Document
Index
1999-2000 Ministerial Statements
Investing in our Natural and
Cultural Heritage
Chapter 3
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Index |
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The Commonwealth provides for environment management and monitoring on Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Jervis Bay Territory.
Environmental management and monitoring activities on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and on Christmas Island are concerned primarily with the provision of:
The Commonwealth is providing $1 million in 1999-2000 for environmental
management in the Indian Ocean Territories, with about $1 million to be spent in
2000-01.
On Christmas Island it is necessary to balance the needs and effects of a phosphate mine,
resort developments and a national park. Similarly, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands constitute
a fragile environment with a limited economic base of marine-based tourism and
infrastructure servicing.
Some of the activities currently taking place on the islands include implementing a
Rockfall Risk Reduction Strategy to reduce the risk to life and property arising out of
the potential for rockfalls to occur in an identified residential and business area of
Christmas Island.
The Science Group provides a full-time onsite Environmental Officer under an arrangement
with the Department of Transport and Regional Services, and conducts Environmental
Performance Reviews of enterprises twice a year on Christmas Island and the Cocos
(Keeling) Islands. This position is also supported by a Service Delivery Arrangement with
the Western Australian Department of Environment. The problem on the islands of dealing
with waste accumulated as a result of infrastructure development is also being addressed
by the Commonwealth Government. This includes the removal of scrap metal, obsolete fuel
tanks and the use of sea dumping off Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
Contact: Department of Transport and Regional Services-- 6274 8087
The Environment Resource Officer (ERO) Scheme is funded and administered by Environment
Australia as a mechanism for promoting and disseminating information on Commonwealth
environment policies and programmes to local government. The EROs also provide assistance
to local government on general environmental management. The Scheme funds part of the cost
of a dedicated environment officer in a peak Local Government Association in each State
and the Northern Territory to work with local councils to maximise positive environmental
outcomes.
There is also a national ERO based in the Local Government Environmental Network, known as
Environs Australia, to deal with specific local government issues, which are expected to
benefit from a national approach.
Local Agenda 21 (LA21) is a programme of sustainable development established by and for
local government. The term derives from Chapter 28 of Agenda 21, the global blueprint for
sustainable development generated at the Earth Summit in 1992. Chapter 28 recognises
the value of local government in achieving sustainable development.
The Commonwealth Government also recognises the significance of local government in
achieving sustainable development. In Our Living Heritage, the Commonwealth
supported APEC's goal to double the number of cities and local governments that have LA21
plans by 2003.
As part of its assistance to local government, Environment Australia has commissioned
Environs Australia to produce a new how-to-do-it LA21 Manual for local councils. The
Manual gives practical guidance and presents case studies to local councils wishing to
undertake a LA21 or local ESD programme.
In addition, Environment Australia will be establishing a new web site containing the LA21
Manual, best practice examples, links to other sustainable development sites and local
council contacts.
Given the projected urban growth in Asia-Pacific early next century, local government will
have a significant role in achieving sustainable cities through the development of LA21
programmes.
Recognising the regional and global dimensions of LA21, the Commonwealth Government will
be working with the UN's Commission on Sustainable Development and the International
Council for Local Environmental Initiatives to produce a regionally tailored manual
suitable for various APEC economies.
Contact: Environment Australia, Portfolio Strategies Group -- 02 6274 1018
