MEDIA STATEMENT

The National Landcare Network welcomes the Albanese Government’s response to the Samuel’s Report announced by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, with measures to turn the tide from nature destruction to nature repair.

“The Government’s response to the Prof. Graeme Samuel’s 2019 Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, incorporated in the Nature Positive Plan announced by Minister Plibersek, is welcomed by the National Landcare Network representing up to 160,000 grassroots Landcarers across Australia,” NLN CEO Jim Adams said.

“It is pleasing to see the Government further following through on its platforms and election commitments with these reforms,” Mr Adams said.

The NLN welcomes the establishment of an Independent Environment Protection Agency and associated National Environmental Standards, and State and Territory Accreditations to maintain consistency of decision making.

“The NLN and its members have at times been concerned with the inconsistency of offset regulations across States and Territories which have not always seen net benefits to the environment and species. We therefore welcome the intention to create a National Standard for offset schemes.

“We note that much of the detail is yet to be determined and that of particular interest to the Landcare movement will be the integration of Bio-regional planning associated with project approvals and natural resource planning at the local and regional level, which will be essential to ensure that planning is done off the basis of cumulative impacts.”

“This is a long overdue and welcome set of measures which provides a strong framework from which to address a range of standard setting, regional planning, compliance, monitoring and reporting initiatives. Landcare as an environmental, community and agricultural stakeholder looks forward  to contributing to the design of these measures,” Mr Adams said.

“The recently announced Landcare Rangers program will further build on these measures to help conserve and restore our environment.”

NLN Chair Annie Andrews said, “The Landcare movement welcomes the plan, and we look forward to working with the government to collaborate and co-deliver environmental reform.

Representing 160,000 Landcarers on the ground, the NLN and its State and Territory Organisations, is well-placed to work with environment, business, community, and First Nations groups to help deliver these important changes.

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_{PHOTO: Minister Plibersek visits the Red Hill Nature Reserve site managed by the Red Hill Regenerators, Landcare ACT. PHOTO BY DCCEEW.}