In November 2024, the Government released two Discussion Documents containing proposals to reform aspects of the conservation management system. They include changes to planning, concessions, and land exchange and disposal requirements, as well as proposals to charge for access.
There is no question that the conservation system is broken. EDS has been calling for reform for several years. While some of the proposed reforms are positive, others go too far, with critical checks and balances missing.
EDS ran a one-hour webinar in which EDS’s Senior Policy Researcher Dr Deidre Koolen-Bourke critiqued the reforms and identified key issues for submitters to focus on.
Submissions on the Discussion Documents close on 28 February 2025.
EDS’s draft submissions are available here.
Copies of the Discussion Documents are available here.