An information session is being held in Lismore next week to provide land managers with an understanding of the NSW Government’s planned biodiversity changes.
The session coincides with the release of a draft Biodiversity Conservation bill, which has been widely criticised by conservationists, and Local Land Services bill. Both are on display until 28 June for comment at www.landmanagement.nsw.gov.au.
The proposed legislative changes follow a 2014 review of biodiversity legislation in NSW which made 43 recommendations 0n how to minimise future biodiversity losses, and transform native vegetation management.
A Land Services spokesman said the NSW Government had worked closely with landholders and other stakeholders to develop ‘a strong evidence-based environmental management system.
He said the new NSW Biodiversity Conservation legislative framework would give land managers the tools and flexibility to manage and protect their land.
Key element of the reforms include investing in conservation on private land, simpler regulations that give responsibility to land manager and reward sustainable land management, focusing on biodiversity at a bioregional and state level rather that at a site-by-site level, and ensuring any land clearing is assessed under one set of consistent rules.
The spokesman said the government would also be investing $100 million in the “Saving our Species” program and $240 million in a private land conservation program.
Conservationists, including the Nature Conservation Council (NCC), have criticised the draft plan, with NCC CEO Kate Smolski said saying it would spell disaster for nature on the north coast by enabling increased land clearing and habitat destruction.
The information session will be held at the Lismore City Hall on June 9 between 5pm and 7.30pm.
