Released 25/11/2016
Biodiversity was at the forefront at Australia’s peak inter-governmental forum of environment ministers held today in Sydney.
Commonwealth, state and territory Environment Ministers met to collaborate on national environment matters including the protection of species and habitats, the improvement of the environment for human health and climate change. Ministers from across the nation agreed that Australia’s approach to land management and the protection of our biodiversity is of national significance to ensure our native species and local environment continue to thrive.
The outcomes from the national meeting will directly support the fantastic work of the ACT Government in enhancing our reserve s, managing the recovery of threatened species and ecological communities, and putting in place frameworks to manage ecological threats to our biodiversity and aquatic ecosystems.
“The ACT has worked hard to protect, conserve and enhance the biodiversity in and around Canberra. Our work includes the management of native flora and fauna and ecological communities as well as the services they provide,” Minister Gentleman said.
The ACT remains a ‘good news story’ in terms of conservation outcomes and has previously received a World Wildlife Fund for Nature triple-A rating for its standard of management in running its conservation estates.
Australia’s unique species are an international treasure and a national asset. A collective national approach will continue to see steps to improve and protect biodiversity across the country.
Minister Gentleman was able to update the Council on the considerable progress the ACT had made to tackling climate change, including our locked in contracts for 100% renewable electricity and roll out of battery storage, which at 5000-6000 batteries over 4 years is the second largest in the world next to Germany.
All state and territory Ministers agreed to work cooperatively on packaging, food waste and banning light weight plastic bags. "It was terrific to see Qld joining the ACT and a number of other jurisdictions in today also banning plastic bags."
“There are many opportunities to protect and improve biodiversity in the ACT and I look forward to working with my state and territory colleagues to enhance our native biodiversity in our protected and urban areas that in turn will provide benefits to people in a changing climate,” Minister Gentleman concluded.
- Statement ends -
Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases
Media Contacts
| Name | Phone | Mobile | |
|---|---|---|---|