Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 35
Division/Agency:	Land, Water and Coasts Division
Topic:	Water Policy
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Carr asked:
What is the framework for the Government’s policy on water?  Is there an inter-departmental committee or working group to co-ordinate policy between PM&C, Dept of Agric Forestry and Fisheries and the Department of Env & Heritage?

Answer/s:
The matters raised in this question are the responsibility of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Accordingly, the question should be directed to that Department.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 36
Division/Agency:	Land, Water and Coasts Division
Topic:	Water Policy
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Carr asked:
What is the division of policy responsibilities between PM&C Dept of Agric Forestry and Fisheries and the Department of Env & Heritage?   What is the role of Gary Nairn, the PM’s Parl Sec, in relation to water policy? 

Answer/s:
The matters raised in this question are the responsibility of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Accordingly, the question should be directed to that Department.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 37
Sub Outcome:	
Division/Agency:	Land, Water, Coasts Division 
Topic:	Coastal Issues
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Carr asked:
1. On 24 July 2005, the Minister suggested he was going to strip local councils and State Governments of coastal planning powers. When will that legislation be introduced?  Will a policy statement be released?  If so, what is the timeframe for that?

2. What response did the Government get from State Governments to plans to strip their powers?

Answer/s:
An ABC online news story of 24 July, available on the ABC website, reports that the Minister did not say he would override the decisions made by local and state governments on development. Ms Holly Nott, reporting for AAP on 24 July, said that the Minister denied that the plan represented an erosion of the planning powers of state and local governments.

Senator Campbell, Minister for the Environment and Heritage gave a radio interview on 25 July 2005 on ABC Melbourne 774 AM. The transcript of this interview (available on the Minister’s website) clearly indicates that the Minister does not intend to strip local councils and State Governments of coastal planning powers. 

2. Not applicable

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 38
Division/Agency:	Land, Water and Coasts Division 
Topic:	Coastal Issues
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Carr asked:
Has the Government produced any new policy material that backs up the Minister's stated concern for our coasts?

Answer/s:
No.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 39
Division/Agency:	Land, Water and Coasts Division
Topic:	Coastal Issues
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Carr asked:
1. Was the Department or the Minister consulted prior to the meeting of regional affairs Ministers on 21 October?  Is it true that the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Warren Truss, sought a position at that meeting on how “sea change” population growth should be addressed?
  
2. What was the outcome of that meeting on 21 October?  Will the Department be involved in the implementation of this strategy?  If not, why not?

Answer/s:
This question is more properly addressed to the Hon Warren Truss MP, Minister for Transport and Regional Services.

Outcome:	1. Environment		Question No: 40
Division/Agency:	Land, Water and Coasts Division
Topic:	Coastal Issues
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Carr asked:
Could you advise what action the Government has taken to implement its 2001 election promise to develop a national coastal policy?

Answer/s:
While acknowledging the primary role of state and local governments in coastal zone management, the Australian Government works to create more effective and complementary arrangements within and across jurisdictions, most recently with the Framework for a National Cooperative Approach to Integrated Coastal Zone Management.

This Framework was prepared under the guidance of the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council and was agreed to by all states and the Northern Territory in 2003. It is part of a suite of Australian Government and intergovernmental initiatives that address coastal issues, including the Natural Heritage Trust, the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality, the National Water Initiative, the National Water Quality Management Strategy, and the Coastal Catchments Initiative.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 41
Division/Agency:	Land, Water and Coasts Division 
Topic:	Coastal Issues
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Carr asked:
Is the Government looking to establish a national action plan on coastal issues? If not, why not?

Answer/s:
Please refer to Question 40.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 42
Division/Agency:	Land, Water and Coasts Division
Topic:	Coastal Catchments Initiative
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Carr asked:
What funding has been provided under the Coastal Catchments Initiative for the Parramatta River; Moreton Bay; the Derwent Estuary; the Swan/Canning Rivers and the Cooks and Georges Rivers respectively?

Answer/s:
No funds have been provided under the Coastal Catchments Initiative for the Parramatta River, the Swan/Canning Rivers and the Cooks and Georges Rivers. The Derwent Estuary has been allocated some $272,727. Moreton Bay has been allocated $1.94 million.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 43
Division/Agency:	Land, Water and Coasts Division
Topic:	Coastal Catchments Initiative
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Carr asked:
How many binding agreements have been made with States and Territories and local governments to protect hotspots under the Coastal Catchments Initiative?

Answer/s:
There are no binding agreements to protect hotspots under the Coastal Catchments Initiative. A total of 45 contracts relating to the development of Water Quality Improvement Plans and supporting projects have been negotiated and signed.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 44
Division/Agency:	Land, Water and Coasts Division
Topic:	Coastal Catchments Initiative
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Carr asked:
What is the Coastal Catchments Initiative budget? How is this spread across the remaining NHT years?

Answer/s:
The Coastal Catchments Initiative has been allocated $6.935 million in 2005-06, $5.935 million during 2006-07 and $10.403 million during 2007-08.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 45
Division/Agency:	Land, Water and Coasts Division
Topic:	Coastal Catchments Initiative
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Carr asked:
When will you commence the Coastal Catchments Initiative in Gippsland Lakes, as committed under the South East Regional Marine Plan?

Answer/s:
The Australian Government is presently considering potential hotspots against the Coastal Catchments Initiative investment criteria. Advice will then be provided to the Minister, who will determine new investment sites.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 49
Division/Agency:	Land, Water and Coasts Division
Topic:	Environmental Flows
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Siewert asked:
1. Have the environmental flows for icon sites been determined? Can you report on progress? 

2. Have environmental flows in the Darling been determined?

3. If environmental flows regimes haven't been determined, then how can the most cost effective mechanisms be determined?

Answer/s:
1. Yes.

There has been good progress in delivering environmental water to icon sites. As part of the Living Murray Environmental Works and Measures Programme (a component of the Living Murray Initiative), the Murray-Darling Basin Commission has funded a series of watering projects on the Chowilla floodplain to address severe stress in floodplain dependent trees. In 2004, an experimental watering trial was undertaken at Monoman Island, Chowilla floodplain (South Australia) (now referred to as Round 1). The response from affected trees was positive. Consequently, between August 2004 and January 2005 a further five key sites were watered on the Chowilla Floodplain (Round 2 watering projects). The sites were: Pipeclay Weir Billabong (6ha), Werta Wert Wetland (42ha), Lake Littra (66ha), Pilby Creek (6ha) and Twin Creeks (14ha). The watering projects have resulted in the improved health of river red gums across the Chowilla Floodplain: trees responded with the production of epicormic growth and improved canopy density.

Environmental flows have been released into Barmah-Millewa Forest since October to improve River redgum health and flush out the wetland system.  The impact of the flooding on the river and wetland health will be monitored closely. Initial indications are very positive with evidence of fish and bird breeding and positive vegetation  responses to the watering.

Weir pool manipulation, to provide water for drought stressed River Red Gums and floodplain vegetation, has occurred at a number of sites along the Murray (Locks 6 and 8). By raising the weir above normal pool level, more flow is pushed into creeks resulting in areas of low lying floodplain and wetland being inundated.

2. Environmental flows in the Darling have yet to be fully determined. Both New South Wales and Queensland have, or are in the process of developing, Water Sharing Plans and Water Resource Plans (respectively) that will provide new frameworks for managing water resources into the future. 

3. Environmental flow requirements for the Darling can be determined when NSW finish their Water Sharing Plans. The provisions in the Plans will provide water for environmental needs and ecological processes and direct how the water available for extraction is to be shared.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 50
Division/Agency:	Land, Water and Coasts Division
Topic:	Environmental Flows
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Siewert asked:
1. Does the department share Peter Cullen’s view that the quickest and most cost effective way of meeting environmental flow targets is to purchase water on the open market? 
2. Will the department rule out purchase of water privately?

Answer/s:
1. The Intergovernmental Agreement on a National Water Initiative (NWI IGA) Clause 79 ii) a) outlines several options for the recovery of water for environmental outcomes. These include:
- investment in more efficient water infrastructure
- purchase of water on the market, by tender or other market based mechanisms
- investment in more efficient water management practices, including measurement, or
- investment in behavioural change to reduce urban water consumption

Consistent with Clause 79 ii) c) of the  NWI, the Australian Government, in recovering water for environmental outcomes, will consider these measures primarily on the basis of cost-effectiveness and with a view to managing socio-economic impacts.

2. No. The Australian Government has not ruled out any of the water recovery options outlined under the NWI.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 51
Division/Agency:	Land, Water and Coasts Division
Topic:	Coastal Catchments Initiative
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Siewert asked:
I understand that a number of the water quality improvement plans have been completed, that these are separate to the regional NRM plans – is this correct?

Answer/s:
No water quality improvement plans have been completed. All water quality improvement plans will be integrated with accredited regional NRM plans.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 52
Division/Agency:	Land, Water and Coasts Division
Topic:	Coastal Catchments Initiative
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Siewert asked:
1.	I understand there are no dedicated funds to implement the Water Quality Improvement Plans? Is this correct?
2.	If this is correct funding must come from regional NRM despite being developed separately? What happens if the regional NRM body doesn’t view it as a priority or their investment plans have already been completed?
3.	Can you provide an update on implementation of Water Quality Improvement Plans?
4.	Can the Community Water grants and Water Fund be used for implementation of these plans?
5.	Is there another round of funding for the development of Water Quality Improvement Plans? If so, when is the round of funding being opened?
6.	Is Vasse Wonnerup in Western Australia being considered for funding?

Answer/s:
1.	Yes, with the exception of those plans being developed under the aegis of the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan. The Coastal Catchments Initiative (CCI) does not provide funding for implementation other Water Quality Improvement Plans (WQIPs).
2.	Implementation is in the first instance the responsibility of the body developing the plan, eg State government, regional body and/or local government. The Australian Government will support implementation by negotiating with a range of stakeholders, including regional NRM groups, the priorities and arrangements to implement WQIPs.
3.	As yet no WQIPs have been finalised.
4.	Yes.
5.	Funding is available for the CCI during 2006-08. The Australian Government is presently considering potential hotspots against the Coastal Catchments Initiative investment criteria. Advice will then be provided to the Minister, who will determine new investment sites. 
6.	The Vasse Wonnerup is one of a number of potential hotspots being assessed against the CCI investment criteria.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 53
Division/Agency:	Land, Water and Coasts Division
Topic:	Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease response
Hansard Page ECITA:	128

Senator Milne asked:
In relation to diagnostic research, is there any capacity for experts to feed into that process of what is needed, or is that going to be a determination your department makes on its own?

Answer/s:
Details of the Australian Government investment into the Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease response are still being finalised. The development of the work program has included liaison with a number of external specialists and research institutes. It is intended that there will be further opportunities for experts to be involved in research components of the work including in the review of findings.