Page 2905 - Week 09 - Thursday, 18 September 2014
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As well as the proposed amendments to the threatened species categories, amendments are also proposed for protected species, with three categories identified. These are restricted trade, rare and data deficient. While a protected species provision is now provided in the current act, no categories were identified.
Key strategic documents are retained under the bill and new plans introduced to allow better conservation of species and ecological communities both within the ACT and where they cross into other states. Plans and strategies under the bill provide adaptive and responsive approaches to planning biodiversity conservation and provide detailed strategies for its management.
The nature conservation strategy provides high-level strategic direction for the conservation of biodiversity. Climate change is likely to be the most significant impact on the ACT’s biodiversity over coming decades, and the importance of considering climate change was raised in consultation processes. For this reason strategies and actions to address the actual and potential impacts of climate change must be considered within the nature conservation strategy and also in threatened species action plans.
Plans relating to the management of species which are facilitated through the bill include the traditional approach to management of threatened species through action plans as well as facilitating new approaches to species management through native species conservation plans and controlled native species management plans. The native species conservation plans provide for the management of conservation dependent species and any other species that require management. This includes management of native fish species that are stocked in Canberra’s lakes, the reintroduction of bettongs and other species into Mulligans Flat sanctuary, rare plant breeding programs and the like.
Controlled native species management plans provide a statutory planning process for the management of native species that cause economic, social or environmental damage. The process requires that the case for management is established within a controlled native species declaration and the proposed management is outlined in a strategic plan for the management of that species.
An important component of the bill is the responsibility of the conservator and the custodian to implement the plans. For controlled native species management plans, this includes the ability for the conservator and custodian to authorise action. The management planning for conservation reserves has been brought into the Nature Conservation Bill. Activities declarations based on the provisions of a management plan for a particular area will make it clear what can and cannot be done in each area. Permits for recreational use will be issued under the Public Unleased Land Act 2013 in consultation with the conservator.
Turning to resource protection areas, this bill proposes the use of resource protection areas within reserves. These areas are used to restrict access or activities where there is a strong need for restoration or rehabilitation, for example, if they are damaged through bushfire. One suggestion received during the exposure draft consultation was for access through a resource protection area to be given consideration. In response to
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