Feature

Government releases plan towards zero extinctions

04 Oct. 2022

Yesterday, Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek released the Government’s Threatened Species Action Plan: Towards Zero Extinctions. Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) welcomes the increase in ambition to protect priority species and places, and the announcement of four 10-year objectives to:

  • reduce the risk of extinction for all priority species 
  • improve the condition of all priority places 
  • prevent new extinctions of plants and animals  
  • protect and conserve at least 30% of Australia’s land mass, in line with the global movement towards 30% by 2030..

Australia’s unique animals, plants and ecosystems are at risk. Urgent action is needed to address this biodiversity crisis, and we are heartened by the Government’s acknowledgement of the shortcomings of previous approaches and commitment to new, ambitious conservation targets.

Image B Web Resize Jane Palmer
AWC is delivering and influencing effective science-informed conservation across more than 12.9 million hectares and is committed to scaling up our efforts.

A few key points from the new plan stood out and align with the work AWC is already carrying out in this space.

A commitment to no new extinctions: AWC’s mission is the effective conservation of all Australian animal species and the habitats in which they live.

Target of increasing the area managed for conservation by 50 million hectares by 2027: We welcome the plan to protect an additional 50 million hectares and reiterate that simply nominating an area as protected is inadequate. Effective conservation requires active management, including removing feral predators, restoring healthy fire regimes, removing invasive weeds and monitoring and reporting on the success of these programs. 

Image C Web Resize Brad Leue/AWC
Effective conservation requires active threat management including controlling fire, ferals and weeds. AWC’s fire management program operates across more than 7.5 million hectares of northern Australia and is reducing the extent and frequency of intense wildfire.

A list of 110 priority species compiled independently by scientists: AWC’s effective, science-led conservation program protects 30% of the vertebrate species on this list, including the Red Goshawk, Malleefowl, Central Rock-rat, Chuditch, Kangaroo Island Echidna, Northern Quoll and Great Desert Skink.

A list of 20 priority places: This new approach recognises the natural and cultural importance of habitats and ecosystems. The priority places include Kangaroo Island (AWC works in collaboration with Land for Wildlife at the Western River Refuge), WA Wheatbelt Woodlands (AWC manages Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary), Yampi Sound (AWC works at Yampi Sound Training Area in partnership with the Department of Defence and Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation), and Mallee Birds Ecological Community (AWC manages Scotia and Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuaries and works in partnership with the NSW Government at Mallee Cliffs National Park).

Image D Web Resize Ian Bool
AWC protects the Northern Quoll across six sanctuaries and partnership areas.

The 22 targets under the first five-year plan are ambitious, and the priorities have been established based on good science. However, we note that there is yet to be any announcement of new funding beyond the $224.5 million pledged in September. Conserving biodiversity is a global issue and the urgent response requires governments, First Nations people, pastoralists, private conservation groups and everyday citizens to work together. Private conservation and public-private partnership need to be encouraged and the delivery of better outcomes for biodiversity incentivised.

Image E Web Resize Brad Leue/AWC
Conserving biodiversity requires collaboration. AWC works together with governments, First Nations people, pastoralists, private conservation groups and everyday citizens and shows what can be achieved when we get it right.

The challenges facing wildlife, habitats and conservation are immense. It is encouraging to see renewed commitment from governments to fight the biodiversity crisis and that AWC is already working to protect priority species and places identified by independent scientists. 

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