21 March, 2014
Offsets policy compromised by pressure from mining industry
The Nature Conservation Council of NSW has warned that the draft biodiversity offsets policy announced by the NSW Government will not provide adequate protection for threatened species and their habitat. [1]
“If offsets are to have any credibility, they must be governed by a consistent, predictable set of rules that deliver long term benefits for native wildlife and their habitat,” said Pepe Clarke, NCC Chief Executive Officer.
“For too long, the planning system has allowed for negotiated offsets, with no meaningful limits on the ability of planning authorities to compromise on environmental outcomes.
“The proposal to introduce a rule-based system for offsets is a positive step, but the rules proposed in the policy do not provide a credible framework for maintaining and improving environmental values over time.
“The policy appears to have been heavily compromised by pressure from the mining industry, and does not provide adequate protection for important wildlife habitat.”
- Key concerns with the draft policy:
the draft policy provides multiple pathways to approval, including a number of pathways that will not deliver credible offsets (e.g. mine rehabilitation, funding for research and education);
- the draft policy represents a move away from ‘like for like’ offsetting, and does not include ‘red flags’ to protect areas of high conservation value;
- the proposal to establish an ‘offset fund’ that will allow proponents to pay money to destroy wildlife habitat before offsets are identified or secured;
- the proposal to allow ‘discounting’ of offsets based on claimed social and economic benefits.
“Our native wildlife is under severe pressure from the destruction and fragmentation of their habitat. It’s time to draw a line in the sand, and ensure that essential habitat areas are protected in perpetuity,” Mr Clarke said.
[1] Miners offered more options to defray habitat destruction: www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/miners-offered-more-options-to-defray-habitat-destruction-20140320-355hw.html#ixzz2wXM0Eu85
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Forests and wildlife
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