4.3.8
MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
OVERVIEW
Agency
Forecast
Estimate
1997-98
1998-99
Variation
$m
$m
%
Total Expenses ........................................................
103.0
130.2
26.4
Asset Acquisitions ....................................................
4.1
3.6
(-) 12.9
Total Expenses ........................................................
193.9
208.4
7.5
Asset Acquisitions ....................................................
41.1
64.3
56.5
Total Expenses ........................................................
23.0
25.8
12.1
Asset Acquisitions ....................................................
2.3
5.3
133.3
Total Expenses ........................................................
9.5
11.1
16.6
Asset Acquisitions ....................................................
18.5
19.5
5.5
Total Expenses ........................................................
2.9
3.6
26.1
Asset Acquisitions ....................................................
1.6
5.6
256.3
Total Expenses ........................................................
3.7
3.1
(-) 15.3
Asset Acquisitions ....................................................
...
...
...
Total Expenses ........................................................
7.0
5.9
(-) 15.9
Asset Acquisitions ....................................................
…
…
...
Environment Protection Authority
National Parks and Wildlife Service
Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust
Bicentennial Park Trust
Environmental Education Trust
Environmental Research Trust
Environmental Restoration and Rehabilitation Trust
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Total Expenses ........................................................
27.6
21.7
(-) 21.6
Asset Acquisitions ....................................................
…
…
...
Total Expenses ........................................................
22.2
23.0
3.8
Asset Acquisitions ....................................................
…
…
…
Total Expenses ........................................................
4.8
15.2
216.7
Asset Acquisitions ....................................................
…
…
…
Total Expenses ........................................................
353.5
395.0
11.7
Asset Acquisitions ....................................................
67.6
98.3
45.4
Waste Planning and Management Fund
Stormwater Trust
Total, Minister for the Environment **
**
Total expenses for the Minister for the Environment do not equal the sum of expenses for each agency because
payments between agencies have been netted out.
The increase in expenses in 1998-99 compared with the previous year reflects the
Government’s commitment to the Environment portfolio.
Expenses of the Environment Protection Authority will increase because an
additional $10.4 million will be provided to the Stormwater Trust and $10.3
million to the Waste Planning and Management Fund.
The increase in expenses of the National Parks and Wildlife Service has resulted
from additional operating costs of managing thirty one additions to existing
national parks and reserves and seven lighthouses transferred from the
Commonwealth, and costs associated with the transfer of ownership of
Mootwingee National Park to its traditional owners and with the Threatened
Species Conservation Act.
The increase in asset acquisitions by the National Parks and Wildlife Service in
1998-99 has resulted from the expansion of Jervis Bay and various northeast
national parks and wilderness areas, continuation of work on the Alpine Way at
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Thredbo, an upgrade of visitor facilities and roads in Parramatta Park and
additional maintenance of park infrastructure.
The increase in asset acquisitions by the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
includes improvements to seed storage facilities at Mt Annan and repair of the
Farm Cove seawall. Asset acquisitions by the Bicentennial Park Trust in 1998-99
reflect park asset improvements, including an improved access corridor at the
entrance to the Park and environmental management works.
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AUTHORITY
The Environment Protection Authority’s objectives are to protect, maintain and
restore the quality of the environment, having regard to the need to maintain
ecologically sustainable development, to reduce the risks to human health and to
prevent degradation of the environment.
The Authority’s 1998 to 2003 Corporate Plan sets its mission as that of “guiding
the community to achieve and maintain a healthy environment in a productive
New South Wales.”
Expenditure Trends and Recent Developments
The Environment Protection Authority commenced operation in March 1992,
with total expenses increasing to $130.2 million in 1998-99. This increase
reflects the Government’s commitment to the environment as well as increased
awareness by the community of environmental issues and the Authority’s
responsibilities.
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In 1998-99 these payments include a Government contribution to the Waste
Planning and Management Fund of $25.1 million as part of the Government’s
overall waste reform package. A total of $57.7 million is being provided to the
Fund over the four years to 1998-99.
The 1998-99 appropriations also provide for a contribution of $15.2 million to the
Stormwater Trust as part of the Government’s commitment to improved urban
stormwater management.
Strategic Directions
The Environment Protection Authority has developed strategies involving
innovative and targeted monitoring, regulation and enforcement, the use of
economic mechanisms, education and the planning process.
Of particular importance have been recent legislative changes to the overall
regulatory regime for environmental control in New South Wales. This has
included the introduction of a system of load based licensing as a means of
focusing on the total load of pollutants discharged rather than the concentration
of pollutants in discharges. The system directly links the level of licence fee to
the total load.
These strategies will assist the Environment Protection Authority in addressing -

issues of waste generation, transport, disposal and management;

increased pressure on the environment as a result of increased urban
population and development;

problems of maintaining and improving the health and sustainability of
marine and freshwater environments; and

the minimisation of adverse impacts on the environment and public
health of chemicals, hazardous substances and other contaminants.
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1998-99 Budget
Total Expenses
An amount of $130.2 million will be spent by the Authority.
include -
Major expenditures

$13.3 million on reducing air and noise emissions and minimising their
impact on the community;

$36.5 million on improving the health and sustainability of New South
Wales waterways, including $15.2 million for the Stormwater Trust;

$12.1 million on minimising the adverse impacts of chemicals and
hazardous substances on the environment and public health;

$25.1 million for the Waste Planning and Management Fund; and

a contribution of $9.0 million to the Zoological Parks Board for noncommercial purposes including research and education and upgrades of
the monkey pit, the elephant exhibit, the top seal pool and the Kodiak
bear exhibit.
Asset Acquisitions
During 1998-99 the Environment Protection Authority will continue to improve
facilities for computer supported scientific, technical and administrative facilities.
Expenditure of $1 million will be incurred on purchasing equipment to support
the Metropolitan Air Quality Study.
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Expenditure of $2.6 million will be incurred for the initiation, on-going upgrade
and installation of projects that will increase and improve the Authority’s ability
to undertake monitoring of all environment indicators, with specific emphasis on
air and water quality monitoring, chemical contamination, waste management,
laboratory processing and land contamination. Significant funding will be
devoted to the upgrading and extension of computer facilities and networks.
NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
The overall objectives of the National Parks and Wildlife Service are to conserve,
protect and manage the State’s natural and cultural heritage and to provide
opportunities for members of the public to enjoy, appreciate and support
national parks, regional parks and conservation of the State’s heritage.
Expenditure Trends and Recent Developments
Over recent years, the Service’s recurrent allocation has been increased to enable
an improved performance in the areas of pest species and fire management, the
maintenance of infrastructure within parks and for the conservation of the State’s
biodiversity.
During 1995-96, the Government declared twenty-six new parks in fulfilment of
its pre-election commitment to declare twenty-four new parks within its first
twelve months of office. A total of forty-nine new parks and reserves will have
been declared by the end of June 1998.
Other commitments, such as assistance towards the ongoing maintenance of
Parramatta Park and preliminary work associated with the establishment of Stage
1 of the Western Sydney and Rouse Hill Regional Parks, have also been
undertaken in the last two years.
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During 1996-97, Threatened Species Conservation legislation was enacted. The
Service spent $4 million per year in 1996-97 and 1997-98 to implement strategies
for the conservation of the State’s threatened plant and animal species.
Strategic Directions
Priorities for the Service concentrate on the achievement of the Government’s
commitment to the environment. Primarily they relate to such initiatives as the
creation of new national parks, the establishment of additional regional parks in
Sydney’s West, implementation of the Government’s water reform initiatives, the
endangered species legislation, improved park and reserve management
initiatives, as well as continued improvement in fire management strategies and
pest species management.
These initiatives are being funded through a combination of increases in support
from the Consolidated Fund and the Environmental Trusts as well as internal
realignment of existing resources to ensure that the outcomes expected by the
community are achieved.
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1998-99 Budget
Total Expenses
In continuing the Government’s commitment to the environment, an amount of
$14.4 million will be spent as part of a $50 million initiative over a four year
period for the creation and management of new national parks. In addition,
$2.3 million will be spent for on-going management costs of other additions to
the park estate during 1997-98.
An amount of $6.8 million will be spent so that the Service is better placed to
address pest species and fire management issues and maintenance of park
infrastructure such as visitor facilities.
The Service will spend $0.65 million contributing to the Government’s water
reform process currently underway. The Service will also spend $0.2 million to
facilitate the transfer of Mootwingee National Park to its traditional owners.
An amount of $6 million will be spent to enable the Service to discharge its
obligations under the Threatened Species Conservation Act introduced two years
ago.
Seven lighthouses have recently been transferred to the Service from the
Commonwealth, and $1.8 million will be spent on the maintenance and
conservation of these cultural assets.
Asset Acquisitions
The Service’s capital program is intended to enhance the community’s
appreciation of the environmental significance of areas, and minimises
environmental degradation. In particular, the program encompasses acquisition
of land, construction or major reconstruction of facilities and minor works.
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Historically, the Service’s strategy has been to give priority to the restoration of
infrastructure assets. The main criteria used are health and safety issues,
mitigation of environmental damage and use of parks by the public. A portion
of the budget is allocated to the acquisition of land with outstanding
environmental significance, with the balance being directed towards replacement
of the Service’s motor vehicles and plant and equipment and to information
technology requirements.
The provision of additional resources by the Government has enabled funding to
be directed to key priority areas such as upgrading of fire trails, fire fighting and
pest species control.
The allocation includes $4.8 million for necessary infrastructure associated with
the establishment of new national parks in line with the Government’s
pre-election commitment to the environment as well as an allocation of $2.5
million for ongoing establishment works at Western Sydney and Rouse Hill
Regional Parks.
Major new works totalling $4.2 million form part of the Service’s Capital Program
for, inter alia, a new visitor centre and road works at Parramatta Park
($1.4 million) and new information technology initiatives ($2.5 million).
The program provides $46.1 million for the continuation of major works and
$13.8 million for minor works, including -

the establishment of Jervis Bay National Park ($14.2 million);

the Perisher Valley sewerage works in Kosciuszko National Park
($9.6 million);

$9.7 million for the reconstruction of the Alpine Way above Thredbo
Village as part of a $24 million project following the Thredbo landslip;

ongoing roadworks in Kosciuszko National Park ($2.7 million);
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
fire management and pest species management initiatives ($1.6
million); and

land acquisitions ($7.4 million).
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS AND DOMAIN TRUST
The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust maintains the Sydney Gardens and
Government House Grounds, the National Herbarium of New South Wales, the
Domain, and the Mount Tomah and Mount Annan Botanic Gardens. It also
provides research, advice, education and extension services in botanical and
horticultural areas.
Expenditure Trends and Recent Developments
In real terms there has been a modest growth in expenses over the last five years.
This has largely been offset by an increase in revenue raised by the Gardens.
The Stage 1 and Stage 2 redevelopments of the National Herbarium of New South
Wales building have dominated capital acquisitions over the last five years. The
project commenced in 1992-93. Completion of Stage 1 occurred in 1994-95 and
Stage 2 will be completed in 1997-98.
Strategic Directions
In addition to ongoing management of the gardens and other ongoing activities
the major priorities to be addressed by the Trust in the coming year include -

a continued focus on the development of opportunities to increase and
diversify the Trust’s revenue base;
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
reducing costs through market testing of all non-core activities and
strategic capital investment in the latest technologies;

further development of each of the botanic gardens and the Domain to
meet the needs of visitors and service users more effectively;

expansion of the Trust’s community education role to educate the
public further about the importance of plants and their conservation;
and

continued development of Plans of Management for each of the
gardens and the Domain including a long-term maintenance plan for the
Farm Cove and Woolloomooloo seawalls.
Total Expenses
Total expenses of the Trust will be $25.8 million in 1998-99. In addition to
ongoing management of the gardens and other activities, this sum allows for -

the design and documentation of a new irrigation and water supply
system for the Sydney Gardens and Domain with the purpose of
replacing the current aged infrastructure with a more cost effective,
efficient and reliable system of water delivery; and

a detailed survey of the underground services within the Sydney Garden
and Domain to allow better maintenance planning.
Asset Acquisitions
A 100-metre section of the Farm Cove seawall between Yurong Street Gate and
First Fleet Steps has sunk appreciably in recent months and needs urgent
attention. An allocation of $2.2 million has been set aside in 1998-99 for
permanent repair of the damage.
The following additional major new acquisitions are planned to commence -
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
the conversion of toilet blocks near the Gardens Restaurant in the
Sydney Gardens to a new retail facility at an estimated total cost of
$0.55 million;

an upgrade of the Trust’s Living and Preserved Plant Collections
Database (1998-99 $0.5 million) to allow a wider and more consistent
collection of data and to ensure that both internal and external
customer information requirements are better served;

the re-design the Sydney Central Depot to overcome workplace health
and safety issues. The Budget allocation for this project is $2.8 million
($0.4 million in 1998-99); and

the conversion of Victoria Lodge in the Sydney Gardens to a cafe and
retail facility.
Significant minor works planned to commence at the Sydney Gardens and
Domain include the re-sheeting maintenance of Hospital Road and installation of
an additional electricity substation to serve the Sydney Gardens and Domain.
Significant minor works planned to commence at Mt Annan include an
improvement to seed storage facilities at the horticultural research facility and
$382,000 to upgrade infrastructure and visitor facilities.
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CENTENNIAL PARK AND MOORE PARK TRUST
The Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust is responsible for a highly used area of
open space in Sydney, known as the Centennial Parklands. The Trust operates in
a complex and changing business environment. Responsibility for the former
Sydney Showgrounds site at Paddington was transferred to the Trust in February
1998.
Expenditure Trends and Recent Developments
Over the past three years, the Trust’s total expenditure has increased
significantly, from $6.4 million in 1995-96 to an estimated $11.1 million in
1998-99. This reflects the Trust’s commitment to improving the maintenance of
the Parklands and to addressing public safety issues. Concurrently, capital
expenditure has increased significantly since 1996-97 with the commencement of
the ponds restoration project and the redevelopment of the Equestrian Centre
and the Hordern Pavilion/Royal Hall of Industries.
In the coming year, recurrent and capital expenditure will be impacted by four
main issues currently influencing the operations of the Trust – the Paddington
Showgrounds, the Eastern Distributor, the Olympics and Paralympic Games and
the centenary of Federation celebrations.
Strategic Directions
The Trust’s corporate strategies focus on achieving the following outcomes in six
key result areas -

maintaining the Centennial Parklands for maximum community benefit;

improving relationships with stakeholders;

preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the Parklands;

ensuring safe and equitable access to the Parklands;
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
securing opportunities for diversity of cultural expression; and

maintaining business viability.
The Trust will also continue to implement financial strategies to increase and
diversify its revenue base in order to improve the quality of services and increase
contributions towards costs.
1998-99 Budget
Total Expenses
Total expenses in 1998-99, estimated at $11.1 million, will provide for the
maintenance of the cultural and recreational services and facilities located at the
Parklands, including the newly completed Equestrian Centre, continuation of tree
planting and weed management programs, and the consolidation of marketing
and business development programs.
Asset Acquisitions
Total asset acquisition in 1998-99 is estimated at $19.5 million for -

the restoration of Old Grand Drive in the Robertson Road precinct;

completing the restoration of the Hordern Pavilion and Royal Hall of
Industries at Moore Park ($14.7 million).

landscaping the forecourt of the new Moore Park Event Bus Station; and

the continuation of the restoration of the Centennial Park ponds.
BICENTENNIAL PARK TRUST
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Bicentennial Park, located at Homebush Bay, is a recreation, conservation and
education resource for the people of Sydney. The Bicentennial Park Trust is
responsible for the maintenance and management of Bicentennial Park. The
Park forms a gateway to Sydney Olympic Park.
Expenditure Trends and Recent Developments
Recreation, environmental education and tourism are the key services provided
to the community. Development adjoining the Park, including residential,
commercial and sporting venues, is affecting the demands on Bicentennial Park.
The development of the Sydney Olympic Park is a key driver affecting the
operating environment of Bicentennial Park. With the completion of a number
of facilities at Homebush Bay, including the Royal Agricultural Showground, visitor
numbers are expected to increase.
Landfill settlement continues to affect park infrastructure. Increases in
maintenance funding in 1997-98 and 1998-99 will improve maintenance
standards and enable the Trust to provide a safer park for the people of Sydney.
Park programs such as education for schools, community tours and recreation
servicing have been developed and expanded over the last twelve months.
Partial and full cost recovery strategies are being introduced to minimise costs to
Government and maintain high standards of service.
Strategic Directions
The Trust has developed a strategic plan which takes into account Government
priorities and strategic directions. The Trust aims to provide a safe park for
families and individuals where high quality opportunities to appreciate the
environment and improve health are provided.
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1998-99 Budget
Total Expenses
Total expenses by the Trust in 1998-99 are estimated at $3.6 million. The Trust
has received additional maintenance funding of $0.8 million to address asset
deterioration from landfill settlement and to improve business and service
standards.
Asset Acquisitions
Total asset acquisitions in 1998-99 are estimated at $5.6 million and will provide
plant replacement, upgrading of Park assets and environmental management
works.
The Trust will commence stage 1 of the upgrade of the access corridor between
the entrance to the Park near Concord West Railway Station and Sydney Olympic
Park ($2.0 million in 1998-99) and installation of a leachate collection system
around the landfills ($1.7 million in 1998-99).
ENVIRONMENTAL TRUSTS
Legislation was enacted during 1990 to create -

an Environmental Education Trust;

an Environmental Research Trust; and

an Environmental Restoration and Rehabilitation Trust.
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The objectives of the Environmental Education Trust are to promote
environmental education, to encourage the development of educational
programs and to increase awareness of environment issues.
The objective of the Environmental Research Trust is to promote research into
environmental problems.
The objective of the Environmental Restoration and Rehabilitation Trust is to
encourage and support restoration and rehabilitation projects that are likely to
reduce pollution, the waste stream or environmental degradation within New
South Wales.
During 1995-96 the Forestry Restructuring and Nature Conservation Act 1995 was
enacted. This Act provides access to the Trust’s funds until the year 2000 to
meet various costs associated with 
restructuring the timber industry for the purpose of conserving New
South Wales forests;

reserving and conserving new national parks; and

implementing a range of high priority environmental projects.
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The Act provides for authorised expenditure being paid from the three
Environmental Trusts to reimburse the Consolidated Fund, which is initially
funding that expenditure.
The Government has decided to merge the three Trusts into a single
Environmental Trust. It is intended that income that the Trusts currently receive
from trade waste levies raised on Sydney Water will be replaced by an annual
allocation of income from the Consolidated Fund, indexed for inflation. The
deadline for expenditure on forestry restructuring will be extended to 30 June
2001.
Expenditure Trends and Recent Developments
Expenditure from all three trusts has been rising steadily since 1995-96 reflecting
refunds to the Consolidated Fund for initiatives under the Forestry Restructuring
and Nature Conservation Act 1995.
Strategic Directions
The new Environmental Trust will continue to promote the aims of the previous
three Trusts.
Under the terms of the Forest Restructuring and Nature Conservation Act, grants
programs of the Trusts, other than those specified in that Act, have been
suspended until the year 2000. This provision will be retained in the new Trust.
After that time, a minimum amount will be provided annually to promote
environmental research, education and rehabilitation and restoration by the
public, private and community sectors, and in particular to encourage and
support -

research into and development of local solutions to environmental
problems;
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
development of new methods of operation for New South Wales
industries which minimise adverse environmental impacts;

research into general environmental problems and assessment of
environmental degradation; and

restoration and rehabilitation projects which have the potential for
more widespread application.
1998-99 Budget
Total Expenses
Major expenditure in 1998-99 being funded from the Consolidated Fund for
subsequent reimbursement from the Environmental Trusts includes -

$11.1 million to create new national parks (National Parks and Wildlife
Service); and

$15.3 million towards the Forest Industry Structural Adjustment
Package (Ministry for Forests and Marine Administration).
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Asset Acquisitions
No asset acquisitions are anticipated.
WASTE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT FUND
The Waste Planning and Management Fund was established in 1995-96 with an
initial allocation of $60 million over the five years to 1999-00. Funding has been
provided for the establishment and initial operating expenses of Regional Waste
Boards, for waste reduction programs of the Boards and for a community grants
program.
Expenditure Trends and Recent Developments
Funding provided over 1995-96 to 1997-98 has been $32.6 million.
expenditures include -
Major

$22 million to support Regional Waste Boards. This includes
establishment, recurrent and program funding as well as allocations to
each Board to develop its regional waste plan;

$2.5 million over 1996-97 and 1997-98 for the annual Community
Waste Reduction Grants program;

$3.75 million to provide emergency support for kerbside recycling; and

$1.5 million to develop the “Waste Challenge” education program, to
conduct the first census of commercial and industrial waste, to support
four rural regional pilots and to run the State Waste Advisory Council
(SWAC).
Strategic Directions
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The Government is committed to a target of reducing waste disposed to landfill
by 60 per cent on 1990 levels by the year 2000. This target will be achieved
through a range of measures such as Regional Waste Board Waste Plans and
waste reduction programs, Industry Waste Reduction Plans, community grants
and Action Plans which have been developed for key components of the waste
stream such as green waste and building and demolition waste.
Eight Regional Waste Boards, comprising groups of local councils, were
established in 1996 to plan and manage waste on a regional level. Boards cover
all councils in the Sydney, Central Coast, Hunter and Illawarra regions.
Membership of a Waste Board is mandatory for these councils unless they can
demonstrate that they can meet the Government’s waste policy objectives on
their own account.
Four rural pilot programs have also been established to trial a number of less
formal approaches to regional cooperation in rural New South Wales. A
regional approach to waste management is intended to allow councils to achieve
economies of scale and to contract with public or private sector providers for
waste management and waste recovery services.
Green waste, comprising garden, food and wood waste is 30 per cent of the total
waste stream. The Green Waste Action Plan was released in 1997 and sets out
fifty two actions for all sectors of the community to divert this material from
landfill. This includes a proposed ban on garden waste to landfill, subject to
confirmation by the SWAC that there is sufficient collection, reprocessing and
market capacity. At this stage, it is unlikely that the ban will be introduced before
late 1999.
An implementation taskforce comprising key stakeholders has been established
to monitor and report on progress in implementing the actions in the Plan.
Around 30 per cent of the community grants to date have been used to support
green waste reduction initiatives including education, reprocessing systems,
collection trials and local market development. Waste Boards have also identified
green waste as a priority for their programs.
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Other programs directed at particular industry segments include the Construction
and Demolition Waste Action Plan which identifies barriers and actions to
encourage the construction industry to take greater responsibility for diverting
waste (17 per cent of total waste). Industry Waste Reduction Plans have been
concluded for the tyre and dairy industries and Plans are under way with the
beverage and pesticide containers industry.
The Government has increased the waste levy from $8 per tonne in the Sydney
metropolitan area (and $4 per tonne in the greater metropolitan area) to $17/$8
per tonne, effective from 1 July 1998. This will provide a disincentive to
disposing of waste to landfill. Rebates and exemptions from the levy for re-use
and recycling will encourage all sectors of the community to increase these
activities. Further, from 1 July 2000, 55 per cent of the revenue from the levy
will be available for waste management and reduction initiatives through the
Waste Planning and Management Fund. The estimated contribution to the Fund
is $24.4 million in 2000-01.
1998-99 Budget
Total Expenses and Asset Acquisitions
The Waste Planning and Management Fund will spend $23 million in 1998-99.
Major expenditures include $15 million for Regional Waste Boards (programs and
operation) and rural pilots, $2 million for community grants, and up to $6 million
for kerbside recycling systems support.
No asset acquisitions are planned for 1998-99.
STORMWATER TRUST
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In May 1997, the New South Wales Government released the Waterways
Package, which contained a range of initiatives to improve the quality of the
State’s waterways. A key initiative of the package is improved management of
stormwater. This is to be achieved by requiring Councils to prepare Stormwater
Management Plans and thence by trialling innovative treatment measures and
implementing remedial works linked to these plans. Educating the community
about essential changes in behaviour will be another critical component of this
initiative.
Strategic Directions
The Government has committed up to $60 million over the years 1997-98 to
2000-01 for a Stormwater Trust Fund. This Fund is intended to assist with the
implementation of the stormwater commitments in the Waterways Package.
Establishing the Fund was also a response to the recommendations of the report
prepared by the Waterways Advisory Panel on Sydney Water’s proposal for
sewage overflow abatement in Sydney Harbour.
This funding has been allocated for -

assisting Councils, and certain State government agencies either
individually or in groups, to pilot innovation in stormwater management
or to undertake remedial activities;

providing assistance to Councils for the preparation of Stormwater
Management Plans; and

a statewide education program to be coordinated by the Environment
Protection Authority.
1998-99 Budget
Total Expenses and Asset Acquisitions
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Funding of $15.2 million has been provided in 1998-99 to continue Stage 1 of the
grants program, commenced in 1997-98, and for Councils’ Stormwater
Management Plans.
An evaluation of the results of the grants program and the Management Plans
will ensure that future years’ funding is directed to pilot projects which have the
greatest potential for tackling the widespread stormwater management problems
which exist across the State in a cost effective manner.
No asset acquisitions are planned for 1998-99.
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