The New South Wales Government has outlined $1.4 billion in spending for environmental and heritage works in the state's Budget.

 

The spending announcement included:

 

  • $40 million over the next four years for improving management, visitor access and education in national parks and for the creation of Dharawal National Park;

  • A $40 million Green Corridors fund over four years to purchase and protect strategic areas of high conservation value and ensure sufficient green spaces across Sydney and NSW, including Cranebrook Nature Reserve;

  • $8 million contribution for community based programs to restore bushland locally;

  • $5 million over three years for exclusion netting in the Sydney basin and Central Coast to provide better protection for threatened flying foxes and orchards;

  • $1.4 million over four years to provide 2 new air quality monitoring stations in the Greater Sydney region; and $400,000 for a Rutherford Clean Air pilot.

 

The 2011-12 environment Budget also includes:

  • $74 million for programs focussed on energy efficiency and water savings for low income households, community groups, schools and business;

  • $34 million for a Clean Energy Supply program, which will fund low emissions coal technology, renewable and green business initiatives;

  • $35 million to local councils to help them improve recycling and other local priority environmental services to the community;

  • $19 million to support local councils to conduct estuary, coastal and flood plain management planning and mitigation, with a new focus on preparing for more coastal storms and sea level rise;

  • $2.8 million in grants to help protect the heritage of local communities.