Minister for Energy and Environment

I’d like to begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land and pay my respects to owners past, present and emerging.

Can I thank the CEDA for the opportunity to speak to you today. I’d also like to acknowledge the other speakers today: Lily D’Ambrosio (Victoria’s Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister) Ingrid Southworth (Acting British High Commissioner to Australia) and Nigel Topping (the UK’s High Level Climate Action Champion).

In a win-win for the environment, Sydney Trains has teamed up with Taronga Zoo to provide bamboo from the rail corridor to feed Red Pandas and supply the Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Elephant exhibits.

Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance and Minister for Energy and Environment Matt Kean joined Sydney Trains Acting Chief Executive Suzanne Holden and Louise Ginman, Unit Supervisor of Carnivores at Taronga Zoo for a special feeding session to mark the partnership.

Important koala habitat is to be protected for future generations with the creation of the new Guula Ngurra National Park in the NSW Southern Highlands.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the creation of this national park delivers on a commitment from the 2019 election and is an important step to securing the future of koalas in the wild.

“Koalas are an iconic Australian animal and national parks like this protect their habitat for future generations,” Ms Berejiklian said.

Berowra Waters Inn is a day in the country, a water-access-only foodie’s paradise sited in dense bushland just an hour north of Sydney’s centre. At least, that’s how it used to be. The Glenn Murcutt-designed, glass-walled 1980s icon was considered among Australia’s most expensive and cutting-edge restaurants, the place for those raking it in when greed was good.

With a $275,000 boardwalk project planned for Muttonbird Island and more than 3,500 new koala feed trees growing in Bongil Bongil National Park, the Coffs Coast’s national parks are flourishing.  

Environment Minister Matt Kean announced the 330-metre raised boardwalk project for Muttonbird Island during his visit to the Coffs Coast today.

“The elevated boardwalk will improve visitor access to the spectacular nature reserve while also benefiting the island’s most important habitants – the muttonbirds,” Mr Kean said.

The NSW Government has acquired an additional 89 hectares of land to expand Cudgen Nature Reserve and aid the recovery of the Tweed koala population.

Environment Minister Matt Kean said the addition would help to provide long-term habitat protection for native plants and animals on the Tweed Coast, including the endangered Tweed and Brunswick Rivers koala colony.