Finance Minister Eugene Cox said Government was mindful that in a small Island community, issues of sustainable growth and development are best addressed through proper planning and effective policy coordination.

And he said the new Budget underscored these principles.

Mr. Cox said that Government's commitment to the preservation and enhancement of open spaces is demonstrated by the allocation of funds for the upgrade of parks and environmental improvements in 200 1/02, and a total of $1.5 million was allocated for this purpose.

In addition, $2.2 million is set aside for the work on the new Education and Administration building at the Aquarium in Flatts, and that project was expected to be fully completed in 2002/03.

Included in the Ministry of Works and Engineering's $22.4 million for capital projects is a $1 million provision for further work on the Pembroke Marsh.

The total budget for Terry Lister's Ministry of the Environment, Development and Opportunity is 26.9 million, an increase of $2.3 million from last year.

Within the Ministry, the Department of Cultural Affairs was allocated $648,000 in new funding, and just over half of this, $336,000 is directed to Bermuda's participation in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival during July 2001 in Washington DC.

Mr. Cox said: "Many aspects of Bermuda's living culture and traditions will be showcased to more than one million people from around the world at this prestigious event.'' The total cost of the Island's participation at this event is expected to be $750,000.

Government's grant to the Bermuda Arts Council will also be increased by $40,000 bringing its total purse to $200,000.

Mr. Cox said that Government will also provide a grant to the Millennium Fund in the amount of $132,000 in respect of customs duty on the imported elements of the Millennium Fountain.

Mr. Cox said: "Government prefers to show duty relief in this manner as it provides concrete evidence of the Government's support of worthy and positive programmes in the community.'' Following the awarding of World Heritage Status to the town of St. George's by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation's (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee, Government has provided $75,000 for a World Heritage Site Management Officer in the Department of Planning for 200 1/02.

Government also proposes to introduce a refuse disposal charge of $35 per metric tonne for commercial waste delivered to the Tynes Bay Waste treatment Facility.

This user charge will help to offset the growing repair and maintenance costs for operating the aging facility, and Mr. Cox said that in the near future, it will be necessary to start building a fund to replace the incinerator - whose remaining useful life is fairly short.

About $1.5 million in revenue is expected from this source.

Expansion of programmes in 2001/02 Current Account Expenditure Estimates include an additional grant aid in support of the Bermuda Biodiversity Project of $150,000.

And in the area of Agriculture and Fisheries, provisions have been made for a $50,000 grant aid to Bermuda Feline Assistance Bureau, $80,000 for additional industrial positions at the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo (BAMZ), $110,000 for additional animal wardens and operating costs, and $120,000 for the increased cost of electricity at BAMZ.

For Parks, $145,000 has been provisioned for Railway Trail maintenance, and $141,000 has been provisioned for maintenance of school playground equipment.

A provision of $44,000 for extended lifeguard services at Southside, $55,000 for the maintenance of Forts, Historical Sites and Parks, and $75,000 for additional industrial staff to Admiralty House Park.