Latest news with #ConservationandAttractions
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
The state made new laws to protect WA nature. Then it forgot something
The department charged with protecting Western Australia's threatened plants and animals is not only failing to protect three-quarters of them, but was never given the resources to do so. A damning auditor general report tabled in parliament on Thursday says of the 65 threatened ecological communities listed in this state, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions is only focusing monitoring and protection of the 28 per cent of them on land it manages. Auditor General Caroline Spencer has found the department has made no significant progress on monitoring the condition of the 72 per cent of these precious communities on others' land, and is not making landowners aware of their existence and available assistance to protect them. Spencer said this amounted to some of the state's threatened ecological communities having only legal, not practical protection. She also found that at its current pace, the department would take more than 100 years to list and protect the additional 390 priority ecological communities identified, if they were all deemed suitable for listing as threatened. It was unclear if the condition of the state's threatened ecological communities was improving or declining. She found the department could not effectively track nor demonstrate the impact of its conservation activities. She said parliament passed the Biodiversity Conservation Act in 2016 and given it effect in 2019 through regulations, but had not resourced the department to implement those regulations. But she also said the department's implementation planning was weak, and it lacked a strategic plan to demonstrate the level of resourcing it needed to meet its threatened ecological community responsibilities under those laws.
The Age
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Age
The state made new laws to protect WA nature. Then it forgot something
The department charged with protecting Western Australia's threatened plants and animals is not only failing to protect three-quarters of them, but was never given the resources to do so. A damning auditor general report tabled in parliament on Thursday says of the 65 threatened ecological communities listed in this state, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions is only focusing monitoring and protection of the 28 per cent of them on land it manages. Auditor General Caroline Spencer has found the department has made no significant progress on monitoring the condition of the 72 per cent of these precious communities on others' land, and is not making landowners aware of their existence and available assistance to protect them. Spencer said this amounted to some of the state's threatened ecological communities having only legal, not practical protection. She also found that at its current pace, the department would take more than 100 years to list and protect the additional 390 priority ecological communities identified, if they were all deemed suitable for listing as threatened. It was unclear if the condition of the state's threatened ecological communities was improving or declining. She found the department could not effectively track nor demonstrate the impact of its conservation activities. She said parliament passed the Biodiversity Conservation Act in 2016 and given it effect in 2019 through regulations, but had not resourced the department to implement those regulations. But she also said the department's implementation planning was weak, and it lacked a strategic plan to demonstrate the level of resourcing it needed to meet its threatened ecological community responsibilities under those laws.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Yahoo
Major crackdown coming to Aussie travel hotspot amid surge in illegal camping
Authorities in one of the country's most popular travel destinations are preparing for a more coordinated crackdown on illegal camping ahead of the 2025–26 summer season. It follows a noticeable spike in unauthorised stays and local complaints during peak tourism months. The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River council, south of Perth, said the new approach will see rangers working more closely with Western Australia's Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), to crack down on illegal camping, bad behaviour and littering. "DBCA faces similar peak season challenges as the Shire — managing larger areas, multiple responsibilities and limited resources," Shire President Andrea Selvey said this week. '"To protect our region's unique environment, we're working more closely with DBCA and plan to coordinate our response to peak season in future. We're also engaging with the community to identify measures to address illegal camping and increased day use at popular sites." A Shire representative told Yahoo News on Wednesday further details would become available in the coming months. The move comes amid growing community frustration over the environmental and social impacts of illegal camping, which has in the past included increased public defecation and heightened fire risks. Despite the problem, WA's Parks and Wildlife Service reportedly issued fines in fewer than 10 per cent of its interactions with campers last summer, prompting renewed scrutiny of enforcement practices. Back in February, Yahoo News reported on locals' frustration over what they described as a lack of action in managing the annual surge. After the Shire posted to social media urging tolerance and environmental responsibility among residents, locals hit back and argued that the call for responsibility should be directed at visitors, not the rate-payers. "It's like Groundhog Day at the Shire. Every year, without fail, the issue of illegal camping, waste disposal, sanitation and bushfire risk catches the Shire by 'surprise'. It's long past due that the Shire got proactive and managed this annual problem," one passionate man wrote. "It's not the Shire residents causing the issues, it's the travellers. They're the ones who need this message,' a local woman said, adding that most visitors likely don't follow the Shire's social media pages. The council said it is also working to involve the broader community, consulting locals to develop solutions around illegal camping and overcrowded day-use areas. A DBCA spokesperson said the department is committed to upholding the laws and preserving the area. "The department continues to work closely with stakeholders like the shire to strike the right balance between welcoming visitors, keeping them safe, and protecting the region's environmental and cultural values," the spokesperson said. Residents erupt at council as illegal tourist act soars Illegal camping spirals as council takes 'compassionate' approach Aussies warned over new $464 fine for 'common' camping act "Ahead of the 2025–26 peak visitation season, DBCA will continue to identify and implement compliance priorities and strategies, including focusing on illegal camping hotspots, coordinating efforts with local government, and disrupting large-scale illegal gatherings in collaboration with WA Police." The region, known for its natural beauty and growing popularity with tourists and van travellers, has faced increasing strain on public spaces, prompting mounting calls for clearer regulation, better signage, and more sustainable planning. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
West Australian
02-06-2025
- General
- West Australian
Bunbury's Maidens Reserve recognised as State's best designed landscape
Bunbury's Maidens Reserve has been recognised as one of the best designed landscapes, winning on of the State's top architecture gongs. The area, designed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, took home the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects WA's highest honour — the WA Medal. That was in addition to an award of excellence in the category of parks and open space, and a regional achievement award in the tourism category. Maidens Reserve is a coastal nature reserve featuring lookouts, hiking and walking trails, and picnic and play spaces in Bunbury. The awards were announced at the Royal Perth Yacht Club on May 30. AILA WA jury chair Amanda Mannolini described the project as a 'landmark example of regional landscape architecture'. 'Maidens Reserve captivated the jury with its elegance, restraint, and powerful connection to place,' she said. 'Through subtle interventions and careful restoration, the project enhances both access and ecological integrity — allowing the landscape to heal while welcoming more people to experience it.' The jury described Maidens Reserve as 'world-class' and highlighted its dual strengths of inclusivity and accessibility. 'Carefully placed rest points, a ramped lookout, and improved pathways extend the reserve's reach beyond fitness users and tourists to include families, wheelchair users, and older people,' the judges said. 'Grounded in collaboration with traditional owners and an accessibility panel, the design reflects best-practice principles and global inspiration.' Maidens Reserve is now eligible for the National Landscape Architecture Awards, to be announced later this year. Landscape architects design natural environments — including parks, precincts, wetlands and gardens — that help bolster economies by increasing visitation, boosting property values, and providing employment opportunities. Well-designed landscapes are considered accessible and sustainable and care for country, and can improve people's wellbeing and help protect and renew plant and animal species.
The Age
30-05-2025
- General
- The Age
Subiaco, Bunbury developments take out WA's top landscape awards
Landscape architecture redevelopments at Subi East's new-look oval and Bunbury's Maidens Reserve have been crowned the best in Western Australia. In a ceremony at Royal Perth Yacht Club on Friday evening, the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects' WA chapter awarded the Maidens Reserve redevelopment the highest achiever in the regions and gave it the top honour overall, the WA Medal. The Institute's jury chairwoman Amanda Mannolini said they had been captivated by the new lookout trails designed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, in collaboration with the City of Bunbury and an accessibility expert panel. The trails allow those using devices such as wheelchairs and prams to access a lower lookout and have an easy return to the car park, while also providing a spectacular stair climb. 'This was a challenging project because it involved a 58-metre rise, dealing with it so softly that it did not impact the landscape around it,' Mannolini said. 'Being able to build it despite that steep grade, so that people with access issues could get up there, and doing it in such a simple-looking form, was the clincher. That was why our eyes lit up, it was done so elegantly.' The jury's official comments said the project's subtle interventions and careful restoration enhanced both access and ecological integrity – allowing the landscape to heal while welcoming more people to experience it. 'Weaving built form seamlessly into the natural setting … is a landmark example of regional landscape architecture that offers a bold, memorable, and deeply inclusive experience,' they said. Maidens Reserve also won an Award of Excellence in Parks and Open Space and one of three Regional Achievement Awards.
