Two statutory reviews into native vegetation management and biodiversity conservation laws have today been tabled in the NSW Parliament.
Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe tabled the five-year statutory review of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty tabled the review of the native vegetation provisions of the Local Land Services Act 2013 (Part 5A, Schedule 5A and Schedule 5B).
The independent review of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 has been conducted by a panel led by Dr Ken Henry, AC. It concludes the Act is not meeting its primary purpose of maintaining a healthy, productive and resilient environment. It makes 58 recommendations, including changes to the Biodiversity Offset Scheme.
The statutory review of Part 5A, Schedule 5A and Schedule 5B of the Local Land Services Act 2013 has been conducted with the assistance of an Independent Expert Advisory Panel. It found the objectives of the native vegetation provisions of the Act are valid, while identifying 13 recommendations to improve the implementation and outcomes of the Act.
The NSW Government will now consider both reviews, in consultation with key stakeholders, while developing a whole of government response.
Copies of the reports can be found via:
The Department of Planning and Environment website
The Local Land Services website
Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe said:
"The previous government presided over 12 years of environmental neglect that led to record numbers of threatened species, increased land clearing and saw koalas become endangered and on track to extinction.
"The Minns Government will closely consider the report's recommendations, as we deliver on our election commitments to fix the Biodiversity Offset Scheme, strengthen environmental protections and stop runaway land clearing."
Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty said:
"Our farmers have a strong connection with their land, and we're committed to working with them to ensure they continue to achieve productive outcomes, while providing support to protect and conserve native vegetation.
"Following a robust public consultation and review process, the review into the native vegetation provisions of the Local Land Services Act identified 13 recommendations to improve the implementation and outcomes of the Act."
