Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 46
Division/Agency:	Natural Resource Management Programmes Division
Topic:	Great Barrier Reef
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Carr asked:
1.	Have any pollutant load targets been set for any catchments flowing into the Great Barrier Reef? 

2.	Have any strategies been developed for meeting these targets?

Answer/s:
1.	No.

2.	Regional bodies in Reef Catchments are continuing to work with State and Australian Government agencies to set appropriate and realistic load targets. In some regions this is being undertaken through the development of Water Quality Improvement Plans in high priority catchments such as the Barron, Tully, Burdekin, Pioneer, O’Connell and Burnett Rivers. The implementation of water quality improvement plans in these catchments will be supported by Regional Investment Strategies in the relevant regions.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 47
Division/Agency:	Natural Resource Management Programmes Division
Topic:	Great Barrier Reef
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Carr  asked:
1.	Do all regional natural resource management plans within the vicinity of the Great Barrier Reef have Reef water quality targets?  

2.	If not why not?  

3.	Which management plans do not have Reef water quality targets?

Answer/s:
1.	All regional NRM plans in the Great Barrier Reef catchment have identified and set management action targets that aim to address declining water quality in their regions.

2.	N/A.

3.	N/A.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 48
Division/Agency:	Natural Resource Management Programmes Division
Topic:	Great Barrier Reef
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Carr asked:
Have any natural resource management plans within the vicinity of the Great Barrier Reef have been accredited without water quality targets?  If so, which ones?  Why has this occurred?

Answer/s:
The regional plans of all Reef regions with the exception of Cape York have been accredited, and all contain management action targets that aim to maintain or improve water quality in their region.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 69
Division/Agency:	NRMPD
Topic:	Community Water Grants
	(Water Wise Community Program)
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Carr asked:
1.	The Government has made it clear that its Water Wise Communities program administered by DEH will support projects up to a value of $50,000. Given the Water Wise Communities program has a total value of $200 million over 5 years, won’t this mean more than 4,000 projects are to be administered by DEH?

2.	What is the criteria for assessing Water Wise applications?  Does the Department or the Minister make the decision?  Does the Minister have any role in the decision making for Water Wise grants?

3.	How will DEH ensure project quality control and accountability for this expenditure?

4.	How are the Auditor General’s concerns about the NHT being factored into the handling of the Water Wise Communities program?

5.	Are there measurable environmental quality targets?  Is there a regional delivery model or any delivery model?  Are there any timelines and targets for river health?

6.	What projects have been funded?  Please provide a table covering projects being funded and also those being considered. Please include timelines and targets for river and water health.

7.	Please provide details of the assessment criteria for projects, and the decision making process for approvals.

Answer/s:
1.	Yes 

2.	The criteria were published in the Community Water Grants Application Guidelines for Round One 2005 and can be found at www.communitywatergrants.com.au. 

	Applications are competitive, they will be assessed against the criteria and recommendations made to both Ministers for approval. 

3.	Community Water Grants processes will be in line with the Australian National Audit Office’s Administration of Grants – Best Practice Guide. 

4.	See answer to 3 above.

5.	Community Water Grant projects, although delivered directly, are expected to contribute, where appropriate, to the existing natural resource management and water quality targets within the regional framework of the Natural Heritage Trust and the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality. 

6.	Details of the 27 demonstration projects funded in 2004/2005 are attached.

It is not appropriate to provide the details of the over 4,700 applications currently being assessed. Decisions will be announced in the first half of 2006.

7.	See answer to 2 above.

ATTACHMENT 1 to Senate Estimates Question on Notice no. 69

Community Water Grants demonstration projects

Collecting, Recycling and Irrigating Water Wisely at Alma School in Broken Hill, NSW	$39,239.09 (+ GST)	
Proponent: Alma Public School, NSW
This project will save water through installation of six tanks to store rainwater and runoff water from evaporative air coolers. The collected water will be used to irrigate the schools gardens via a subsurface watering system. About 2,250,000 litres of water are expected to be saved every year. 

Improving Water Efficiency in Boroondara's Public Conveniences	$38,315.50 (+ GST)	
Proponent: City of Boroondara, VIC
This project will save water by replacing 15 full flush toilets with dual flush toilets and 7 water flushing urinals with waterless urinals at four public facilities. This will save an estimated 789,000L of water per year. A community education program will be undertaken as a part of this project. 

Rehabilitation of St Peters Billabong	$34,159.09 (+ GST)	
Proponent: Greening Australia South Australia Inc, SA
This project will improve water quality from Second Creek before it enters the River Torrens at the St Peters Billabong sites. Water quality will be improved through on-ground works; reduction of the weed population on the steep banks, planting of approximately 5,000 indigenous native species, and monitoring and recording of water quality through water testing and water invertebrate counts. 

Bridge to Bridge: Bremer River Community and Business Partnerships	$31,871.66 (+ GST)	
Proponent: Greening Australia Queensland Inc, QLD
This project will revegetate, rehabilitate and protect approximately 10ha of riparian zone along the Bremer River. 

Best Practice in Water Use Efficiency at the Coleambally Demonstration Farm	$42,245.99 (+ GST)	
Proponent: Irrigation Research and Extension Committee, NSW
This project will demonstrate state of the art irrigation techniques and technology at the Murrumbidgee Shire Community Experimental Demonstration Farm to encourage farmers to see new technology and potential  for crop rotation to improve water use efficiency within rice-based farming systems. The project involves establishing a paddock layout that will demonstrate "lateral beds in bays" that utelise new autosteering technology such as bay automation and flume gate water metering devices. It is anticipated that this system will save approximately 1,600,000 litres of water per ha each year. 

Design and Demonstration of Recycling Storm and Greywater, Beaudesert QLD	$45,454.55 (+ GST)	
Proponent: Wongaburra Society, QLD
This project will retrofit existing facilities at the Wongaburra Garden Settlement community retirement centre so that dual wastewater lines will be installed to direct the grey water to a demonstration treatment plant and direct the black water to the sewer lines. The demonstration grey water treatment system will be installed to treat the grey water, disinfect the effluent, and temporary store it in an irrigation sump. The stored water will then be used for a tailor made irrigation system. This system will be used to demonstrate the potential of residential water recycling. 

Rainwater Reuse and Flood Mitigation at Clarence Gardens, South Australia	$45,218.18 (+ GST)	
Proponent: City of Mitcham, SA
This project will save mains water and mitigate flooding of Bailey Reserve. A 31,500 litre underground tank will be installed to collect rain water from the Cumberland United Soccer Club and the Clarence Gardens Bowling Club. The rainwater will be used to supply all shower and toilet water requirements in the soccer club. In addition, the soccer clubs amenities will be improved by replacing toilets with ultra-low flush toilets and waterless urinals and by installing low-flow tap washers and showerheads. This project is expected to save about 275,000 litres of water per year. 

Nimmitabel Water Supply Efficiency and Reuse Program	$45,454.55 (+ GST)	
Proponent: Cooma-Monaro Council, NSW
This project will ensure the town of Nimmitabel (population 250) will be guaranteed a water supply that, as a minimum, will be able to meet domestic needs without carting water from Cooma and improve water flows in the MacLaughlin River. It will achieve a 24% reduction in current water use by providing an effluent reuse system at the towns wastewater facility, provide water tank connections to public facilities, conduct a water audit of all water use in households, help subsidise the installation of rainwater tanks on residences, and retrofit dual flush toilets and water efficient shower roses to houses and businesses. This community wide project is expected to save more than 4,120,000 litres of water per year. 

Carlton Public School Water Tanks and Seating	$6,363.64 (+ GST)	
Proponent: Carlton Public School, NSW
This project will save water by installing three 9,000 litre rainwater tanks to supply water to the gardens and grassed areas at the Carlton Public School. Plumbing work will also be done to collect water from classroom roofs and deliver the water into the rainwater tanks.  As part of the project, an education program will be run to improve students understanding of water conservation issues. 

Rescuing Stormwater and Water Savings Initiatives	$44,645.45 (+ GST)	
Proponent: Mildura West Primary School, 
This project will save water and improve efficiency by installing 21 dual flush toilets in the older toilet block and 3 tanks linked to the newer toilet block. An automated subsurface drip system will be installed to water the school's gardens using the collected stormwater. This project is expected to save 5475 litres of water per annum. 

Harvesting Water to Irrigate the School's Ovals and Regeneration Area	$37,011.82 (+ GST)	
Proponent: Bulimba State School, QLD
This project will be initiated with a water audit and the installation of three 2300L water tanks and rainwater litter traps. The harvested rain water, storm water and treated water will be used to irrigate two ovals and forest regeneration area via an underground irrigation system. To help reduce rainwater runoff and associated erosion on the schools steep slopes,  an endemic waterwise garden and regeneration area will be established.  The expected annual water savings will be more than 360,000 L. 

Abbotsford Convent Foundation Storm Water Recycling Community Project - Stage One	$40,590.91 (+ GST)	
Proponent: Abbotsford Convent Foundation, VIC
This project will utilise rainwater from the roofs of the heritage buildings in the Abbotsford Convent Precinct, in inner urban Melbourne. Water will be directed via sealed pipes to five rainwater tanks. This water will be used to irrigate the Heritage Gardens. There will be educational signage beside storage tanks to inform site visitors about the water saving project. This project is expected to save 2,250,000 L of water per annum. 

Saunders Oval Complex Reclaimed Water Project	$45,454.55 (+ GST)	
Proponent: Ballina Shire Council, NSW
This project will save approximately 30,000,000 L of potable water per year by the installation of a reclaimed water irrigation system and associated pump station for the re-use of effluent. The reclaimed water will be used to irrigate the Saunders Oval Complex used by many of Ballina's community sporting groups. 

Recycling of Town and Farm Effluent for Reed Irrigation, Roseworthy SA	$45,454.55 (+ GST)	
Proponent: The University of Adelaide, SA
This project will demonstrate an alternative re-use system, whereby treated effluent from existing evaporation ponds will be used to irrigate an existing stand of Arundo donax (Giant Reed). This reed has the potential to be harvested for paper pulp,  and can possibly produce over 20 times the annual yield compared to woodlots. 

Newmarket Wiser Water Project	$45,454.55 (+ GST)	
Proponent: Newmarket State School, QLD
This project will reduce water consumption throughout the school by installing 18 dual flush toilets, 2 waterless urinals,  and other water saving fittings; by using rainwater collected in 5 23,000L tanks to supplement the toilet water supply; and reducing the quantity of water used in the garden by installing irrigation controllers with rainfall and soil moisture sensors. The expected annual water savings will be more than 150,000 L. 

Coopernook Creek Rehabilitation	$21,390.37 (+ GST)	
Proponent: Australian Trust for Conservation Volunteers, VIC
This project will engage community volunteers to revegetate and rehabilitate 1.2km of Coopernook Creek riparian zone. This revegetation project, managed by Conservation Volunteers Australia,  will  improve the water quality of Coopernook Creek by minimising effects of acid sulfate and nutrient runoff. 

Recycling Greywater to Green a School Oval in the Yalata Aboriginal Community	$32,936.36 (+ GST)	
Proponent: Yalata Community Incorporated, SA
This project will extend the life of the groundwater and save water by using greywater to irrigate the school oval and by educating the community about water consumption. This project will save about 250,000 litres of water per year, which is normally needed to green the oval. 

Waterwise Gardens Project for Woodvale Primary School	$39,956.36 (+ GST)	
Proponent: Woodvale Primary School, WA
This project will establish waterwise, fauna friendly, native gardens in the school.  Three garden areas in the school that have been damaged through soil erosion will be converted to water efficient gardens. The aim of the project is to achieve a 20% reduction in water use through using low water use native plants, installing a rainwater tank and trickle irrigation systems,  and by building an embankment to reduce erosion and surface water runoff. 

Stradbroke Schools Saving Water in a Flush	$18,153.64 (+ GST)	
Proponent: Stradbroke Primary School, SA
This project will save water by installing/refitting efficient 59 dual flush toilets and replacing the isolation taps in the school's buildings. This project is expected to save 6,500 litres of water per annum. 

Installation of Composting Toilets to Preserve Quality of our Underground Spring Water	$44,210.91 (+ GST)	
Proponent: The Trustee for Ninghan Station Unit Trust, WA
This project will help reduce potential groundwater contamination by installing two dry composting toilets with zero discharge as an alternative to a septic system. 

Oval Irrigation with Non-Potable Mine Pit Water at Pine Creek School, Northern Territory	$44,198.68 (+ GST)	
Proponent: Pine Creek School Council, NT
This project will save approximately 16,900,000 litres of water per year by irrigating the school oval with an alternative non-potable water source (mine pit water). 

Toogimbie IPA Riverbank Rehabilitation and Employment Project	$44,363.64 (+ GST)	
Proponent: Nari Nari Tribal Council, NSW
This project will revegetate approximately 14km of the Murrumbidgee River streambank, located around 30km west of Hay in New South Wales. The project will replace riparian species lost through a history of logging and overstocking, and help ensure riverbank erosion is slowed or stopped. A trial wetland will also be established in conjunction with the revegetation works. 

Alpurrurulam Water Project	$45,353.64 (+ GST)	
Proponent: Alpurrurulam Community Government Council, NT
This project will install a greywater re-use system at Alpurruralum where the greywater will be collected and used to irrigate gardens; install three rainwater tanks for trial use as drinking water; and use treated sewerage water to irrigate woodlot via underground soakers. 

Precipitation and Sumpwater Infiltration Swale with Borewater Recycled onto School Oval	$45,454.55 (+ GST)	
Proponent: Beachlands Primary School, WA
This project will allow rainfall, fog and dew to infiltrate the porous pavers, the swale and the garden-beds to recharge the watertable with freshwater. The freshwater will be recycled via the school's ten bores and used to irrigate the school oval. In addition, seven of the high water using trees will be removed and replaced with native species. 

Woodbridge Water Conservation Project	$35,809.63 (+ GST)	
Proponent: Woodbridge District High School, TAS
This project will involve conducting a water audit and implementing a water conservation plan for the school. This include installation of  10 waterless urinals, 9 water saving toilets, and water saving taps; establishment of water friendly demonstration gardens; creation of eco-carpark with biofilters; and monitoring of water quality at Mason's Creek.  The implementation of these projects are expected to save 1.5 million litres of water per annum. 

Rainwater Harvesting System at the North Sydney Community Centre	$40,836.36 (+ GST)	
Proponent: North Sydney Council, NSW
This project will involve the installation of a rainwater harvesting system to flush toilets at the North Sydney Community Centre. Rainwater will be collected from the roof of the community centre and from the surface of adjoining tennis courts. The system will completely replace the centre's current reliance on potable water, an effective saving of 2,000,000L per annum. A number of water conservation measures will also be implemented including, conversion of toilet pans to 6/3 dual flush cisterns, installation of triple A rated appliances, shower fittings, and taps, together with the adoption of waterless urinals. 

Water Sensitive Urban Design for the Goonellabah Sport and Leisure Centre	$39,090.91 (+ GST)	
Proponent: Lismore City Council, NSW
This project will save water at the Goonellabah sport and leisure centre by using harvested rainwater for flushing toilets and for irrigating gardens; by installing three waterless urinals;  and by installing Hydrapave paving system in the carpark to help treat stormwater runoff and divert it to detention or infiltration areas. These features are expected to save over 100,000 litres of water a year. 

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 70
Division/Agency:	Natural Resource Management Programmes Division
Topic:	Coastal Natural Resource Management
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Carr asked:
Coastal natural resource management regions arguably face the greatest development and population pressures. Why are they underfunded by comparison to the National Salinity Action Plan regions?

Answer/s:

The $1.3 billion of Australian Government funding under the extension of the Natural Heritage Trust for the six years from July 2002 to June 2008 is available to all of the 56 natural resource management regions that cover the whole of Australia. 

The $1.4 billion of funding under the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality for the eight years from July 2000 to June 2008 is shared amongst 21 priority regions and targets the outcomes of this programme.

Of the 36 coastal natural resource management regions, 21 coastal regions coincide in whole or in part with National Action Plan regions and have access to funding for activities that meet National Action Plan objectives, in addition to funding under the Natural Heritage Trust. The remaining 15 coastal natural resource management regions are not identified as being or including areas of priority National Action Plan regions.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 71
Division/Agency:	Natural Resource Management Programmes Division
Topic:	Coastal Natural Resource Management
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Carr asked:
What was spent through the Natural Heritage Trust during 2004-05 nationally in the area of “estuarine, coastal and marine”?  How does this compare to other target areas?

Answer/s:
In 2004-05, $58.3 million of Natural Heritage Trust funds were expensed to Coastcare activities, that is, 19 per cent of the total $307.6 million expensed, compared to $52.1 million for Rivercare, $78.1 million for Landcare and $119.1 million for Bushcare.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 72
Division/Agency:	Natural Resource Management Programmes Division
Topic:	Coastal and Marine matters
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Carr asked:
What matters excluding monitoring and planning have been funded out of the $350m allocated in 2001 for measures to improve water quality?

Answer/s:
As well as resource assessment (baseline data and monitoring) and planning, 
on-ground works and capacity building have been funded out of the $350m allocated in 2001 for measures to improve water quality.