Australia's Biodiversity Conservation Strategy
State and territory biodiversity and biodiversity-related strategies
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT Department of the Environment, Climate Change Energy and Water has in place various programs to help preserve the environment. The ACT Nature Conservation Strategy was introduced in December 1997 to protect biological diversity and maintain ecological processes and systems.
The ACT Weeds Strategy 2009-2019 aims to reduce the impact of weeds on the environment, the economy, human health and amenity. For more information visit:
www.environment.act.gov.au/environment
New South Wales
The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) and the Department of Industry and Investment released A new Biodiversity Strategy for NSW: Discussion Paper for public comment in November 2008. The NSW Government anticipates a draft NSW Biodiversity Strategy will be released in 2010.
DECCW is responsible for protecting and conserving biodiversity, including threatened species, in NSW. For more information visit: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/biodiversity/index.htm
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory Government is currently developing a biodiversity conservation strategy that will be released for public comment. The strategy will recognise that the Territory's biodiversity and natural environments are of international significance, but are not sufficiently valued. See www.greeningnt.nt.gov.au/ourlife/bio.html
During 2010 the Territory Government will be developing new native vegetation legislation in consultation with the community. See www.nt.gov.au/nreta/natres/natveg This legislation will break new ground, including caps on total clearing and it will ensure that climate change impacts are addressed in land clearing decisions. For more information visit: www.nt.gov.au/nreta
The Northern Territory Parks and Conservation Framework is being developed by the Northern Territory Government, through the Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport. The 2005 draft Masterplan provides future directions for the conservation of Northern Territory's biodiversity (plants and animals), and for the continued development of their parks and reserves over the next 15 years. See: www.nt.gov.au/nreta/parks/masterplan/publications
Queensland
For information on Queensland Government biodiversity conservation initiatives visit: www.derm.qld.gov.au
South Australia
On 10 July 2007 the South Australian Government released No Species Loss-A Nature Conservation Strategy for South Australia 2007-2017. No Species Loss is the first state wide nature conservation strategy for South Australia. As its name suggests, the aim of the No Species Loss Strategy is to lose no more species in South Australia, whether they be on land, in rivers, creeks, lakes and estuaries or the sea.
The primary responsibility for the conservation of biodiversity in South Australia rests with the Department for Environment and Heritage. For more information visit: www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity
Tasmania
Tasmania's Nature Conservation Strategy 2002-2006 and Threatened Species Strategy 2000 are important whole-of-government documents that complements several other Government initiatives, including Tasmania Together, the State of Environment Report and the Natural Resource Management Framework.
The framework for managing the protection of threatened species in Tasmania has recently been reviewed by the Tasmanian Auditor-General (Auditor-General Special Report no. 78, Management of Threatened Species, March 2009). The report includes 19 recommendations, which have since informed priority actions for threatened species and biodiversity management in general.
The Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment is responsible for important aspects of managing Tasmania's natural environment. For more information visit: www.dpiw.tas.gov.au
Victoria
The Department of Sustainability and the Environment (DSE) has released Victoria's Biodiversity Strategy 2010-2015: Consultation Draft Biodiversity is Everybody's Business for public consultation. DSE is responsible for the conservation and sustainable use of Victoria's natural environment, biological diversity and cultural heritage. For more information visit: http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/dse/nrence.nsf/Home+Page/DSE+Conservation~Home+Page?open
The Biodiversity Strategy of Goulburn-Broken Catchment Management Authority, which will run from 2010 and 2015, is intended to provide a regional perspective for implementing state and national strategies, including the Victorian Biodiversity Strategy and the Australian Biodiversity Conservation Strategy. For more information visit: www.gbcma.vic.gov.au
Western Australia
The A 100-year Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for Western Australia: Blueprint to the Bicentenary in 2020 (draft) recognises the need to act now to prevent further biodiversity decline and accelerate our recovery efforts. It provides a framework to guide action for biodiversity conservation in Western Australia for the next 100 years.
For more information visit the Department of Environment and Conservation website at: www.dec.wa.gov.au.