Commonwealth of Australia
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
PUBLIC COMMENT INVITED ON DRAFT RECOVERY PLANS
The public is invited to provide comment on the following draft recovery plans in accordance with the provisions of Section 277 of the EPBC Act.
Draft plans prepared by Western Australia for: - Calyptorhynchus latirostris (Carnaby’s cockatoo)
- Petrogale lateralis lateralis (black-flanked rock-wallaby); Petrogale lateralis hacketii (Recherche rock-wallaby); Petrogale lateralis MacDonnell Ranges race (black-footed rock wallaby, warru); Petrogale lateralis West Kimberly race (black-footed rock-wallaby)
- Setonix brachyurus (quokka)
- Pseudemydura umbrina (western swamp tortoise)
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Draft plans prepared by South Australia for: - Lachnagrostis limitanea (spalding blown grass)
- Caladenia richardsiorum (little dip spider-orchid); Caladenia calcicola (limestone spider-orchid); Pterostylis tenuissima (swamp greenhood)
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Draft plan prepared by New South Wales for: - Dasyornis brachypterus (eastern bristlebird)
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The draft recovery plans are available on the Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities web site at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/recovery-comment.html
or by contacting the department’s Community Information Unit.
Email: ciu@environment.gov.au
Freecall: 1800 803 772
Relevant comments received during the public comment period will be considered in finalising the plan. Comments must be received by 5pm, Monday 10 June 2013 and should be sent to:
Mail: Director
Recovery Planning & Implementation Section
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
GPO Box 787
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Email: recoveryplans@environment.gov.au
Fax: 02 6274 2214
Further information about the Department can be found at www.environment.gov.au
Overview
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) was enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament to address the need for a cohesive national framework for the protection of the environment and biodiversity. The Act provides a legal basis for the protection of Australia’s environment and biodiversity, including threatened species and ecological communities, both nationally and internationally. The policy objective of the EPBC Act is to foster the sustainable use and conservation of Australia’s natural resources, while also recognising the importance of biodiversity in maintaining ecosystem health and resilience. The public is invited to comment on draft recovery plans for certain threatened species and ecological communities, in accordance with Section 277 of the EPBC Act. These draft plans, prepared by various states, aim to provide a framework for the conservation and recovery of these species and communities, and the public is encouraged to provide feedback on these plans before they are finalised.
Scope and Application
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) applies to a broad range of entities and individuals involved in activities that may impact on matters of national environmental significance, including the conservation of threatened species and ecological communities. This legislation, administered by the Commonwealth of Australia, encompasses a wide array of activities and entities, extending its reach to include individuals, corporations, and government entities that engage in actions that could affect protected species and their habitats. The Act imposes obligations on these entities to mitigate potential environmental harm and contribute to the recovery of threatened species, as outlined in the recovery plans mentioned in the gazette. The draft recovery plans specifically target various species such as Carnaby’s cockatoo, black-flanked rock-wallaby, western swamp tortoise, and others, detailing strategies for their conservation and recovery. The Act’s jurisdictional scope is national, with the Commonwealth having overarching authority, but it also incorporates state-prepared recovery plans, thereby integrating state and federal efforts in environmental protection. Exclusions and exemptions from the Act are determined based on specific criteria and conditions, and the Act may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, ensuring a flexible approach to environmental management.
Key Provisions
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) outlines specific provisions for public comment on draft recovery plans for various threatened species and ecological communities. Under Section 277 (1), the Act invites the public to provide feedback on draft plans that have been prepared by the respective states. These draft plans are intended to guide the conservation efforts for endangered species and their habitats. The species in question include the Carnaby’s cockatoo, various rock-wallabies, the quokka, the western swamp tortoise, the spalding blown grass, several types of spider-orchids, the swamp greenhood, and the eastern bristlebird.
The Act imposes obligations on the public to review these draft recovery plans and submit comments within a specified timeframe. The public is required to provide their feedback by 5pm on Monday, 10 June 2013. This feedback is crucial as it will be considered in the finalisation of the recovery plans. The comments can be submitted via mail, email, or fax, as outlined in the legislation.
Failure to comply with the requirements to provide comments within the stipulated period may result in those comments not being considered in the finalisation of the recovery plans. While the Act does not explicitly outline penalties for non-compliance, the importance of timely and relevant feedback is stressed to ensure effective conservation efforts. The Act’s provisions ensure that recovery plans are developed with the input of the public, thereby fostering a collaborative approach to environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.