| |
|
|
All Current and Past Media Releases
|
Media Release - Ministers Office Sydney: 1 April 2005 LIVING MURRAY PROJECTS GET GREEN LIGHT NSW Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Craig Knowles, said that today’s resolution at the Murray Darling Ministerial Council meeting to activate the Living Murray Business Plan would be instrumental in getting many major projects on the river system underway.
The Council also approved the 2005/2006 annual Commission budget of $88 million at its meeting in Canberra.
“NSW will be making the largest contribution of any jurisdiction to the program, with $26.34 million allocated in the coming financial year,” said Mr Knowles.
“This is in addition to the $115 million NSW has committed to over five years for the Living Murray initiative, and to the funds we are investing in on-ground works in the Basin through Catchment Management Authorities.
“It is now important that the Commonwealth Government commits to co-investing in the priority water recovery projects proposed by NSW in the Business Plan.
“These projects include: - Darling Anabranch (54 million) - Bungunyah Karaleigh ($3 million) - Poon Boon ($6 million) and - Innovative market products ($9 million)”.
Mr Knowles, who is a lead Minister on the Murray Darling Basin Council, said the activation of the Plan was reaffirmation of all the member states and territories commitment to improving the health and productivity of the Murray River, and to the principles of the National Water Initiative.
“The business plan, which was approved in principle late last year, includes the Interim Arrangements for the Living Murray Environmental Watering Plan as well as procedures for developing environmental management plans for each of the ‘icon sites’.
“The activation of the Plan will almost double the annual budget commitment of NSW to the Murray Darling Basin,” said Mr Knowles.
© NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources
|