❓ Dr. Pettitt questions the WA government on the causes and responses to declining flora and fauna, highlighting a rise in endangered species listings. DBCA identifies key threats and outlines conservation efforts, while EPA and DWER detail their respective roles in environmental protection.
AnsweredQoN 2166Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to answers provided by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) to questions I asked through the 2024-25 Budget Estimates process, in which DBCA stated that, "There
have been twenty three species added to the list of endangered or critically
endangered species during the 2023-2024 financial year. These additions include
species that were previously listed as Priority or Vulnerable.” The current 2024 “nominations for listing”, due to be
considered by the Threatened Species Scientific Committee, includes 21 fauna
species nominations for a change in status, including 9 nominations for
critically endangered, and 10 nominations for endangered status, and I ask: (a) has
DBCA, the Department of Water & Environmental Regulation (DWER), or the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) evaluated the causes of the declining numbers and status
of flora and fauna species in Western Australia (WA); (b) if no to (a), why not; (c) if yes to (a), what
have DBCA, DWER or the EPA, identified as the major threats to species; and (d) how are DBCA, DWER and the EPA responding to the declining numbers and status of
flora and fauna species in WA?
have been twenty three species added to the list of endangered or critically
endangered species during the 2023-2024 financial year. These additions include
species that were previously listed as Priority or Vulnerable.” The current 2024 “nominations for listing”, due to be
considered by the Threatened Species Scientific Committee, includes 21 fauna
species nominations for a change in status, including 9 nominations for
critically endangered, and 10 nominations for endangered status, and I ask: (a) has
DBCA, the Department of Water & Environmental Regulation (DWER), or the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) evaluated the causes of the declining numbers and status
of flora and fauna species in Western Australia (WA); (b) if no to (a), why not; (c) if yes to (a), what
have DBCA, DWER or the EPA, identified as the major threats to species; and (d) how are DBCA, DWER and the EPA responding to the declining numbers and status of
flora and fauna species in WA?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 October 2024
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Environment
Response time
4 days
a-b. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) has evaluated the causes of the declining numbers and status of flora and fauna species considered through the nominations for listing process. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) have not evaluated the causes of declining numbers and status of flora and fauna species as it is not their role to do this.
c. The threats identified in the current 2024 nominations for listing include habitat loss and/or fragmentation, clearing, inappropriate fire regimes, weeds, feral and pest animal predation/disturbance, disease and climate change.
d. DBCA undertakes scientific investigations that are effectively targeted to improve biodiversity knowledge and integrate science knowledge into biodiversity conservation and management. DBCA has an ongoing management program that identifies actions for conservation of Western Australia’s marine and terrestrial parks and reserves, and targeted actions for recovery of threatened species and ecological communities. These activities are undertaken in cooperation with other State and local government agencies, Traditional Owners, neighbouring landowners and the community.
The EPA assess proposals on a case-by-case basis, which includes considering proposal-specific impacts on threatened flora and fauna. The EPA requires proponents to apply the mitigation hierarchy to specifically consider avoidance and minimisation measures the significant environmental values and propose environmental outcomes consistent with its objectives. Environmental conditions are recommended to avoid or limit impacts that may result from the construction or implementation of the proposal.
DWER is responding to the declining numbers of flora and fauna species by management and contribution to State Government programs that aim to protect and increase environmental values and habitat for flora and fauna species throughout WA. One example is the Urban Greening Strategy that is supporting 33 local governments to expand tree canopy and vegetative cover, thus increasing biodiversity, mitigating the impacts of climate change, providing hydrological benefits and improving human health and wellbeing.
c. The threats identified in the current 2024 nominations for listing include habitat loss and/or fragmentation, clearing, inappropriate fire regimes, weeds, feral and pest animal predation/disturbance, disease and climate change.
d. DBCA undertakes scientific investigations that are effectively targeted to improve biodiversity knowledge and integrate science knowledge into biodiversity conservation and management. DBCA has an ongoing management program that identifies actions for conservation of Western Australia’s marine and terrestrial parks and reserves, and targeted actions for recovery of threatened species and ecological communities. These activities are undertaken in cooperation with other State and local government agencies, Traditional Owners, neighbouring landowners and the community.
The EPA assess proposals on a case-by-case basis, which includes considering proposal-specific impacts on threatened flora and fauna. The EPA requires proponents to apply the mitigation hierarchy to specifically consider avoidance and minimisation measures the significant environmental values and propose environmental outcomes consistent with its objectives. Environmental conditions are recommended to avoid or limit impacts that may result from the construction or implementation of the proposal.
DWER is responding to the declining numbers of flora and fauna species by management and contribution to State Government programs that aim to protect and increase environmental values and habitat for flora and fauna species throughout WA. One example is the Urban Greening Strategy that is supporting 33 local governments to expand tree canopy and vegetative cover, thus increasing biodiversity, mitigating the impacts of climate change, providing hydrological benefits and improving human health and wellbeing.
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