❓ Dr. Pettitt questions the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions regarding recovery plans for endangered species, specifically why targets were reduced and why some species lack plans. The Minister's response indicates prioritisation based on complexity and alternative conservation efforts.
AnsweredQoN 2164Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions' 2022-23 Annual Report, which indicates that over a
quarter of critically endangered and endangered species have no recovery plan.
The Department's target for the percentage of critically endangered and endangered species with a recovery plan was reduced from 73.5% in
2019 to 72% in 2020. The actual number of recovery plans was subsequently reduced, and currently sits at 72%, and I ask: (a) why
was the target reduced; (b) is there any intention to increase the target; (c) if no to (b), why not; (d) why is the target not set at 100%; (e) will the Minister provide a full list of the endangered and critically endangered species that are without a recovery plan, including the reasons why a recovery plan is not in place for each species; (f) if no to (e), why not; (g) how
are the results or impacts of recovery plans as a whole evaluated to measure
the progress towards recovery of species; (h) are
the impacts and outcomes of recovery plans reported on; (i) if yes to (h), can copies of these reports be tabled; and (j) if no to (h), why not?
quarter of critically endangered and endangered species have no recovery plan.
The Department's target for the percentage of critically endangered and endangered species with a recovery plan was reduced from 73.5% in
2019 to 72% in 2020. The actual number of recovery plans was subsequently reduced, and currently sits at 72%, and I ask: (a) why
was the target reduced; (b) is there any intention to increase the target; (c) if no to (b), why not; (d) why is the target not set at 100%; (e) will the Minister provide a full list of the endangered and critically endangered species that are without a recovery plan, including the reasons why a recovery plan is not in place for each species; (f) if no to (e), why not; (g) how
are the results or impacts of recovery plans as a whole evaluated to measure
the progress towards recovery of species; (h) are
the impacts and outcomes of recovery plans reported on; (i) if yes to (h), can copies of these reports be tabled; and (j) if no to (h), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 October 2024
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Environment
Response time
5 days
a. The key effectiveness indicator was reduced from 73.5 per cent in 2019-20 to 72 percent in 2020-21 as there was expected to be an increase in the number of species listed at critically endangered and endangered categories when the first listing of threatened species was gazetted under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 .
b. No.
c. Development of recovery plans is prioritised for threatened species and ecological communities when there are significant complexities in conservation planning arising from multiple significant threats, occurrence across multiple land tenures, large numbers of stakeholders and social, cultural or economic significance, and where no other plan is available to guide recovery actions.
All threatened species and ecological communities, regardless of whether they have a recovery plan, are considered in conservation planning for on-ground operational activities and when advice is provided to stakeholders, including on development proposals, native vegetation clearing applications and in environmental impact assessments.
d. Refer to answer for (c).
e. See tabled paper #.
f. Not applicable.
g. The results and impacts of recovery plans as a whole are evaluated on a priority basis when the conservation status of a species is reassessed, or a recovery plan is being reviewed.
h. No.
i. Not applicable.
j. There is no formal mechanism for the impacts and outcomes of recovery plans to be reported on. Conservation and recovery of threatened species and ecological communities include targeted recovery actions, scientific research, implementation of robust laws and operational policies, and other environmental restoration and management initiatives with broad conservation benefits. These actions may be undertaken by various stakeholders including Government and non-government organisations, community, landholders and Traditional Owners.
b. No.
c. Development of recovery plans is prioritised for threatened species and ecological communities when there are significant complexities in conservation planning arising from multiple significant threats, occurrence across multiple land tenures, large numbers of stakeholders and social, cultural or economic significance, and where no other plan is available to guide recovery actions.
All threatened species and ecological communities, regardless of whether they have a recovery plan, are considered in conservation planning for on-ground operational activities and when advice is provided to stakeholders, including on development proposals, native vegetation clearing applications and in environmental impact assessments.
d. Refer to answer for (c).
e. See tabled paper #.
f. Not applicable.
g. The results and impacts of recovery plans as a whole are evaluated on a priority basis when the conservation status of a species is reassessed, or a recovery plan is being reviewed.
h. No.
i. Not applicable.
j. There is no formal mechanism for the impacts and outcomes of recovery plans to be reported on. Conservation and recovery of threatened species and ecological communities include targeted recovery actions, scientific research, implementation of robust laws and operational policies, and other environmental restoration and management initiatives with broad conservation benefits. These actions may be undertaken by various stakeholders including Government and non-government organisations, community, landholders and Traditional Owners.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.