Protections can’t wait another seven years for NSW critical habitat 

Protections are needed now for native habitat in NSW as the state has seen a significant increase in native habitat clearing following the NSW coalition governments changes that introduced ‘self assessment’ for clearing.

‘The “‘self-assessment” free-for-all introduced by the former government has seen land clearing triple across NSW,’ explained Nature Conservation Council of New South Wales (NCC) Jacqui Mumford.

The NSW government has released the fourth stage of the Native Vegetation Regulatory map that now identifies ‘vulnerable’ and ‘sensitive’ ecosystems across the North Coast, Northern Tablelands, Central West and Central Tablelands.   

While the NCC has congratulated the NSW Labor government on the release of this fourth phase of the Native Vegetation Regulatory map they have highlighted the need for protection of the land from clearing. 

According to the NSW government in July 2023 ‘The latest data from the Department of Planning and Environment shows more than 379,000 hectares of native vegetation was cleared in the years following the previous government’s biodiversity policy changes. That’s an average of nearly 95,000 hectares a year.’

‘The clearing of native woody vegetation increased by 31% in the period 2018–21 compared to 2009–17,’ the press release stated.

Protection needed

‘We applaud Minister Sharpe for finally progressing the release of this data, which was delayed under the previous government,’ NCC CEO Jacqui Mumford said today. 

‘Land clearing is now the greatest threat to biodiversity in NSW. Landholders don’t even need to contact the Local land Services before destroying areas that have been identified as critical ecosystems. 

‘During the seven years we have been waiting for this data to be mapped at least 665 000 hectares and 350 million trees have been destroyed across NSW.

‘Now we need to see a plan to enforce its protection. These maps identify some of the most important ecosystems that occur on private land. But it is going to take more than a map to arrest biodiversity decline in this state.  

‘It’s up to Minister Moriarty to fulfil Labor’s election commitment by ensuring these areas are protected, and landholders have the appropriate support s, incentives and opportunities to deliver for nature.

‘We recognise the need to incorporate landholder knowledge into this process. However, consultation cannot be used to further delay the protection of these critical habitats, or their pre-emptive destruction. 

‘It’s past time Minister Moriarty broke her silence and told us how she plans on delivering on Labor’s election commitment to “stop run away land clearing”. 

‘At a minimum, the Minister must commit to an end to landholder self-assessment and close the “allowable activities” loopholes introduced by the former government. 

‘The ‘self-assessment’ free-for-all introduced by the former government has seen land clearing triple across NSW. Meanwhile, landholders are allowed to clear critical habitats for such a diverse range of reasons that their protected status means very little.’

Time to fix it

During the release stages 1-3, a small number of landholders requested a review which resulted in overall less than five per cent change to mapped areas.

‘The government also committed to collaborating with landholders to develop strategies for protecting key habitats. Yet, on this matter, Minister Moriarty has also remained silent,’ said Ms Mumford.

‘There are thousands of landholders across NSW who care deeply about preserving the important habitats on their land, and this map is a vital tool to help them. However, the lack of support for private land stewardship places them at a disadvantage. They are having to compete with the often large agribusinesses concerned with short terms profits, not the long-term stewardship of the land. 

‘The destruction of endangered ecological communities across the state cannot continue unabated. 

‘The whole-of-Government response to Ken Henry’s review of NSW biodiversity laws is being developed right now. It is a great opportunity for Labor to fix the mess they have inherited from the former government and raise the standard of habitat protection and stewardship across the state.’