Budget delivers record funding for environment

Today’s State Budget delivers record funds for the environment, with a commitment of nearly $275 million over five years.

Environment Minister Steven Miles said priorities for the funding included climate change, protecting the Great Barrier Reef, and enforcing stronger environmental standards.

“The Budget includes increased funding of $15 million over three years to manage the risks of climate change across Queensland,” Mr Miles said.

“Scientists continue to warn Queensland will increasingly be affected by changes in temperature, rainfall, sea level rise and extreme weather events, so we need to take action.

Great Barrier Reef

“To protect the Great Barrier Reef and improve water quality, the Queensland Government has committed $175 million ($35 million per year) over five years from 2017-18.

“This is in addition to the $100 million provided over five years from 2015-16 to address the recommendations arising from the Great Barrier Reef Water Science Taskforce.

“We need cleaner water for a healthy reef, and our ongoing commitment will help achieve water quality targets through effective programs such as best practice management.”

Enforcing environmental laws

To ensure strong environmental standards in Queensland, the Budget has delivered increased funding for enforcement activities — $23.3 million over four years and $5 million ongoing.

“This funding will enhance the delivery of environmental regulatory services to protect our environment,” Mr Miles said.

“The environmental regulator will target areas of environmental risk and improve engagement with industry and the community.

“The Budget also includes $1.4 million for the management of historical fire-fighting foam pollution and $2.7 million to improve rehabilitation standards of mined land across Queensland.”

Indigenous rangers

The Budget has delivered increased funding of $8.1 million over four years to expand the Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers Program from 75 to 100 positions.

The Program will deliver skilled Indigenous jobs and protects environmental and cultural heritage values in some of Queensland's most environmentally significant and iconic landscapes.

Tackling waste 

Additional funding of $2.5 million has been allocated to roll out a Container Refund Scheme and ban plastic shopping bags next year.

“We will continue to work with the retail sector to prepare Queenslanders for life without plastic shopping bags, and continue to encourage recycling of plastic drink containers,” Mr Miles said.

“Almost one billion single use plastic shopping bags are used in Queensland each year.

“Come 1 July 2018, these bags will be banned in Queensland and a container refund scheme for beverage containers will be in place.

“In addition, the Budget will deliver a further $3 million over two years for other projects in support of Advancing Queensland's Waste Reform Agenda, in a bid to encourage greater reuse of materials and reduce waste going to landfill.”

Media contact: Katharine Wright -0422 580 342