Heritage funding strategy looks to the future
Source: South Australia. Minister for Environment and Conservation. Media Release
“Although we will continue to allocate funds for urgent conservation work, looking after heritage is not just about repair and maintenance,” Minister Gago said. Encouraging changes that respect the historic significance of a place, while allowing new uses is the best way of making sure these places will be around for a long time. We are keen to support projects that look at innovative and sustainable uses for our unique heritage places."

State Government widens rainwater tank rebate scheme
Source: South Australia. Premier and Minister for Environment and Conservation. Media Release
"The State Government has widened its rebate scheme to encourage more homeowners to install and plumb rainwater tanks in their homes. Premier Mike Rann says Cabinet today approved the changes, which enables householders to claim a range of rebates from $200 up to $800 - effectively doubling the original maximum amount of $400."

Business and environment to benifit from new program
Source: Victoria. Minister for Climate and Change. Media Release
"Businesses in Victoria now have ready access to a program to help them cut water and energy use, minimise waste and maximise profits, with the Minister for Climate Change, John Thwaites and Treasurer John Brumby today launching the Grow Me the Money program. A joint initiative of VECCI and EPA Victoria, the program provides tools and support to businesses seeking to establish sustainable practices."

Bracks plan to deliver more child care places
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"The Bracks Government today released a comprehensive reform plan for early childhood services which would create up to 3,000 extra child care places and help tackle a crisis which is keeping 20,000 Victorians out of the workforce."

Victorian research aims to capture lead on emissions
Source: Victoria. Office of the Premier. Media Release
"Victorian Premier Steve Bracks today announced a $9.43 million round of “clean-coal” research grants that will keep Victoria positioned as a world leader in capturing and storing greenhouse emissions. Mr Bracks said more than half the money would go to projects to help Victorian brown coal generators reach near-zero emissions by capturing emissions and storing them underground."

Green light for $250M wind farm near Ballarat
Source: Victoria. Minister for Planning. Media Release
""A 64-turbine wind farm at Mt Mercer, 30 kilometres south of Ballarat, has been given the green light after the Planning Minister, Justin Madden, approved a planning permit. The wind farm will be built by WestWind Energy Pty Ltd on predominantly cleared farm land, and is expected to generate around 160 megawatts -- enough energy to power more than 73,000 homes. The new project will play a key role in meeting the Bracks Government’s Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET)."

Child Protection Reforms Six Months On
Source: Tasmania. Minister for Health and Human Services. Media Release
"Health and Human Services Minister Lara Giddings today said a great deal had been achieved to reform Tasmania’s child protection services in the six months since the release of four major reports on 8 November last year. “While we still face major challenges in child protection, it is encouraging that the total number of unallocated cases has reduced from 1,793 to 950 over the three months to the end of March,” Ms Giddings said. “That’s a reduction of more than 800, or 47%, in the total number of unallocated cases, and I thank staff for their hard work over the last six months to achieve such a significant turnaround."

Agreements reached over traditional lands in QLD tropics
Source: Australia. National Native Title Tribunal. Media Release
"Eastern Kuku Yalanji native title claimants in far north Queensland will manage and protect their traditional lands and secure economic development opportunities under 15 indigenous land use agreements being celebrated today."

Certainty for regional broadband projects
Source: Australia. Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. Media Release
"The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, today released further information regarding the operation of the Australian Broadband Guarantee. “These arrangements will give broadband providers clarity regarding the new program and should speed up the rollout of further high speed broadband to consumers to complement the upcoming $600 million Broadband Connect Infrastructure Program,” Senator Coonan said."