Protecting threatened species and areas of outstanding biodiversity ...
Fact Sheet
Sustain. Invest. Protect. A new approach to land management and conservation in NSW
Protecting threatened species and areas of outstanding biodiversity value The NSW Government is adopting a modern approach to identifying and protecting threatened plants and animals across NSW. The new approach has four key elements: » Threatened plants and animals will continue to be listed as such. Management actions can be targeted to protect them from extinction. » It will remain illegal to harm threatened plants and animals and their habitat, unless you have specific approvals such as development consent or a licence. » A modern approach to threatened species conservation and recovery by legislating the Saving our Species program. » Areas of outstanding biodiversity value will be identified and protected. The proposals outlined in this fact sheet align with the Independent Biodiversity Legislation Review Panel’s (the Panel) recommendations.
Listing threatened plants and animals Currently, threatened plants and animals are listed under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act). The draft Biodiversity Conservation Bill continues this listing process and includes improvements to make the process faster, more efficient, scientifically rigorous and to reflect best practice.
Changes to reflect international best practice Some of the threat categories will be changed to align with standards developed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
3 May 2016
Changes to deliver a more strategic and responsive listing process
publication requirements for determinations and extending the existing provisional listing process.
The Panel’s report highlights that current threatened species lists are biased towards mammals, birds and other iconic species. To ensure a more representative list, the draft Bill allows the Scientific Committee (the Committee) to invite nominations on a particular theme. The Committee could prioritise assessments for these nominations. Nominations can continue to be made at any time on any theme. The Committee will undertake periodic reviews of lists, at least every five years. Proposed changes to help the Committee deliver a more responsive listing process include streamlining
Aligning State and Commonwealth lists Australian governments have worked together to develop a common assessment method for listing threatened species and ecological communities. Governments are now considering arrangements for its implementation. Depending on the agreed implementation arrangements, some minor changes may be required to the threatened species framework proposed in the draft Bill.
How will threatened plants and animals be protected? It is illegal to harm threatened plants or animals The draft Bill continues to make it illegal to deliberately pick threatened plants, harm threatened animals or damage their habitat, unless you have specific approvals or authorisation.
Expanding the ‘Saving our Species’ biodiversity conservation program The draft Bill allows for a conser vation program for threatened plants and animals in NSW to be established, reflecting the approach taken by the government’s Saving our Species program. Strategies developed under the program will be delivered through Saving our Species. The government has committed an additional $100 million over five years to support and expand Saving our Species to deliver more on-ground actions.
Conserving ‘Areas of Outstanding Biodiversity Value’ The NSW Government recognises there are special areas containing irreplaceable biodiversity values to NSW, Australia or globally. The draft Bill allows the Minister for the
Environment to declare these as ‘Areas of Outstanding Biodiversity Value’ (AOBV). These may include sites critical for reducing the risk of species extinction, conserving species diversity and ecological integrity. Maintaining landscape connectivity or supporting migratory species. Existing critical habitats under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 will be AOBVs under the draft Bill. If your land is recommended as a potential AOBV, the Office of Environment and Heritage will contact you for your views on the recommendation. It will also: »» seek public comments on any proposed declaration »» consider the views of the NSW Scientific Committee and the Biodiversity Conservation Trust before recommending an area for declaration. Landowners can choose to enter into a funded private land conservation agreement. If an AOBV is declared on your land, the Trust will prioritise your access to private land conservation funds to help you manage and protect the biodiversity values. To ensure AOBVs are protected, the draft Bill makes it an offence to damage the biodiversity values
of an AOBV unless you have specific authorisation to do so (e.g. development consent). The Biodiversity Assessment Method will be applied to any development proposal located on an AOBV.
More Information For more information, visit http://landmanagement.nsw.gov.au
Have your say on the proposed changes We want to hear if you think the Independent Biodiversity Legislation Review Panel’s recommendations are reflected in the Biodiversity reforms consultation package. Communities, farmers and environmental groups are invited to participate in the consultation process. You can have your say online at http://landmanagement.nsw.gov. au/haveyoursay/ or send your written submission to: Biodiversity Reforms - Have Your Say Office of Environment and Heritage PO Box A290 Sydney South NSW 1232 Submissions close on 28 June 2016 at 5pm.
Sustain. Invest. Protect. A new approach to land management and conservation in NSW
Protecting threatened species and areas of outstanding biodiversity value The NSW Government is adopting a modern approach to identifying and protecting threatened plants and animals across NSW. The new approach has four key elements: » Threatened plants and animals will continue to be listed as such. Management actions can be targeted to protect them from extinction. » It will remain illegal to harm threatened plants and animals and their habitat, unless you have specific approvals such as development consent or a licence. » A modern approach to threatened species conservation and recovery by legislating the Saving our Species program. » Areas of outstanding biodiversity value will be identified and protected. The proposals outlined in this fact sheet align with the Independent Biodiversity Legislation Review Panel’s (the Panel) recommendations.
Listing threatened plants and animals Currently, threatened plants and animals are listed under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act). The draft Biodiversity Conservation Bill continues this listing process and includes improvements to make the process faster, more efficient, scientifically rigorous and to reflect best practice.
Changes to reflect international best practice Some of the threat categories will be changed to align with standards developed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
3 May 2016
Changes to deliver a more strategic and responsive listing process
publication requirements for determinations and extending the existing provisional listing process.
The Panel’s report highlights that current threatened species lists are biased towards mammals, birds and other iconic species. To ensure a more representative list, the draft Bill allows the Scientific Committee (the Committee) to invite nominations on a particular theme. The Committee could prioritise assessments for these nominations. Nominations can continue to be made at any time on any theme. The Committee will undertake periodic reviews of lists, at least every five years. Proposed changes to help the Committee deliver a more responsive listing process include streamlining
Aligning State and Commonwealth lists Australian governments have worked together to develop a common assessment method for listing threatened species and ecological communities. Governments are now considering arrangements for its implementation. Depending on the agreed implementation arrangements, some minor changes may be required to the threatened species framework proposed in the draft Bill.
How will threatened plants and animals be protected? It is illegal to harm threatened plants or animals The draft Bill continues to make it illegal to deliberately pick threatened plants, harm threatened animals or damage their habitat, unless you have specific approvals or authorisation.
Expanding the ‘Saving our Species’ biodiversity conservation program The draft Bill allows for a conser vation program for threatened plants and animals in NSW to be established, reflecting the approach taken by the government’s Saving our Species program. Strategies developed under the program will be delivered through Saving our Species. The government has committed an additional $100 million over five years to support and expand Saving our Species to deliver more on-ground actions.
Conserving ‘Areas of Outstanding Biodiversity Value’ The NSW Government recognises there are special areas containing irreplaceable biodiversity values to NSW, Australia or globally. The draft Bill allows the Minister for the
Environment to declare these as ‘Areas of Outstanding Biodiversity Value’ (AOBV). These may include sites critical for reducing the risk of species extinction, conserving species diversity and ecological integrity. Maintaining landscape connectivity or supporting migratory species. Existing critical habitats under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 will be AOBVs under the draft Bill. If your land is recommended as a potential AOBV, the Office of Environment and Heritage will contact you for your views on the recommendation. It will also: »» seek public comments on any proposed declaration »» consider the views of the NSW Scientific Committee and the Biodiversity Conservation Trust before recommending an area for declaration. Landowners can choose to enter into a funded private land conservation agreement. If an AOBV is declared on your land, the Trust will prioritise your access to private land conservation funds to help you manage and protect the biodiversity values. To ensure AOBVs are protected, the draft Bill makes it an offence to damage the biodiversity values
of an AOBV unless you have specific authorisation to do so (e.g. development consent). The Biodiversity Assessment Method will be applied to any development proposal located on an AOBV.
More Information For more information, visit http://landmanagement.nsw.gov.au
Have your say on the proposed changes We want to hear if you think the Independent Biodiversity Legislation Review Panel’s recommendations are reflected in the Biodiversity reforms consultation package. Communities, farmers and environmental groups are invited to participate in the consultation process. You can have your say online at http://landmanagement.nsw.gov. au/haveyoursay/ or send your written submission to: Biodiversity Reforms - Have Your Say Office of Environment and Heritage PO Box A290 Sydney South NSW 1232 Submissions close on 28 June 2016 at 5pm.
