Mr McADAM - 2005-05-04
We enjoy a great lifestyle and a wonderful environment. It is unique and very special. What assistance is government providing to Territorians who have great ideas for improving our environment?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly for his question. Protecting our environment and enhancing our great lifestyle is certainly a priority for this government. Territory families love to be outdoors, whether it is kicking a soccer ball with the kids in the back yard, or taking the family to Litchfield or Kakadu, we all love our great lifestyle in the Territory. We want to keep it that way for our children, grandchildren, and their families.
It is why we put in place the EnvironmeNT Grants, a Territory first. EnvironmeNT Grants are part of the unprecedented $1m spend this government is investing in grass roots environment and heritage initiatives. This is an opportunity for community groups to get together and come up with great ideas to help protect our environment.
The first round of the EnvironmeNT Grants were very successful …
Members interjecting.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: You sound like a jealous bunch over there because you did not think of it.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! I am finding it hard to hear the minister with her soft voice. Please cease.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: That is right. There are actually people out there who are interested in this because this program has been successful.
I was pleased to see the projects coming from the across the Territory and from all types of organisations. In particular, the level of interest from schools was very pleasing, with some great projects funded. Driver Primary School is establishing a creek environment for early learning; Howard Springs Primary is conducting a cane toad frog pond; Wanguri Primary School, a cone tade proof …
Mr Kiely: Cane toad!
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Cane toad!
Mr Dunham: Like Jack.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Cane toad, over there, Bufo marinus.
Members interjecting.
Mr AH KIT: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Withdraw that, member for Drysdale! That was a personal remark and you know it.
Mr DUNHAM: I withdraw it, Madam Speaker, notwithstanding I have been the butt of exactly the same joke from this man here.
Mr AH KIT: Madam Speaker, I might be slightly obese, but he will still be ugly when I lose weight.
Mr Dunham: When hell freezes over.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order! Why do I get the feeling that you are all getting very restless?
Mr Baldwin: It is getting close to an election, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: I think it must be; very intuitive of you, member for Daly. Minister, please continue.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Wanguri Primary School is cane toad proofing their biodiversity garden; Karama Primary School is upgrading their gardens for environmental awareness; the Milkwood Steiner School is establishing a native plant nursery; and Girraween Primary School is creating a bush tucker garden. These are all very worthy projects for our kids and Territory families.
Environment protection does begin with our kids, and it is often they who educate their families, whether it is telling mum or dad that we do not need another plastic bag at the shopping counter, or reminding us to switch off that light to save on greenhouse emissions.
Round two is now open and I encourage all Territorians with a great idea to help our environment to put in an application, and I look forward to seeing the applications. Government appreciates the efforts of Territorians who work hard to protect our environment and we are backing them in their efforts.
Madam SPEAKER: And you forgot to fund the most important environmental issue of all, CDL.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly for his question. Protecting our environment and enhancing our great lifestyle is certainly a priority for this government. Territory families love to be outdoors, whether it is kicking a soccer ball with the kids in the back yard, or taking the family to Litchfield or Kakadu, we all love our great lifestyle in the Territory. We want to keep it that way for our children, grandchildren, and their families.
It is why we put in place the EnvironmeNT Grants, a Territory first. EnvironmeNT Grants are part of the unprecedented $1m spend this government is investing in grass roots environment and heritage initiatives. This is an opportunity for community groups to get together and come up with great ideas to help protect our environment.
The first round of the EnvironmeNT Grants were very successful …
Members interjecting.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: You sound like a jealous bunch over there because you did not think of it.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! I am finding it hard to hear the minister with her soft voice. Please cease.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: That is right. There are actually people out there who are interested in this because this program has been successful.
I was pleased to see the projects coming from the across the Territory and from all types of organisations. In particular, the level of interest from schools was very pleasing, with some great projects funded. Driver Primary School is establishing a creek environment for early learning; Howard Springs Primary is conducting a cane toad frog pond; Wanguri Primary School, a cone tade proof …
Mr Kiely: Cane toad!
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Cane toad!
Mr Dunham: Like Jack.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Cane toad, over there, Bufo marinus.
Members interjecting.
Mr AH KIT: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Withdraw that, member for Drysdale! That was a personal remark and you know it.
Mr DUNHAM: I withdraw it, Madam Speaker, notwithstanding I have been the butt of exactly the same joke from this man here.
Mr AH KIT: Madam Speaker, I might be slightly obese, but he will still be ugly when I lose weight.
Mr Dunham: When hell freezes over.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order! Why do I get the feeling that you are all getting very restless?
Mr Baldwin: It is getting close to an election, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: I think it must be; very intuitive of you, member for Daly. Minister, please continue.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Wanguri Primary School is cane toad proofing their biodiversity garden; Karama Primary School is upgrading their gardens for environmental awareness; the Milkwood Steiner School is establishing a native plant nursery; and Girraween Primary School is creating a bush tucker garden. These are all very worthy projects for our kids and Territory families.
Environment protection does begin with our kids, and it is often they who educate their families, whether it is telling mum or dad that we do not need another plastic bag at the shopping counter, or reminding us to switch off that light to save on greenhouse emissions.
Round two is now open and I encourage all Territorians with a great idea to help our environment to put in an application, and I look forward to seeing the applications. Government appreciates the efforts of Territorians who work hard to protect our environment and we are backing them in their efforts.
Madam SPEAKER: And you forgot to fund the most important environmental issue of all, CDL.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016