In the first investment under the Albanese Government's landmark new bushland protection program, funding has been provided to protect an area larger than the size of Kakadu National Park.
The Albanese Government will invest $100 million in 12 new land conservation projects across New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania, to establish over 2.3 million hectares of new protected and conserved environmental areas.
This will be funded through the Albanese Government's $250 million Australian Bushland Program (ABP), protecting precious natural habitat for threatened species and future generations.
Since 2022, the Albanese Government has added, or provided with stronger protection, an extra 100 million hectares of Australia's land and ocean across Australia's network of protected areas. This is an area the size of Germany, Italy, Portugal and the UK combined.
Today's announcement sees this tally rise, and the program will also investigate an extra 21 million hectares as part of identifying further opportunities to expand protected or conserved areas.
Labor Governments saved the Franklin River from being dammed, protected the Daintree and Kakadu, put Tasmania's unique forests and grasslands into World Heritage, and expanded the World Heritage Area again in 2012 and 2013.
Today's investment builds on that legacy and marks another step towards achieving the Albanese Government's ambitious target to protect 30 percent of Australia's landmass by 2030.
The projects will be delivered in partnership with state governments, and will:
- support land purchasing programs and direct land purchases.
- expand existing private land covenanting programs.
- deliver pilot projects for new conserved areas.
- review Crown or other land with a view to creating new protected or conserved areas where appropriate.
Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said another 39 million hectares was needed to meet the Government's 30 by 30 land target.
"Australians love spending time in the bush and this funding will protect more of it for future generations," Minister Watt said.
"Nearly a quarter of Australia's total land is now protected, up from 22 percent when we were first elected, but there's still more to do.
"It's important that this new land for conservation is in areas that supports significant biodiversity outcomes.
"That's why we're working with state and territory governments who have experience and expertise in land protection and conservation, whilst building on existing state government programs to quickly and efficiently protect and conserve biodiversity in the right places.
"By protecting and conserving these areas, we're supporting threatened species and the habitats they call home. This is fundamental to the health of our environment and ensuring generations to come can enjoy our unique native wildlife and landscapes."
The federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will continue to work with the remaining states and territories to develop and fund further projects that help meet the 30 by 30 target across Australia.
As project contracts are finalised, further announcements will be made.
