The Hon Sussan Ley, Minister for the Environment, Media Release, 12 February 2022
The Morrison Government has released a new five-year Action Plan to underpin the Threatened Species Strategy. This plan aims to coordinate effort for the recovery of 100 priority species and 20 priority places over the next five years with key targets to drive action.
Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said the plan was the first to be issued under the Morrison Government’s 10 year Threatened Species Strategy and was the result of extensive collaboration with threatened species experts, scientists, environmental groups, land managers Traditional Owners and communities.
“There is an incredible level of passion across the community in wanting to protect Australia’s animals and plants and maintain the incredible diversity of our environment,” Minister Ley said today.
“What is also needed, and what this plan delivers, is a nationally coordinated approach that threatened species experts, landcare organisations, Traditional Owners and Communities can get behind.
“The strategy is about driving collaboration and building on the extensive network of partnerships and safe-havens around Australia, improving outcomes for many threatened species.”
Key actions of the five-year action plan include the introduction of up to five new species in the national safe-haven network, undertaking best practice feral cat and fox management and increasing the focus on the role of citizen science and community led actions.
The plan will drive action for several iconic species, including the Koala, the Bilby, the Green Sea Turtle and the Quokka. It also includes lesser-known species like the Little Mountain Palm, the Stocky Galaxis and Princess Parrot.
Since 2014, the Australian Government has mobilised more than $660 million for projects directly supporting outcomes for threatened species and threatened ecological communities.
This Action Plan will be supported by programs such as the National Landcare Program’s Regional Land Partnerships, $200 million Bushfire Recovery for Wildlife and Habitat package, $50 million Koala Protection package, Supporting Communities Manage Pest Animals and Weeds Program, Ocean Leadership package, Environment Restoration Fund and National Environmental Science Program.
Threatened Species Strategy Action Plan 2021 2026: https://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/publications/threatened-species-strategy-2021-2031/action-plan-2021-2026
Further information on the priority places: https://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/strategy/20-priority-places
