As the new National Environment Protection Agency (NEPA) begins its work from today, the Australian Conservation Foundation has urged it to use its powers and enforce the rules.
“It’s a landmark day as Australia’s long-awaited Environment Protection Agency opens its doors,” said ACF nature campaigner Darcie Carruthers.
“We know the NEPA has at least 107 open cases on its desk.
“These cases relate to bulldozing that could have significant impacts on protected species, like koalas and pink cockatoos. They should have been referred for assessment under Australia’s nature protection law, the EPBC Act, but weren’t.
“In February, Murray Watt’s department said dealing with off-the-books bulldozing of threatened Australian forests and bushlands was a priority for its compliance and enforcement teams.
“It named agricultural bulldozing as a focus area that has significant impact on threatened species and their homes.
“Now, as the new agency gets down to work under CEO John Bradley, we hope to see it enforce the rules and send a clear message that compliance is expected from all industries – without exception.
“As a not-for-profit organisation that has referred up to a third of the cases the agency has open, we’ll be watching the watchdog.
“Deforestation threatens hundreds of native species with extinction by destroying their homes. It also causes soil erosion, increases flood risk and threats from invasive predators, emits carbon and affects rainfall.
“Australia has the highest rate of deforestation in the developed world and most of it is driven by expanding pasture for beef cattle.
“Most farmers are good custodians of nature and don’t want to break the law.
“The Albanese government should approach farmers in good faith by prioritising education about their updated responsibilities under the law and work directly with State and Territory governments to make sure they give accurate information to landholders.”