Published Friday, 27 June, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
Bligh Government Identifies Environment as a Key Policy Area
Meeting the challenges of climate change through strengthening the resilience of our natural environment and ensuring sustainable economic growth are key drivers for the Bligh Government.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said a report released today by conservation groups reveals nothing new about the potential impacts of climate change and the need to manage Queensland’s strong population and economic growth.
“Queensland’s environment is under increasing pressure from a rapidly growing population that is consuming more land, more energy and more water, generating more waste, and impacting on the natural systems that support life,” Mr McNamara said.
“The report recognises Queensland’s environmental achievements during the past decade, including a ban on broadscale land clearing which the report describes as ‘the most significant environment decision in Queensland’s history’.
“One of Premier Bligh’s first actions was to create the portfolio of Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation in recognition of the priority for this government of environmental and sustainability issues.
“No one can doubt the commitment of the Bligh Government to maintaining and improving our natural environment.”
In the past year alone, the Queensland Government has:
• announced an increase of 50 percent in the amount of National Park within Queensland;
• released a draft zoning plan for Moreton Bay Marine Park which proposed a thirtyfold increase in the area of protected zones;
• released the ClimateSmart 2050 strategy and Adaptation Plan which include initiatives across government, industry and the community to address climate change;
• introduced the Queensland Climate Change Fund with a budget of $30 million annually;
• announced the Solar Homes Program to provide low cost solar power panels to Queensland households;
• introduced a feed-in tariff to pay Queenslanders for electricity generated by domestic solar power systems and fed back into the grid;
• declared the first six Wild Rivers and announced the beginning of consultation for a further three;
• provided more than $260 million in rebates to Queenslanders for water efficiency;
• passed legislation to tighten environmental controls for the state’s biggest mines;
• introduced the $50 million Renewable Energy Fund to promote development of renewable energy technologies and the $50 million Smarter Energy Fund to support more energy efficient businesses;
• released a sustainable housing policy discussion paper;
• provided $20 million for the South-east Queensland Healthy Waterways project;
• committed $7 million towards the construction of a solar thermal power station at Cloncurry, and $7.5 million for a solar thermal gas plant in Queensland in conjunction with the CSIRO;
• announced funding of $15 million over five years to establish a Geothermal Centre of Excellence; and
• introduced an agreement for farmers and graziers who lease State Government land covering 65 percent of Queensland to get longer leases if they improve the condition of their land and conserve high-value environmental areas.
The report incorrectly lists the 2003 failure to buy back Cubbie Station as a failure of the Queensland Government, but it was the Howard Government which refused to participate in a buyback proposed by Queensland.
The report acknowledges that Queensland has a good water planning framework and the Water Act 2000 is ‘one of Australia’s best platforms for water management’.
The positive environmental outcomes recognised in the report are supported by the recent Queensland State of the Environment 2007 report which noted:
• Queensland’s air quality is generally very good due to better quality fuel and emissions standards for motor vehicles, the effective management of industrial emissions and a more strategic approach to controlled burning;
• better water quality as a result of the adoption of better land management practices and tighter controls on discharges into our waterways;
• the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative is safeguarding this valuable asset, with water savings of 130,000 megalitres a year;
• the banning of broadscale clearing of native vegetation under the Vegetation Management Act has delivered significant greenhouse savings, improved biodiversity, water quality and soil stability and reduced salinity; and
• a greater adoption by Queenslanders of eco-efficiency initiatives, more recycling of waste and a rise in the use of public transport.
“I appreciate that conservation groups would like to see more done in some areas of environmental policy, and in a perfect world, so would I,” Mr McNamara said.
“But we live in a world where competing interests often have to be considered, and the role of government is to achieve the best balance for the whole community.
“Addressing the potential impacts of climate change is the big challenge facing all individuals, organisations and communities, so that we can preserve both our lifestyle and the environment.”
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said a report released today by conservation groups reveals nothing new about the potential impacts of climate change and the need to manage Queensland’s strong population and economic growth.
“Queensland’s environment is under increasing pressure from a rapidly growing population that is consuming more land, more energy and more water, generating more waste, and impacting on the natural systems that support life,” Mr McNamara said.
“The report recognises Queensland’s environmental achievements during the past decade, including a ban on broadscale land clearing which the report describes as ‘the most significant environment decision in Queensland’s history’.
“One of Premier Bligh’s first actions was to create the portfolio of Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation in recognition of the priority for this government of environmental and sustainability issues.
“No one can doubt the commitment of the Bligh Government to maintaining and improving our natural environment.”
In the past year alone, the Queensland Government has:
• announced an increase of 50 percent in the amount of National Park within Queensland;
• released a draft zoning plan for Moreton Bay Marine Park which proposed a thirtyfold increase in the area of protected zones;
• released the ClimateSmart 2050 strategy and Adaptation Plan which include initiatives across government, industry and the community to address climate change;
• introduced the Queensland Climate Change Fund with a budget of $30 million annually;
• announced the Solar Homes Program to provide low cost solar power panels to Queensland households;
• introduced a feed-in tariff to pay Queenslanders for electricity generated by domestic solar power systems and fed back into the grid;
• declared the first six Wild Rivers and announced the beginning of consultation for a further three;
• provided more than $260 million in rebates to Queenslanders for water efficiency;
• passed legislation to tighten environmental controls for the state’s biggest mines;
• introduced the $50 million Renewable Energy Fund to promote development of renewable energy technologies and the $50 million Smarter Energy Fund to support more energy efficient businesses;
• released a sustainable housing policy discussion paper;
• provided $20 million for the South-east Queensland Healthy Waterways project;
• committed $7 million towards the construction of a solar thermal power station at Cloncurry, and $7.5 million for a solar thermal gas plant in Queensland in conjunction with the CSIRO;
• announced funding of $15 million over five years to establish a Geothermal Centre of Excellence; and
• introduced an agreement for farmers and graziers who lease State Government land covering 65 percent of Queensland to get longer leases if they improve the condition of their land and conserve high-value environmental areas.
The report incorrectly lists the 2003 failure to buy back Cubbie Station as a failure of the Queensland Government, but it was the Howard Government which refused to participate in a buyback proposed by Queensland.
The report acknowledges that Queensland has a good water planning framework and the Water Act 2000 is ‘one of Australia’s best platforms for water management’.
The positive environmental outcomes recognised in the report are supported by the recent Queensland State of the Environment 2007 report which noted:
• Queensland’s air quality is generally very good due to better quality fuel and emissions standards for motor vehicles, the effective management of industrial emissions and a more strategic approach to controlled burning;
• better water quality as a result of the adoption of better land management practices and tighter controls on discharges into our waterways;
• the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative is safeguarding this valuable asset, with water savings of 130,000 megalitres a year;
• the banning of broadscale clearing of native vegetation under the Vegetation Management Act has delivered significant greenhouse savings, improved biodiversity, water quality and soil stability and reduced salinity; and
• a greater adoption by Queenslanders of eco-efficiency initiatives, more recycling of waste and a rise in the use of public transport.
“I appreciate that conservation groups would like to see more done in some areas of environmental policy, and in a perfect world, so would I,” Mr McNamara said.
“But we live in a world where competing interests often have to be considered, and the role of government is to achieve the best balance for the whole community.
“Addressing the potential impacts of climate change is the big challenge facing all individuals, organisations and communities, so that we can preserve both our lifestyle and the environment.”
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004