Environment and Heritage

Australian Wildlife Hospital — grant

The Government will provide $2.5 million in 2005-06 for the expansion of the Australian Wildlife Hospital in southern Queensland. This funding will support the construction of a new building for the hospital.

Duyfken voyage — additional funding

The Government will provide an additional $0.2 million in 2006-07 for a voyage by the Western Australian-built replica of the 17^th century Dutch ship, the Duyfken, which will include a re-enactment of the original journey. This funding will support the replica of the Duyfken's voyage as part of planned commemorations in 2006 to mark the 400^th anniversary of the first European exploration of Australia's coastline.

This funding is in addition to the $250,000 provided in 2005-06 and announced by the Minister for the Environment and Heritage on 1 September 2005.

Fuel quality standards — continuation of funding

The Government will provide $5.6 million over four years to continue funding for investigations of fuel quality standards under the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000. Activities under this Act include collecting and analysing fuel samples, investigating and enforcing fuel standards, and responding to complaints of poor fuel quality throughout Australia.

Heritage building restorations — the Basilica of St Patrick and St Mary's Cathedral

The Government will provide $3.0 million in 2005-06 for the restoration of the Basilica of St Patrick in Fremantle ($1.0 million) and St Mary's Cathedral in Hobart ($2.0 million). This funding will support efforts to repair and preserve these important heritage buildings.

Kakadu National Park — rehabilitation of uranium mine sites

The Government will provide $7.3 million over four years to rehabilitate abandoned uranium mine sites and to securely contain mine wastes in Kakadu National Park. This measure includes $0.2 million in capital funding in 2008-09 for instrumentation to monitor radiation levels.

Mawson's Hut Foundation — expedition

The Government will provide $0.3 million in 2005-06 to the Mawson's Hut Foundation to fund an expedition to Commonwealth Bay in the Antarctic to conduct conservation work on the historic huts built by Sir Douglas Mawson in 1912.

Regional marine planning — continuation

The Government will provide $37.7 million over four years to continue delivery of Australia's oceans policy, including the development and implementation of regional marine plans for south-east, north and south-west Australia, and progress on two other regional marine plans for north-west and eastern Australia. The programme will enable integration of regional marine planning and the development of marine protected areas in Commonwealth waters. These outcomes will be delivered through a more streamlined approach under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

This measure will also provide funding for national and international engagement on marine environment policy issues and continue the operation of the National Oceans Office in Hobart.

Further information on the Government's approach to regional marine planning can be found in the press release of 13 October 2005 issued by the Minister for the Environment and Heritage.

St John's Cathedral Brisbane — contribution

The Government has provided $2.0 million in 2005-06 towards the completion of St John's Cathedral in Brisbane to its original design. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.

Further information can be found in the press release of 20 April 2006 issued by the Prime Minister.

Used oil recyclers — transitional funding

The Government will provide $30.1 million over three years to assist used oil recyclers who produce burner fuel from recycled oil. This transitional funding in particular recognises the removal of excise on new (non‑recycled) burner fuel from 1 July 2006. It will be administered under the Product Stewardship for Oil Programme, announced in the 2000-01 Budget.

Funding will be progressively reduced over the three-year period as used oil recyclers adjust to new market conditions.

The excise changes were announced in 2004 in the context of the Government's Energy White Paper. Further information on the excise changes can be found in the press release of 15 June 2004 issued by the Treasurer.