$240m boost to SA River Murray communities

South Australia's irrigation districts will receive a major investment in their future with $240 million of Federal Government funds to begin flowing into the these areas. Senator Simon Birmingham, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment, today announced that he had approved the guidelines for key components of the South Australian River Murray Sustainability…

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Parliamentary Secretary touring northern Basin

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment Simon Birmingham today begins three days of meetings in the northern Murray-Darling Basin as part of a program of community engagement and consultation.   Senator Birmingham will meet with community representatives in Moree, St George, Goondiwindi and Narromine on his first visit to the northern Basin since…

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Immerse yourself in National Water Week

The Australian Government is encouraging Australians to get involved in National Water Week.   First marked in 1993, National Water Week from today until 26 October aims to cultivate increased community understanding of water issues in Australia.   Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment with specific portfolio responsibilities for water Simon Birmingham says…

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National snapshot of Australia’s water resources released today

The Bureau of Meteorology has released its latest Australian Water Resources Assessment today. The report provides a high-quality, nationally consistent picture of Australia’s water resources.   Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment Simon Birmingham said the Australian Water Resources Assessment 2012 clearly identifies trends and variability in Australian water resources, providing an essential…

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Government funding for historic ship hull transfer

The Australian Government has today confirmed it will provide up to $850,000 (GST exclusive) towards the transfer to Australia of the hull of historic vessel City of Adelaide.   The decision to provide funding follows serious consideration of the previous Government’s contractual commitment and will cover unpaid invoiced costs related to transporting the clipper ship’s…

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$19.5 million for South East Irrigation Scheme

The Australian Government today confirmed funding of $19.5 million for a new irrigation scheme to increase horticultural, viticultural and farm productivity in south east Tasmania, creating up to 330 jobs.   Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment Simon Birmingham said the South East Irrigation Scheme involves construction of a 200 megalitre dam, installation…

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Big fence delivers Victoria’s Glenelg River national prize

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment Simon Birmingham has congratulated the Glenelg River project on winning the 2013 Australian Riverprize.   Senator Birmingham presented the prize to the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority at the 16th International Riversymposium in Brisbane.   “In undertaking this project farming families in the Glenelg River Basin, south…

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Parliamentary Secretary appointment

I look forward to serving as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment in the new Coalition Government and am delighted to be taking on particular responsibilities for water.   Implementation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in a way that delivers for the environment while preserving the status of the Murray-Darling as Australia’s major…

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Labor lies now turn to Murray-Darling Basin

Labor’s desperate campaign of lies has now turned to the Murray-Darling Basin.   Nothing could be further from the truth than hysterical Labor claims that the Basin Plan has been “trashed today”.   If elected, the Coalition will deliver every drop of water required to implement the Basin Plan on time, by 2019.  This is…

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