Home / Environment / WA Biodiversity Crisis Demands Urgent Action
WA Biodiversity Crisis Demands Urgent Action
4 Jun
Summary
- 51,000 hectares of native vegetation already cleared in WA.
- Conservation Council of WA proposes 36 urgent recommendations.
- Report highlights severe degradation of Swan Coastal Plain.
Western Australia is grappling with a severe biodiversity crisis, prompting urgent calls for government action. A new report, Back from the Brink: A Protection Agenda for Nature, outlines 36 recommendations to combat the rapid clearing of native vegetation.
As of 2026, the state government has already approved the clearing of 51,000 hectares, with an additional 128,000 hectares pending new applications. The Conservation Council of WA highlights the "severe degradation" of areas like the Swan Coastal Plain and significant land clearing for mining in the Pilbara.
The report emphasizes the impact on threatened species, including black cockatoos and the northern quoll. Recommendations focus on strengthening environmental assessments, reviewing legislation like the Biodiversity Conservation Act, limiting environmental offsets, and reassessing prescribed burning programs.
Experts warn that WA's extraordinary nature is unravelling, despite the state's high biodiversity. The proposed reforms aim to re-establish a crucial balance between development and environmental protection, offering a roadmap for immediate conservation efforts.
