sisters Beach. Funding will support the establishment of environmentally sustainable sewerage treatment facilities at these communities. This in turn will contribute to improving the quality of coastal waters in the region and enable sustainable development of coastal communities.
Sydney Harbour Federation Trust 
In 2002‑03 the Government will invest $10.5 million in the rehabilitation and return of historic Sydney Harbour foreshore lands to the people of Australia. The sites include the former Artillery School at North Head, defence lands at Middle Head-Georges Heights, the former Army Maritime School at Chowder Bay, Woolwich Dock, Cockatoo Island and the former Marine Biological Research Station at Watsons Bay. Ownership of Snapper Island and the Macquarie Lightstation at Vaucluse will be transferred from the Department of Finance and Administration to the Department of the Environment and Heritage in 2002-03 and will subsequently be vested in the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust. 
The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust will use the funds to maintain these lands and prepare a plan that will determine their future in close consultation with the community.
Funding will provide for the research, assessment and survey work necessary to carry out site remediation, maintenance, building works and environmental management. This, together with an extensive community consultation programme is required to complete the comprehensive management plan for all the lands to ensure their conservation for future generations to enjoy.
Meeting the challenge of climate change
The Government continues to develop and invest funding in domestic programmes to achieve Australia’s Kyoto Protocol target and to contribute to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Budget confirms the Government’s commitment of almost $1 billion since 1997 to implement an effective response, targeting emissions reductions across the entire Australian community through: 
•	encouraging innovation and development in technological solutions
•	implementing sustainable land management practices
•	developing a more sustainable mix of energy sources 
•	using energy efficiently
•	enhancing Australia’s greenhouse sinks
•	 providing the tools and mechanisms to measure progress accurately.
The Australian Government is continuing to play a leading role in international efforts to respond to the threat of climate change. An effective global response requires the participation of all major emitters, including the United States and key developing countries. Australia was prominent in negotiations to settle rules for the operation of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol which were finalised in Marrakesh in late 2001.  In February 2002, Australia entered into a Climate Action Partnership with the United States. The Partnership will promote activities with practical, measurable outcomes that contribute to the global effort.  The Partnership will foster the exchange of scientific expertise, technology and innovation on climate change between our respective businesses and scientists.
Rationalisation of Australian Greenhouse Office Programmes
The Government has identified a number of project grants in the renewable energy programmes administered by the Australian Greenhouse Office, where technical or business issues have impacted on the viability or feasibility of the project, that can be rationalised without impacting on the effectiveness of the Government’s greenhouse strategy.  The programmes affected include the Renewable Energy Commercialisation Programme and the Renewable Energy Showcase Programme.
Expansion of the Market for Biofuels
The Government will provide $2.5 million in 2002-03 and 2003-04 from the Greenhouse Gas Abatement Programme to fund a study addressing market barriers to the uptake of biofuels. The study will include consideration of options for vehicle testing to determine appropriate standards for ethanol blend fuels.  The Government will use this study to inform decisions on options for implementing its election commitment to support increased production of biofuels in Australia.

Initiatives funded from within existing allocations
Table 2.2: Initiatives funded from within existing allocations
Title of Initiative	2002‑03
$m	2003‑04
$m	2004‑05
$m	2005-06
$m	
Implementation of Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.	9.7 	9.4 	9.5	10.1	
Gene Technology	0.4 	0.4 	0.4 	-	
Natural Heritage Trust*	250.0	250.0	310.0	310.0	
National Action Plan on Salinity and Water Quality	100.7	138.2	157.2	149.1	
Total	360.8	398.0	477.1	469.2	
* Natural Heritage Trust figures are estimated expenditure from the Natural Heritage Trust special account rather than appropriations into the account.
Descriptions of new initiatives 
A world class assessment and approvals system
In 2002-03 the Government will provide $9.7 million for the ongoing operation of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The Act provides a framework for Commonwealth approval of development proposals of truly national significance and decision-making about conservation of biodiversity. This funding will enhance the potential of the Act to provide streamlined and user-friendly processes and to build greater community ownership, especially among farmers. Experience over the past two years has highlighted priority areas where more work can be done. These include working towards: 
•	a greater emphasis on communication and client assistance
•	better targeting of education and training and the delivery of accurate data and information to regions (especially about future listing of threatened species and ecological communities)
•	a more proactive approach to cooperative compliance, especially for businesses affected by the EPBC Act, to provide greater certainty and ease in complying with requirements of the Act.
Gene Technology assessment advice
To ensure that gene technology is developed in an environmentally safe way, an additional $400,000 per year over three years is being provided to support the statutory role of the Minister for the Environment and Heritage in providing assessment advice to the Gene Technology Regulator under the Gene Technology Act 2000.
Addressing Australia’s land, water and biodiversity problems
The Natural Heritage Trust 
Achievements to date
The Natural Heritage Trust was established by the Commonwealth Government in 1996 to repair and replenish Australia’s natural capital infrastructure.
The Trust has been instrumental in raising the awareness and understanding within the Australian community of environmental issues. Since 1996 more than $1.4 billion of Trust and related programme funding has been approved for over 11,800 projects, involving almost 400,000 Australians. Funding has been targeted at on-ground environmental and natural resource management projects around Australia.
The Department of the Environment and Heritage and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australia jointly administer the Trust. This partnership has led the way for greater cooperation between the Commonwealth Government and the State, Territory and Local Governments on environmental and natural resource management. The Trust is leading the world in terms of government delivery of integrated environment and sustainable natural resource management outcomes.
July 2002 and beyond
The Government will provide an additional $1 billion to extend the Natural Heritage Trust for a further five years from 2002-03, bringing the total since 1996 to more than $2.7 billion. This represents an 11-year funding commitment for on-ground actions to conserve and repair Australia’s unique environment. 
Coupled with funds rolled over from previous years and income from interest, the $1 billion new funding will bring budgeted spending to around $250 million per year in 2002-03 and 2003-04 rising to $310 million per year in 2004-05 and 2005-06. The Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act (1997) requires that a minimum balance of $300 million, in real terms, remain in the Trust Reserve from 2001-02 onwards, with interest generated by this balance maintained for Trust activities.
Unlike the first six years of the Trust, which was funded from the proceeds of the partial sale of Telstra, the $1 billion plus extension of the Trust will be fully funded from consolidated revenue. The Commonwealth is seeking matching funding from the States and Territories for investments it makes under the Trust.
Important lessons learnt during its first six years will enhance the Trust extension with a simplified programme structure and greater strategic, targeted investment and a more regional focus. The programme structure will be simplified, with future investment made through four overarching programmes. The programmes are:

•	Landcare - reversing land degradation and promoting sustainable agriculture.
•	Bushcare – conserving and restoring habitat for our unique native flora and fauna, which underpin the health of our landscapes.
•	Rivercare – improving water quality and environmental condition in our river systems and wetlands.
•	Coastcare – protecting our coastal catchments, ecosystems and the marine environment.
As part of the extension to the Natural Heritage Trust, the Government has committed $350 million to improve water quality under the four Trust programmes.
More strategic, targeted investment in integrated outcomes – the regional approach
Under the extension of the Trust funding will be invested at three levels – national, regional and local.
Investment at the local level 
At the local level the Trust will continue to fund individuals and small community groups through the Australian Government Envirofund. The Envirofund was launched in early April 2002 and applications close on World Environment Day – 5 June 2002. Through grants of up to $30,000 it will help groups undertake important work at a local scale, as well as increase their capacity to participate more fully in regional planning processes.
Investment at the regional level
Under the Trust, investment will focus on the regional level. With $1 billion in new funding over the next five years, the Trust will have the capacity to invest on a three year rolling basis through regional bodies to assist in implementing their natural resource management plans.
Accredited regional natural resource management plans will guide investment in a wide range of conservation and sustainable resource use projects. This regional focus reflects key recommendations arising from the mid-term review of the Trust, reports by the Australian National Audit Office and the work undertaken to implement the regionally based National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (National Action Plan).
Regional bodies will be responsible for developing and implementing integrated natural resource management plans in consultation with the community. The Commonwealth Government, and the State and Territory Governments will accredit these plans and make investment decisions based on national, state and regional priorities. As these plans may take time to be developed and accredited, 2002-03 will be a transitional year, and funding will be provided to support regions in the development and refinement of their plans. Funding will also be available during this period for urgent on-ground activities.
To help the community move towards regional natural resource management, the Commonwealth will make funds available in 2002-03 for at least 650 ‘facilitator and coordinator’ positions. This funding will help retain skills developed over the first phase of the Trust, and support the community through the Envirofund and work with regional bodies to develop and implement regional plans. This network will complement the natural resource management responsibilities of the States and Territories.
There will be close linkages between the Trust and the National Action Plan. Each will facilitate partnerships between all levels of government, community groups, individual land managers and local businesses, for regional solutions to natural resource management issues. The Trust will continue to invest across Australia, including within National Action Plan areas. Where Trust investment occurs in National Action Plan regions, integrated delivery processes and a single comprehensive regional plan will be used wherever possible.
Investment at the national level
At the national level, the Trust will continue to invest in activities that cross over regional boundaries and in matters of direct Commonwealth responsibility, such as Commonwealth waters.
The Trust will continue to support Australia’s commitment to maintain and enhance our World Heritage Areas.
With the Trust’s funding support for on-ground works, communities around the country will continue to bring about major improvements to rural and urban environments.
The new arrangements for the Trust will take effect from 1 July 2002.
The Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council is overseeing the development and implementation of a national monitoring and evaluation framework to scrutinise and measure progress against the objectives of both the Natural Heritage Trust and the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality. 
Summary of Natural Heritage Trust expenditure 
Natural Heritage Trust estimated expenditure from 2002-03 to 2006-07 is summarised in Table 2.3. Natural Heritage Trust estimated expenditure on programmes from 1996 ‑2002 is summarised in Table 2.4. Programme expenditure figures are also provided in Appendix 2.
The National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality
In addition to the funding available under the Natural Heritage Trust, the Commonwealth has committed $700 million over seven years, to address salinity and water quality issues in 21 priority catchments under the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (National Action Plan). With matching funding from the States and Territories the package will total $1.4 billion. The National Action Plan will be implemented through bilateral agreements negotiated by the Commonwealth with each State and Territory. 
Analogous to the recommendations of the mid‑term review of the Natural Heritage Trust, integrated catchment/regional management plans will form the basis of the National Action Plan. These plans will set targets for the maintenance and improvement of the natural resources within catchments, particularly in relation to salinity, water quality and biodiversity. In 2002-03, the Commonwealth has committed $100.7 million to implementing the National Action Plan. This money will be used to progress: 
•	approvals and payments of foundation funding and priority action projects in all jurisdictions
•	implementation of regional, integrated natural resource management plans in all jurisdictions
•	accreditation of resource management plans in New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria
•	approval of detailed investment strategies to support implementation of accredited regional plans
•	development of multilaterally agreed strategic plans for non-regional elements of the National Action Plan. 
Table 2.3: Natural Heritage Trust Expenditure 2002-03 to 2006-07(a)
	2002-03
$m(b)	2003-04
$m	2004-05
$m	2005-06
$m	2006-07
$m	
Bushcare 
	70.2	85.0	105.4	105.4	102.0	
Coastcare
	38.0	32.5	40.3	40.3	39.0	
Landcare (c)
	70.4	65.0	80.6	80.6	78.0	
Rivercare
	65.5	67.5	83.7	83.7	81.0	
Air Pollution in Major Cities
	4.4	-	-	-	-	
Waste Management Awareness
	1.5	-	-	-	-	
Total 	250.0	250.0	310.0	310.0	300.0	

– denotes nil
(a)	   This table shows estimates approved for expenditure. Due to rounding, some columns may not add exactly to totals. The Natural Heritage Trust estimates may vary in the future within overall totals. 
(b)	   Allocations for 2002-03 have been made to allow investment in priority activities while broader aspects of the Trust's new regional arrangements are being implemented. Programme allocations for future years will be made on the basis of the regional arrangements, once these are established.
(c)	Natural Heritage Trust funding only. In 2002-03 Landcare will also receive $39.2m via appropriations under the Natural Resources Management (Financial Assistance) Act 1992. 

Summary of Natural Heritage Trust expenditure 1996-2002
Natural Heritage Trust estimated expenditure on programmes from 1996-2002 is summarised in Table 2.4. Programme expenditure figures are also provided in Appendix 2.
Table 2.4: Natural Heritage Trust expenditure(a)
Description of Programme	1996-97
$m	1997-98
$m	1998-99
$m	1999-00
$m	2000-01
$m	2001-02
$m	
Air Pollution in Major Cities	1.3	1.5	2.4	2.9	1.9	4.1	
Australia’s Oceans Policy	–	–	–	1.5	2.8	8.5	
Bushcare	3.7	22.2	50.2	81.6	81.5	83.8	
Coasts and Clean Seas	–	8.6	20.2	28.1	21.7	24.4	
Endangered Species 	2.0	2.1	6.9	5.8	4.9	5.5	
Farm Forestry Programme	–	2.8	6.5	11.9	10.6	9.2	
FarmBis: Advanced Property Management Planning	
0.4	
0.3	
2.6	
5.6	
5.7	
–	
Fisheries Action	–	1.7	2.2	3.2	2.9	2.8	
Landcare Tax Credits	–	–	0.5	0.4	1.2	1.2	
Murray‑Darling Basin 2001	3.8	27.5	35.0	43.0	44.0	35.0	
National Feral Animal Control	
3.7	
3.1	
1.6	
2.0	
2.8	
3.2	
National Land and Water Resources Audit	
1.3	
2.4	
11.8	
9.8	
9.0	
5.4	
National Landcare(b) 	10.2	30.1	48.5	48.8	42.1	32.2	
National Reserve System	0.4	2.9	11.2	11.4	13.7	20.0	
National River Health	0.1	1.6	1.7	2.6	2.1	1.4	
National Rivercare	–	5.9	14.3	19.1	19.4	16.9	
National Weeds	2.1	1.3	1.6	0.9	2.2	4.8	
National Wetlands	0.5	1.6	1.6	3.8	3.7	3.8	
Riverworks Tasmania	1.8	2.6	0.3	4.2	–	–	
Waste Management Awareness	
0.2	
0.6	
0.7	
1.0	
0.9	
1.1	
Waterwatch Australia	0.2	2.2	2.4	3.1	3.0	2.6	
World Heritage	4.7	10.7	10.0	8.6	8.1	8.9	
Total	36.3	131.4	232.1	299.4	284.3	274.7	

– denotes nil
(a)	This table shows expenditure against estimates approved by the Natural Heritage Trust Ministerial Board. Due to rounding, some columns may not add exactly to totals. 
(b)	Natural Heritage Trust funding only. The National Landcare Programme also receives appropriations under the Natural Resources Management (Financial Assistance) Act 1992. In 2001-02 this will be $40.3 million.

Environment Expenditure by the Environment and Heritage and 
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australia portfolios 
Table 2.5 outlines environmental expenditure by the Environment and Heritage and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolios for 2001-02 to 2005-06. 
Table 2.5: Environment expenditure by the Environment and Heritage and 
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australia portfolios
Description	2001‑02
$m	2002‑03
$m	2003‑04
$m	2004‑05
$m	2005-06
$m	
Environment and Heritage portfolio(a)						
	Outcome 1: The environment, especially those aspects that are matters of national environmental significance, is protected and conserved	376.3	372.5	352.0	345.8	322.8	
	Outcome 2: Australia benefits from meteorological and related science and services (Bureau of Meteorology)	8.8	9.0	9.0	9.1	9.2	
	Outcome 3: Australia’s interests in Antarctica are advanced (Australian Antarctic Division)	107.9	102.3	104.2	106.2	107.6	
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio	136.5	125.2	94.2	88.6	81.2	
Natural Heritage Trust – joint EA/AFFA initiative(b)	274.7	250.0	250.0	310.0	310.0	
National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality – joint EA/AFFA initiative	30.6	100.7	138.2	157.2	149.1	
Total	934.8	959.7	947.6	1016.9	979.9	

(a)	Figures in Table 2.5 present estimated expenditure for environment outcomes on an accrual basis with outyear estimates in outturn prices (the prices expected in future years). The figures include corporate overheads, which have been allocated across outputs and outcomes.
(b)	Represents approved estimates of expenditure from the Natural Heritage Trust rather than appropriations into the Trust (which have been shown in previous Commonwealth Environment Expenditure Statements).

Environment Expenditure (all portfolios by theme)
The Commonwealth’s environment expenditure for all portfolios by environmental theme is summarised in Table 2.6. The expenditure listed in Table 2.6 is also included in the totals in Table 2.5. The breakdown of these figures is provided in more detail in Appendix 2.
Table 2.6: Environment expenditure (all portfolios) by theme
Description	2001‑02
$m	2002‑03
$m	2003‑04
$m	2004‑05
$m	2005‑06
$m	
The Atmosphere						
Atmosphere	31.5	36.8	23.7	19.9	16.4	
Greenhouse	119.2	140.4	143.6	116.0	108.5	
Biodiversity	83.1	70.8	61.1	38.9	38.6	
Parks and reserves	56.2	55.4	54.1	55.5	59.2	
Coasts and Oceans(a)	324.3	373.4	117.6	94.5	94.9	
Human Settlements						
Environmental Assessments and Approvals	14.2	13.2	12.8	12.9	13.6	
Industry	124.8	123.2	94.5	57.1	41.8	
Inland Waters	27.4	38.5	39.0	18.3	18.8	
The Land 	164.1	239.2	268.4	237.4	228.8	
Natural and Cultural Heritage	57.6	43.3	22.2	22.4	21.5	
Antarctica	107.9	102.3	104.2	106.2	107.6	
Cross Portfolio Initiatives  	291.4 (b)	388.3 (c)	127.2	120.3	89.1	
Meteorology	10.9	11.1	11.1	9.1	9.2	
Natural Heritage Trust – Joint EA/AFFA Initiative(d)	    274.7	250.0	250.0	310.0	310.0	
Total	1687.3	1885.9	1329.5	1218.5	1158.0	

(a)	This figure reduces in 2003-04 as no estimates are available for Australian Customs Service.
(b)	This figure includes approximately $188 million for Australia’s overseas aid programme.
(c)	This figure includes approximately $195 million for Australia’s overseas aid programme. 
(d)	Represents approved estimates of expenditure from the Natural Heritage Trust rather than appropriations into the Trust (which have been shown in previous Commonwealth Environment Expenditure Statements).

 

Chapter 3: Key Environment Activities
This chapter describes environmental initiatives that the Commonwealth will implement over the coming years. Activities are organised into the main environmental sectors identified in State of the Environment Report — atmosphere, biodiversity, coasts and oceans, human settlements, inland waters, land, natural and cultural heritage and Antarctica. 
The atmosphere
Protecting and improving our atmosphere has been an ongoing priority for the Australian Government. As well as taking significant steps to improve air quality, Australia has become a world leader in phasing out ozone depleting chemicals, and in encouraging the community and industry to reduce greenhouse emissions. Protection of our atmosphere continues to be a priority in 2002‑03.
Improving our air quality
In 2002‑03, the Government will continue to develop and implement programmes that improve urban air quality. 
Air  quality programmes will target the main sources of urban air pollution such as motor vehicles and woodheaters, support the development and implementation of national air quality standards, and promote increased awareness of air quality issues.
Specific projects focus on improving fuel quality standards; decreasing vehicle emissions; transport options that reduce pollution without impacting on access and mobility; management of woodheater emissions; and the monitoring and management of fine particle pollution.
Initiatives to tackle urban air pollution
The Government is developing and implementing national initiatives to minimise the adverse impacts of air pollution from the six major air pollutants: oxides of nitrogen, particles, ozone (photochemical smog), carbon monoxide, oxides of sulfur, and airborne lead.
Key projects include:
•	Ambient Air Quality — this National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) promotes a consistent approach towards managing air quality around Australia. The Government will work towards developing a new standard for fine particles under the NEPM and commence a review of the sulphur dioxide and ozone standards.

•	Launceston Woodheater Replacement programme is a financial incentive programme that has been well received by the Launceston community. Last financial year the programme targeted the replacement of 1,000 woodheaters. The Government expects to spend approximately $1 million on rebates in 2002-03. This will make a significant contribution to improving air quality in Launceston.
•	Air Toxics — the Government will develop an NEPM for priority air toxic pollutants, initially targeting five pollutants (including benzene and formaldehyde). A further 12 priority air toxics will be considered at a later date as more data are collected.
Curbing motor vehicle pollution
In 2002‑03 the Australian Government will continue to implement programmes to enforce existing motor vehicle emission standards and to develop further standards as required. 
Through projects, such as the development of an Australian ‘Green Vehicles’ guide, a review of motor vehicle emission standards, and in-service vehicle emissions testing, the Government aims to limit the impact of motor vehicles on urban air pollution and public health. 
Implementing and enforcing national standards under the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 and the Fuel Quality Standards Regulations 2001 will be a major focus for the Government in 2002-03. The Act and Regulations provide a framework for enforcing national fuel quality standards, which will have a major impact on decreasing the amount of toxic pollutants in vehicle emissions, such as benzene and particles. Studies estimate that reductions for some pollutants of up to 50 per cent over 20 years will be achieved.
The Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 complements evolving fuel efficiency and emissions control technologies, allowing modern cars to operate at peak performance. Pollutants will be reduced nationally as a result leading to associated health benefits for the community.
The Government will also work towards establishing diesel vehicle testing facilities to support the implementation of the Diesel Vehicles Emissions National Environment Protection Measure in 2002-03.
The Government will provide additional Commonwealth support to the biofuels industry including considering the setting of a voluntary objective that biofuels contribute 350 million litres to the total fuel supply by 2010.
Australia — a world leader in ozone protection
The Government’s Ozone Protection programme represents world’s best practice in phasing out and managing ozone depleting substances. The Ozone Protection Reserve, funded through the ozone depleting substances licensing system, facilitates the phase‑out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons and methyl bromide. The Reserve provides funding for research and other activities associated with phase-out. 
The Government will actively participate in international ozone protection efforts through the implementation of a Regional Strategy to assist South Pacific countries meet the requirements of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. 
Greenhouse — meeting the challenge of climate change
Since 1997, the Government has committed almost $1 billion towards an effective greenhouse response. Overall, current Australian greenhouse mitigation actions are expected to reduce growth in greenhouse gas emissions by about 60 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents annually by the end of this decade. This positions Australia well to meet its international commitments and to contribute to the global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 
The Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO) is the world’s first national agency dedicated to tackling greenhouse gas emissions. The AGO administers a broad range of world-leading programmes supporting the uptake of cost-effective greenhouse gas abatement across industry and community, including the growth of the renewable energy industry. 
A  major greenhouse initiative is the development of carbon sinks, which will aid work to meet the Kyoto target of 108 per cent of 1990 emissions by 2008-12. The AGO has developed a groundbreaking approach to carbon accounting in the context of land clearing and is seeking to increase Australia’s greenhouse sink capacity through promoting increased reforestation, farm forestry and revegetation.
Australia’s international role
The Australian Government intends to continue the leading role it has played in international efforts to respond to the threat of climate change. For example, Australia was prominent in negotiations to settle rules for the operation of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which were finalised in Marrakesh in late 2001. 
The Climate Action Partnership with the United States announced in February 2002 will support the implementation of cooperative activities with practical and measurable outcomes that contribute to the global effort to address climate change. The Partnership will produce mutual benefits for Australia and the United States, particularly by fostering the exchange of scientific expertise, technology and innovation on climate change. 
Australia’s position is supported in international negotiations by bodies such as CSIRO, which carries out extensive research and technology development relevant to greenhouse gas mitigation in areas such as mining, energy production and use, transport and agriculture.
Strategic investment pays off
The Australian Government continues to invest in strategic large-scale, cost effective and sustained abatement opportunities and in new technologies. 
•	The $400 million Greenhouse Gas Abatement programme is projected to deliver total savings of 10.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents per annum by 2010. More than $150 million, almost 40 per cent of the total programme expenditure, has been invested in 16 projects to date across a broad range of sectors. This funding is expected to secure a further $900 million investment in abatement action by industry.
•	Over $300 million has been committed to programmes that encourage innovation and development in Australia’s growing renewable energy industry, especially in the replacement of diesel-powered electricity generators in rural Australia. 
•	The $12.5 million National Carbon Accounting System has allowed Australia to develop robust emission estimates for land-based sectors for the period 1990‑2000. This places Australia at the leading edge of land based carbon accounting. 
•	The Bush for Greenhouse programme has developed innovative tools to stimulate private investment in revegetation and secure multiple environmental outcomes. It is facilitating the development of a new international carbon sequestration industry in Australia by addressing key issues such as legal recognition of carbon rights and carbon measurement. 
Building partnerships with industry and the community
The Government will continue to work with Australian industry to encourage significant greenhouse gas abatement and improve energy efficiency in key areas such as power generation, buildings and appliances.
Industry takes up the challenge
More than 700 businesses from many industries have joined the Greenhouse Challenge programme, which aims to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions. Participants have already reported combined emission savings of more than 30 million tonnes to date.
While it is a voluntary partnership between the Government and Australian industry, it has attracted excellent industry support in some key areas — 100 per cent of aluminium and cement producers, 98 per cent of the oil and gas industry, and 91 per cent of the coal mining industry are involved. Almost 50 per cent of total emissions from non-agriculture industries are covered by  the programme. 
Greenhouse Challenge members develop an inventory of their emissions and identify practicable abatement actions. Regular progress reports are independently verified by technical experts to ensure the credibility of the programme’s data.
In 2002-03, the Government will increase participation by industry in the Greenhouse Challenge to include more than 800 members, expanding coverage of more than 50 per cent of industry related greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2001-02, 13 leading electricity generators representing almost 65 per cent of the national electricity market capacity signed up to the Governments Generator Efficiency Standards Programme. This will see an investment by industry in the order of $240 million in new plant and equipment. This investment will be recovered over time through improved operational efficiencies. The Government expects to achieve over 85 per cent coverage of total market capacity in the near future, which will move all major electricity generators toward best practice operating efficiency. By 2010 the programme is expected to save the equivalent emissions of around one million cars.
Community supports Greenhouse action
Programmes administered by the AGO provide a platform for local communities to contribute to reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. 
•	More than 140 local councils, representing 60 per cent of Australia’s population, have now joined the $13 million Cities for Climate ProtectionTM programme - making Australia the fastest growing participant of this international programme.
•	In less than a year of operation, the Cool Communities programme has built partnerships with 24 organisations as diverse as a football club, a remote Indigenous community, an academic institution, and a regional archdiocese. The programme provides information, support and financial assistance to enable communities to undertake practical actions to reduce household greenhouse gas emissions. 
Regulatory and market based approaches drive change
The Government is committed to the use of innovative regulatory and market-based approaches to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 
In April 2001 the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target came into force under the key provisions of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000.
Administered by the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator, the Mandatory Target requires electricity generators to source an additional 9,500 gigawatt hours (GWh) of renewable electricity per year by the year 2010. This is enough power to meet the residential electricity needs of four million people. 
After nine months of operation more than 600 GWh of eligible additional renewable energy has been generated from 130 accredited renewable energy generators.
In late 2001, the Government launched the Greenhouse Friendly programme to enable companies to obtain certification by the AGO for products or services whose greenhouse emissions have been fully offset by other greenhouse abatement activities. 
For example:
•	In November 2001, a leading automotive fuel became the first product to receive the AGO's Greenhouse Friendly certification; already the company is experiencing higher than anticipated sales of their greenhouse friendly product.
•	A major Australian financial institution is adopting a key strategic position in the new emissions offset market by establishing a pool of pre-approved greenhouse abatement projects that meet the programme requirements. 
Biodiversity
The protection and conservation of Australia’s biodiversity continues to be one of the Government’s highest environmental priorities. 
As one of only 17 mega-diverse countries, Australia is home to 10 per cent of the world’s known species of flora and fauna, 80 per cent of which exist no where else in the world. This gives Australia a special responsibility to understand, protect and conserve our biodiversity and this is reflected in our commitment to meeting our obligations to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Programmes funded under the Natural Heritage Trust and the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (National Action Plan) seek to conserve and protect biodiversity in Australia by protecting our bush, land,  and coastal areas. 
The Government continues to support key biodiversity activities including: identifying and protecting endangered and threatened species; removing threats such as feral animals and weeds; conserving our marine biodiversity by funding of marine protected areas and protecting marine species; and providing specific areas for the protection of biodiversity by maintaining a National Parks and Reserves system.
Conserving our Biodiversity — the Natural Heritage Trust and the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality
The Government has provided funds to biodiversity conservation through the extension of the Natural Heritage Trust and the National Action Plan, both of which will reflect the interdependency between sustainable natural resource use and biodiversity conservation. These major programmes will make increasing contributions to the goal of conserving Australia's native biodiversity. 
The National Action Plan objective to improve water quality and to arrest salinity will have substantial biodiversity outcomes. Wetlands are frequently among the low-lying areas first affected by salinity and many species of remnant vegetation are at risk. Improvements in water quality and flow will have substantial benefits for native fish and water birds and the overall ecological health of our rivers and lakes.
Bushcare is the terrestrial biodiversity conservation programme in the Trust. It aims to reverse the long-term decline in the quality and extent of Australia’s native vegetation cover in rural and urban areas, both on privately owned and community property, and on land used for production, conservation and recreation. 
Bushcare assists the recovery of our threatened species and ecological communities, improves the management of World Heritage areas, addresses the threats to biodiversity from feral animals and weeds, and increases the size and representativeness of the National Reserve System. For example, in 2001-02, protection of remnant native vegetation and revegetation works has covered 32,603 square kilometres with 640 projects, totalling $35.7 million, approved. More than 10,000 people have participated in native vegetation management and restoration training activities, delivered regionally. Only through the cooperative efforts of all levels of government, industry and community can the biodiversity conservation objectives of Bushcare be achieved.
In 2002-03, the Natural Heritage Trust will undertake work to identify biodiversity hot spots – areas with high nature conservation value at risk from threatening processes. This will ensure the most cost-effective use of joint government and community investments.
The Trust’s Coastcare and Rivercare programmes will also achieve substantial biodiversity outcomes. Coastcare will protect and restore significant marine, coastal and estuarine ecosystems; protect and restore the coastal, estuarine and marine habitats of threatened species, threatened ecological communities, and migratory shorebirds and waterbirds; prevent or control the introduction and spread of introduced marine pests, coastal weeds and other biological threats to biodiversity; and establish and effectively manage a comprehensive, adequate and representative system of marine protected areas. 
Rivercare will protect and restore significant freshwater ecosystems in rivers and wetlands; prevent or control the introduction and spread of aquatic pests, weeds and other biological threats to biodiversity and productivity; and protect and restore the riverine and wetland habitat of threatened species, threatened ecological communities and migratory birds.
Investing Trust funds through strategic landscape scale projects delivered on the basis of integrated regional plans will be one of the principal mechanisms to achieve these outcomes. This regional focus reflects key recommendations arising from the mid-term review of the Trust, reviews of Trust investment by the Australian National Audit Office and the work undertaken to implement the regionally based National Action Plan.
Regional bodies will be responsible for developing and implementing the integrated natural resource management plans in consultation with the community. These plans will need to look at the interaction between biodiversity and resource use needs, to seek integrated outcomes from the Trust and National Action Plan investments and to set regional targets for a core set of natural resource matters. This core set – to be agreed nationally through the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council – will address issues such as salinity, water quality and biodiversity.
The investment through the Trust and the National Action Plan will be supported by statewide reforms in biodiversity conservation, institutions and policies.
Another key biodiversity initiative is the development of ten national priority actions for biodiversity conservation. These priority actions:
•	cover areas critical for biodiversity conservation such as freshwater ecosystems and dryland salinity
•	have been endorsed by most States and Territories as a basis for future planning and programme activities
•	will be used in the development of integrated regional plans for the purposes of the Trust and the National Action Plan.
Knowledge promotes Biodiversity Protection 
Our understanding of Australia’s biodiversity is continually being improved through the implementation of a number of research programmes and initiatives.
•	The Australian Biological Resources Study supports research on Australia's organisms by providing grants and training schemes, publishing several series of books on flora and fauna, and providing a range of electronic databases and identification tools.
•	The Australian Biodiversity Information Facility makes available, free of charge via the World Wide Web, taxonomic and biological information on plant, animal, and other species known to occur in Australia.
•	CSIRO and other bodies contribute to environmental and resource management through research related to pests, weeds and endangered species, plus broader research at the ecosystem and region/catchment level on the role and management of biodiversity and on the value of services arising from biodiversity and ecosystems.
•	The Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research enhances knowledge of Australia’s plant biodiversity and promotes understanding of its conservation and sustainable utilisation. The Centre is a joint venture between CSIRO Division of Plant Industry and the Australian National Botanic Gardens, and it will continue for at least another eight years.
•	The National Vegetation Information System and the National Land and Water Audit has provided additional information about Australia’s biodiversity. The Government is committed to ensuring that the findings of the National Land and Water Audit are incorporated into sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation.
Protecting our biodiversity — wildlife conservation and management
The Government is taking an integrated approach to conserving biodiversity through the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). 
Under the EPBC Act, 60 recovery plans for threatened species and communities were adopted in 2001-02.  These included plans for species such as the Chuditch, the Cassowary, the Shark Bay Mouse and the Bridled Nailtail Wallaby.  Of these plans, ten are for ecological communities.
Threat Abatement Plans are being implemented for incidental catch (or by-catch) of Seabirds during Longline Fishing operations which impacts on at least 14 threatened species and dieback caused by the root-rot fungus (Phytophthora cinnamomi) which impacts on approximately 106 threatened species.
The status of priority threatened species and ecological communities was improved under the Trust’s Endangered Species Programme in 2001-02. Eighty-nine projects were approved totalling $5.5 million covering 563 nationally listed species and one ecological community. The projects involved species such as the Albatross, the Wedge Tailed Eagle, the Gouldian Finch, the Orange Bellied Parrot, the Southern Corroboree Frog, Gilbert’s Potoroo, the Tammar Wallaby and the Northern Bettong.
Under the EPBC Act, the Threatened Species Scientific Committee will establish national conservation priorities for threatened species and communities. Sustained efforts by Government to reduce and manage the impact of nationally significant weeds and feral animals will protect wildlife and communities across the nation. 
The regulation of trade in native species and endangered species has seen 44,900 permits, authorities and tags issued to date, under wildlife protection and trade legislation.  Australia will meet its commitment to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna through new and streamlined provisions of the EPBC Act.
Management of feral animals has been enhanced under the Trust’s National Feral Animal Control Programme in 2001-02 by the implementation of threat abatement plans for foxes, cats, rabbits and goats. Fourteen feral animal control projects totalling $2.2 million have been approved for the management of foxes, cats, rabbits and cane toads.
Strategies and action plans developed in 2001-02 for 19 of the 20 ‘Weeds of National Significance’ have been endorsed by Standing Committees, and will enhance weed management. Sixty-six projects totalling $4.8 million were approved under the environment component of the Trust’s National Weeds Programme in 2001-02, covering ten of the ‘Weeds of National Significance’ that have a major environmental impact, and include four projects covering weeds on the ‘Weed Alert List’.
Protecting our biodiversity — national parks and reserves
The Government continues to protect Australia's natural and cultural heritage for future generations by establishing a comprehensive, adequate, and representative system of parks and reserves. In 2002-03, the Government will expand the National Reserve System with a view to including a representative sample of each Bioregion in Australia within the next five years.
The Commonwealth Government manages seven land-based reserves including the World Heritage listed Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks, as well as Booderee National Park; the unique island ecosystems of Norfolk, Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands National Parks; and the Australian National Botanic Gardens. In 2002-03 preparation of the next management plan for Kakadu National Park will commence.
Departments such as Defence have instituted consultative arrangements with key stakeholders, such as the Department of the Environment and Heritage, concerning the management of Commonwealth Parks and Reserves particularly where these adjoin Defence training areas. The National Capital Authority manages remnant native vegetation and endangered species, including the Golden Sun Moth population at York Park, in accordance with environmental management plans. 
The United Nations considers Australia to be a world leader in the joint management of National Parks with traditional owners. Kakadu, Uluru-Kata Tjuta, and Booderee National Parks are all jointly managed through Boards of Management with majority membership being Indigenous people. 
Positive outcomes arise through joint arrangements not only for the conservation of cultural and natural heritage, but also for the local Indigenous peoples living nearby and within the parks. These include employment opportunities for local Indigenous people, and recognition and utilisation of their traditional ecological and cultural knowledge within the parks. 
Through the Regional Forest Agreement process, the Commonwealth has added 2.9 million hectares to conservation reserves. In addition, ecologically sustainable forest management practices have been put in place to improve the conservation status of forest fauna and flora in all publicly managed forests.
Coasts and oceans
Managing our coasts
In 2002‑03, the Government will aim to develop a National Coastal Policy cooperatively with State Governments and Territory Governments. Australia’s coasts are facing many pressures, including declining water quality; population growth; coastal development and high visitor numbers; habitat loss; weeds and introduced marine pests. 
In developing the National Coastal Policy, the Government will focus on:
•	improving water quality in coastal and estuarine waters
•	conserving and restoring important coastal and estuarine habitats and biodiversity 
•	protecting the economic base of coastal areas.
Managing our oceans
Australia’s Oceans Policy is the first policy of its type in the world. It is expected that the first regional marine plan under the policy, the South East Regional Marine Plan, will be completed by the National Oceans Office in 2002‑03 after extensive consultation with key stakeholders.
Regional marine plans provide the main means of implementing Australia’s Oceans Policy. They establish an integrated process for the sustainable use and exploration of Australia's marine resources.
Planning for a second area bounded by the Torres Strait, the Gulf of Carpentaria and the eastern parts of the Arafura Sea has commenced through discussions with Queensland, the Northern Territory and relevant community and industry stakeholders. 
In 2002-03 the Government will work to increase international awareness and understanding of the importance conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity on the high seas.
Conserving marine resources
Marine Protected Areas
Conservation assessments of 11 unique marine areas will be completed by June 2004 for potential addition to the National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas. 
The National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas programme identifies, assesses, declares, plans and manages Marine Protected Areas in both Commonwealth waters and State waters, and promotes cooperative relationships with stakeholders. Environment Australia already manages eleven Marine Protected Areas in Commonwealth waters some of which accommodate some sustainable activities, such as tourism and certain forms of fishing.
The conservation assessments for the 11 additional areas will identify the conservation values of the areas; the threatening processes impacting on these values; and issues for consideration in a potential protected area design. Regional stakeholder consultations will also be part of this process.
Representative Areas programme – Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority will continue to implement the Representative Areas programme (RAP) in 2002‑03. The aim is to ensure that representative examples of the diverse array of habitat types and communities present within the Great Barrier Reef are adequately protected. The provision of new ‘no-take’ areas will maximise the protection of biodiversity and ensure adequate representation of all habitat types whilst complementing the economic, cultural and social values and uses of the Marine Park.
In May 2002, the first round of formal community participation for the RAP will commence. It will be an opportunity to record public opinion regarding the spatial management of the Marine Park in the future. Communication techniques used to capture broader community feedback will include the World Wide Web, radio, television, newspapers, and presentations.
Protecting whales
In 2002‑03 the Government will work with other like-minded countries to pursue a permanent global ban on commercial whaling through the International Whaling Commission and other international fora. The Government will also continue to promote the establishment of a sanctuary for whales in the South Pacific and support South Pacific states wishing to promote domestic sanctuaries. 
During 2002‑03 the Government will finalise Recovery Plans for the endangered Blue Whale and Southern Right Whale, and will begin developing a Recovery Plan for the vulnerable Humpback Whale.
Improving fisheries sustainability
There is now a statutory requirement under the EPBC Act to assess the environmental performance of all Commonwealth fisheries within five years and all export fisheries by December 2003. 
Assessments have been completed for Tasmanian Rock Lobster, Abalone and Queensland Spanner Crab fisheries. By June 2003 two thirds of all Commonwealth fisheries will be under agreement for assessment to ensure that they are managed in an ecologically sustainable manner.
Two fisheries — the Coral Reef Finfish and Mackerel Fisheries — will also be the focus of negotiations led by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority in 2002‑03. The negotiations aim to implement management arrangements and aim to ensure the ecological sustainability of both fisheries. The Authority is working to improve current fisheries management arrangements by seeking the adoption of a whole-of-ecosystem approach to address the sustainability of target species, non-target species and the ecosystems on which they depend. This follows the successful partnership between the Queensland Government, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and industry stakeholders to ensure that the East Coast fishery is ecologically sustainable and consistent with the World Heritage values of the Great Barrier Reef.
Australia has been at the forefront of efforts to combat illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing. As a member of the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna, Australia has sought to extend the Convention to cover the major nations fishing for the species. Australia is also active in other fora, pursuing efforts to combat IUU fishing and to encourage ecologically sustainable development through the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, and the Forum Fisheries Committee of the South Pacific Communities.
Protecting the marine environment
The Commonwealth Government, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, and the Queensland Government are working together to address concerns over the decline in water quality in the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. The aim is to stabilise and reverse the decline in water quality entering the lagoon as soon as practicable. In 2002‑03 on-ground works will commence with regional communities and industries to address the causes of an increased sediment and nutrient load in the rivers and estuaries.
In 2002‑03 the Invasive Marine Species Programme will be expanded in cooperation with States, Territories and other stakeholders to address the potential for harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens that can be introduced by bio-fouling on vessels. 
This initiative follows the 2001 implementation of a mandatory ballast water management regime that developed a risk-based decision support system, and a mandatory and verifiable industry reporting scheme.
The Natural Heritage Trust Coastcare programme will continue to improve the status of Australia’s coastal and marine biodiversity. The programme will: develop and implement recovery and threat abatement plans for listed species and communities; identify and conserve estuarine, coastal and marine biodiversity hotspots; and manage shorebird sites and coastal wetlands of national significance.
Improving our knowledge through research
The knowledge provided from research is important in improving the management of our coasts and oceans. 
In 2002‑03, the Government will continue to fund research and development programmes relating to marine and estuarine ecosystems, the Australian fishing industry and marine pollution control. 
This includes the development of tools and strategies to improve the protection of Australia’s coasts and oceans. Agencies involved in undertaking such research include the Australian Institute of Marine Science, CSIRO and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO).
Human settlements
Environmental impact assessment and project approval
The EPBC Act provides a framework for Commonwealth consideration and decision-making for development proposals of truly national significance. The Act also sets out the process for consideration and approval of proposals involving Commonwealth actions or Commonwealth land. 
The EPBC Act strengthens environmental protection of matters of national significance and speeds up, streamlines and simplifies the approval process for industry. Having clear, consistent national environmental legislation across the country benefits the entire community. The Government is committed to administering the Act in a way that secures certainty for all stakeholders. 
In keeping with this approach, during 2002-03, the effectiveness of the EPBC Act will be further enhanced by: 
•	an emphasis on communications and client assistance, building community support for the Act, particularly among key groups such as farmers
•	better targeting of education and training, and the provision of accurate data and information to regions, particularly concerning future listings of threatened species and communities
•	a more proactive approach to cooperative compliance, especially for businesses affected by the EPBC Act to provide greater certainty and ease in complying with the requirements of the Act. 
As at 31 March 2002, 534 actions had been referred for decision under the Act. Twelve referrals had lapsed or been withdrawn and 488 decisions had been made. Of all decisions, 143, or 29 per cent, were determined as requiring approval because of their potential for significant impact on matters of national environmental significance. In addition, a further 40, or 8 per cent, were determined not to be controlled actions because they were to be carried out in a particular manner to avoid adverse impacts on the matters to be protected.
The vast majority of controlled actions involved matters of national environmental significance with only a small number involving Commonwealth land or action. The larger sectors with referrals requiring approval were mining, urban development, manufacturing, electricity generation and supply, and tourism and recreation. 
Thirty-one proposals were approved under the EPBC Act by 31 March 2002, 25 subject to conditions and six unconditionally. Approved projects included the Echo-Yodel production wells on the North West Shelf, urban developments in western Sydney, a magnesium metal production facility at Port Pirie and tourism and recreational facilities at Uluru.
Commonwealth projects of national significance include the establishment of a national repository for the disposal of Australia's low level and short-lived intermediate level radioactive waste, for which the Department of Education, Science and Training is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement; the modernisation of the Mulwala munitions plant; and the environmental impact assessment of airport development. The Department of Transport and Regional Services is developing more informative approaches to describing aircraft noise, promoting the use of new approaches in the aviation industry by developing guidelines on providing the community with information on aircraft noise, and by the development of a new computer software package.
Raising the environmental performance of industry
The Government continues to foster a collaborative and cooperative working relationship with Australian industry to improve its environmental performance.
Raising awareness of the economic, social and environmental benefits of sustainable development is a priority of government programmes, and for the National Environmental Education Council through the National Action Plan for Environment Education. Priority areas will be the formal education sector, including tertiary level education, and industry. 
Complementing this work, the Government will continue to honour environmental achievement through support for awards such as the Prime Minister’s Award for Environmentalist of the Year. 
Fostering partnerships 
Improving the environmental performance of industry 
Eco-efficiency
In 2002-03 the Government will continue to promote eco-efficiency, which reduces the use of resources and cuts pollution, waste and production costs. In partnership with the packaging, construction and mining industries, the Government will continue to work to improve the environmental performance of these industry sectors.
In 2002‑03, the Government will focus on developing voluntary agreements with agribusiness associations. With an aim of improving the efficiency of industrial practices and processes to reduce resource use and waste, there are already twenty-one such agreements with manufacturing, crop production, aquaculture, property, and electricity industries. 
Sustainable Buildings
In partnership with the building industry, the Government is working to improve the environmental performance of Australia’s built environment. A key initiative is the development of Australia’s first comprehensive environment performance-based rating system for commercial and residential buildings, the National Australian Building Environmental Rating System.
Financing sustainability
The Government will continue to work with the financial sector to promote the consideration of environmental issues in its lending, investment and insurance decisions. The implementation of requirements in the Financial Services Reform Act 2001 to disclose the extent to which environmental issues are considered in investment products will provide significant impetus for this work.
Environment industries
Launched in September 2001, the Environment Industry Action Agenda is a ten-year industry development plan that will add value to all Australian business by enabling competitive environmental outcomes. The Action Agenda aims to build an environment industry with annual sales exceeding $40 billion by 2011.
Managing environmental pollution
International actions promote protection
Pollutants and hazardous materials from human activities can have national and international impacts. The Government participates in several international fora that promote the safe management of hazardous wastes and chemicals. The Government has signed both the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the Rotterdam Convention for Prior Informed Consent and is committed to considering the ratification of these Conventions.
National actions provide safeguards
The Government will continue to implement the following programmes:
•	The $5.5 million National Dioxins Programme, which will work towards assessing the indicative levels of dioxins in the Australian environment and developing appropriate measures to reduce or where feasible ultimately eliminate them.
•	A $60 million transitional assistance programme to promote the development of oil collection infrastructure and recycling technology under the Product Stewardship (Oil) Act 2000. 
•	In 2002‑03 the Government will explore product stewardship approaches for other waste streams such as used tyres and electronic and electrical goods.
Additionally, to ensure that gene technology is developed in an environmentally sound way, an additional $400,000 every year over the next three years is being provided to support the statutory role of the Minister for the Environment and Heritage in providing advice to the Gene Technology Regulator under the Gene Technology Act 2000.
Research plays vital role 
The Government’s scientific organisations will continue to make significant contributions to the environmental performance of Australian industry through setting standards and providing technical expertise and advice. For example:
•	The Australian Government Analytical Laboratories is enhancing its capability in areas of ultra-trace dioxin analysis and methods for testing food and crop samples for the presence of genetically modified organisms.
•	The Supervising Scientist Division of Environment Australia undertakes environmental research, conducts an independent monitoring programme and reviews the environmental performance of uranium mines in the Alligator Rivers Region in the Northern Territory to ensure the protection of the Kakadu National Park from the potential impacts of uranium mining.
•	The National Industrial Chemicals Notification Assessment Scheme and the National Registration Scheme for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals will continue to assess the effect of new and existing chemicals on the environment.
•	ANSTO is developing cost-effective processes to remove radionuclides, arsenic and other pollutants from mineral products as well as manage sulfides from pre ore processing to mine closure. These processes are reducing the environmental impact of the Australian mining industry.
Inland waters
With a comprehensive suite of programmes, the Australian Government aims to continue to improve the quality of Australia’s inland waters and promote their sustainable use. 
Under the extension to the Natural Heritage Trust, the Government has committed $350 million to improve water quality under the four Trust programmes. The Trust activities will fund actions, for example:
•	to conserve the biodiversity of aquatic and riparian systems
•	to restore important fish migration routes through such activities as removal of barriers and the construction of fish passage devices
•	to protect priority instream, riparian and floodplain habitats, including Ramsar sites, nationally significant wetlands and migratory water bird habitat.
In October 2000, the Prime Minister announced the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (National Action Plan), involving a Commonwealth funding commitment of $700 million over seven years, to address salinity and water quality issues in 21 priority catchments. This funding will be matched by the States and Territories, resulting in a total package of $1.4 billion. Implementation of the National Action Plan in each State and Territory is administered through bilateral agreements between the State/Territory government and the Commonwealth. The funding under the National Action Plan is in addition to that available under the Natural Heritage Trust.
Under the National Action Plan, funding assistance to the priority regions will be based on integrated catchment/regional management plans, in line with the recommendations of the mid‑term review of the Natural Heritage Trust. The regional management plans will set targets for the maintenance and improvement of the natural resources within these catchments, particularly in relation to salinity, water quality and biodiversity. 
The regional management plan will need to be sufficiently comprehensive to provide a sound basis for the Commonwealth Government and the State Governments to invest in it, and for the regions to commit to implementing the priority actions it describes. 
Under the National Action Plan, the Commonwealth and the States and Territories have also committed themselves to a range of land and water policy changes necessary to protect the long-term profitability and sustainability of our natural resource base. Matters identified for action include pricing, clarifying and securing property rights, regulatory instruments for land and water use, and market-based incentives and regulatory controls on land clearing in salinity risk areas. 
Some examples of possible reforms include: placing caps on extraction of water in over-allocated surface and groundwater systems; and putting in place controls on land clearing in areas where this may lead to unacceptable land and water degradation. 
As at March 2002, Bilateral Agreements for implementation of the National Action Plan had been concluded with South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland, and discussions were nearing completion with New South Wales. Regions in South Australia and Victoria are receiving funding.
Restoring healthy flows in the Snowy and Murray Rivers
Expert opinion describes the ecological condition of the River Murray as significantly impaired. To improve this condition, the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council is developing an environmental flow regime for the River Murray. The Council is currently using 350 gigalitres, 750 gigalitres and 1500 gigalitres of water returned to the River Murray as reference points for detailed analysis and community engagement. This analysis will consider the social, economic and environmental costs and benefits of the reference points on areas like the Murray Mouth, the Coorong, the Barmah-Millewa Forest and on Murray cod populations. The public consultation process is due to commence in July 2002. 
The Ministerial Council has also released a draft Native Fish Strategy for public comment. The goal of the Strategy is to rehabilitate native fish communities in the Murray-Darling Basin back to 60 per cent of their pre-European settlement levels after 50 years of implementation. It is currently estimated that native fish populations are at 10 per cent of their pre-European levels and this figure will fall to 5 per cent if action is not taken now. The Strategy is centred on rehabilitating and protecting fish habitat, controlling alien fish species and protecting threatened native fish. Inherent in the Strategy is the notion that environmental flows are critical to the rehabilitation of native fish populations.
Sustainable use of the Murray Darling Basin 
The Murray-Darling Basin Initiative is a cooperative arrangement between governments and the community to achieve the sustainable use of the Basin's water, land and other environmental resources. 
One project under the Initiative is the Sustainable Rivers Audit, a comprehensive and consistent approach to monitoring and reporting on river health across the Basin. 
Other key projects include: analysing and developing options for providing environmental flows for the River Murray; integrating the Murray-Darling Basin Initiative with the National Action Plan and the Natural Heritage Trust; and fully implementing the Basin Salinity Management Strategy, including the Ministerial Council’s 'cap' on water diversions in the Basin.
Lake Eyre Basin Intergovernmental Agreement
The Government will implement the Lake Eyre Basin Intergovernmental Agreement in partnership with the Queensland and South Australian Governments and the Basin community. Key tasks to be undertaken during 2002‑03 include the finalisation of policies and associated strategies under the Agreement, commencing the first Lake Eyre Basin Rivers Assessment and holding the inaugural Lake Eyre Basin Ministerial Forum Conference. 
Sustainability of the Great Artesian Basin
The Government will continue to work cooperatively with relevant State Governments towards the sustainable management and use of the water resources of the Great Artesian Basin to protect associated economic, social and environmental values. Key activities include strategic bore capping and piping works under the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative. The Government will also work towards the sustainable management of other groundwater resources, such as the Carnarvon Artesian Basin and the Namoi groundwater area, which should be managed sustainably and in a manner that is integrated with surface water systems.
Maintaining wetlands through Ramsar
In 2002‑03, the Commonwealth will continue to encourage State Governments and Territory Governments to complete or update management plans for all Ramsar wetlands to protect and maintain their ecological character and particularly to address water quality and environmental flows. 
The process will be guided by national management standards and the Australian Ramsar Management Principles to ensure an integrated approach for site management. The Commonwealth continues to work with States and Territories to improve descriptions and monitoring of the ecological character of Ramsar sites. 
Protecting migratory wetland birds
Australia participates in cooperative international action to protect wetland habitat of migratory birds, leading international efforts in East Asia to raise awareness of the importance of conserving migratory shorebirds and their habitats. In 2002‑03, Australian support for the Asia Pacific Migratory Waterbird Strategy and implementation of the Shorebird Action Plan will continue. 
In Australia, conservation initiatives will be focused on the preparation of a Migratory Waterbird Wildlife Conservation Plan, support for identification, listing and nomination of Internationally important sites to the East Asian Australasian Shorebird Site Network and community based conservation action at Australia’s important shorebird sites. 
The National Status Overview for Migratory Shorebirds is also being updated and will improve our data and understanding of waterbird ecology.
Educating in support of wetlands
The Wetlands Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) National Action Plan 2001-2005 is being implemented by the Commonwealth in collaboration with the States and Territories and non-government organisations. Awareness raising and education activities will be undertaken across Australia to encourage the protection of wetlands.
The Government promotes the wise use of wetlands by ensuring important wetlands are protected in the integrated natural resource management planning processes under the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality and the Natural Heritage Trust extension. 
Waterwatch raises environmental awareness in Central Australia
Waterwatch funds a part time Regional Waterwatch Coordinator in the Central Australia region. The project encourages closer links between the community of the Alice Springs region, local government, private sector and natural resource managers to create an ownership and understanding of water quality problems and the need for broad-scale environmental management. 
Since February 2000, the Alice Springs Waterwatch education programme has involved 1300 students in water conservation activities.
The Alice Springs Waterwatch regional programme currently coordinates eight monitoring networks, collecting data and information from over ten sites across the region. One of these networks discovered a population of the feral fish species, Gambusia hollbrooki, in a local swamp. As a result, an effective education and media campaign for the Alice Springs region was implemented. Waterwatch volunteers have since removed the Gambusia population from the area and continue to monitor the site.	

The land
Sustainable natural resource management
The $1.4 billion National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (National Action Plan) will continue to address two critical issues confronting Australia’s environment, rural industries, and regional communities — salinity and deteriorating water quality. 
The National Action Plan is a joint investment by the Commonwealth, States and Territories in Australia’s future. A core element of the programme is the development and implementation of integrated regional plans by community-based regional bodies. The plans cover 21 priority regions, and they can be integrated catchment or regional natural resource management plans that are relevant to their regions.
Support for this approach is provided by:
•	substantial funding for strategic actions specified in regional plans
•	providing technical assistance, skills training, information, and data
•	developing pilot programmes for market-based instruments to encourage best practice management to ensure that actions have long-lasting benefits.
The Commonwealth Government and the State Governments will require the regional bodies to be responsible for setting investment priorities and their implementation, and will require each of the regional plans to specify targets based on agreed national standards. These regional plans will be accredited by the Commonwealth and States to ensure they meet nationally agreed accreditation criteria.
The implementation of regional plans is supported by broad-based institutional reforms, including ensuring land clearing is prohibited where it would lead to unacceptable land and water degradation.
As with the Natural Heritage Trust, the National Action Plan will have a clear emphasis on regional outcomes. Where they cover the same area, the Natural Heritage Trust and the National Action Plan will be closely linked with integrated delivery processes and funding based on the same regional plan wherever possible. 
Both programmes facilitate partnerships between all levels of government, community groups, individual land managers and local businesses, for regional solutions to environmental problems and sustainable natural resource management. 
Ecologically sustainable forest management
The Government has initiated a comprehensive package of forestry, farm forestry, and plantation programmes to ensure sustainability of forestry industries. A further benefit will be the reduction of Australia’s net greenhouse gas emissions. 
Since 1996, the Government has invested $300 million in the Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) process. In that time 2.9 million hectares, including 0.9 million hectares of old growth forest, was added to conservation reserves. The Government will continue to focus on the monitoring and evaluation of the Regional Forest Agreements through annual milestone reports and five yearly reviews. The first five-year review for the Tasmanian RFA is currently underway and scheduled for completion by November 2002. 
In Tasmania $7.9 million of $20 million from the Trust contribution to the Regional Forest Agreement Private Forest Reserve Programme, has been approved to secure more than 23,000 hectares of priority forest on private land. 
The Farm Forestry Programme aims to increase agricultural productivity and sustainable natural resource management by encouraging the incorporation of commercial tree growing for the purpose of wood and non-wood production.  
Landcare 
The National Landcare Programme assisted and encouraged more sustainable farming practices. Many projects supported activities to facilitate conservation farming and grazing and best cropping practices. Such support was targeted on issues and locations linking with regional strategies and where activities were expected to catalyse more widespread change. Specific issues addressed included grazing management, soil erosion control and acidification, groundwater recharge, improved pasture management, water use and availability, revegetation and native shrub management and weed control.
Landcare group membership has helped to develop a conservation ethic in a significant percentage of practising farmers.  Surveys show that 40 per cent of farmers in Australia are in a community-based landcare group.
Activities were aimed at building individuals' self reliance, ability to make well-informed management decisions, and encouraging adoption of sustainable practices.  This was complemented by continued programme support for landcare groups - both individual groups and networks - to deal with local priority issues. 
Tax Deductions for Water Conservation and Amelioration of Degraded Lands
A number of financial incentives promote better land and water management. These include deductions for the cost of conserving and conveying water and for capital expenditure on landcare activities. 
Deductions can be claimed for capital expenditure on Landcare measures: 
•	eradicating or exterminating animal or plant from the land
•	destroying weed or plant growth detrimental to the land
•	preventing or combating land degradation other than by the use of fences
•	erecting fences to keep out livestock or vermin from areas affected by land degradation, to prevent or limit further damage and assist in reclaiming the areas
•	erecting fences to separate different land classes in accordance with an approved land management plan
•	constructing levee banks or similar improvements
•	constructing surface or sub-surface drainage works (other than the draining of swamps or low-lying areas) to control salinity or assist in drainage control. 
FarmBis – Skilling Farmers for the Future
FarmBis promotes sustainability and self-reliance through using and developing the business management skills of the farm management team, and communicating the benefits of continuous learning. The Commonwealth/State component assists farmers to attend training activities in both business and natural resource management.
The initial years of the FarmBis Programme have been funded in part from the Natural Heritage Trust, but from 2002-03 it will be fully funded as an element of the Agriculture – Advance Australia (AAA) package.
Incentives for Environmental Management Systems in Agriculture
Under the Incentives for Environmental Management Systems in Agriculture up to  $25 million will be available over five years to assist farmers to identify and manage their impacts on the environment.  Low-income primary producers will be eligible for reimbursement of up to 50 per cent of eligible expenditure costs, to a maximum of $3,000. The level of reimbursement applying to primary producers on taxable incomes between $30,000 and $35,000 per annum will reduce by $3 for every $5 in income above $30,000. 
Funded through the Natural Heritage Trust, potential benefits include improved production efficiencies and natural resource management, better resource allocation, and more secure market access.
While programme guidelines are currently being developed, broad tasks which may attract the reimbursement include:
•	the provision of professional advice, required to inform Environmental Management Systems development, such as environmental assessments, salinity mapping, monitoring and evaluation
•	tree or shrub establishment for salinity control to stabilise or prevent erosion, or to regenerate native vegetation
•	fencing to exclude stock or vermin to repair or control existing land degradation, protect remnant vegetation, establish native vegetation, protect native wildlife habitat, or separate different land classes
•	controlling pest animals or weeds detrimental to the land
•	alteration, addition or extension of plants to improve water quality downstream or the groundwater table
•	installing or upgrading water irrigation equipment to enhance the efficient use of water metering, constructing surface or sub-surface drainage works that are primarily and principally to control salinity or assist in drainage control  
•	installation of watering points for stock that result in improved NRM benefits, for example, moving watering points to achieve more sustainable grazing practice and better water quality.

Research guides sustainable management
Relevant, up-to-date and comprehensive data allow the Government to assess the effectiveness and the likely costs and benefits of land, vegetation and water resource management policy and decisions.
In 2002‑03, $11.9 million has been allocated to Land and Water Australia to oversee research and development activities relating to the conservation and sustainable management of Australia’s land, water and vegetation resources.
Other sources of information have been provided by:
•	The National Land and Water Resources Audit which has built an Australia-wide information base; in 2001‑02 the Government released final reports on dryland salinity, rangelands, and landscape health.
•	The CSIRO which undertakes research on a range of land and forest management issues such as sustainable agriculture through changed land use and management practices; degraded landscape management and rehabilitation; tools for sustainable resource uses at regional scales; and sustainable native forest management.
Rifle Range Forest Rehabilitation
Forest rehabilitation at the Rifle Range Reserve is being carried out through a joint initiative of the Robinvale Murray River Co-op Community Development Employment Programme and the Robinvale Aboriginal Community. 
The project encompasses ongoing revegetation, habitat and cultural site protection, along with weed and feral pest control at the reserve by the Robinvale Aboriginal Community. The project’s vision is to establish a healthy riverbank ecology that demonstrates the importance of environmental and cultural values within the bioregion. 
So far the project has achieved its revegetation goals, with more than 17 hectares of the reserve revegetated using over 1100 native plants. Weed and pest control has covered a further 27 hectares, with another 27 hectares having been stabilised through revegetation, grazing controls, and gully erosion reduction.	

Natural and cultural heritage
Protecting and conserving Australia’s heritage places
Australia’s most outstanding heritage assets will be identified and conserved under the Government’s proposed heritage regime. In 2002‑03, new heritage legislation will be introduced into the Parliament to provide, for the first time, substantive protection of heritage places. 
The new heritage regime will enable the Government to focus on protecting nationally significant heritage places and, in cooperation with States and Territories, to define national standards for heritage assessment, conservation, and protection. The new regime will also identify and protect heritage places under Commonwealth control.
An independent expert advisory body, the Australian Heritage Council, will be established to advise on the listing and protection of heritage places.
The national heritage regime will build upon the existing framework in the EPBC Act and complement the World Heritage protection regime that already operates under that Act.
The Government will work cooperatively with the States and Territories through the newly established Environment Protection and Heritage Council to protect Australia’s environment and heritage. The Council represents an amalgamation of the environmental protection functions of the former Australian and New Zealand Environment Conservation Council (ANZECC), the National Environment Protection Council, and the Heritage Ministers’ Meeting.
Protecting World Heritage
The Government will continue to ensure that Australia’s World Heritage properties are protected and managed to the highest standard. Continuing protection and conservation of these properties will also be achieved through implementation of the EPBC Act.
Over the next three years, the Government will work cooperatively with the States to complete management plans for all of Australia’s World Heritage properties.  It will develop, cooperatively with States, capacity building initiatives to enhance the involvement of Indigenous Australians and local communities in the management of Australia’s World Heritage properties.
The Government supports Australia’s World Heritage nomination of Purnululu National Park. An assessment of the Melbourne Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens will be completed in 2002‑03 and consideration will be given to nomination of this site for World Heritage listing.
The Government continues to meet its World Heritage obligations at an international level, including promotion of the World Heritage Convention in the Asia-Pacific region through programmes under the Asia-Pacific Focal Point for World Heritage Managers.
Conserving national heritage
The Australian Heritage Commission will continue to identify and conserve the National Estate until the Commonwealth’s new heritage legislation is enacted.
The Government is committed to identifying and conserving places of cultural heritage significance in Australia in partnership with local government, non-profit community organisations and private owners of heritage places.
In 2002‑03, the Government will continue to support the Cultural Heritage Projects Programme and approximately $3 million will be available to organisations and individuals involved in cultural heritage activities. Grants-in-Aid will be provided to the National Trust to support their ongoing conservation and advocacy role throughout Australia. 
The Government continues to fund the $5 million provided through the Rural and Regional Historic Hotels Programme for the restoration or preservation of selected buildings. 
Funding will continue to support conservation and management of the Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area on Norfolk Island. This area is managed in partnership with the Norfolk Island Government and contains one of the finest collections of Georgian buildings in the Commonwealth. 
In 2002‑03, a new National Maritime Heritage Strategy will be developed in recognition of our national responsibility to protect Australia’s maritime heritage. Further protection will be provided by continued support of the Historic Shipwrecks Programme, through which the Government will continue to administer the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 in cooperation with the States and Territories.
In 2002-03 Environment Australia will commence formal consultation on the newly adopted UNESCO Convention for the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage, with a view to a Government decision on ratification by 2003.
The Government will continue to protect and manage the unique natural and cultural heritage values of properties on Sydney Harbour. These properties include former defence sites at North Head, Middle Head-Georges Heights, Cockatoo Island, Woolwich Dock, Macquarie Lightstation and the former Marine Biological Research Station at Watsons Bay. Ownership of Snapper Island and the Macquarie Lightstation at Vaucluse will be transferred from the Department of Finance and Administration to the Department of the Environment and Heritage in 2002-03 and will subsequently be vested in the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust. In 2002‑03 some $10.6 million will be spent on security, maintenance, and in preparing management plans for these properties. This will involve extensive public consultation and a programme of decontamination and remediation for some sites. 
Protection for Australia’s movable cultural heritage will be achieved by managing its export in accordance with the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986. In      2002-03 the Government will assist with the acquisition of significant cultural objects for public collections through the National Cultural Heritage Account.
Indigenous heritage and environment issues will be addressed through programmes providing for the identification, protection, preservation and management of cultural property by Indigenous people. The Government has proposed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Bill 1998 to replace the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984. This will provide an improved Commonwealth regime for processing applications for heritage protection and a system of accreditation of State and Territory Indigenous heritage protection regimes.
Antarctica
The continent of Antarctica and the surrounding Southern Ocean profoundly influence the climate and environment of Australia and that of the whole Southern Hemisphere. The Southern Ocean’s rich ecosystems are of enormous economic and environmental importance to Australia and the world.
Australia continues to play a leading role in protecting the Antarctic environment. The scientific and policy efforts of the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) underpin Australia’s position within the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources and other fora. Two of the Government’s four goals for its Antarctic Programme have an environmental focus: protecting the Antarctic environment, and understanding the region’s role in global processes. In its role of leading Australia’s Antarctic Programme, the AAD is responsible for implementing these goals.
In 2002-03, the AAD will be supporting these goals with numerous activities. These include scientific research, participation in international fora, site remediation, use of renewable energy, species protection, and the development of a tourism strategy. 
Understanding the Southern Ocean ecosystem
A management regime to protect the Antarctic environment from one of its greatest threats — the over-harvesting of marine living resources — involves resource assessments, research into ecosystem dynamics, ecosystem monitoring, and resource management policy.
Initiatives in 2002‑03 include: studies of the availability and movement of krill near the Antarctic coast; albatross vulnerability to long-line fisheries; diet and movement of seals, whales and seabirds; and advanced modelling for assessing resources. AAD researchers will also monitor inter-annual variability in whale distribution and abundance in relation to prey characteristics, and relate distribution, abundance, and biomass of baleen whales to krill population dynamics.
Understanding Antarctica’s role in global climate systems
To improve climate predictions, AAD scientists are investigating the marine environment of the Australian sector of the Southern Ocean. Changes in oceanic currents and temperatures will be documented. Also, research will help understand and model the transport, mixing, dispersion, and fate of water bodies, chemical species and energy near the coast of Antarctica.
Amery Ice Shelf – Ocean Interaction (AMISOR)
Our understanding of global climate processes will be further advanced with a multi-disciplinary study in east Antarctica. The continuing study aims to determine water flow patterns beneath and in front of the Amery Ice Shelf, one of the major floating ice shelves fringing Antarctica. 
The AMISOR team will use data retrieved from two 400 metre boreholes in the iceshelf and from data-gathering moorings to calculate how melting and re-freezing beneath the shelf changes ocean water characteristics and influences global ocean circulation. The data will also reveal how the ice shelf-ocean interaction is affected by climate change. Researchers will also collect satellite and field measurements of the ice shelf dynamics and further develop numerical models of the ice shelf and the ocean for predicting climatic change.
Laser radar provides insight into atmosphere 
An atmospheric lidar (or laser radar) installed at Australia’s Davis station is being used to determine the magnitude of changes occurring in the mesosphere (50 to 90 kilometres above the surface of the Earth). It will also analyse clouds in the stratosphere (10 to 50 kilometres altitude) to understand their interaction with ozone depletion. The research will additionally examine the link between clouds in the mesosphere and increased greenhouse gases, such as water vapour and methane. It will be used to determine whether human activities are influencing the middle atmosphere.
Fine-tuning environmental management and performance
The AAD has developed a range of environmental protection measures and procedures that cover all of its Antarctic and Australian-based activities. An environmental management system is being developed to complement existing measures and to indicate areas where changes are required to achieve continual improvements in environmental performance. The AAD aims to have its system certified to ISO Standard 14001 by the end of 2002, placing it at the forefront of Antarctic Treaty nations’ initiatives for environmental excellence. 
Conserving historic and heritage sites
Consistent with the Mawson’s Huts Conservation Management Plan, the Commonwealth will pursue the partnership between Government and private bodies to conserve the site of Douglas Mawson’s historic 1911‑14 Antarctic expedition. The AAD will continue its assessment of Antarctic and subantarctic historic sites, and develop conservation management plans for those places that are of significance. It will also prepare a revised management plan for the World Heritage-listed Territory of Heard and McDonald Islands. 
Government funding to the Mawson’s Huts Foundation will enable a third AAD expedition in the 2002‑03 summer to complete the task of stabilising the huts, particularly the roof and walls. The Government, the corporate sector and the community fund the Foundation.
In the spirit of cooperation that characterises work in the Antarctic, transport to the site, which is far away from the usual area of Australian Antarctic operations, will be provided by the French Antarctic Research Programme. 
Remediating abandoned sites 
The AAD is developing procedures and techniques for clean-up, remediation, and monitoring of abandoned waste disposal sites in accordance with its international obligations. Trials of the techniques are being conducted at a small tip-site at Casey station, with the priority of ensuring removal does not cause more environmental harm than leaving the waste in place. With the successful conclusion of this trial, the remediation of the abandoned Wilkes station and other waste sites can begin.
Mawson Project Pioneers Renewable Energy
The Australian Antarctic Division is making a concerted effort to conserve energy and reduce station dependence on fossil fuels for power generation. The use of alternative energies promise to make Antarctic operations more environmentally sound and efficient.
Over the past decade energy conservation measures have reduced the amount of fuel used to power Australia’s three Antarctic research stations by approximately 25 per cent. The recent installation of a building monitoring control system has contributed to 15 per cent of this reduction, with further savings expected in the near future. 
For many years scientists and operations personnel have utilised solar-powered batteries to power their radio, computer and other equipment in the field. New initiatives now being developed will harness wind — an abundant Antarctic resource. The installation of wind turbines at Mawson station has the potential to reduce fossil fuel consumption by as much as 75 per cent, with correspondingly reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a lower risk of fuel spills that could damage the environment. The integrated wind-fuel system will use advanced energy storage technology, potentially allowing Mawson to run entirely on wind power during suitable conditions.	

Chapter 4: Cross Portfolio Initiatives
Australia's future prosperity hinges on an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable society. This can be achieved only if government works effectively with industry, technology users, scientists, and policy makers across a range of disciplines.
The need for such an approach was identified in the independent, 2001 State of the Environment (SoE) Report.
The Australian Government realises the importance of working cooperatively to provide a strong, whole-of-government approach to issues of environmental sustainability. In 2002 the Sustainable Environment Committee of Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, was established to achieve this goal.
Environmental research, information and training
Research supports sustainability
Australia's ability to generate new knowledge, ideas and skills through research is the basis for developing and applying technological responses to reduce pressures on Australia's environment. It is also the basis for developing sound environmental policy.
Bilateral relationships between the funding bodies and universities, industry, and government are the cornerstone of Australia's capacity to strategically invest in research that is of the highest quality and greatest potential benefit to the Australian community.
Specific initiatives include:
•	The Australian Research Council will advance Australia's environmental research capacity through strategic investment on behalf of the Australian community of over $35 million in 2002 for projects and programmes with environmental objectives. 
•	The Government's Cooperative Research Centres address environmental issues such as managing dryland salinity, freshwater ecology, greenhouse accounting, waste management, and sustainable tourism and heritage. Many of these solutions have long-term social and economic benefits to rural, regional and urban communities.
•	Australia’s leading scientific institute in environmental and agricultural research, the CSIRO, in 2002‑03 will spend over $34 million on research directed at advancing Australia's sustainability agenda.
•	The Australian Institute for Marine Science is solely committed to marine research and will spend $26.1 million on research to support the sustainable use and development of Australia’s marine resources. 
•	Defence invests in a range of environmental research initiatives to subsequently develop a better understanding of how its activities impact on the environment and identify strategies to minimise those impacts.
Monitoring and prediction supports sustainability 
Atmospheric, oceanographic and hydrological research, monitoring, prediction and the provision of associated meteorological services play an important role in protecting and conserving the environment.
As part of Australia’s contribution to the Global Atmosphere Watch, the Bureau of Meteorology monitors atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, ozone depleting substances and other long-range pollutants. Recent implementation of the Australian component of the Global Climate Observing System will provide valuable data that help detect climate trends and enable model enhancements leading to improved climate change projections and environment related services. 
The Bureau participates in the World Climate Research Programme and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It also provides scientific advice on a range of issues of global concern, such as climate change and the protection of the ozone layer. 
In 2002‑03 activities undertaken by the Bureau of Meteorology that support environmental objectives include:
•	Enhancing the ozone and ultra violet (UV) monitoring networks to underpin the UV Index Forecast Service with, for example, state of the art UVB and total ozone instruments installed at Alice Springs and Darwin. 
•	Upgrading the Environmental Emergency Response Service by improving computer models that identify areas likely to be affected by the accidental release of hazardous materials into the atmosphere.
•	In cooperation with CSIRO Marine Research, the Bureau will commence the deployment of profiling floats for the Argo (Array for real-time geostrophic oceanography) Programme. A total of 20 floats will be deployed over the next two years. The data will be used for research and to improve and develop meteorological and oceanographic services.
•	Working with the Cooperative Research Centre for Catchment Hydrology to enhance management of large catchments, such as the Murray-Darling Basin. This work includes improving linkages between numerical weather prediction and hydrological models and improving monitoring and prediction of water budgets. 
UV Forecasts for Sun Safety
Exposure to UV (ultra violet) radiation and the number of severe sunburns received, especially during childhood, increases the risk of developing skin cancer. With over 700,000 skin cancers removed each year, at a cost to the Federal Government of over $300 million, the importance of UV awareness and protection against sun damage cannot be overestimated. The Bureau of Meteorology now issues daily forecasts of the maximum UV intensity for 180 locations throughout Australia. The forecasts are available via the mass media or through the Bureau’s website www.bom.gov.au.
The UV Index Forecast service was developed and implemented in close consultation with State and Territory bodies of The Cancer Council Australia. The partnership continues with the development and promotion of activities and information products that raise the public’s awareness of the dangers of UV radiation. Ongoing initiatives to underpin the forecast service include research on the impact of cloudiness, modernisation of the monitoring network used to measure ozone and UV levels, and the extension of routine observations used as input to the service. 	

Information technology and data
Information technology provides tools that help the Government assess our progress towards a socially, economically and environmentally viable future. 
High-tech systems and products support sustainability
Geoscience Australia will work collaboratively with other government agencies to develop laptop-based geo-spatial decision support systems, maps and satellite imagery products, and to provide data, global position systems and satellite laser ranging facilities. 
Geographic information systems and satellite imagery provide reliable data on the marine environment, land and environmental management, human health and safety, vegetation health, agricultural productivity, and infrastructure development. Geodetic data helps monitor and predict climate change, natural disasters and changes in sea levels.
Data aid monitoring and policy response
The only major national and comprehensive report on the environment is the independent 2001 State of the Environment (SoE) Report that is produced for the Minister for the Environment and Heritage under the EPBC Act. The 2001 SoE Report comprised about 1,000 maps, tables, charts and figures.
The 2001 SoE Report provides information about the condition of and prospects for the Australian environment. It is an information source for government to develop policy responses to environmental pressures.
As part of its environment programme, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) will spend $1.6 million in 2002‑03 on a range of activities, including the production of its annual thematic publication on contemporary environmental issues, the development of environmental accounts, and the development and conduct of surveys on environmental issues such as salinity. This continues the ongoing role of the ABS in coordinating and standardising data relating to the environment and the provision of this data to all sectors.
The Environmental Resource Information Network (ERIN) provides extensive environmental data online to assist in environmental decision making by the community, industry and government.
Incentives for sustainability
The Government provides a range of incentives for future sustainability including structural adjustment packages for regional communities and a range of taxation measures for landholders and primary producers to encourage sustainable practices. 
Support for conservation on private land
The Government provides a range of incentives to encourage private sector investment in natural resource management.
The tax system provides incentives aimed at encouraging philanthropy and protection of high quality native vegetation as follows:
•	tax deductions for gifts of property over $5000 to eligible organisations, apportionable over five years
•	Capital Gains Tax exemption for gifts of property left in a will to an eligible organisation
•	zero or reduced Capital Gains Tax liability for landholders who enter into a perpetual conservation covenant in return for a payment
•	income tax deduction for any reduction in land value from a landowner entering into a perpetual conservation covenant with an eligible organisation, voluntarily and where no payment is received.
The Revolving Fund initiative provides funding of up to $1 million per State through the Natural Heritage Trust. The initiative aims to establish revolving fund schemes that purchase private land of high conservation value, place a covenant on it and on‑sell the land to a sympathetic purchaser, revolving the fund for further purchases.
Sustainable Regions Programme supports rural communities
Through the Sustainable Regions Programme the Government will provide $95 million over four years to rural communities facing economic, social and environmental challenges. 
Positive environmental outcomes are encouraged through:
•	the Australian Taxation Office's Capital Gains Tax treatment of perpetual conservation covenants
•	implementation of a broad range of initiatives in partnership with industry and the States and Territories to ensure an integrated support platform for the development and uptake of environmental management systems by Australian agriculturalists.
The Government also works in partnership with local governments to foster environmental outcomes at the local level through the Local Agenda 21 initiative, and with community groups through labour market programmes that support sustainability objectives.
Green Corps develops Australia’s youth
In 2002–03, the Government will spend $23 million to fund training opportunities and work experience for young people through the Green Corps Programme. 
The programme provides opportunities for people 17 to 20 years old to demonstrate their commitment to the environment by participating in projects addressing significant environment and heritage issues. Since 1996, nearly six million trees have been planted and over 31,000 hectares of weeds removed by Green Corps’ 8,000 participants.
Encouraging sustainability within Government
The Government provides a support service to help agencies implement ecologically sustainable development by:
•	helping agencies to assess sustainability impacts of new regulations
•	implementing sustainable development reporting requirements under s516A of the EPBC Act.
The Commonwealth Local Agenda 21 Programme facilitates adoption of sustainability principles and practices at local level. In the past four years the number of local governments participating in, or committed to, Local Agenda 21 has more than doubled.
The Commonwealth will provide $500,000 in 2002‑03 to fund the Environmental Resource Officers scheme to help local councils to achieve environmental objectives. Apart from helping local governments improve their environmental performance, the programme also facilitates access by local government to Commonwealth environment programmes such as Bushcare, Cities for Climate Protection, and heritage protection initiatives. 
Global sustainability—Australia's role
Some sustainability issues transcend national boundaries. As a global citizen, Australia is influencing international environmental policy directions through a range of bilateral, regional and multilateral activities that are focused on promoting global, ecologically sustainable development. 
International activities advance sustainability objectives
Throughout the year, Australia is involved in a range of international meetings that address issues of environmental concern:
•	Australia is preparing for the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002. In consultation with interest groups within Australia, the Government is seeking to have the Summit concentrate on a number of priority issues and agree to concrete measures for further sustainable development at global, regional, and national levels. Australia is giving special attention to oceans, community-based land management, and national level governance as issues for the Summit. 
•	The World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial meeting in Doha, Qatar, has a negotiating mandate that includes work on trade and the environment. Australia will participate in negotiations that will give effect to the mandate and will seek to ensure that the outcomes of WTO negotiations contribute to, or are consistent with, Australia’s environmental policy.
•	Through high-level participation in the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and its various commissions, Australia contributes significantly to global meteorological decision making and scientific and technological planning directly related to sustainability. Situated in the oceanic southern hemisphere, Australia benefits enormously from the international cooperation and information sharing fostered under the WMO framework. In December 2002 Australia will host an Extraordinary Session of the WMO Commission for Basic Systems and associated meetings.
Progress Points to Better Marine Sustainability
Positive news for the marine environment includes strong indications that Australia is managing its marine resources with increased sustainability. By December 2003, under the requirements of the EPBC Act, the environmental performance of all commercial export fisheries will be evaluated. 
Major fisheries that have been assessed as meeting the requirements under the new arrangements include the Tasmanian Rock lobster and abalone fisheries, which provide a significant proportion of the world’s production of those species, and the Queensland Spanner Crab fishery.
This is part of Australia’s responsibility for meeting a number of international commitments on the marine environment, including the conservation of marine biodiversity on the high seas and marine pollution prevention.
Australia will continue to play a leading role in such international fora as the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) to combat illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing for Patagonian toothfish. The AAD works vigorously with other government agencies in combating the serious and increasing threat that such fishing poses to Australia’s environment and other national interests in our subantarctic territorial waters.
Assistance to Developing Nations
Australia's international assistance towards environmental sustainability is focused on the Asia-Pacific region. It includes activities in the areas of natural resource management, oceans, the atmosphere, biological diversity, deforestation, and desertification. 
Specific forms of assistance include the following:
•	AusAID will provide an estimated $60 million for activities that directly address environmental problems in developing countries, with an additional $135 million of indirect expenditure. 
•	Through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, over $1 million will be provided for collaborative research projects between Australia and developing country researchers on problems of mutual importance. Many of these projects focus on the long-term productivity, management, and conservation of land and water resources in Australia and developing countries. 
•	Continued assistance to the national meteorological services of neighbouring developing countries. Such assistance includes providing advice (for example on the potential for dispersion of airborne matter) and technical support (such as in the standardisation and calibration of radiation and ozone equipment).
Working with the Indigenous community
A key precept of ecologically sustainable development is respect for the rights and interests of Indigenous peoples. 
Through programmes that provide for the identification, protection, preservation, and management of cultural property and areas of significance to Indigenous people, the Government is committed to ensuring the full participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in progressing ecologically sustainable development.
Work undertaken through other portfolios includes the following:
•	The Indigenous Land Corporation will provide funding in 2002–03 to assist Indigenous people acquire land and manage Indigenous-held land. This will help Indigenous Australians achieve social, cultural, economic, and environmentally sustainable benefits for themselves and future generations.
•	In 2002–03 the Government will continue to fund the Community Development Employment Projects Programme. The programme provides Indigenous Australians with the opportunity to work on a wide range of community development projects and enterprises, many of which have a positive environmental focus and provide training and work experience in environment, land and heritage projects.
•	The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) advances the participation of Indigenous peoples in land management by funding Native Title Representative Bodies under Part 11 of the Native Title Act 1993. ATSIC also plays an important advocacy role for Indigenous Australians by raising awareness of their rights in relation to land and sea management.
The recognition of Native Title has the potential to enhance environmental outcomes by allowing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples access to, and in some instances control over, their traditional country in order to manage land in accordance with traditional environmental management practices.
Environment Australia works cooperatively with Indigenous communities by encouraging the application of traditional knowledge and land management practices and by employing Indigenous people in natural and cultural resource management activities in jointly managed National Parks. 
Industries based on traditional knowledge
The Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council Aboriginal Corporation is made up of traditional Aboriginal women who hold an immense and unique knowledge of appropriate harvesting methods of natural resources in Central Australia. 
Based in Alice Springs, the NPY is playing an important role in developing natural resource industries based on traditional knowledge.
The NPY aims to:
•	establish a sustainable seed and bush food collective
•	support capacity building in communities and promote the use of sustainable native plants in existing local Aboriginal nurseries
•	preserve traditional knowledge of land management practices
•	enable Aboriginal women to improve their quality of life through economic gains.
The native bushfoods picked by the women are sold to Outback Bushfoods. Foods harvested include acacia seeds for bread and damper, and bush tomatoes (which are proving to be a popular commodity in community stores). 
NPY Council members will continue to harvest bushfoods thereby ensuring a continuation of the traditional land management practices that are needed to sustain the environment.	

Community Representation
All Commonwealth portfolios ensure the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on a number of decision-making and advisory bodies. In relation to land management, Environment Australia seeks Indigenous representation through a number of programmes. 
Implementing the Natural Heritage Trust
The Commonwealth has employed 13 Indigenous Land Management Facilitators to work with local Indigenous communities. These facilitators develop natural resource management projects utilising the assistance available through the Natural Heritage Trust. They also help to prepare funding submissions and to help implement funded projects and drawing on this experience provide policy advice to government on how to improve Indigenous involvement with the Natural Heritage Trust.
Advice on Indigenous Protected Areas
The Indigenous Protected Areas Advisory Group provides policy advice to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage on the development of the Indigenous Protected Areas Programme. This programme funds the establishment of Indigenous Protected Areas on Indigenous owned lands and the development of joint‑management arrangements on existing protected areas. 
Indigenous input to environment legislation 
The Indigenous Advisory Committee established under the EPBC Act advises the Minister for the Environment and Heritage on the operation of the Act, taking into account the significance of Indigenous people’s knowledge of land and the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
Network Helps Protect Indigenous Heritage
The National Indigenous Cultural Heritage Officer Network comprises over 600 locally based Indigenous officers, cultural custodians and elders. The Network recognises and promotes the role of Indigenous people protecting the lands, waterways, seas, and spiritual places of Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples in accordance with customary law. 

Appendix 1: Environment Activities by Portfolio
Table A1.1: Environment activities by portfolio
Portfolios	Major environmental responsibilities.	
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	Develops policies and programmes for agricultural, fisheries, food and forestry industries that are based on the sustainable management of and access to natural resources.	
Australian Fisheries Management Authority 	Ensures the sustainable use and efficient management of Commonwealth fisheries resources.	
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service	Provides quarantine services to prevent entry of exotic pests and diseases, and to inspect and certify export goods prescribed under the Export Control Act 1982.	
Bureau of Rural Sciences	Provides scientific advice to government in support of sustainable Australian agricultural, food, fisheries, and forestry industries.	
Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation	Provides national leadership in generating knowledge, informing debate and inspiring innovation and action in sustainable natural resource management.	
Murray‑Darling Basin Commission	Manages the River Murray and the Menindee Lakes system, and advises and assists the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council in relation to the management of natural resources in the Basin.	
Attorney‑General’s	Provides community-based environmental legal services and environment-related legal advice.	
Australian Customs Service	Provides border operations to control potentially environmentally damaging imports and exports.	
Australian Government Solicitor	Provides legal services on environmental matters to Commonwealth departments and agencies.	
Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	Responsible for radio frequency and electromagnetic energy research and information.	
Defence	Management of the environmental impact of Defence activities. Conservation of energy, natural resources, and the environmental values of the Defence estate.	
Education, Science and Training	Provides environmental education materials and professional development to teachers, and support for research and research training.	
Australian Institute of Marine Science	Researches the sustainable use and protection of Australia’s marine environment.	
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation	Develops environmental applications using ANSTO's nuclear expertise and facilities.	
Australian Research Council	Promotes higher education research (including environmental research).	
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation	Largest single contributor to environmental research in Australia, particularly focused on ecologically sustainable development in natural resource-based energy, manufacturing, and other sectors.	
Environment and Heritage	Primarily responsible for environmental policy, with a broad range of environmental programmes.	
Australian Antarctic Division	Researches marine and terrestrial biology, atmosphere, ice‑atmosphere interactions and climate change, and protection of the Antarctic environment.	
Australian Greenhouse Office	Coordinates domestic climate change policy and manages the delivery of major new and existing Commonwealth greenhouse programmes.	
Australian Heritage Commission	Values and conserves natural and cultural heritage places.	
Continued
Table A1.1: Environment activities by portfolio (continued)
Portfolios	Major environmental responsibilities	
Bureau of Meteorology	Responsible for atmospheric, oceanographic and hydrological monitoring, research and service provision.	

Director of National Parks	Responsible for managing Commonwealth protected areas.	
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority	Protection, wise use, understanding and enjoyment of the Great Barrier Reef.	
Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator	Supports increasing generation of low greenhouse intensity electricity.	
Sydney Harbour Federation Trust	Conserves and manages heritage properties on Sydney Harbour.	
National Oceans Office	Implements Australia's Oceans Policy.	
Family and Community Services	Provision of Green Corps.	
Green Corps	Provides training opportunities and practical experience for young Australians that address significant environmental and heritage issues.	
Finance and Administration	Monitors Commonwealth environment spending and contributes to environment policy.	
Foreign Affairs and Trade	Promotes solutions to international environmental issues consistent with Australia’s trade, economic and environmental interests.	
Australian Agency for International Development	Responsible for overseas aid programmes advancing Australia’s national interests by assisting developing countries to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development.	
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research	Achieves more productive and sustainable agricultural systems, for the benefit of developing countries and Australia, through international agricultural research partnerships.	
Health and Ageing 	A range of environmental health activities as well as contributions to chemical assessments.	
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency	Protects the health of the environment from the effects of radiation.	
Office of the Gene Technology Regulator	Manages the potential risks of gene technology to the environment.	
Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs	Monitors the relationship between the environment and population change. Contributes to the development of Indigenous heritage and environment protection policies.	
Indigenous Land Corporation	Indigenous land management programme.	
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage protection, native title, employment and housing programmes.	
Industry, Tourism and Resources	Develops, implements and administers policies, programmes and services designed to promote the international competitiveness of Australian manufacturing, resources and services industries, including tourism; and develops Australia's technology capabilities and infrastructure.	
Geoscience Australia	Conducts geological research to help manage Australia’s environment and natural resources.	
Geoscience Australia – National Mapping Division 	Provides fundamental geographic information for environmental monitoring and natural resource management.	

Appendix 2:  Environment Expenditure
Table A2.1 lists activities under the theme sections as used in Chapter 3. Totals for each environment theme do not include 2001‑02 NHT expenditure. This total is shown as “NHT Programmes” expenditure at the beginning of the table. NB: contact details for agencies can be found in Table A3.1.
Table A2.1: Environment Activities ‑ Programme and Tax Expenditure Estimates
Division / Agency	Description	2001‑02 $m	2002‑03 $m	2003‑04 $m	2004‑05 $m	2005‑06 $m	
AFFA/EA
	Bushcare	-	70.2	85.0	105.4	105.4	
	Coastcare	-	38.0	32.5	40.3	40.3	
	Landcare	-	70.4	65.0	80.6	80.6	
	Rivercare	-	65.5	67.5	83.7	83.7	
	Air Pollution in Major Cities		4.4	-	-	-	
	Waste Management Awareness		1.5	-	-	-	
	NHT Programmes	274.7	-	-	-	-	
	TOTAL	274.7	250.0	250.0	310.0	310.0	
							
	ATMOSPHERE						
	Protecting Australia’s atmosphere						
ANSTO	Investigation of the Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on the Atmosphere	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	
ARPANSA	Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring	1.8	2.0	2.1	2.1	2.1	
ARPANSA 	Measurement of the Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Environment	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	
CSIRO	Air Pollution: Assessment and Links to Human Health	3.9	4.0	4.0	na	na	
Defence	Defence Energy Efficiency Programme and Greenhouse Challenge	14.5	13.3	na	na	na	
DoTaRS	Australian Green Vehicles Guide	na	na	na	na	na	
DoTaRS	Investigation of Opportunities to Reduce Freight Transport Emissions through Modal Shift	0.1	-	na	na	na	
DoTaRS	Review of Motor Vehicle Emission Standards	na	na	na	na	na	

EA‑EQD	Air Pollution in Major Cities Programme (includes NHT1)(a)	4.3		-	-	-	
EA‑EQD	Air Quality Management	-	0.7	0.7	0.7	1.0	
EA‑EQD	Air Toxics	1.5	-	-	-	-	
EA‑EQD	Administration of the Fuel Quality Legislation	1.4	2.3	3.2	3.7	0.5	
EA‑EQD	In‑Service Vehicle Emissions Testing Programme	2.1	10.2	10.2	10.0	9.0	
- denotes nil; na denotes not available; .. denotes not zero, but rounded to zero.
(a)	Programme funded during the first phase of the Natural Heritage Trust; additional information on these programmes is contained in Table 2.4. See Chapter 2 for details of Trust extension arrangements for 2002‑03 and beyond.
Table A2.1: Environment Activities ‑ Programme and Tax Expenditure Estimates (continued)
Division / Agency	Description	2001‑02 $m	2002‑03 $m	2003‑04 $m	2004‑05 $m	2005‑06 $m	
EA‑EQD	Ozone Protection Programme	4.7	2.7	2.0	2.0	2.4	
EA‑EQD	Ozone Protection Reserve	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	
NCA	Energy Efficiency Measures	..	0.1	..	..	..	
	TOTAL	31.5	36.8	23.7	19.9	16.4	
							
	Greenhouse ‑ meeting the challenge of climate change						
AGO	Alternative Fuels Conversion Programme	6.5	6.0	7.0	9.8	14.5	
AGO	Bush for Greenhouse	1.6	1.0	-	-	-	
AGO	Cities for Climate Protection	3.1	2.5	-	-	-	
AGO	Compressed Natural Gas Infrastructure	1.1	-	-	-	-	
AGO	Diesel and Alternative Fuels Grants Scheme	na	na	na	na	na	
AGO	Domestic Greenhouse Policy Development	6.2 	6.1	5.9	6.0	-	
AGO	Emissions Trading	0.7	-	-	-	-	
AGO	Energy Efficiency in Commonwealth Operations	0.9	1.0	-	-	-	
AGO	Energy Performance Codes and Standards	2.8	2.2	-	-	-	
AGO	Environmental Strategy for the Automotive Industry	0.1	-	-	-	-	
AGO	Expansion of the Market for Biofuels(b)	0	-	-	0	0	
AGO	Generator Efficiency Standards	0.7	0.6	-	-	-	
AGO	Greenhouse Challenge	4.2	5.8	-	-	-	
AGO	Greenhouse Friendly Programme	0.6	na	na	na	na	
AGO	Greenhouse Gas Abatement Programme	14.3	39.0	68.0	58.4	68.0	
AGO	Greenhouse International Policy, Reporting, and Greenhouse Sinks	5.3	5.4	5.5	5.6	-	
AGO	Greenhouse Science Programme	4.1	3.8	-	-	-	
AGO	Household Greenhouse Action	2.8	-	-	-	-	
AGO	Mandatory Targets for the Uptake of Renewable Energy	0.4	0.5	-	-	-	
AGO	National Carbon Accounting System	6.3	1.9	-	-	-	
AGO	Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator	2.6	1.7	1.5	-	-	
AGO	Photovoltaic Rebate Programme	5.6	5.7	2.2	-	-	
AGO	Renewable Energy Commercialisation	8.3	8.0	-	-	-	
AGO	Renewable Energy Equity Fund Programme	3.4	2.6	3.0	3.3	-	
AGO	Renewable Energy Internet Site	0.1	..	-	-	-	
AGO	Renewable Energy Showcase	1.2	-	-	-	-	
AGO	Renewable Remote Power Generation	10.8	17.9	16.7	29.8	25.2	
AGO	Supporting Development and Commercialisation of Renewable Energy	1.6	6.0	14.0	2.3	-	
Australia Post	Greenhouse Challenge Programme	..	..	..	..	..	
(b)	Funding of $2.5m in both 2002‑03 and 2003‑04 from within the existing Greenhouse Gas Abatement Programme.
Table A2.1: Environment Activities ‑ Programme and Tax Expenditure Estimates (continued)
Division / Agency	Description	2001‑02 $m	2002‑03 $m	2003‑04 $m	2004‑05 $m	2005‑06 $m	
CSIRO	Climate Change and Variability: Impacts and Adaptation	3.0	3.0	3.0	na	na	
CSIRO	Climate Change at Global and Regional Scales	4.0	4.1	4.1	na	na	
CSIRO	Direct Greenhouse Mitigation	0.9	0.9	0.9	na	na	
CSIRO	Energy End Use Efficiency in Industry, Transport and Buildings	0.1	0.1	0.1	na	na	
CSIRO	Greenhouse Gases, Science, Sources and Sinks 	6.5	6.5	6.5	na	na	
CSIRO	Mining Technologies for Reduced Environmental and Greenhouse Impacts	2.0	2.0	2.0	na	na	
CSIRO	Options for Carbon Dioxide Sequestration	0.3	0.3	0.3	na	na	
CSIRO	Renewable Energy Technologies	2.1	2.1	2.1	na	na	
DITR	CoAG Independent Review of Energy Market Directions	1.3	0.7	-	-	-	
DITR	Domestic and International Greenhouse Policy	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	
DITR	Energy and Environmental Technology Information Centres	na	na	na	na	na	
DITR	Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme	2.2	1.5	na	na	na	
DITR	Improving Energy Efficiency in Commonwealth Operations	0.3	0.3	na	na	na	
DITR	International Greenhouse Partnerships	na	na	na	na	na	
DITR	Renewable Energy Action Agenda	0.4	0.3	-	-	-	
Geoscience Australia	Geological Disposal of Carbon Dioxide	na	na	na	na	na	
NCA	Energy Efficiency Asset Management	..	0.1	..	..	..	
	TOTAL	119.2	140.4	143.6	116.0	108.5	
							
	BIODIVERSITY						
	Understanding, protecting and conserving biodiversity						
AFFA	Animal and Plant Quarantine	8.4	8.4	na	na	na	
AFFA	Environmental Impact of Locust Control	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	
AFFA	Exotic Plant Pest Response Programmes(c)	25.0	15.5	15.3	6.9	6.9	
AFFA	Monitoring and Surveillance for Exotic Plant Pests	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	
AFFA	Plant Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.3	
AFFA‑AQIS	Northern Australian Quarantine Strategy	6.5	6.6	6.6	6.6	6.2	
CSIRO	Biodiversity Knowledge and Informatics	5.8	5.9	5.9	na	na	
CSIRO	Conservation and Use of Biodiversity	4.2	4.2	4.2	na	na	
CSIRO	Ecological Sustainability at Regional to National Scales	1.8	1.8	1.8	na	na	
(c)	2001-02 expenditure includes $8.03m estimate for various ARMCANZ/SCARM approved eradication programmes. Forward year figures currently unavailable for these eradication programmes. The remainder of the expenditure relates to eradication/control of Red Imported Fire Ant.
Table A2.1: Environment Activities ‑ Programme and Tax Expenditure Estimates (continued)
Division / Agency	Description	2001‑02 $m	2002‑03 $m	2003‑04 $m	2004‑05 $m	2005‑06 $m	
CSIRO	Ecosystem Sustainability at Farm to Catchment Scale	2.3	2.3	2.3	na	na	
DEST	Membership of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility	..	..	..	..	na	
EA‑NHD	Biodiversity / Nature Conservation	4.4	2.7	4.2	4.3	3.9	
EA‑NHD	Bushcare (includes NHT1)(a)	83.8					
EA‑NHD	Endangered Species Programme (includes NHT1)(a)	5.5					
EA‑NHD	Forests / Vegetation	-	1.3	1.0	1.0	1.1	
EA‑NHD	National Feral Animal Control Programme (includes NHT1)(a) – Environmental Component	1.5					
EA‑NHD	National Weeds Programme (includes NHT1)(a) – Environmental Component	1.8					
EA‑NHD	Natural Heritage Trust Policy	1.5	1.5	1.3	1.4	1.3	
EA‑NHD	Natural Resource Management Policy	3.5	2.9	2.6	2.8	2.4	
EA‑NHD	Wildlife Conservation	8.6	6.5	6.4	6.4	7.6	
EA‑NHD	Wildlife Management	4.4	5.1	3.6	3.6	2.9	
EA‑PARKS	Australian Biological Resources Study	4.5	4.0	3.8	3.8	4.2	
NCA 	Management of Remnant Native Vegetation and Endangered Species	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	
	TOTAL	83.1	70.8	61.1	38.9	38.6	
							
	Managing Commonwealth national parks and reserves						
EA‑PARKS	Commonwealth Parks and Reserves	55.8	54.5	53.2	54.5	58.2	
EA‑PARKS	International Policy	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	
EA‑PARKS	National Reserve System Programme (includes NHT1)(a)	21.5	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.6	
	TOTAL	56.2	55.4	54.1	55.5	59.2	
							
	COASTS AND OCEANS						
	Protecting Australia's coasts and oceans						
AFFA	Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT)	0.5	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	
AFFA	Deterring Illegal Fishing in Australia’s Sub‑Antarctic Waters	4.1	4.2	-	-	-	
AFFA	Fisheries Action Programme (includes NHT1)(a)	3.1					
AFFA	Fisheries Research and Development Corporation	9.6	10.4	10.4	11.2	11.2	
AFFA	Fisheries Resources Research Fund(d)	0.2	0.3	na	na	na	
(a)	Programme funded during the first phase of the Natural Heritage Trust; additional information on these programmes is contained in Table 2.4. See Chapter 2 for details of Trust extension arrangements for 2002‑03 and beyond.
(d)	These figures represent a proportion of the total FRRF appropriation. FRRF funding is proportional (0.25%) to the Gross Value of Production of fisheries.

Table A2.1: Environment Activities ‑ Programme and Tax Expenditure Estimates (continued)
Division / Agency	Description	2001‑02 $m	2002‑03 $m	2003‑04 $m	2004‑05 $m	2005‑06 $m	
AFFA	Invasive Marine Species Programme 	0.3	na	na	na	na	
AFMA	Sustainable Fisheries Management	10.7	11.0	11.0	11.0	11.0	
AIMS	Environmental Research for the Use and Protection of Marine Resources	24.5	26.1	26.9	27.2	27.7	
AMSA	National Plan	3.8	3.8	3.8	3.8	3.8	
ANSTO	Coasts and Oceans	0.5	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	
CSIRO	Exploration of the Exclusive Economic Zone to Assist Planning for Sustainable Use	1.4	1.4	1.4	na	na	
CSIRO	Knowledge and Tools for Marine Conservation Management	2.7	2.7	2.7	na	na	
CSIRO	Management of the Oceanographic Research Vessel Franklin	4.6	4.6	4.6	na	na	
CSIRO	Management Tools for Estuaries and Coastal Waters	4.6	4.7	4.7	na	na	
CSIRO	Managing Environmental Impacts of Aquaculture	0.5	0.5	0.5	na	na	
CSIRO	Role of Oceans in Climate Systems, and Marine Climate Impacts	1.6	1.7	1.7	na	na	
CSIRO	Stock and Risk Assessments and Tools for Sustainable Fisheries	6.4	6.5	6.5	na	na	
CSIRO	Strategies and Tools for Managing Regional Marine Ecosystems	2.5	2.6	2.6	na	na	
Customs	Civil Maritime Surveillance and Response	205.8	243.5	na	na	na	
DITR	Estuarine Health	na	na	na	na	na	
DITR	Marine Geoscience Advice	na	na	na	na	na	
DITR	Offshore Petroleum: Safety, Environment and Taxation	0.4	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	
EA‑MWD	Antifouling Programme (includes NHT1)(a)	0.3					
EA‑MWD	Ballast Water Mitigation (includes NHT1)(a)	0.3					
EA‑MWD	Capacity Building Programme (includes NHT1)(a)	0.9					
EA‑MWD	Clean Seas Programme (includes NHT1)(a)	14.9					
EA‑MWD	Coastal Acid Sulfate Soils Programme (includes NHT1)(a)	1.6					
EA‑MWD	Coastal Monitoring Programme (includes NHT1)(a)	0.6					
EA‑MWD	Coastcare (NHT1)(a)	5.4					
EA-MWD	Coastcare (non-NHT)	na	5.7	6.4	6.5	7.3	
(a)	Programme funded during the first phase of the Natural Heritage Trust; additional information on these programmes is contained in Table 2.4. See Chapter 2 for details of Trust extension arrangements for 2002‑03 and beyond.
Table A2.1: Environment Activities ‑ Programme and Tax Expenditure Estimates (continued)
Division / Agency	Description	2001‑02 $m	2002‑03 $m	2003‑04 $m	2004‑05 $m	2005‑06 $m	
EA‑MWD	Development of Sewerage Schemes for Boat Harbour and Sisters Beach, Tasmania	-	1.0	1.0	1.0	-	
EA‑MWD	Introduced Marine Pests (includes NHT1)(a)	0.5					
EA‑MWD	Living Cities – Cleaning our Waterways – Industry Partnership Programme	2.3	-	-	-	-	
EA‑MWD	Living Cities – Urban Stormwater Initiative (includes NHT1)(a)	2.8					
EA‑MWD	Marine Protected Areas Programme (Commonwealth Waters) (includes NHT1)(a)	3.7					
EA‑MWD	Marine Protected Areas Programme (State Waters) (includes NHT1)(a)	1.7					
EA‑MWD	Marine Species Protection Programme (includes NHT1)(a)	2.9					
EA‑MWD	Marine Waste Reception Facilities (includes NHT1)(a)	0.2					
EA‑MWD	National Environment Protection Measure for Marine and Estuarine Water Quality (includes NHT1)(a)	0.2					
EA‑MWD	National Moorings Programme (includes NHT1)(a)	0.7					
EA‑MWD	Regional and International Environmental Protection	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	
EA‑MWD	Sea Dumping and Sea Installations	0.6	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	
EA‑MWD	Sustainable Fisheries Management (includes NHT1)(a)	1.7					
GBRMPA	Care and Development of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park	30.0	31.2	31.0	31.4	31.5	
Geoscience Australia	Estuarine Health	na	na	na	na	na	
Geoscience Australia	Marine Geoscience Advice	na	na	na	na	na	
NOO	Australia’s Oceans Policy (NOO Component)	1.1	1.7	na	na	na	
NOO	Coastal and Marine Planning Programme (includes NHT1)(a)	0.3	0.1				
NOO	Regional Marine Planning	5.2	7.3	na	na	na	
	TOTAL	324.3	373.4	117.6	94.5	94.9	
(a)	Programme funded during the first phase of the Natural Heritage Trust; additional information on these programmes is contained in Table 2.4. See Chapter 2 for details of Trust extension arrangements for 2002‑03 and beyond.

Table A2.1: Environment Activities ‑ Programme and Tax Expenditure Estimates (continued)
Division / Agency	Description	2001‑02 $m	2002‑03 $m	2003‑04 $m	2004‑05 $m	2005‑06 $m	
	HUMAN SETTLEMENTS						
	Environmental impact assessment and project approval						
Airservices Australia	Environment Policy Management	0.3	0.3	na	na	na	
ARPANSA	Development of National Codes of Practice – Radioactivity	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.2	
ARPANSA	Maralinga Clean-up	0.1	0.1	-	-	-	
ARPANSA	Protection of the Environment from Hazards arising from the Operation of the Commonwealth’s Nuclear Installations	2.3	3.0	3.3	3.3	3.3	
DEST	Environmental Impact Assessment for the National Repository of Low-Level Radioactive Waste	2.3	na	na	na	na	
DoTaRS	Development and Promotion of New Ways to Describe Aircraft Noise	na	na	na	na	na	
DoTaRS	National Highways and Roads of National Importance	na	na	na	na	na	
EA‑ALD	Implementation of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)(e)	9.1	9.7	9.4	9.5	10.1	
	TOTAL	14.2	13.2	12.8	12.9	13.6	
							
	Raising the environmental performance of industry						
AFFA	Agriculture and Veterinary Chemicals	1.2	1.2	1.2	1.2	1.2	
AFFA	Douglas Shire Council and Mossman Central Mill GGAP Project	-	2.4	-	-	-	
AGAL‑DITR	Environmental Chemical Measurement Infrastructure Support	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	
AGAL‑DITR	Environmental Laboratory Analysis	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	
Airservices Australia	Aircraft Noise Monitoring and Environmental Impact Information	2.3	2.6	na	na	na	
ANSTO	Cleaner Technologies and the Removal of Radioactivity, Arsenic and other Pollutants from Process Streams	2.8	2.8	2.9	3.0	3.1	
ANSTO	Investigation and Management of Pollutant Transport from Man Made Structures and Systems into the Terrestrial Environment	2.5	2.6	2.6	2.7	2.8	
ANSTO	Responsibilities associated with Environmental Monitoring of ANSTO Facilities, including the Replacement Reactor Project.	1.3	1.3	1.4	1.4	1.5	
ARPANSA	Field Measurement of Electromagnetic Radiation	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	
ATO	Product Stewardship Arrangements for Waste Oil	na	na	na	na	na	
(e)	Expenditure for the implementation of the EPBC Act is reported in various activities under Biodiversity, Coasts and Oceans, Inland Waters and Heritage outputs.
Table A2.1: Environment Activities ‑ Programme and Tax Expenditure Estimates (continued)
Division / Agency	Description	2001‑02 $m	2002‑03 $m	2003‑04 $m	2004‑05 $m	2005‑06 $m	
ATO	Tax Deductions for Environmental Impact Statements and Remediation	11.0	11.0	11.0	12.0	12.0	
CSIRO	Clean-up of Contaminated Environments	3.4	3.4	3.4	na	na	
CSIRO	Disposal of Petroleum Drilling and Production Wastes	0.9	0.9	0.9	na	na	
CSIRO	Ecological Risk Assessment of Genetically Modified Organisms	0.9	0.8	0.8	na	na	
CSIRO	Managing Indoor Environmental Quality 	2.0	2.0	2.0	na	na	
CSIRO	Mineral Processing with Enhanced Sustainability	1.8	1.8	1.8	na	na	
CSIRO	Sustainable Manufacturing	4.1	4.0	4.0	na	na	
CSIRO	Sustainable Tourism	0.9	0.9	0.9	na	na	
DHA	Advice on Chemical Safety	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	
DHA	International Programme on Chemical Safety	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	
DHA‑OGTR 	Regulation of Gene Technology	7.9	8.0	na	na	na	
DITR	Environmental Impact Assessment for the National Radioactive Waste Repository	na	na	na	na	na	
DITR	Environment Industry Action Agenda	0.3	0.3	na	na	na	
DITR	International Research Alliance for Managing Contaminated Sediments	na	na	na	na	na	
DITR	International Year of Ecotourism 2002 Australian Programme	0.1	..	-	-	-	
DoTaRS	Adelaide Airport Noise Insulation Programme	13.9	23.7	23.5	na	na	
DoTaRS	Christmas Island Mine Site Rehabilitation	0.8	0.8	na	na	na	
DoTaRS	Sydney Airport Noise Amelioration Programme	22.8	9.0	na	na	na	
EA‑EQD	ChemCollect	6.9	-	-	-	-	
EA‑EQD	Chemical Assessments and Research	2.1	2.2	2.3	2.3	2.4	
EA‑EQD	Control of Hazardous Waste	0.9	0.9	0.6	0.7	0.9	
EA‑EQD	Dioxin Management	1.2	1.6	1.7	1.1	-	
EA‑EQD	Gene Technology Assessments(f)	0.7	0.8	0.8	0.8	-	
EA‑EQD	Improving the Environmental Performance of Australian Industry	6.6	4.5	3.3	3.5	4.6	
EA‑EQD	International Chemicals Management	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.8	1.1	
EA‑EQD	National Environment Protection Council	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.5	
EA‑EQD	National Pollutant Inventory(g)	1.4	1.4	1.4	1.4	-	
EA‑EQD	Product Stewardship Arrangements for Waste Oil(g)	11.7	19.5	15.6	14.2	-	
EA‑EQD	Waste Management Awareness Programme (includes NHT1)(a)	1.2		-	-	-	
EA‑SSD	Uranium Mining Supervision and Research	8.2	8.1	7.8	8.0	8.0	
(a)	Programme funded during the first phase of the Natural Heritage Trust; additional information on these programmes is contained in Table 2.4. See Chapter 2 for details of Trust extension arrangements for 2002‑03 and beyond.
(f)	The figures for these additional measures include corporate overheads.
(g)	These figures incorporate corporate overheads.
Table A2.1: Environment Activities ‑ Programme and Tax Expenditure Estimates (continued)
Division / Agency	Description	2001‑02 $m	2002‑03 $m	2003‑04 $m	2004‑05 $m	2005‑06 $m	
Geoscience Australia	Petroleum Exploration and Environment Advice	na	na	na	na	na	
	TOTAL	124.8	123.2	94.5	57.1	41.8	
							
	INLAND WATERS						
	Improving the quality of inland waters and promoting their sustainable use						
AFFA	Contribution to Salinity Mitigation	3.2	3.3	3.4	3.5	3.5	
AFFA	Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative 	5.6	8.2	8.7	-	-	
AFFA	Murray-Darling 2001 Programme (includes NHT1)(a)	35.0					
AFFA	Murray-Darling Basin Commission	1.2	1.2	1.3	1.3	1.3	
AFFA	National Rivercare Programme (includes NHT1)(a)	16.9	.				
ANSTO	Application of Nuclear Techniques to the Study of Groundwater and Terrestrial Ecosystems	0.9	0.9	0.9	1.0	1.0	
CSIRO	Best Practice Management of Irrigated Areas	3.2	3.3	3.3	na	na	
CSIRO	Science Based Strategies for National Water Reform	3.1	3.1	3.1	na	na	
CSIRO	Sustainable Management of Coastal Rivers and Estuaries	3.7	3.8	3.8	na	na	
CSIRO	Urban Water Quality and Supply	2.0	2.0	2.0	na	na	
DITR	Environmental Flows – Joint Government Enterprises	-	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	
EA‑MWD	Lake Eyre Basin (includes NHT1)(a)	0.3					
EA‑MWD	National River Health Programme (includes NHT1)(a)	1.4					
EA‑MWD	National Wetlands Programme (includes NHT1)(a)	5.4					
EA‑MWD	Regional Water Initiatives (includes NHT1)(a)	2.7					
EA-MWD	Rivercare (non-NHT)		4.1	3.9	3.9	4.4	
EA‑MWD	Water Quality (includes NHT1)(a)	0.4					
EA‑MWD	Waterwatch Australia (includes NHT1)(a)	2.9					
EA‑SSD	Wetlands Ecology and Conservation	1.7	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	
NCA	Lake Burley Griffin Management	0.1	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	
	TOTAL	27.4	38.5	39.0	18.3	18.8	
							
(a)	Programme funded during the first phase of the Natural Heritage Trust; additional information on these programmes is contained in Table 2.4. See Chapter 2 for details of Trust extension arrangements for 2002‑03 and beyond.

Table A2.1: Environment Activities ‑ Programme and Tax Expenditure Estimates (continued)
Division / Agency	Description	2001‑02 $m	2002‑03 $m	2003‑04 $m	2004‑05 $m	2005‑06 $m	
	THE LAND 						
	Conserving, rehabilitating, and promoting sustainable land use 						
AFFA	Agricultural Environmental Management Systems Incentive Scheme(h)	-	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	
AFFA	Certification of Forest Management	0.4	na	na	na	na	
AFFA	Domestic and International Sustainable Forest Management	1.8	na	na	na	na	
AFFA	Environmental Management Systems	na	na	na	na	na	
AFFA	FarmBis – Skilling Farmers for the Future – Commonwealth/State Component	15.9	28.4	36.3	na	na	
AFFA	Farm Forestry Programme (includes NHT1)(a)	9.2					
AFFA	Land Water Australia(i)	11.6	11.9	12.2	12.5	12.5	
AFFA	National Land and Water Resources Audit (includes NHT1)(a)	5.4	.				
AFFA	National Landcare Programme(j)	40.3	39.2	38.1	41.2	41.2(k)	
AFFA	National Landcare Programme (includes NHT1)	32.2					
AFFA	National Weeds Programme (includes NHT1)(a)	4.8	.				
AFFA	Tax Rebate for Landcare Works (includes NHT1)(a)	1.2					
AFFA	Vision for Change - National Plan for Women in Agriculture and Resource Management	na	na	na	na	na	
AFFA/EA‑NHD	National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality	30.6	100.7	138.2	157.2	149.1	
ATO	Capital Gains Tax Treatment of Perpetual Conservation	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	
ATO	Tax Deductions for Water Conservation and Amelioration of Degraded Lands	20.0	20.0	20.0	25.0	25.0	
BRS	Environmental Assessment and Advice	15.6	15.0	na.	na	na	
BRS 	National Feral Animal Control Programme (includes NHT1)(a) – Agricultural Component	1.2					
BRS 	National Forest Inventory (includes NHT1)(a)	0.4					
CSIRO	Degraded Landscape Management and Rehabilitation	5.6	5.6	5.6	na	na	
(a)	Programme funded during the first phase of the Natural Heritage Trust; additional information on these programmes is contained in Table 2.4. See Chapter 2 for details of Trust extension arrangements for 2002‑03 and beyond.
(h)	To be funded from the Natural Heritage Trust. Expenditure is not included in the theme total for The Land as it is incorporated in the Natural Heritage Trust funding at the head of this table.
(i)	Previously known as the Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation.
(j)	Appropriation under Natural Resource Management (Financial Assistance Act) 1992.
(k)	The estimate for 2005-06 is provisional.

Table A2.1: Environment Activities ‑ Programme and Tax Expenditure Estimates (continued)
Division / Agency	Description	2001‑02 $m	2002‑03 $m	2003‑04 $m	2004‑05 $m	2005‑06 $m	
CSIRO	Management of Environmental Pests, Weeds and Diseases 	4.5	4.7	4.7	na	na	
CSIRO	Sustainable Agriculture through Changed Land Use and Management Practices	3.7	3.7	3.7	na	na	
CSIRO	Sustainable Native Forest Management	1.7	1.7	1.7	na	na	
CSIRO	Tools for Sustainable Resource Use at Regional Scales	6.3	6.4	6.4	na	na	
DoTaRS	Management of Residual Issues of former Australian National Railways Commission 	5.1	1.0	0.5	0.5	-	
Geoscience Australia	Mapping Dryland Salinity	na	na	na	na	na	
	TOTAL	164.1	239.2	268.4	237.4	228.8	
							
	NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE						
	Protecting and conserving Australia’s heritage places						
DIMIA‑ATSIC 	Preservation and Protection of Indigenous Heritage and the Environment	5.3	na	na	na	na	
DITR	Membership of World Heritage Management Committees	na	na	na	na	na	
DoTaRS	Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area (Norfolk Island)	0.4	0.5	na	na	na	
EA‑AWHD	Administration of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984	0.8	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.3	
EA‑AWHD	Administration of the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986	0.8	1.2	1.1	1.1	1.4	
EA‑AWHD	Conservation of Rural and Regional Hotels	0.2	4.8	-	-	-	
EA‑AWHD	Cultural Heritage Projects Programme(l)	5.5	4.3	4.3	4.3	1.3	
EA‑AWHD	Federation Cultural and Heritage Programme	7.9	-	-	-	-	
EA‑AWHD	Federation Fund	1.3	1.3	-	-	-	
EA‑AWHD	Goondiwindi Serpentine Water Park	1.2	3.6	0.2	-	-	
EA‑AWHD	Historic Shipwrecks Programme	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.7	0.7	
EA‑AWHD	Other Cultural Heritage Grants	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	
EA‑AWHD	World Heritage: Enhancement of World Heritage Properties	4.6	3.2	3.1	3.2	4.1	
EA‑AWHD	World Heritage International Obligations	1.2	1.7	1.1	1.1	1.4	
EA‑AWHD	World Heritage Management Programme(includes NHT1)(a)	13.6					
EA-AWHD	World Heritage Nominations	0.8	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.7	
EA‑
AWHD/AHC	New Heritage Regime / Register of the National Estate	9.3	8.9	9.4	9.6	9.8	
NCA	Cultural Heritage Strategy, Policy and Conservation Management	..	0.1	..	..	..	
(a)	Programme funded during the first phase of the Natural Heritage Trust; additional information on these programmes is contained in Table 2.4. See Chapter 2 for details of Trust extension arrangements for 2002‑03 and beyond.
(l)	These figures incorporate corporate overheads.
Table A2.1: Environment Activities ‑ Programme and Tax Expenditure Estimates (continued)
Division / Agency	Description	2001‑02 $m	2002‑03 $m	2003‑04 $m	2004‑05 $m	2005-06
$m	
SHFT	Sydney Harbour Federation Trust	11.5	10.6(m)	na	na	na	
	TOTAL	57.6	43.3	22.2	22.4	21.5	
							
	ANTARCTICA						
	Advancing Australia’s interests in Antarctica						
AAD	Maintaining the Antarctic Treaty System and Enhance Australia’s Influence in the Antarctic Treaty System	17.0	16.1	16.3	16.7	16.9	
AAD	Protecting the Antarctic Environment	43.6	40.3	41.1	41.8	42.4	
AAD	Understanding the Role of Antarctica in the Global Climate System	26.1	25.0	25.4	25.9	26.3	
AAD	Undertaking Scientific Work of Practical, Economic or National Significance	21.2	20.9	21.4	21.8	22.0	
Geoscience Australia	Antarctic Science Management	na	na	na	na	na	
Geoscience Australia	Australian Antarctic Southern Profiling Project	na	na	na	na	na	
	TOTAL	107.9	102.3	104.2	106.2	107.6	
							
	CROSS‑PORTFOLIO INITIATIVES						
ABS	Provision of Environment and Energy Statistics	1.3	1.6	1.7	1.7	1.7	
ACIAR	Australia’s Overseas Aid Programme(n)	1.1	1.1	0.9	na	na	
AGD	Environmental Defenders Offices	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	
AGD
(Emergency Management Australia)	Environmental Research, Planning, Risk Assessment and Management Programmes to Enhance and support Emergency Risk Management and Preparedness.	0.3	0.1	na	na	na	
ARC	Higher Education Research and Training with Environmental Objectives / Outcomes	na	35.7(o)	na	na	na	
ATO/EA	Register of Environmental Organisations (Tax Deductibility)	10.0	11.0	11.0	11.0	11.0	
AusAID	Australia’s Overseas Aid Programme(n)	188.0	195.0	na	na	na	
Defence	Environmental Stewardship	5.0	4.9	na	na	na	
Defence	Pollution Prevention	4.3	4.3	na	na	na	
Defence	Sustainable Ecosystems	10.2	10.3	na	na	na	
DEST	Cooperative Research Centres	34.3	33.3	32.5	29.5	22.5	
(m)	An estimated $100,000 of this figure is revenue from non‑Government sources such as tours of Cockatoo Island, hire fees for use of SHFT facilities, and permits issued to film companies.
(n)	Australia’s overseas aid programme is administered by the Australian Agency for International Development and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. This environmental expenditure estimate includes projects directly linked to the environment, projects which have environment‑related components and contributions to international organisations, including the Global Environment Facility and the Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund. Figures are indicative estimates only, and are subject to final programming decisions.
(o)	This figure is for 2002 only as ARC funding is calculated on a calendar year basis.
Table A2.1: Environment Activities ‑ Programme and Tax Expenditure Estimates (continued)
Division / Agency	Description	2001‑02 $m	2002‑03 $m	2003‑04 $m	2004‑05 $m	2005-06
$m	
DEST	Innovation Access Programmes	..	-	-	-	-	
DFAT	International Environmental Negotiations	0.2	na	na	na	na	
DHA	National Medicines Disposal Programme	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.3	
DHA	World Health Organization	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5	
DIMIA‑ATSIC	Advancement of Land and Sea Rights(p)	na	na	na	na	na	
DIMIA‑ATSIC	Community Development Employment Projects(p)	na	na	na	na	na	
DIMIA‑ATSIC	Community Housing and Infrastructure(p)	na	na	na	na	na	
DIMIA‑ATSIC	Professional Services to Native Title Claimants(p)	na	na	na	na	na	
DIMIA‑ATSIC	Rights and Cultural Development(p)	na	na	na	na	na	
DoTaRS	Regional Assistance	na	na	na	na	na	
DoTaRS	Sustainable Regions Programme	1.5	40.2	28.6	25.1	-	
DVA	Reduction of Energy Consumption in Occupied Leased Properties	-	-	-	-	-	
EA‑PARKS	Indigenous Land Management Facilitators (includes NHT1)(a)	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	
EA‑PCD	Grants to Voluntary Environment and Heritage Organisations	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	
EA‑SDD	Community Environmental Education(q)	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	
EA‑SDD	Environment Resource Officer Scheme(q)	0.5	0.5	na	na	na	
EA‑SDD	Environmental Resources Information Network(q)	3.1	2.9	2.9	2.9	2.9	
EA‑SDD	International Issues(q)	0.7	0.9	0.7	0.7	0.7	
EA‑SDD	Local Agenda 21(q)	0.2	0.2	na	na	na	
EA‑SDD	Sustainable Development(q)	0.3	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	
FaCS	Green Corps	9.2	23.0	23.4	23.9	24.4	
Geoscience Australia	Environmental and Urban Impacts of Geohazards	na	na	na	na	na	
Geoscience Australia	Geographical Information Systems	na	na	na	na	na	
Geoscience Australia	National Geoscience Projects and Advice	na	na	na	na	na	
Geoscience Australia	National Mapping and Geographic Information(r)	21.5	22.9	24.3	24.3	24.7	
NCA	Environmental Management Systems	..	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	
NSC	Development of International Standards	na	na	na	na	na	
	TOTAL 	291.4	388.3	127.2	120.3	89.1	
(a)	Programme funded during the first phase of the Natural Heritage Trust; additional information on these programmes is contained in Table 2.4. See Chapter 2 for details of Trust extension arrangements for 2002‑03 and beyond.
(p)	Figures are not available at the programme level.
(q)	This figure is reported as an overhead across all Environment Australia programmes.
(r)	Figures include a small proportion of non-environment related funding.

Table A2.1: Environment Activities ‑ Programme and Tax Expenditure Estimates (continued)
Division / Agency	Description	2001‑02 $m	2002‑03 $m	2003‑04 $m	2004‑05 $m	2005-06
$m	
	Meteorology ‑  monitoring and prediction in support of sustainability						
BoM	National Activities	7.9	8.1	8.1	8.2	8.3	
BoM	International Activities	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	
CSIRO	Prediction of Climate Variability	2.1	2.1	2.1	na	na	
	TOTAL	10.9	11.1	11.1	9.1	9.2	
							
	TOTAL ALL ENVIRONMENT ACTIVITIES	1687.3	1885.9	1329.5	1218.5	1158.0	

Appendix 3: Contact Details of Departments and Agencies
Table A3.1 lists generic website and switchboard details for each agency.
Table A3.1: List of Divisions and Agencies with Website and Contact Details
Acronym	Division / Agency	Website / Contact	
AAD	Australian Antarctic Division	www.aad.gov.au
(03) 6232 3209	
ABS	Australian Bureau of Statistics	www.abs.gov.au
1300 135 070	
ACA	Australian Communications Authority	www.aca.gov.au
1300 850 115	
ACIAR	Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research	www.aciar.gov.au 
(02) 6217 0500	
AFFA	Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry‑Australia	www.affa.gov.au
(02) 6272 3933	
AFMA 	Australian Fisheries Management Authority	www.afma.gov.au
(02) 6272 5029 	
AGAL	Australian Government Analytical Laboratories	www.agal.gov.au
(02) 6213 6075	
AGD	Attorney-General’s Department	www.ag.gov.au
(02) 6250 6666	
AGO	Australian Greenhouse Office	www.greenhouse.gov.au
(02) 6274 1888	
AGS	Australian Government Solicitor	www.ags.gov.au
(02) 6253 7000	
AIMS	Australian Institute of Marine Science	www.aims.gov.au
(07) 4753 4444	
Airservices Australia	Airservices Australia	www.airservices.gov.au
1300 301 120	
AMSA	Australian Maritime Safety Authority	www.amsa.gov.au
(02) 6279 5000	
ANSTO	Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation	www.ansto.gov.au
(02) 9717 3111	
ARC	Australian Research Council	www.arc.gov.au
(02) 6284 6600	
ARPANSA	Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency	www.arpansa.gov.au
(02) 9545 8333	
ATO	Australian Taxation Office	www.ato.gov.au
(02) 6279 7538	
ATSIC	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission	www.atsic.gov.au
(02) 6121 4000	
AusAID	Australian Agency for International Development	www.ausaid.gov.au
(02) 6206 4000	
Australia Post	Australia Post	www.austpost.com.au
(03) 9204 7484	
Continued
Table A3.1: List of Divisions and Agencies with Website and Contact Details (continued)
Acronym	Division / Agency	Website / Contact	
BOM	Bureau of Meteorology	www.bom.gov.au
(03) 9669 4000	
BRS	Bureau of Rural Sciences	www.affa.gov.au
(02) 6272 4282	
CSIRO	Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation	www.csiro.au
1300 363 400	
Customs	Australian Customs Service	www.customs.gov.au
1300 363 263	
Defence	Department of Defence	www.defence.gov.au
(02) 6265 6920	
DEST	Department of Education, Science and Training	www.dest.gov.au
(02) 6240 8111	
DEWR	Department of Employment and Workplace Relations	www.dewr.gov.au
(02) 6121 6000	
DFAT	Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade	www.dfat.gov.au
(02) 6261 1111	
DHA	Department of Health and Ageing	www.health.gov.au
1800 020 103	
DIMIA	Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs	www.immi.gov.au
13 18 81	
DOCITA	Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	www.dcita.gov.au
(02) 6271 1000	
DOFA	Department of Finance and Administration	www.finance.gov.au
(02) 6215 2222	
DOTARS	Department of Transport and Regional Services	www.dotars.gov.au
(02) 6274 7111	
EA‑ALD	Environment Australia – Approvals and Legislation Division	www.ea.gov.au
(02) 6274 1111	
EA‑AWHD	Environment Australia — Australian and World Heritage Division	www.ea.gov.au
(02) 6274 1111	
EA‑EQD	Environment Australia — Environment Quality Division	www.ea.gov.au
(02) 6274 1111	
EA‑MWD	Environment Australia — Marine and Water Division	www.ea.gov.au
(02) 6274 1111	
EA‑NHD	Environment Australia — Natural Heritage Division	www.ea.gov.au
(02) 6274 1111	
EA‑PARKS	Environment Australia — Parks Australia	www.ea.gov.au
(02) 6274 1111	
EA‑PCD	Environment Australia — Policy Coordination Division	www.ea.gov.au
(02) 6274 1111	
EA‑SDD	Environment Australia — Strategic Development Division	www.ea.gov.au
(02) 6274 1111	
EA‑SSD	Environment Australia — Supervising Scientist Division	www.ea.gov.au
(08) 8981 4230	
Continued
Table A3.1: List of Divisions and Agencies with Website and Contact Details (continued)
Acronym	Division / Agency	Website / Contact	
FaCS	Department of Family and Community Services	www.facs.gov.au
1300 653 227	
GBRMPA	Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority	www.gbrmpa.gov.au
(07) 4750 0700	
Geoscience Australia	Geoscience Australia	www.agso.gov.au
(02) 6249 9111	
Geoscience Australia	Geoscience Australia — National Mapping Division	www.auslig.gov.au
1800 800 173	
ITR	Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources	www.industry.gov.au
(02) 6213 6000	
NCA	National Capital Authority	www.nationalcapital.gov.au
(02) 6271 2888	
NOO	National Oceans Office	www.oceans.gov.au
(03) 6221 5000	
NSC	National Standards Commission	www.nsc.gov.au
(02) 9856 0300	
OATSIA	Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs	www.immi.gov.au/oatsia/index.htm
(02) 6271 5342	
OGTR	Office of the Gene Technology Regulator	www.ogtr.gov.au
1800 181 030	
ORER	Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator	www.orer.gov.au
(02) 6274 2192	
PM&C	Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet	www.dpmc.gov.au
(02) 6271 5111	
SHFT	Sydney Harbour Federation Trust	www.harbourtrust.gov.au (02) 8969 2100	
Treasury	Department of Treasury	www.treasury.gov.au
(02) 6263 2111	

Index

A

abalone fishery, Tasmania, 27
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, 25, 40, 43, 53–6
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, 54
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Bill 1998, 43
accredited regional natural resource management plans, 9, 11
Action Agenda, 31
agribusiness, 30
agricultural (agvet) chemicals, 32
agriculture, 9, 13, 32, 38, 50
Agriculture – Advance Australia (AAA) package, 38
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australia, 8
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio, 14, 56
air pollution/quality, 12, 13, 16–17, 59
Air Pollution in Major Cities Programme, 12, 13
air toxics, 17
aircraft noise, 30
airports, 30
albatrosses, 43
Alice Springs, 36, 48, 55
Alligator Rivers Region, 32
alternative fuels, 6, 17, 46
Ambient Air Quality National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM), 16
Amery Ice Shelf Ocean Interaction (AMISOR), 44
Antarctica, 14, 15, 28, 43–6, 70
Arafura Sea, 26
Argo Programme, 48
artesian water, 34
Asia–Pacific Focal Point for World Heritage Managers, 42
assessment and approvals system, 15, 29–30, 65
atmosphere, 15, 16–21, 44, 48–9, 59–61
	see also climate change; meteorology
atmospheric lidar, 44
ATSIC, 54
AusAID, 53
Australian and New Zealand Environment Conservation Council (ANZECC), 41
Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), 43, 44, 45, 46, 52
Australian Biodiversity Information Facility, 23
Australian Biological Resources Study, 23
Australian Bureau of Statistics, 50
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, 53
Australian Government Analytical Laboratories, 32
Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO), 4, 6, 18, 20
Australian heritage, 5, 15, 41–2, 55–6, 69–70
Australian Heritage Commission, 42
Australian Heritage Council, 41
Australian Institute of Marine Science, 48
Australian National Botanic Gardens, 23
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), 29, 32
Australian Research Council, 47
Australia’s Oceans Policy, 4, 13, 26
aviation industry, 30

B

ballast water, 28
benzene, 17
biodiversity, 15, 21–5, 61–2
	marine, 4–5, 27–8, 52–3
bio-fouling on vessels, 28
biofuels, 6, 17
Biological Resources Study, 23
birds, 22, 24, 35, 43
Blue Whale, 27
Boat Harbour Beach, Tas., 5
boats and boating, 28
Booderee National Park, 25
Botanic Gardens, 23
Budget measures and initiatives, 4–11
building and construction, 30, 31
buildings, 31, 41, 42–3, 45
Bureau of Meteorology, 48–9
bush foods, 55
Bush for Greenhouse programme, 19
Bushcare, 9, 12, 13, 21–2
business and industry, 5, 19–21, 30–2, 47, 65–6
by catch, 24, 43

C

Cabinet Sustainable Environment Committee, 3
cane toads, 24
Capital Gains Tax incentives, 50
carbon accounting, 18, 19
carbon dioxide equivalents, savings of, 19
carbon sinks, 18
Carlton Gardens, 41
Carnarvon Artesian Basin, 34
cars, see motor vehicles
Casey station, 45
catchments, 11, 34, 48
cats, 24
Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, 23
chemicals, 31, 32
Chowder Bay Army Maritime School, 5
Cities for Climate Protection™ programme, 20
city air pollution, 12, 13, 16–17
client assistance, 7
Climate Action Partnership, 6
climate change, 5–6, 18–21, 43, 48
	see also greenhouse gas emissions; meteorology
Coastcare, 9, 12, 22, 28
Coasts and Cleans Seas, 13
coasts and oceans, 22, 25–9, 48, 52–3
	expenditure, 12, 13, 15, 62–4
	new measures and initiatives, 4–5, 9, 12
	Southern Ocean, 43–4, 53
Cockatoo Island, 5
commercial whaling, 27
Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, 28, 43, 53
Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna, 28
communication, 7, 27, 29, 35
Community Development Employment Projects, 40, 54
communities and community groups, 9, 20, 27, 51
	Indigenous, 55–6
compliance activities, 7
computing, 48–9
conservation covenants, 50
construction, see building and construction
contact details of departments and agencies, 73–5
controlled actions, 29
Convention for the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage, 42
Convention on Biological Diversity, 21
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, 24
Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, 31
Convention on Prior Informed Consent, 31
Cool Communities programme, 20
Cooperative Research Centres, 47, 48
coordinators and facilitators, 10, 36, 55
Coral Reef Finfish Fishery, 27
crabs, 27
cross portfolio initiatives, 15, 47–56, 70–71
CSIRO, 18, 23, 29, 40, 46, 48
cultural heritage, protection of, 5, 41–3
	Indigenous, 40, 43, 56

D

Darwin, 48
data and information, 7, 23, 49–50
Davis station, 44
deductible gifts and donations, 50
degraded land, see Landcare
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australia, 8
Department of Defence, 25, 48
Department of Education, Science and Training, 30
Department of Finance and Administration, 5
Department of Transport and Regional Services, 30
developing nations, assistance to, 53
development proposals, assessment and approvals of, 15, 29–30, 65
Diesel Vehicles Emissions National Environment Protection Measure, 17
dioxins, 31, 32
donations, 50

E

East Asian Australasian Shorebird Site Network, 35
East Coast Fishery, 28
eco-efficiency, 30
ecological communities, threatened, 7, 22, 24
education and training, 7, 30, 35, 36, 38, 47, 51
electricity generation, 19, 20, 29, 46
electronic and electrical goods, 31
emissions, 5–6, 15, 17, 15–21, 37, 46, 47, 60–61
emissions offset market, 21
endangered species, 7, 13, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 62
Endangered Species Program, 13, 24
energy, 19, 20, 46, 70–1
	see also fuels
Envirofund, 9
environment (Outcome 1), 14
Environment and Heritage portfolio, 14, 57–8
Environment Australia, 26, 42
environment expenditure, 4, 7, 12–15, 59–72
Environment Industry Action Agenda, 31
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), 7, 24, 51, 52, 56
	development proposals, assessment and approval processes, 15, 29–30, 65
	fisheries, 27, 52
Environment Protection and Heritage Council, 41
Environmental Emergency Response Service, 48
environmental flows, 33, 34
Environmental Resource Information Network (ERIN), 50
Environmental Resource Officer scheme, 51
estuarine water quality, 26, 28
ethanol blend fuels, 6
expenditure, 4, 7, 12–15, 59–72

F

facilitators and coordinators, 10, 36, 54
Farm Forestry Programme, 13, 37
FarmBis: Advanced Property Management Planning, 13, 38
fencing, 39
feral animals, 13, 22, 24, 36, 39, 40
financial sector, 21, 31
Financial Services Reform Act 2001, 31
fish, 21, 27–8, 34, 36, 52
Fisheries Action Programme, 13
fishing and fisheries, 13, 24, 27–8, 32, 34, 36, 43, 52–3
floats, meteorological, 48
foreign aid, 53
foreign trade in wildlife, 24
forests and forestry, 13, 18, 25, 37
formaldehyde, 17
Forum Fisheries Committee, 28
foxes, 24
French Antarctic Research Programme, 45
Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000, 17
Fuel Quality Standards Regulations, 17
fuels, 6, 17, 21, 46
	waste oil, 31

G

gardens, 41
gas emissions, 5–6, 15, 17, 18–21, 48, 59–61
gene technology, 32
Generator Efficiency Standards Programme, 20
Georges Heights, Sydney, 5
Geoscience Australia, 49
gifts, 50
Global Atmosphere Watch, 48
Global Climate Observing System, 48
goats, 24
government operations, 30
Grants-In-Aid, 42
Great Artesian Basin, 34
Great Barrier Reef, 27–8
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, 27–8
Green Corps Programme, 51
Greenhouse Challenge programme, 19–20
Greenhouse Friendly programme, 20–1
Greenhouse Gas Abatement Programme, 6, 19
greenhouse gas emissions, 5–6, 15, 18–21, 48,     60–61
greenhouse sinks, 18
groundwater, 34
Gulf of Carpentaria, 26

H

habitat conservation, 9
hazardous materials, 31, 48
Heard Island, 45
heritage, 5, 15, 41–3, 69–70
	Indigenous, 40, 43, 56
Heritage Ministers’ Meeting, 41
historic buildings, 41, 42–3, 45
Historic Shipwrecks Programme, 42
hotels, 42
household greenhouse gas emissions, 20
human settlements, 15, 29–32, 65–7
Humpback Whale, 27
hydrology, 48

I

illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, 28, 53
Implementation of Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), 7
incidental catch (by catch), 24
Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, 28
Indigenous Advisory Committee, 56
Indigenous Australians, 25, 40, 43, 53–6
Indigenous Land Corporation, 54
Indigenous Land Management Facilitators, 55
Indigenous Protected Areas Program, 56
industrial chemicals, 32
industry and business, 19–21, 30–2, 47, 65–7
information and data, 7, 23, 49–50
inland waters, 15, 32–6, 67
	see also rivers
insurance decisions, 31
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 48
international activities, 52–3
	Antarctica, 45
	biodiversity, 24, 27, 28
	chemical safety, 31
	coasts and oceans, 26, 27, 28
	greenhouse gas reduction, 6
	heritage, 42
	meteorology, 47
	ozone protection, 18
international trade in wildlife, 24
International Whaling Commission, 27
Invasive Marine Species Programme, 28
investment products, 31

K

Kakadu National Park, 25, 32
Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area, 41
krill, 42, 43
Kyoto Protocol, 5–6, 18

L

Lake Eyre Basin, 34
Lake Eyre Basin Intergovernmental Agreement, 34
land, 15, 36–9, 68, 69
	Indigenous, 54, 55–6
Land and Water Australia, 40
Landcare, 9, 12, 13, 37–8
Landcare Tax Credits, 13, 38
laser radar, 44
Launceston Woodheater Replacement programme, 17
lending decisions, 31
legislation, 17, 20, 31, 42, 43
	see also Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)
Local Agenda 21 initiative, 51
local communities, 9, 20, 41, 50
local government, 20, 51–2
local level funding, 9

M

McDonald Island, 45
Macquarie Lightstation, 5
Mackerel Fishery, 27
Mandatory Renewable Energy Target, 20
maps, 49
marine environment, see coasts and oceans
marine protected areas, 26–8
marine science, 28–9, 48
maritime heritage, 42
Mawson station, 46
Mawson’s Huts Conservation Management Plan, 45
Melbourne Exhibition Building, 41
meteorology, 14, 15, 44, 48–9, 52, 53, 72
Middle Head, Sydney, 5
migratory birds, 22, 35
mining, 19, 29–30, 32
Montreal Protocol, 18
motor vehicles, 6, 17
	used tyres, 31
	see also fuels
movable cultural heritage, 43
Mulwala munitions plant, 30
Murray–Darling Basin, 34, 48
Murray–Darling Basin Ministerial Council, 33–4
Murray–Darling Basin 2001 Programme, 13
Murray River environmental flows, 33, 34

N

Namoi groundwater area, 34
National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (National Action Plan), 7, 10, 11, 21, 33, 34, 36–7
National Australian Building Environment Rating System, 31
National Botanic Gardens, 23
National Capital Authority, 25
National Carbon Accounting System, 19
National Coastal Policy, 25–6
National Cultural Heritage Account, 43
National Dioxins Programme, 31
National Environment Protection Council, 41
National Environment Protection Measures (NEPMs), 16, 17
National Feral Animal Control Programme, 13, 24
national heritage, 5, 15, 42–3, 56, 69–70
National Indigenous Cultural Heritage Officer Network, 56
National Industrial Chemicals Notification Assessment Scheme, 32
National Land and Water Resources Audit, 13, 23, 40
National Landcare Programme, 9, 12, 13, 37–8
national level funding, 10
National Maritime Heritage Strategy, 42
National Oceans Office, 4–5
national parks, see parks and reserves
National Registration Scheme for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals, 32
national repository for radioactive waste, 30
National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas, 26
National Reserve System Programme, 13, 25
National River Health Programme, 13
National Rivercare Programme, 13
National Status Overview for Migratory Shorebirds, 35
National Trust, 42
National Vegetation Information System, 23
National Weeds Programme, 13, 24
National Wetlands Programme, 13
Native Fish Strategy, 34
Native Title, 54
native vegetation, 21–2, 23, 39
natural heritage, protection of, 15, 27, 41–2, 69–70
Natural Heritage Trust, 8–11, 12–13, 21–3, 37, 38
	Indigenous Land Management Facilitators, 55
Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council, 10
natural resource management plans, 9–10, 11
nature conservation, 9–12, 21–5
New South Wales, 5, 11, 30, 33
Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council Aboriginal Corporation, 55
noise, from aircraft, 30
Norfolk Island, 42
North Head Artillery School, 5
Northern Territory, 26, 30, 32, 48, 55

O

oceans, see coasts and oceans
oceans policy, 4–5, 13, 26
Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator, 20
oil, see petroleum and petroleum products
outcomes, 14
outputs, 2
overseas aid, 53
overseas trade in wildlife, 24
ozone (photochemical smog), 16
ozone protection, 17–18, 48

P

Pacific region, 18, 27, 28, 42
packaging, 30
parks and reserves, 13, 15, 25, 30, 32, 61
	around Heard and McDonald Islands, 45
	marine, 26–8
	Purnululu National Park, 41
particles, in air, 16, 17
partnerships, 19–20, 27–8, 30–1, 34, 36, 41–2, 51–2
	with United States, 6
Patagonian toothfish, 53
persistent organic pollutants, 31
pests, 13, 22, 23, 25, 28, 36, 38, 39
petroleum and petroleum products, 17, 19, 21
	oil collection infrastructure, 31
photochemical smog (ozone), 16
pollution and pollutants, 31–2
	see also air pollution; water quality
portfolio environment activities, 14–15, 57–8
power generation, 19, 20, 46
primary industries, see agriculture; forests and forestry; fishing and fisheries
Prior Informed Consent Convention, 31
private forests, 37
private land, 37, 50–51
product stewardship arrangements, 31
protected areas, see parks and reserves
Purnululu National Park, 41

Q

Queensland, 26, 27–8, 33, 34

R

rabbits, 24
radioactive waste, national repository for, 30
Ramsar wetlands, 35
recovery plans, 24, 27
recycling, 31
regional communities, 51
Regional Forest Agreement process, 25, 37
regional level funding, 9–10
regional marine plans, 4–5, 26
regional natural resource management plans, 9, 11
remediation of abandoned Antarctic sites, 45
renewable energy, 6, 19, 46
Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000, 20
reporting themes, 1–2
Representative Areas programme (RAP), 27
research, 47–8, 53
	Antarctica, 43–4
	biodiversity, 23
	coasts and oceans, 28–9
	greenhouse gas mitigation, 18
	industry environmental performance, 32
	meteorology, 47
	sustainable management, 40
reserves, see parks and reserves
revegetation, 19, 22, 40, 51
Revolving Fund initiative, 50–51
Rifle Range Reserve, 40
Rivercare, 3, 9, 12, 13, 22
rivers, 9, 12, 13, 22, 28, 32–4, 66
	catchment management, 11, 34, 48
Riverworks Tasmania, 13
road transport, see motor vehicles
Robinvale, 40
rock lobster fishery, Tas., 27
Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent, 31
Rural and Regional Historic Hotels Programme, 42
rural communities, 51, 55–6 

S

salinity, 7, 9, 11, 21, 33, 34
satellite imagery, 49
savings, 4, 6
seabirds, 24, 35, 43
seals, 43
seas, see coasts and oceans
sewerage treatment facilities, 5
ships and shipping, 28
	historic shipwrecks, 42
Shorebird Action Plan, 35
Sisters Beach, Tas., 5
Snapper Island, 5, 42
South Australia, 11, 33, 34
South East Regional Marine Plan, 26
South Pacific, 18, 27, 28
South Pacific Commission, 28
southern bluefin tuna, 28
Southern Right Whale, 27
Southern Ocean, 43–4, 52
spatial data, 49
spanner crabs, 27, 53
State of the Environment (SoE) reports, 49–50
	reporting themes, 1–2
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, 31
strategic directions, 3–15
sulphur dioxide, 16
Supervising Scientist Division, 32
Sustainable Environment Committee (SEC) of Cabinet, 3
sustainable forest management, 37
sustainable natural resource management, 36–9
Sustainable Regions Programme, 51
Sustainable Rivers Audit, 34
Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, 4, 5

T

Tasmania, 5, 17, 27, 33, 37, 52
tax incentives, 13, 38, 50–51
themes, 1–2
threatened species, 7, 13, 22, 23, 24, 27
Threatened Species Scientific Committee, 24
Torres Strait, 26
Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal Australians, 25, 41, 43, 53–6
trade in wildlife, 24
traditional knowledge, 55, 56
transport, see aviation; motor vehicles; ships and shipping
tuna, 28
tyres, 31

U

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, 25, 30
UNESCO Convention for the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage, 42
United Nations, 25
United States, 6
uranium mining, 32
urban air pollution, 12, 13, 16–17
used tyres, 31
UV (ultra violet) Index Forecast Service, 47, 49

V

vegetation, 19, 21–2, 23, 39– 40, 50
	see also forests and forestry
vessels, bio-fouling on, 28
veterinary chemicals, 32
Victoria, 11, 33, 40
volunteers, 36
vulnerable and endangered species, 7, 13, 22, 23, 24, 27,28

W

Waratah-Wynyard Shire Council, 5
waste management/minimisation, 12
	Antarctica, 45
	radioactive, national repository for, 30
	sewerage treatment, 5
Waste Management Awareness Programme, 12, 13
water, 5, 15, 32–6, 47, 48, 53, 67
	tax deductions for conservation, 38
	see also coasts and oceans; rivers
water flows, Murray River, 33, 34
water quality, 7, 9, 11, 13, 21–22, 33, 39
	marine and estuarine, 4–5, 13, 26, 28
waterbirds, 22, 35, 43
Waterwatch Australia, 13, 36
Watsons Bay Marine Biological Research Station, 5
weather, 14, 15, 43,44, 48–9, 52, 53, 72
‘Weed Alert List’, 24
weeds, 13, 22, 23, 24, 38, 39, 51
‘Weeds of National Significance’, 24
wetlands, 9, 13, 21, 22, 35
Wetlands Communication, Education and Public Awareness National Action Plan, 35
whales and whaling, 27, 43–4
wildlife conservation, 21–5, 61–2
	freshwater fish, 34
	marine species, 4–5, 26–8
	see also endangered species
Wilkes station, 45
wind energy, 46
woodheaters, 17
Woolwich Dock, 5
World Climate Research Programme, 48
World Heritage Management Programme, 13
World Heritage properties, 10, 13, 41, 45
	Great Barrier Reef, 27–8
World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), 52
World Trade Organisation (WTO), 52
World Summit on Sustainable Development, 52

Y

York Park, 25
youth, 51