A “new, holistic approach to threatened species conservation” has been introduced by the NSW Labor government, reforming the Saving our Species program.
They said in a media statement the $221 million program will “transform how it protects the environment”.
“For the first time, conservation efforts will take a whole-of-ecosystem approach, better protecting not just individual species, but the habitats and natural systems they depend on to survive and thrive”.
A defence position, says Greens MLC
Yet the NSW Greens say the new program leaves “critical natural areas vulnerable to continued logging, broadscale clearing and destruction under the failed biodiversity offsets system”.
“Unfortunately, it’s not the ambition and vision nature needs right now. If the Minns Labor Government are serious about protecting the environment, stopping the extinction crisis and repairing nature, they would fix the failed biodiversity offsets system, fix our land clearing laws, end native forest logging, and expand our National Park system to 30% of land and water by 2030,”
Whole-of-ecosystem approach
The government statement continued, “There are well over 100 types of ecosystems in NSW, but many are under pressure and our biodiversity is in crisis. This new approach to conservation will focus on protecting what essential habitats are left and restoring what has been harmed.
“This investment in the 2026 NSW Budget will reform the Saving our Species program for the future and unify existing conservation work, including koala conservation.
“Over three years, $195.2 million will support targeted conservation action under the Saving our Species program. This includes feral animal control, tree planting, weeding and riverbank management and restoring landscapes for our most-at-risk species.
“An additional $26 million will support delivery of the NSW Nature Strategy. This new work will use years of scientific research to set targets for nature recovery across the state. Consultation on the Nature Strategy is ongoing with conservation experts.
“This expanded ecosystem approach will:
- increase the number of species that are actively managed through ecosystem recovery
- protect and restore the habitat that supports our endangered species
- acquire important habitat for inclusion in the national parks estate
- reconnect wildlife corridors with private, public and traditional owners
- integrate knowledge systems and practices, including Aboriginal cultural knowledge and perspectives.
“Together with major initiatives such as the Great Koala National Park, this investment represents a step-change in conservation that will restore ecosystems, protect wildlife and secure the natural heritage of NSW for future generations”, says the government.
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