Queensland State of Enviroment Report 2007
Posted by Administrator (admin) on Dec 04 2008
2008 >>

MR LAWLOR asked the Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and
Innovation (Mr McNamara) –

Question:

Will he provide details of the main findings of the Queensland State of the Environment Report 2007 and what improvements in the natural environment does the report show?

ANSWER:

The third Queensland State of the Environment report is a high profile and significant statement about the State’s environment and it provides an objective assessment of the condition and trend of our environmental assets, the pressures upon them and the actions being taken to maintain or restore these assets.

The results of the Report are mixed: some aspects of the environment remain in good shape or are improving due to the success of government initiatives, while others are declining or remain in poor condition, signalling the need for further attention.

The Report highlights that air quality measures, as determined by an active monitoring program, are generally good and within national standards; it notes that the number and size of protected areas in Queensland has expanded, in part, as a result of the success of the nature refuge initiative; and it observes that coastal water quality has improved significantly due to changes in the treatment requirements of point source discharges.

The Report raises a number of issues of concern: Queensland has a higher than global average ecological footprint and relatively high per capita greenhouse gas emissions due to a reliance on fossil fuels and coalgenerated energy; the recent severe drought has had an adverse effect on the State’s water resources; and the continuing loss of biodiversity through changes in land-use and the spread of invasive plants and animals.

The additional pressures placed on the environment by continued economic growth and development, a naturally variable climate characterised by severe droughts and floods, and the potential impact of climate change on our way of life, all highlight the need for further actions to bring about environmental sustainability.

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