Nature Positive Plan aims to strengthen environmental protection

THE federal government has unveiled the second stage of its Nature Positive Plan, enhancing protections for Australia’s natural environment while aiming for more efficient business development.

The plan introduces a new independent national Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and aims to expedite environmental approvals.

The updated plan hopes to ensure more robust environmental powers, quicker approvals, and increased transparency.

One of the standout features is the establishment of Australia’s first national EPA, equipped with stringent powers and penalties to enforce environmental laws more effectively.

Surf Coast Energy Group founder Graeme Stockton responded cautiously to the announcement.

“The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act has been around a long time and now they are supposedly going to add teeth to it to make it much stronger,” Mr Stockton said.

“Everyone is waiting to see whether it is really going to be strengthened or whether it is just rhetoric.

“In theory, the Act provides a lot of protection to threatened species, but in reality, it has never been properly funded.

“There have been a whole lot of loopholes that various self-interested groups have used to make sure that it never gets the action that it deserves.”

Another aspect of the plan is the launch of Environmental Information Australia (EIA), a new entity that will provide businesses with easier access to up-to-date environmental data.

The EIA will also release State of the Environment reports biennially, enhancing accountability and transparency across the sector.

Minister for the environment and water Tanya Plibersek said the government was doing more than ever to protect the country’s natural treasures.

“We’re delivering stronger protections for the environment, including Australia’s first ever independent national Environment Protection Agency.

“We’re also working to support faster, clearer decisions for business. That greater certainty for business will help drive investment in nation-building projects.

“When I first announced the Nature Positive Plan, I said it would take a bit of cooperation, compromise and common sense to deliver. That’s exactly how we’re approaching the rollout.”

The government has not committed to a timeline for introducing the full package of promised environmental reforms, including national standards, something many groups had hoped for.

Greens spokesperson for the environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said it amounted to a broken promise.

“The government has dumped their election promise to reform Australia’s environment laws and instead rolled-over for the fossil fuel industry who want faster and easier approvals for their polluting and damaging new coal and gas projects.”