The Northern Territory Government has announced funding for environment projects totalling more than $90 million in its 2011-12 budget, released on Monday.

 

 

Climate Change

 

$4.14 million under the Territory Government’s Climate Change Policy, including:

 

  • $1.6 million to lead the implementation of the Northern Territory Climate Change Policy, energy security and green energy initiatives;
  • $0.78 million in Environment Grants to community groups, organisations and schools;
  • $0.46 million for a Solar Power Generation System at Watarrka National Park;
  • $0.4 million to continue the free ecoBiz NT program to assist businesses improve their energy efficiency;
  • $0.25 million for the Centre for Renewable Energy;
  • $0.35 million for the Water Tank Rebate Scheme and Water Efficient Appliance Rebates, encouraging preservation of water;
  • $0.2 million for a community grant program to assist community?based climate change groups; and
  • $0.2 million to expand the virtual server infrastructure to contain Government’s IT carbon footprint.

 

Container recycling

  • $0.49 million for the Northern Territory Container Deposit Scheme 

 

Protecting of Darwin Harbour 

  • $1.05 million for habitat monitoring and research activities in Darwin Harbour;
  • $66.2 million for the closure of Larrakeyah sewage outfall;
  • $3 million for environmental and safety upgrades to improve ship loading practices at East Arm Wharf;
  • $0.8 million for environmental compliance initiatives;
  • $0.3 million to support and develop more efficient practices and models for environmental assessment; and
  • $3.53 for rehabilitation of former uranium mining areas at Rum Jungle.

 

Fire Management

  • $1.5 million to continue implementation and management of fire and weed controls on Crown land, allocated as part of the Government’s annual weed management program;
  • $1.1 million to equip and fund the operations of the 21 Volunteer Bushfire Brigades in the Northern Territory;
  • $0.2 to train volunteers and other stakeholders in fire management and safety;
  • $0.2 million to maintain the firefighting radio network; and
  • $0.1 million to support the North Australian Fire Information website, aimed at using fire data to improve fire management.

 

Protecting Natural Resources 

  • $2.6 million for the ongoing sustainable management of the Territory’s aquatic resources;
  • $2.1 million to deliver improved conservation in parks and Indigenous employment outcomes, including Indigenous Ranger Group Development Programs;
  • $0.6 million for the second year of the three?year Territory Eco?link program, linking parks and conservation areas for the protection of biodiversity, supporting the Territory 2030 commitment to a comprehensive set of environment?protected connected systems; and
  • across 20% of the Territory’s land mass.

 

Green Streetscape  

$3 million to improve community streetscapes so all Territorians can enjoy their natural surroundings. 

This includes $2 million for urban road landscaping and $1 million towards the improvement of neighbourhoods and their environments by supporting local communities to:

 

  • enhance landscaping in suburban streetscapes in need of renewal and improvement;
  • improve the amenity of existing neighbourhood parks through cleanup programs, new plantings or refurbishing or replacing equipment; and
  • develop community planting and community garden initiatives in partnership with Greening Australian and the Community.


Animal Management

$1 million to reduce feral camel impacts, as part of a $3.3 million four?year program supporting the Territory 2030 commitment to reduce the impact of camels by 90%