EPBC Act: What does legislation in Australia actually protect?

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the foremost legislation in place protecting Australia’s rich and diverse natural environment. 

Now, as to how this helps us; this makes protecting the environment legally enforceable! 

The EPBC Act protects 9 key areas; 

1. world heritage areas

2. national heritage places

3. wetlands of international importance (listed under the Ramsar Convention)

4. listed threatened species and ecological communities

5. listed migratory species (protected under international agreements)

6. Commonwealth marine areas

7. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

8. nuclear actions (including uranium mines)

9. water resources (that relate to coal seam gas development and large coal mining development).

Anything that significantly impacts any of these listed areas must be reported to the Environment Minister. It’s up to the Minister to assess the impact to the area and whether or not to approve it. So, if you see anything that significantly harms one of these specific areas - know that Australia’s looking out closely for it. 

And, if you’re doing something on one of these lands, better let the Minister know!