Environment Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson is inviting businesses, organisations and individuals to have their say on a draft of Western Australia's first Native Vegetation Policy.
An eight-week consultation period opens today, with the release of the draft policy.
The draft policy reflects feedback shared during extensive public consultation on the Native Vegetation in Western Australia issues paper last year. The consultation involved more than 1,000 organisations and individuals from a range of sectors and locations across the State.
It promotes a whole-of-government approach to protect and enhance native vegetation in ways that support the economy, regional prosperity and on-country jobs - while sequestering carbon and protecting biodiversity.
The policy drives better mapping and monitoring. It also prompts regionalised policymaking involving local stakeholders to take into account the great diversity of native vegetation, its threats and competing priorities.
The policy's implementation will progressively improve:
- clarity, certainty and transparency for stakeholders;
- the information base for making decisions; and
- how the public, private and community sectors can work together for better native vegetation outcomes.
Submissions on the draft policy are welcomed from all interested parties and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation will collate and analyse feedback. The feedback will inform a final policy for consideration by the State Government.
Consultation is open from today (August 30) to October 25, 2021. To review the draft policy, register for a webinar, make a submission, and to view the issues paper submissions and summary report, visit https://wa.gov.au/nativeveg
As stated by Environment Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"The release of this draft policy is the next step in the McGowan Government's commitment to improve the protection and management of Western Australia's unique and internationally renowned native vegetation.
"It complements and supports the Western Australian Climate Policy, recognising the key role of native vegetation in climate action, and the risks to native vegetation from climate change.
"The policy will lay foundations for enduring reforms to ensure native vegetation is managed strategically, transparently and with a clear view to the future."
