Today marks the two-year anniversary of the Murray–Darling Basin Plan. “There has been strong progress on the plan in its first two years of implementation,” said Senator Simon Birmingham, Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment. “These two years have seen an impressive level of commitment and coordination between the Commonwealth and the basin state governments to…
DetailsMinister for Natural Resources, Lands and Water Kevin Humphries will today unveil a $73 million recycled water plant at Mayfield that represents a further step to drought-proofing the Hunter region by producing 3.3 billion litres of clean water a year. The state of the art recycled water plant will supply water to Orica’s Kooragang Island…
DetailsThe fifth and final round of the On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program has now opened with $125 million of funding available to irrigators in southern New South Wales. The Australian Government will work together with the NSW State Government, delivery partner organisations and irrigators to deliver a programme to implement on-farm irrigation efficiency projects. “The funding…
DetailsThe final stage of the plan to repatriate 41.4 ha of former Defence land at Headland Park, Mosman to community uses is nearing completion, Senator Simon Birmingham, Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, said today. Announcing the proposed rejuvenation of a disused former transport depot and army training and accommodation facility at Middle Head, Senator Birmingham…
DetailsThe Australian and New South Wales Governments today announced a $350 million package of new irrigation efficiency projects across New South Wales. “The Australian Government is contributing an extra $125 million of funding to the revised package, bringing total Australian Government funding for New South Wales to nearly $1.5 billion,” said Senator Simon Birmingham, Parliamentary…
DetailsThe Bureau of Meteorology today released a new online groundwater data tool, providing a comprehensive picture of Australia’s groundwater resources. “The Australian Groundwater Explorer presents a uniform approach to groundwater information to support a range of sustainable water resource management decisions at both local and national levels,” said Senator Simon Birmingham, Parliamentary Secretary for the…
DetailsThe Australian National Botanic Gardens is developing a 20-year Master Plan that will provide a blueprint for its future development. “I’m excited to announce that a consortium of architects and landscape architects, Tonkin Zulaikha Greer and Taylor Cullity Lethlean, have been selected to develop a 20- year Master Plan for the Australian National Botanic Gardens,”…
DetailsThe National Water Commission’s final comprehensive review of the National Water Initiative (Triennial Assessment) will be launched in Canberra today. The Triennial National Water Reform Assessment provides an independent analysis of the progress of Australian governments in implementing national water reforms, particularly the National Water Initiative. “Since the National Water Initiative was agreed to by…
DetailsSenator Simon Birmingham today welcomed delegates to the Murray Darling Association’s 70th anniversary conference in Tumut. “The founding of the Murray Darling Association in 1944 established one of the most significant local government groups in the country,” said Senator Simon Birmingham, Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment. “The Murray Darling Association has actively worked with the…
DetailsMurray-Darling Basin Authority chairman Craig Knowles has advised he will finish in the role when his four-year term expires in January 2015. Federal Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, Senator Simon Birmingham, said that Mr Knowles had played an extremely valuable role in working towards a balanced and consultative approach in the development of the Basin…
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