State government unveils plan for biodiversity and native vegetation management

THE state government has announced a $4.5 million plan to protect the environment and manage native vegetation more effectively across NSW.

It follows the 2023 Henry Review that found the existing Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 was not meeting its primary purpose of maintaining a healthy, productive and resilient environment, and was never likely to do so.

In response the government committed to implementing 49 of the 58 recommendations and outlined new strategies for environmental protection.

The plan will fulfill three key election commitments: reforming the failed biodiversity offsets scheme, ending excess land clearing, and strengthening environmental protections.

Rainforest Rescue chief executive Branden Barber welcomed the announcement.

“Rainforest Rescue welcomes these stronger protections for nature,” Barber said.

“The biodiversity crisis is real and urgent, and land clearing is one of the primary culprits.

“While much more needs to be done, any nature-positive action by government is welcome.”

“This is a good start.”

The Australian Land Conservation Alliance also praised the commitment to improve how private land conservation is managed and funded, although chief executive Dr Jody Gunn said she was hoping to see a more serious commitment to reducing the impact of land clearing.

“We know that NSW nature is in trouble but there is great opportunity to turn this around,” Dr Gunn said.

“Private land conservationists in NSW, including in the Northern Rivers region play a critical role in protecting our precious biodiversity.

“The NSW Government has a chance to deliver desperately needed protections for nature and meaningfully reverse the decline of NSW biodiversity.

“Enhanced protection conservation covenants are not just an extra insurance policy for our precious biodiversity, they provide a promise for generations to come.

“Added protections mean sites with high biodiversity value are permanently shielded from harmful practices like mining.

The government plan outlines several key initiatives to improve biodiversity protections and land management practices.

These include legislative, policy, and program changes to set nature on a path to recovery, support for sustainable farming practices, and the introduction of a NSW Nature Strategy to guide conservation efforts.

The response also acknowledges the relationship between biodiversity and Aboriginal culture and the strong connection farmers and landholders have with their land.

Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said addressing the biodiversity crisis was a matter of urgency.

“We cannot ignore the truth: biodiversity in NSW is in crisis. Our goal must be to leave nature better off than we have found it,” Sharpe said.