Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

The department is responsible for implementing the Australian Government's policies to protect our environment and heritage, and to promote a sustainable way of life. More about the department

News
Events

Graduate Program 2013

Applications for the 2013 Graduate Program are now open

Commonwealth Environmental Water 2010-11 Outcomes Report

The Commonwealth Environmental Water 2010-11 Outcomes Report has been released by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office.

Strategic Assessment - Great Barrier Reef

The Australian Government, including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, and the Queensland Government have formally agreed to undertake a comprehensive strategic assessment of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and adjacent coastal zone. Public comments are invited on the draft terms of reference.

2012-13 Community Action Grants now open

Grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 now available under the government's Caring for our Country initiative, aimed at helping communities improve their local environment.

World Wetlands Day, 2 Feb 2012

The international theme for World Wetlands Day 2012 is Wetlands and Tourism - a great experience. Find World Wetlands Day events near you, read the 2012 edition of Wetlands Australia and access great wetlands materials.

Conservation agreement signed to protect Tasmania's native forests

The agreement excludes hundreds of thousands of hectares of public native forests from rotation forestry while a comprehensive analysis of forest conservation values and industry timber supply requirements takes place.

Formation of a Lake Eyre Basin Rivers Assessment Consortium

Expressions of interest are invited from interested research institutions, regional organisations, non-government organisations and industry players to form a consortium, in partnership with the Australian, QLD, SA and NT Governments.

Australia state of the environment 2011 launched

The fourth national assessment of the state of Australia's environment was has been launched by the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.

Nominations invited for species, ecological communities and key threatening processes

Nominations are invited for the assessment period starting 1 October 2012, for any species, ecological communities or key threatening processes to be considered for listing under national environment law. Nominations close 22 March 2012.

Draft Basin Plan released

The independent Murray-Darling Basin Authority has released the draft Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

Inquiry into the impact of the Guide to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan

The Australian Government's response to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia's Report Of Drought and Flooding Rains: Inquiry into the impact of the Guide to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in Regional Australia was tabled in Parliament on Thursday 24 November 2011. This Inquiry was chaired by Mr Tony Windsor MP.