The New South Wales Government has pledged $419 million to boost management of the state’s national parks and to help protect its native fauna.

 

State Environment Minister Robyn Parker said the state’s most precious environmental assets are the focus of the environmental budget spending.

 

The $1.4 billion budget for the Department of Environment and Heritage for the 2012/13 year represents a reduction of $55 million in funding.

 

Ms Parker said the 2012-13 Budget will deliver improved savings on energy for individuals and businesses as well as improvements to local economies through investment in programs to attract more visitors to parks.

 

“Our national parks currently receive around 34.6 million domestic visits each year, attract an estimated 3 million international visitors and attract more than 6,700 volunteers to work on important projects like bush regenerators,  wildlife counts and campground hosts,” Ms Parker said.

 

“This is a Budget that focuses on what people really want which is support to cut their energy costs, care for their local bushland and parks and smarter regulation of industry and polluters who fail to meet their environmental obligations.

 

The spending initiatives outlined in the State Budget for the department are:

  • $121 million to support a modern, independent Environment Protection Authority;
  • $71 million to manage pest animals and weeds and improve fire management in national parks. This includes ongoing  funding for the 90 National Parks and Wildlife Service fire fighters to help protect communities in metropolitan and regional areas;
  • $220 million for the Solar Bonus Scheme;
  • $53 million for programs focused on energy efficiency and water savings.
  • $49 million for clean energy supply programs
  • $19 million to help local councils prepare and carry out coastal, floodplain and estuary management plans;
  • $7.5 million to conserve heritage assets – including $2.8 million for local projects under the NSW Heritage Grants program.

 

The State Government has also announced that the state’s Environmental Protection Authority will increase and target its regulatory activities through an ongoing compliance and enforcement campaign.