Biodiversity conservation strategy

11/12/04
The State Government has released a discussion paper to begin the preparation of a strategy to conserve the State's biodiversity.
Environment Minister Judy Edwards today said the discussion paper - Towards a biodiversity conservation strategy for Western Australia - proposed a number of strategic directions and initiatives on which the public was invited to comment and make submissions.
"Western Australia is one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world," Dr Edwards said.
"The South-West is one of the world's 25 internationally-recognised biodiversity hotspots, and the only one recognised in Australia. In addition, the State contains eight of the nation's 15 biodiversity hotspots.
"Biodiversity underpins sustainability, and the quality of life of present and future generations of Western Australians depends on our ability to effectively manage biodiversity.
"But biodiversity is at a crossroads in terms of decline and recovery.
"In the past century, at least 18 species of native animals and 15 species of native plants have become extinct. Today, 190 animal species and 357 plant species are threatened with extinction.
"While it has taken more than 100 years to reach this point, and we have made major advances in habitat and species protection in recent years, we need a clear strategy to put in place now to reverse the decline and recover what we can.
"We also need to recognise that some natural processes occur quickly, while others occur over hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Planning and management responses need to reflect these timeframes."
Dr Edwards said while the discussion paper presented a 100-year vision, it proposed strategies for the next 25 years, a period she described as 'phase one' of the longer term program.
"Over the next 25 years, we will need to reverse the rates of decline in our biodiversity as well as improve the protection and rates of recovery of the natural habitats that remain," she said.
The Minister said although meeting these challenges would not be easy, the State was at the forefront of international and national biodiversity conservation actions.
"One example is the Department of Conservation and Land Management's Western Shield program that is well on the way to recovering a range of mammal species from near extinction," she said.
"Since 1996, three native mammals - the woylie, tammar wallaby and quenda (southern brown bandicoot) - have been removed from the threatened species list as a result of Western Shield."
Dr Edwards said the discussion paper had been prepared by CALM and followed earlier public consultation on proposals for new biodiversity conservation legislation in 2002 and the preparation of the Biodiversity Audit for Western Australia.
Copies of Towards a biodiversity conservation strategy for Western Australia would be available from CALM offices or could be downloaded from CALM's website - http://www.naturebase.net
Submissions on the proposed strategies should be sent to discussion paper: Towards a biodiversity conservation strategy for Western Australia, Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre, Bentley, WA, 6983. Submissions close on April 15, 2005.
Minister's office: 9220 5050