Stronger environmental protections will result from the next step in the Albanese Government's rollout of its landmark reforms to national environment laws, with work commencing on new protection statements for five threatened species.
Protection statements are a new tool being introduced under the reformed Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act) that build on recovery plans and conservation advice to clearly set out what must be protected to ensure a species' survival in the wild.
The protection statements will also make it easier for project proponents to know what is required if their action might impact a threatened species and help assessment officers to make clear and consistent decisions.
Pilot protection statements will be developed for the regent honeyeater, southern bent-wing bat, pygmy blue-tongue lizard, grand spider orchid and southern right whale.
This diverse set of species have different habitats, different threats and different protection needs, which will allow testing of the full range of protection statement functions.
Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said the pilot will kick off the conversation about how protection statements can best provide practical advice and support clear and consistent decisions.
"The Albanese Government's landmark reforms to the EPBC Act will ensure better protection for threatened species and more up-front information for proponents and decision makers.
"Protection statements will play an important role in safeguarding our threatened species while supporting faster, clearer assessment and approval processes.
"I've asked my department to start the conversation on protection statements early, with regulators, industry, community bodies and the scientific community.
"This pilot will help us understand how protection statements will work across different contexts and ensure they deliver benefits for both the environment and business."
