NSW government says state’s biodiversity ‘in crisis’ as it pledges first steps to reverse decline
Government will also overhaul state laws after Guardian Australia uncovered serious problems with biodiversity offsets scheme
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The New South Wales government says the state's biodiversity is in crisis and must be put on a path to recovery to reverse the decline of beloved species and ecosystems.
The environment minister, Penny Sharpe, has released the government's first steps" in responding to a major review of the state's nature laws, saying: We cannot ignore the truth: biodiversity in NSW is in crisis."
Introducing legislation next year to enshrine a new state nature strategy with conservation and restoration targets;
Amending laws this year to reform the state's offsets scheme;
Developing maps that identify current and future areas of high biodiversity value to give clear guidance" on where environmental impacts should be avoided;
Reviewing other pieces of legislation that affect biodiversity to improve outcomes for the environment.
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