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Questions On Notice Questions on notice are usually asked when a more detailed answer is required and are in writing, and are forwarded by the Clerk of the Parliament to the relevant Minister who prepares a written answer which is presented to Parliament.
58 Estimates Committee F-Sustainability, Climate Change & Innovation |
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| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Jul 24 2008 |
| Questions On Notice >> |
Question:
Mr LAWLOR: Minister, can you outline the progress to date in allocating the first year's funding as part of the Bligh government's $20 million investment to improve long-term water quality in southeast Queensland?
Answer:
Mr McNAMARA: I thank the honourable member for the question. The South East Queensland Healthy Waterways Strategy 2007-2012 outlines approximately 500 actions to improve the health of waterways and catchments in south-east Queensland. Waterways in south-east Queensland face increasing pressure from population growth and urban and industrial development. Industries such as tourism, fisheries and recreation rely on the condition of our region's waterways. Protecting them is vital to maintaining and improving the lifestyles and livelihoods of our industries and communities.
The South East Queensland Healthy Waterways Strategy 2007-2012 is a comprehensive plan of action based on scientific evidence to secure the health of our region's waterways. For the 2007-08 financial year, the EPA has allocated $5 million towards priority projects that aim to maintain and improve the health of the waterways and catchments of south-east Queensland, including Moreton Bay.
This includes:
$2.1 million towards reducing diffuse pollution loads from the rural and non-urban landscape in the priority catchments of the Bremer, Lockyer and Logan rivers;
$600,000 on better management and avoidance of coastal algal blooms, including the hazardous Lyngbya and Hinksia, and managing impacts of toxic algae on the dugongs and turtles in Moreton Bay;
$420,000 on reducing diffuse pollution from the urban footprint, including a major capacity building program for water sensitive urban design and the development of a new policy and planning framework for water quality improvement;
$300,000 for updating stormwater management of main road developments; and $1.58 million for projects that will enable the more efficient and effective delivery of waterway health for
south-east Queensland.
There is also allocation in the $1.58 million to enable actions for south-east Queensland, which includes:
$400,000 for communication, education and motivation projects;
$250,000 for a management strategy evaluation framework;
$250,000 for policy and program coordination;
$200,000 for waterway ecosystem health monitoring and reporting;
$180,000 for traditional owner engagement;
$100,000 for the determination of sustainable loads for waterways; $50,000 for water pollution offsets policies;
$50,000 for research into impacts of water resource planning; $50,000 for a point source discharge
database; and $50,000 for the determination of environmental values and water quality objectives for
freshwaters.
The strategy outcomes will make a significant contribution towards achieving waterways health that supports the lifestyles and livelihoods of the community in the fastest growing region of
Queensland. Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 10:21 AM
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