❓ The question raises concerns about the outdated Wetlands Conservation Policy and the pressure on WA wetlands due to climate change and urban expansion. The Minister's response highlights existing climate adaptation and native vegetation policies.
AnsweredQoN 2142Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware that the Wetlands
Conservation Policy for Western Australia was published in 1997 and is now in
urgent need of an update? (2) Is the Minister aware that the Wetlands
Coordinating Committee, which reports to them, prepared an updated Wetlands
Conservation Policy in 2010 but this has never been released? (3) Is the Minister aware that climate change and urban
expansion is placing enormous pressure on our remaining wetlands and that these
wetlands support most of our wildlife and biodiversity? (4) Is the Minister aware that the Environmental Protection Authority estimated in
2007 that more than 80% of the wetlands on the Swan Coastal Plain have been
destroyed, and that only 3% of the original wetlands are still in good condition? (5) Is the Government committed to conserving and
rehabilitating the remaining wetlands? (6) If yes to (5), how is the Government doing this? (7) If no to (5), why not? (8) Will the Minister instruct the department to update
the 2010 Wetlands Conservation Policy as a matter of
urgency? (9) If no to (8), why not?
Conservation Policy for Western Australia was published in 1997 and is now in
urgent need of an update? (2) Is the Minister aware that the Wetlands
Coordinating Committee, which reports to them, prepared an updated Wetlands
Conservation Policy in 2010 but this has never been released? (3) Is the Minister aware that climate change and urban
expansion is placing enormous pressure on our remaining wetlands and that these
wetlands support most of our wildlife and biodiversity? (4) Is the Minister aware that the Environmental Protection Authority estimated in
2007 that more than 80% of the wetlands on the Swan Coastal Plain have been
destroyed, and that only 3% of the original wetlands are still in good condition? (5) Is the Government committed to conserving and
rehabilitating the remaining wetlands? (6) If yes to (5), how is the Government doing this? (7) If no to (5), why not? (8) Will the Minister instruct the department to update
the 2010 Wetlands Conservation Policy as a matter of
urgency? (9) If no to (8), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 October 2024
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Environment
Response time
10 days
1-9 In 2023 the Minister for Environment released WA’s first Climate Adaptation Strategy, which recognises there is increasing pressures on our state’s natural environment. Coupled with the release of the 2022 Native Vegetation Policy, these plans are driving a whole of government approach to achieving better outcomes for native vegetation, including the delivery of an overall net gain to vegetation restoration and conservation.
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