Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s central piece of environmental legislation. It provides a legal framework to protect and manage nationally and internationally important flora, fauna, ecological communities and heritage places — defined in the EPBC Act as matters of national environmental significance. More about the EPBC Act
Alpine National Park
A proposal by the Victorian Government to reintroduce cattle to the National Heritage listed Alpine National Park in Victoria has been determined to be clearly unacceptable under national environmental law and will not proceed.
- Grazing proposal in Victorian Alpine National Park clearly unacceptable – media release 31 January 2012
- Investigation of fuel and bushfire risk management using strategic cattle grazing
- Referral Decision Brief - Investigation of Fuel and Bushfire Management in Victoria's High Country Using Strategic Cattle Grazing (PDF - 56 KB) | (Word - 47 KB)
Strategic assessment of Heathcote Ridge, West Menai, NSW
Public consultation began 14 December 2011 for proposed urban and commercial development on a 850 hectare site at West Menai, Sydney, NSW. The proposal includes conservation of 514 hectares of the site to protect matters of national environmental significance. More information is available at:
Public comment can be made up till 29 February 2012 at:
Strategic assessment of the Molonglo Valley Plan
On 7 October 2011, the federal environment minister endorsed the Molonglo Valley Plan for the Protection of Matters of National Environmental Significance.
Draft description of the Giant Kelp Forests of South East Australia Ecological Community
Comment on the draft description - the Department and the Threatened Species Scientific Committee welcomes the views of experts, stakeholders and the general public on the draft description of the ecological community and the proposal to list it as endangered under the EPBC Act - comments close 18 January 2012
New threatened ecological community listings
The Minister has approved the listing of three new threatened ecological communities. These are:
Draft description of the Murray Valley Natural Grasslands of the southern Riverina Bioregion
Comment on the draft description - the Department and the Threatened Species Scientific Committee welcomes the views of experts, stakeholders and the general public on the draft description of the ecological community and the proposal to list it as critically endangered under the EPBC Act - comments close 23 December 2011
Mining company to pay for environmental damage
A New South Wales mining company has committed to pay $1.45 million after causing damage to a nationally threatened ecological community. An investigation by the federal environment department found that the long wall coal mining operations of Centennial Coal on the Newnes Plateau, near Lithgow, New South Wales, had caused a significant impact on the endangered Temperate highland peat swamps on sandstone ecological community.
Olympic Dam mine expansion approved
A proposed expansion of Olympic Dam mine in South Australia has received approval under federal environmental law, Environment Minister Tony Burke announced 10 October 2011.
Nationally Threatened Ecological Communities of the Victorian Volcanic Plain: Natural Temperate Grassland & Grassy Eucalypt Woodland
This publication updates the previous policy statement for the Natural Temperate Grasslands of the Victorian Volcanic Plain ecological community. This new version includes information about other nationally threatened ecological communities in the Victorian Volcanic Plain, notably the Grassy Eucalypt Woodland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain.
Environmental approval for Pilbara LNG facility
Chevron's proposed Wheatstone LNG project in Western Australia has been approved with strict conditions to protect threatened and migratory species and the Commonwealth marine area.
Broad leaf tea–tree woodlands in high rainfall coastal north Queensland ecological community
Comment on the draft listing advice extract - the Threatened Species Scientific Committee welcomes the views of experts, stakeholders and the general public to further inform its assessment process - comments close 15 August 2011
Proposed 'no' decision for Hummock Hill Island development
The Federal environment minister has sought public comments on a proposed decision to reject a development on Hummock Hill Island, after deciding the impacts on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and nationally protected species and ecological communities would be too great.
- Media release - Community invited to comment on proposed refusal of Hummock Hill Island development - 21 June 2011
Landowner to repair environmental damage
A private landowner will have to repair environmental damage caused by unauthorised land clearing at Warren in the NSW Central West.
Latest Communities for communities newsletter
Communities for communities is a newsletter which will help keep you informed about threatened ecological communities nominated for listing under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) and related information available on the department's web site. In this issue: new nominations received in 2011, two new threatened ecological communities listed under the EPBC Act, Monsoon vine thickets to undergo assessment for listing, and more...
Singleton Council to repair environmental damage
Singleton Council will have to repair environmental damage caused by unauthorised land clearing at Jerrys Plains Cemetery in the Hunter Valley.
Gunns pulp mill environmental impact management plan approved
The Federal environment minister has approved the final parts of the Gunns Bell Bay pulp mill environmental impact management plan—completing the project's federal environmental approval requirements—as well as some changes to already-approved parts of the plan. Media release
Two new threatened ecological community listings
The Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has listed two new threatened ecological communities under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999: Coolibah - Black Box Woodlands of the Darling Riverine Plains and the Brigalow Belt South Bioregions; and New England Peppermint (Eucalyptus nova-anglica) Grassy Woodlands.
Australia Pacific LNG project gets environmental approval
Federal environment minister has approved, with stringent environmental conditions, the Australia Pacific LNG project at Gladstone proposed by Origin Energy and ConocoPhillips. Media release
How does national environmental law apply to the natural disasters clean-up?
A new fact sheet has been published to answer questions about how national environment law might relate to recovery activities.
Impacts of coal seam gas activities on water inflows in South East Queensland
The Environment Minister, has released an independent expert report into recently approved coal seam gas operations in South East Queensland.
Southern bluefin tuna given a fighting chance
The southern bluefin tuna will receive national protection after federal environment minister Tony Burke listed the species as threatened under national environment law.
River Murray - Darling to Sea Technical Workshop
A technical workshop was held on the 1st to 3rd of July 2009 by the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC), to bring together aquatic scientists and related experts to commence assessment of the Lower Murray River and associated wetlands, floodplains and groundwater systems from the junction of the Darling River to the Sea, for potential listing as a threatened ecological community under the EPBC Act.
Bushfire management and national environment law
The fact sheet aims to provide guidance on the EPBC Act and its role in regulating bushfire prevention and management.
Prelude LNG project gets federal environmental approval
The Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, has approved, with strict conditions, Shell's Prelude floating LNG facility in the Browse Basin off the coast of Western Australia.
Cumberland Plain Shale Woodlands and Shale-Gravel Transition Forest
A nationally threatened ecological community Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Policy Statement 3.31
