Conservation Priorities for Western Australia
Environment 2008
The next Government of Western Australia has the opportunity and responsibility to secure some of Australia's most important biodiversity assets and ecosystem services. It is far cheaper to maintain our natural systems than it is to attempt to restore them.
WWF is the world’s largest and most experienced independent conservation organisation. We have over 90,000 supporters across Australia and a strong, longstanding presence in Western Australia. WWF works on the ground, across the State, with local communities and with government and industry, using the best possible science to advocate change and to develop effective conservation policy.
WWF has identified its priority conservation issues for Western Australia, and how these can be best addressed by the next Government. The priority areas are:
- Tackling dangerous climate change: A clean energy future for WA
- Securing the future of the Kimberley coast
- Protecting the global biodiversity hotspot of Southwest Australia
- Growing WA's part of the National Reserve System
- Protecting our marine environment, islands and coast
- Passing the long-overdue Biodiversity Conservation Act
- Conserving Kimberley rivers and supporting Indigenous management
- Stepping-up wetland conservation
- Committing to invasive species control
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Contacts
Paul Gamblin, 0410 221 508
Cheryl Gole, 0428 934 958
Tackling dangerous climate change: A clean energy future for WA
- All new (or substantially refurbished or expanded) coal-fired power stations to capture and store carbon underground on the date they commence operation.
- All major new WA industrial developments, including iron, steel and cement, to be located adjacent to carbon capture and storage (CCS) sites.
- All new (or substantially refurbished or expanded) gas projects, including LNG, must use CCS for non-target gases on commissioning.
- Commit to a renewable energy target of at least 20% by 2020 through WA measures to complement the national target. Establish a feed-in tariff of at least 50c/kwh for renewable power generation.
- $5 million for day-courses on energy and water efficiency, including correct installation, for trades and sales people.
Securing the future of the Kimberley coast
- $9 million for effective bioregional coastal and marine conservation planning and management, and to complement new federal funding for Indigenous Protected Areas and ranger groups.
- Identify and protect high value cultural and natural areas (from Karratha to Darwin) through the Joint Strategic Assessment of Browse Basin gas hub options. Thoroughly assess suitability of existing industrial areas and consult intensively with Traditional Owners and the broad community.
- Fully support and assist the National Heritage assessment process.
Protecting the global biodiversity hotspot of Southwest Australia
- $8 million for the development and implementation of a strategic biodiversity conservation plan which will include a broad-scale climate change adaptation program and provision for adaptive management and research.
- Declare a moratorium on all further major development in Southwest Australia until a risk assessment has been conducted that clearly determines the threat to biodiversity and recognises that three quarters of the natural habitat of this globally critical region have already been lost.
Growing WA's part of the National Reserve System
- $20 million over four years for new nature reserves in high priority conservation areas to take full advantage of the $180m in 2 to 1 grants being offered by the Commonwealth, with fullest possible engagement of Traditional Owners in running new reserves.
- $8 million in incentives to support National Reserve System conservation covenants on private land over four years.
- $12 million toward employment of Indigenous rangers to complement the $90 million in Commonwealth funding offered through Working on Country.
Protecting our marine environment, islands and coast
- Publish a draft bioregional marine planning framework - as called for by a coalition of peak industry and conservation stakeholders - with science-based, CAR marine conservation measures, within the first six months.
- Undertake a strategic assessment of the Pilbara coast and islands to identify and protect remaining high priority natural and cultural values, and to minimise the cumulative 'footprint' of LNG and mineral processing infrastructure.
- Support the optimal boundaries for Ningaloo as recommended by the World Heritage Consultative Committee, with the additions of the Muiron Islands; Commonwealth Waters of the Ningaloo Marine Park; Exmouth Gulf and catchment; and integrate Lake McLeod (with Ramsar listing).
- Oppose the proposal to mine salt on the eastern shore of Exmouth Gulf and develop a comprehensive conservation plan for the area.
- Review the performance of the State Coastal Planning Policy within the first year, including an assessment of its delivery of climate change provisions.
- Make planning policies binding on decision makers and provide for third parties to appeal planning decisions.
- Undertake a peer-reviewed species level assessment - with strong management options - of the sustainability of all WA-managed and Joint-Managed fisheries which target sharks or for which sharks are a major byproduct.
Passing the long-overdue Biodiversity Conservation Act
- Pass a comprehensive Biodiversity Conservation Act within the first year to regulate all activities that impact on critical habitats vital to the recovery of threatened species, communities and ecosystems; and manage invasive species.
- Finalise and release the State Biodiversity Strategy (which is still in draft form).
- Create a fully-funded Biodiversity Conservation Commission, with independent performance auditing powers.
Conserving Kimberley rivers and supporting Indigenous management
- Protect Kimberley rivers and their catchments, and develop management plans in partnership with Indigenous people to safeguard them.
- Delay proposals to expand irrigation from the Ord River (Stage 2) until it can be demonstrated that the Stage 1 irrigation area is sustainable.
- $6 million for a program of Indigenous stewardship payments and administration.
- Increase funding for Indigenous management of land and sea country, including Land and Sea Units, and particularly Aboriginal-owned/managed land, and land under Native Title.
Stepping-up wetland conservation
- $14 million for wetland conservation and stewardship on private land, including incentives to private landholders for long-term conservation management and restoration of wetlands of conservation significance.
- Complete a comprehensive State-wide wetlands dataset including boundary mapping, geomorphic classification and management categorisation.
- Designate new Ramsar sites over the next two years, including Lake MacLeod, and implement management plans for all current Ramsar sites.
Committing to invasive species control
- $28 million over four years for containment of Phytophthora Dieback.
- Fully fund a cane toad action plan that that prevents cane toads from entering WA and includes strong support for community groups.
- Fund the permanent containment of established populations, and eradication of all new populations, of starlings in southeast WA.
- Ongoing support for permanent baiting of foxes and control of feral cats.
- Eradicate all small established populations of high risk invasive species.
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Conservation Priorities for Western Australia
The next Government of Western Australia has the opportunity and responsibility to secure some of Australia's most important biodiversity assets and ecosystem services. It is far cheaper to maintain our natural systems than it is to attempt to restore them. WWF has identified its priority conservation issues for Western Australia, and how these can be best addressed by the next Government.
