MEDIA RELEASE 
18 June 2015

State Budget 2015-16

It looks like the savage cuts the environment has received over the last few years have slowed, but we will still see a fall in jobs, and critical investment is missing, says Conservation SA, the state‘s peak environment body.

“While 2015-16 shows a respite from the blood-letting of previous years, the long-term trend of funding cuts to the environment continues, as does the loss of jobs in the Environment Department,” said Chief Executive Craig Wilkins.

“Our state faces enormous challenges from climate change, biodiversity loss and pressures from a range of extractive industries.

“We are pleased that funding for the River Murray has been preserved in spite of the abolition of the Save the Murray levy, and this must continue and increase in future years.

 “However, investment in public transport is remarkably low – it appears even the electrification of the Gawler line has been shelved.

“The Treasurer says this budget is all about the economy and jobs, but there are missed opportunities when it comes to investment in one of our job-rich success stories: renewable energy.

“Just this week, we discovered that SA could achieve 100% renewables by 2030 with the right support from State Government. Yet Renewables SA, its primary agency to drive renewables growth in the state, has less than 3 full time equivalent staff.

“If we really want to tackle climate change and support jobs in our regional areas, the wonderful opportunities in renewable energy need to be seized,” Mr Wilkins concluded.

Release Ends