Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No:  50
Division/Agency:	Parks Australia Division
Topic:	Climate Change – Threatened Species
Hansard Page ECITA:	93

Senator Milne asked:
Senator MILNE—You said that report [on marine and terrestrial reserves] will be due for publication in March?
Mr Leaver—Yes, we have a draft on schedule and it is currently being circulated to the parks for not only comment. We will ourselves have a major input into the adaptation end of the project.
Senator MILNE—Notwithstanding whatever adaptation measures might be taken given that you have got the draft report, are there any species that are facing extinction?

Answer/s:
On the basis of the current draft report, no. However, we continue to review and adjust management measures in the light of any new information we receive and the final report will assist us in this process. Our main priority will be those species listed as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. 

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No:  51
Division/Agency:	Parks Australia Division
Topic:	Christmas Island Rehabilitation
Hansard Page ECITA:	95

Senator Siewert asked:
Senator SIEWERT—I will come back to rehabilitation. As I understand it, that is in Parks. In fact, I have asked previously about this. Has further assessment of the rehabilitation trials been undertaken?
Mr Leaver—I am sorry, I have no information on that. I would have to take that on notice.
Senator SIEWERT—Can you take that on notice? I understand it is under the Park’s bailiwick. As I said, I have asked before and I am seeking an update on the department’s evaluation of the current trial.
Mr Leaver—Yes. I would be pleased to do that.

Answer/s:
In 2006 the Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation at the University of Queensland was engaged to undertake a review of the 2000 Christmas Island Minesite Rehabilitation Plans. A copy of the report is attached.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No:  52
Division/Agency:	Parks Australia Division
Topic:	Expenditure on Crazy Ants
Hansard Page ECITA:	96

Senator Milne asked:
What was the total value of the program that you have had in place since 2000?

Answer/s:
The table below identifies the level of expenditure relating to the Crazy Ants program since 2000.

	2000-01	2001-02	2002-03	2003-04	2004-05	2005-06	2006-07*	Total	
Funding Source	$'000	$'000	$'000	$'000	$'000	$'000	$'000	$'000	
Natural Heritage Trust 	-	-	200	100	140	140	169	749	
Australian Research Council 	120	90	90	-	-	-	-	300	
Director of National Parks 	308	292	521	193	68	48	82	1,512	
Total Crazy Ant Program	428	382	811	293	208	188	251	2,561	
							* to 30 April 2007	

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No:  53
Division/Agency:	Parks Australia Division
Topic:	Christmas Island – Abbott’s Booby
Hansard Page ECITA:	96

Senator Milne asked:
Senator MILNE—Has there been a measurable change in the Abbotts booby population as a result of bringing the crazy ants under control or at least reducing the threat? I would be interested in the monitoring status of impacts on the Abottts booby. You can take that on notice, if you do not know.
Mr Leaver—The comment I had from my staff is that the island’s endemic reptiles and mammals are in decline, with at least six species either reduced to remnant populations or no longer recorded. The birds are faring comparatively well, although key endemic species such as Abotts booby and the Christmas Island
frigate bird remain at risk. I could put some more observations from monitoring—
Senator MILNE—I would appreciate the current state of play, particularly with those bird species. Thank you.

Answer/s:
It is difficult to quantify population trends with the data available. Data from the 1991 and 2002 surveys suggest the population seems to have expanded in distribution, which may be due to habitat change or increase in population numbers, but the survey designs differed.

The control program for the Yellow Crazy Ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes) has dominated Christmas Island National Park management activities since the recognition of the ant as a major threatening process to island ecosystems in 1998. Crazy ants are not yet under control on the island and the threat to biodiversity still exists. 

Abbott's booby (Papasula abbotti) is currently listed as 'endangered' under the EPBC Act. In the "Threat Abatement Plan to reduce the impacts of tramp ants on biodiversity in Australia and its territories" Abbott's booby is included as one of the listed species that are adversely affected by Yellow Crazy Ants.

Parks Australia is continuing efforts to manage crazy ants including measuring and monitoring the outcomes of control initiatives but it is not possible, nor realistic to monitor the impacts on each species threatened by them.

The combined impacts of many decades of forest clearance due to phosphate mining and changes to forest structure due to crazy ant infestations, together with potential impacts of climate changes (e.g. rainfall pattern) on forest structure, mean that the long-term viability of Abbott’s Booby on Christmas Island remains of concern.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 54
Division/Agency:	Parks Australia Division
Topic:	National Reserve System
Hansard Page ECITA:	96

Senator Siewert asked:
Senator SIEWERT—Can you give us an update of how much funding is required for Australia to meet its obligations for park protection by 2012 for the NRS?
Mr Leaver—For the national reserve system?
Senator SIEWERT—Yes.
Mr Leaver—I would have to get back to you. There has been a review, as you are fully aware, on the national reserve system, and I would have to ask the national reserves people. I will take that on notice.
Senator SIEWERT—I would like what the figure is to meet the 2012 objective and what has actually been spent. I can then look it up, but it would be easier if I have both to compare. That would be appreciated.

Answer/s:
Given fluctuations in land prices and the increasing growth of the use of covenants and related measures to protect the biodiversity values on private and leasehold lands and the growing Indigenous Protected Area estate, it is extremely difficult to quantify what funds are required to meet the targets agreed for the National Reserve System.

Supported by the Natural Heritage Trust, the National Reserve System Programme (NRSP) and Indigenous Protected Area Programme have invested more than $87 million since 1997, resulting in the protection of an additional 21.5 million hectares, that have been added to the National Reserve System, including 14.6 m hectares of Indigenous Protected Areas. This investment by the Government has leveraged a 25% increase in Australia’s protected area system which now includes almost 11% of the land area of the continent.  

There has been growing contribution from the NGO sector and private philanthropy in recent years to purchase and manage properties that enhance the National Reserve System. Much of this effort has been enhanced (leveraged) through co-investment by the Australian Government.

Our best estimate suggests that about a further 30 million hectares is required to achieve a target of at least 10% of each bioregion in the National Reserve System.