Commonwealth Government links to the National Biodiversity StrategyOverview of:

•the Commonwealth Government's constitutional responsibility for the environment and in particular biodiversity

•links between the draft strategy and Commonwealth Government policies and programs

Commonwealth Government constitutional responsibility for the

environment• Environment Protection and Biodiversity

Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) – matters of national environmental significance

• managing Australia’s international border • managing Commonwealth lands, such as defence

lands and national parks• managing Commonwealth waters – between the

state/territory limit (3 nautical miles) and the boundary of Australia’s exclusive economic zone(200 nautical miles).

State and territory boundaries and the EEZ

Commonwealth Government policies and programs

• Legislation – e.g. EPBC Act• Caring for our Country

initiative – targeted $• Marine environment• Climate change• Water• National policy frameworks

EPBC ActMatters of national environmental significance

• World Heritage properties• National Heritage places• wetlands of international importance• listed threatened species and ecological

communities• listed migratory species• nuclear actions• Commonwealth marine environment.

EPBC Act - Review

Terms of reference (extract)

The review will examine:– the operation of the EPBC Act generally– the extent to which the objects of the EPBC

Act have been achieved– the appropriateness of current matters of

national environmental significance– the effectiveness of the biodiversity and

wildlife conservation arrangements.

ongoing initiative more than $2 billion over five years to June 2013 integrates the delivery of the Commonwealth's

previous NRM programs including: - the Natural Heritage Trust- the National Action Plan for Salinity

and Water Quality - National Landcare Program- Environmental Stewardship- Working on Country Indigenous

land and sea ranger program.

Caring for our Country

Caring for our Country

‘… seeks to achieve an environment that is healthy, better protected, well managed and resilient, and provides essential ecosystem services in a changing climate.’

Marine environment

• Marine bioregional planning- 5 marine regions

• Marine Protected Areas- Commonwealth reserves (under the EPBC Act)

• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

Marine protected areas

Climate change3 pillars:

• reducing Australia’s carbon pollution - CPRS• adapting to unavoidable climate change• helping to shape a global solution

CPRS White paper - complementary measures to avoid unintended detrimental impacts – these include the NBS

Water for the Future

Commonwealth Government framework that provides national leadership in water reform.

Water for the Future is built on 4 key priorities• Taking action on climate change • Using water wisely • Securing water supplies• Healthy rivers and waterways.

Working with the states and territories – national policy work

Engagement in national policy development:

• Native Vegetation Framework• Australian Weeds Strategy• Australian Pest Animal Strategy• AusBIOSEC • National Water Initiative• Regional Forest Agreements• National Reserve System• Climate change adaptation• Integrated coastal zone management

Private land conservation

Market-based instruments - Environmental stewardship

- Forest Conservation Fund - Conservation covenants

Landscape scale approaches - incentives and design

Complementary land-use practices - links with protected areas - connectivity

Questions?