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Environment Minister Karl Hampton has arrived in Perth to attend three ministerial council meetings of State, Territory and Federal counterparts.

 

These meetings will involve the Environment Protection and Heritage Council, Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council and Primary Industries Ministerial Council.

 

Mr Hampton said moves aimed at reducing the environmental impacts of waste are high on the EPHC agenda.

 

“National Container Deposit Legislation (CDL) will be one of the key issues raised at this week’s meeting,” Mr Hampton said.

 

“We have always argued that national CDL is the best approach and that others should follow our lead.

 

“But we won’t wait for national agreement for Territorians to enjoy the benefits of CDL - we are developing a Territory-based scheme and will contribute positively to the national debate in the meantime.

 

“Work by the Territory Government to design a CDL scheme that is financially, legally and regionally viable is continuing.

 

“We hope there will be agreement to a national scheme in the not too distant future and we will be arguing the case at this week’s Ministerial Council meeting.”

 

Mr Hampton said efforts to reduce camel numbers throughout Australia will be high on the NRMMC agenda.

 

“The Territory Government has been successful in pushing for a national action plan on camels,” Mr Hampton said.

 

“This week’s meeting is about pushing that plan along so all Governments can work together to reduce camel numbers and their impacts.

 

“There are about 1 million camels in Australia – including about 250,000 in the Territory - and their numbers are doubling every nine years.

 

“It is vitally important that affected Governments work together to limit the impact camels have on cattle production, infrastructure and the environment.”

 

Go to www.ephc.gov.au for more information about the Environment Protection and Heritage Council.

 

Contact: Edwin Edlund 0401 119 563
Related files:
Hampton.041109.MINCO.pdf ( 277.5 kb )