Threatened Species and National Parks

threatened species1. Threatened Species lists

NSW

In NSW threatened species, populations and ecological communities are protected under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act (with the exception of fish and marine plants). These species are listed in the schedules of the Act. The schedules are maintained by an independent Scientific Committee. Anyone can make a nomination to the Scientific Committee to add, remove or change the status of a species. A complete list of NSW threatened species, vulnerable species, endangered populations and endangered ecological communities is found here:

http://www.threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au/

Commonwealth

Threatened species are listed federally under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Under the EPBC Act there are 6 categories of listed species and ecological communities:

A current list of all fauna species is found at: http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicthreatenedlist.pl?wanted=fauna

A current list of all flora species is found at: http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicthreatenedlist.pl?wanted=flora

A current list of threatened ecological communities is found at: http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publiclookupcommunities.pl

2. Critical Habitat

Commonwealth

Critical habitat is listed federally under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Critical habitat is defined as habitat that is identified as being critical to the survival of a listed threatened species or listed threatened ecological community.

There are currently 5 listed critical habitats. The current list of critical habitat list is found here:

http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicregisterofcriticalhabitat.pl

NSW

Critical habitat is defined in the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 as:

the whole or any part or parts of the area or areas of land comprising the habitat of an endangered species, population or ecological community or critically endangered species or ecological community that is critical to the survival of the species, population or ecological community is eligible to be declared under this Part to be the critical habitat of the species, population or ecological community.

The Department of Environment and Climate Change is responsible for the listing of critical habitat. There are currently 4 critical habitats listed in NSW, with 3 more pending. The current register of critical habitat is found here:

http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/Content/Critical+habitat+protection+by+doctype

3. Licences to harm threatened species

Under Section 91 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 , a licence is required to:

(a) harm to any animal that is of, or is part of, a threatened species, population or ecological community,

(b) the picking of any plant that is of, or is part of, a threatened species, population or ecological community,

(c) damage to critical habitat,

(d) damage to habitat of a threatened species, population or ecological community.

The Department of Environment and Climate Change keeps a register of all processed and pending applications for licences to harm threatened species. You can download scanned copies of these documents in PDF format (generally around 250KB in size). The register can be viewed here:

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspecies/S91TscaRegisterBystatus.htm

Please note that this register only shows applications, licences and certificates processed after 31 October 2005. For details of documents prior to this date, please contact the relevant regional office.

4. National Parks and conservation areas

The system of National Parks and reserves in NSW is administered by the Department of Environment and Climate Change. The primary piece of legislation regulating national parks is the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. There is a large amount of publicly accessible information in relation to national parks and conservation areas.

National Parks

These are areas protected for their unspoiled landscapes and native plants and animals. They are set aside for conservation and public enjoyment, and usually offer visitor facilities. For a list of all national parks in NSW follow this link:

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/parktypes/NationalParks.htm

Nature reserves

These are areas of special scientific and conservation interest, set up mainly to protect their native plant and animal communities. For a list of nature reserves follow this link:

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/parktypes/NatureReserves.htm

State conservation areas

These are parks, often containing important natural environments, which have been set aside for conservation, public enjoyment and potential exploration. For a list of state conservation areas follow this link:

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/parktypes/StateConservationAreas.htm

Regional parks

These parks offer open spaces for recreational use and cultural activities. Their environments have often been largely altered since colonisation. For a list of regional parks follow this link:

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/parktypes/RegionalParks.htm

Marine parks

These are unique and outstanding marine areas, set aside to conserve seawater plants and animals. They're divided into zones that allow different levels of commercial and recreational activities. For a list of marine parks follow this link:

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/parktypes/MarineParks.htm

Historic sites

These are sites of national cultural importance. They include buildings, objects, monuments and landscapes. For a list of historic sites follow this link:

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/parktypes/HistoricSites.htm

Karst conservation reserves

These are outstanding cave areas that offer unique experiences with their spectacular beauty and stunning surroundings. They include Jenolan, Wombeyan, Abercrombie and Borenore caves. For a list of Karst conservation reserves follow this link:

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/parktypes/KarstConservationReserves.htm

Wilderness

Wilderness areas are large, remote and essentially unchanged by modern human activity. These are declared under the Wilderness Act 1987 . They are managed so that native plant and animal communities are disturbed as little as possible. For a list of wilderness follow this link:

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/parktypes/Wilderness.htm

Ramsar wetlands

Ramsar wetlands are internationally significant sites. They are listed in the Ramsar Convention, which plays a key role in their conservation and wise use. For a list of Ramsar wetlands in NSW follow this link:

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/wetlands/RamsarWetlands.htm

Aquatic reserves

Aquatic reserves have been established to protect biodiversity and provide representative samples of our wonderfully varied marine life and habitats. For a list of aquatic reserves follow this link:

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/parktypes/AquaticReserves.htm

5. Documents for public consultation

Documents for public consultation which include National Parks Policies, Park Management Plans, Conservation Management Plans and species proposed to be added to the threatened species list. These documents are found here: http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/Content/Conservation+plans+for+public+comment+by+DocType

6. Filming Approvals

The NPWS keeps a register of all approvals given to allow filming in National Parks and other protected areas. This is found here:

http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/content/filming_approvals_register

7. Private Interests

The NPWS keeps a register of information on every lease, easement or right of way granted on national parks and reserves under the National Parks and Wildlife Act. This register is found here:

http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/content/register+of+leases+easements+and+rights+of+way

8. Conservation Agreements

The Department of Environment and Climate Change keeps a publicly accessible register of conservation agreements. A conservation agreement is an agreement between landholders and the Minister for the Environment. The agreement provides permanent protection for the special features of the land and is voluntary. The area under the agreement is registered on the title of the land ensuring that if the land is sold, the agreement and management requirements remain in place.

The register is open for public inspection during business hours. For further information you can send an email to: