Joint media release: Alps Ministerial Council to be reformed

The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water
The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC, New South Wales Minister for the Environment
Ingrid Stitt MP, Victorian Minister for Environment
Rebecca Vassarotti MLA, Australian Capital Territory Minister for the Environment

Today Federal, NSW, Victoria and ACT Environment Ministers joined together to reform the Alps Ministerial Council. This was agreed in a side meeting held at the Environment Ministers’ Meeting in Parramatta, Sydney.

This body – which previously existed under former Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett – will allow four jurisdictions to come together to manage one of Australia’s unique areas of biodiversity and heritage values.

The Australian Alps span across three states and territories, supports a thriving tourism industry, includes the Kosciuszko National Park and is the site of Snowy Hydro renewable energy generation.

The Alps are a unique ecosystem, that support thriving biodiversity and are home to many of threatened species. However the area is at risk from a range of threats, including climate change and invasive species.

Reconstituting the Alps Ministerial Council will allow Ministers to come together to discuss shared challenges and opportunities, and work together to protect this amazing part of Australia. It will allows stronger coordination of action against ecological threats and integrated future planning for the alpine region.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek:

“We want to better protect our precious places and the plants and animals that call them home. This takes federal, state, and territory governments working together.

“We have to act now to tackle serious threats like climate change and invasive species that are damaging fragile alpine and sub-alpine ecosystems and important plant and animal species, like the iconic Corroboree Frog.

“I look forward to working with other ministers to sure these unique spaces can be enjoyed by our kids and grandkids.”

Quotes attributable to the NSW Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe:

“Kosciuszko National Park is the third most visited National Park in NSW and supports a unique biodiversity. However that biodiversity is under threat from climate change and invasive species.

“The Alps is also an important site for our state’s tourism and an important site of renewable energy generation.

“I look forward to working across border to protect this precious area for the future."

Quotes attributable to the Victorian Minister for Environment, Ingrid Stitt:

"Victoria's high country is an integral component of our state's tourism industry - with no shortage of things for visitors to see and do.

"Reconstituting the Alps Ministerial Council will ensure a more collaborative approach when combating issues that affect our precious alpine ecosystems.

“The Andrews Labor Government looks forward to strengthening ties with New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory to protect this unique region.”

Quotes attributable to ACT Minister for the Environment Rebecca Vassarotti:

“The ACT welcomes the revitalisation of the Alps Ministerial Council. It will strengthen cross-government coordination to protect an extraordinary part of Australia.

“With many threatened species and communities hanging in the balance in the Alps due to the impacts of invasive species and climate change, the leadership from NSW to reconstitute the Ministerial Council has come at a critical time.”