#landclearing — Public Fediverse posts

Lingering loopholes in the new national environment laws

"The federal government says it fixed Australia's 'broken' environmental laws. Koala advocates disagree."

"Environmentalists believe the EPBC Act has (Australia's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation) allowed habitat to be gradually lost, with multiple projects approved within the same area. Habitat loss on the Redlands coast has contributed to an 80 per cent drop in koala numbers over the last 25 years." >>
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-16/brisbane-koala-advocates-question-national-environment-laws/106748658
#EPBCAct #biodiversity #LandClearing #laws #regulation #sprawl #koalas #extinction

Lingering loopholes in the new national environment laws

"The federal government says it fixed Australia's 'broken' environmental laws. Koala advocates disagree."

"Environmentalists believe the EPBC Act has (Australia's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation) allowed habitat to be gradually lost, with multiple projects approved within the same area. Habitat loss on the Redlands coast has contributed to an 80 per cent drop in koala numbers over the last 25 years." >>
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-16/brisbane-koala-advocates-question-national-environment-laws/106748658
#EPBCAct #biodiversity #LandClearing #laws #regulation #sprawl #koalas #extinction

‘The environmental movement needs many hands’: saving Australia’s biodiversity is getting personal

Powered by individual donations and bequests, the country now has one of the world’s largest networks of privately protected and managed land

by James Norman, Fri 17 Apr 2026

Excerpt: "Over three decades later, #BushHeritage today owns and protects 45 bought or gifted bush reserves around #Australia – covering more than 1.4m hectares of land and providing habitat for over 9,000 native species. Working with #FirstNations communities and farmers, it supports the management of an additional 20.5m hectares beyond what it owns directly.

" 'Some of Australia’s most threatened and fragile #ecosystems and #wildlife sit outside of the national reserve system,' says Rachel Lowry, Bush Heritage Australia’s chief executive officer.

" 'They’re found on private land or pastoral country, and they may have deep cultural and ecological values, but they’re not protected from threats such as #LandClearing, #mining or #InvasiveSpecies.'

"The organisation reports a rise in the number of personal bequests, from 2,500 in 2022 to more than 4,600 bequests last year. Lowry puts the increase down to a personal desire to have a meaningful impact on the worsening global climate and #biodiversity crisis.

"Bush Heritage’s model has inspired other groups around Australia to acquire and conserve lands and forests of significant ecological value. One such example is the #NorthEastTasmania #LandTrust (#NETLT), which secretary Dr Christine Hosking describes as 'a microcosm of Bush Heritage'.

"Formed in 2009, the organisation manages donated land through weed control and regeneration of the native environment.

" 'Currently, we have 10 acres [4 hectares] of endangered eucalyptus forest in #BinalongBay that adjoins the #BayOfFires #Conservation Area, and a smaller patch of coastal habitat for the endangered swift parrot,' she says."

#SolarPunkSunday #LandConservation #EndangeredSpecies #ClimateCrisis #ProtectTheForest #ProtectTheForests #Regeneration #PreserveNature #Conservationists #IndigenousAustralians #TraditionalLandManagement

‘The environmental movement needs many hands’: saving Australia’s biodiversity is getting personal

Powered by individual donations and bequests, the country now has one of the world’s largest networks of privately protected and managed land

by James Norman, Fri 17 Apr 2026

Excerpt: "Over three decades later, #BushHeritage today owns and protects 45 bought or gifted bush reserves around #Australia – covering more than 1.4m hectares of land and providing habitat for over 9,000 native species. Working with #FirstNations communities and farmers, it supports the management of an additional 20.5m hectares beyond what it owns directly.

" 'Some of Australia’s most threatened and fragile #ecosystems and #wildlife sit outside of the national reserve system,' says Rachel Lowry, Bush Heritage Australia’s chief executive officer.

" 'They’re found on private land or pastoral country, and they may have deep cultural and ecological values, but they’re not protected from threats such as #LandClearing, #mining or #InvasiveSpecies.'

"The organisation reports a rise in the number of personal bequests, from 2,500 in 2022 to more than 4,600 bequests last year. Lowry puts the increase down to a personal desire to have a meaningful impact on the worsening global climate and #biodiversity crisis.

"Bush Heritage’s model has inspired other groups around Australia to acquire and conserve lands and forests of significant ecological value. One such example is the #NorthEastTasmania #LandTrust (#NETLT), which secretary Dr Christine Hosking describes as 'a microcosm of Bush Heritage'.

"Formed in 2009, the organisation manages donated land through weed control and regeneration of the native environment.

" 'Currently, we have 10 acres [4 hectares] of endangered eucalyptus forest in #BinalongBay that adjoins the #BayOfFires #Conservation Area, and a smaller patch of coastal habitat for the endangered swift parrot,' she says."

#SolarPunkSunday #LandConservation #EndangeredSpecies #ClimateCrisis #ProtectTheForest #ProtectTheForests #Regeneration #PreserveNature #Conservationists #IndigenousAustralians #TraditionalLandManagement

‘The environmental movement needs many hands’: saving Australia’s biodiversity is getting personal

Powered by individual donations and bequests, the country now has one of the world’s largest networks of privately protected and managed land

by James Norman, Fri 17 Apr 2026

Excerpt: "Over three decades later, #BushHeritage today owns and protects 45 bought or gifted bush reserves around #Australia – covering more than 1.4m hectares of land and providing habitat for over 9,000 native species. Working with #FirstNations communities and farmers, it supports the management of an additional 20.5m hectares beyond what it owns directly.

" 'Some of Australia’s most threatened and fragile #ecosystems and #wildlife sit outside of the national reserve system,' says Rachel Lowry, Bush Heritage Australia’s chief executive officer.

" 'They’re found on private land or pastoral country, and they may have deep cultural and ecological values, but they’re not protected from threats such as #LandClearing, #mining or #InvasiveSpecies.'

"The organisation reports a rise in the number of personal bequests, from 2,500 in 2022 to more than 4,600 bequests last year. Lowry puts the increase down to a personal desire to have a meaningful impact on the worsening global climate and #biodiversity crisis.

"Bush Heritage’s model has inspired other groups around Australia to acquire and conserve lands and forests of significant ecological value. One such example is the #NorthEastTasmania #LandTrust (#NETLT), which secretary Dr Christine Hosking describes as 'a microcosm of Bush Heritage'.

"Formed in 2009, the organisation manages donated land through weed control and regeneration of the native environment.

" 'Currently, we have 10 acres [4 hectares] of endangered eucalyptus forest in #BinalongBay that adjoins the #BayOfFires #Conservation Area, and a smaller patch of coastal habitat for the endangered swift parrot,' she says."

#SolarPunkSunday #LandConservation #EndangeredSpecies #ClimateCrisis #ProtectTheForest #ProtectTheForests #Regeneration #PreserveNature #Conservationists #IndigenousAustralians #TraditionalLandManagement

‘The environmental movement needs many hands’: saving Australia’s biodiversity is getting personal

Powered by individual donations and bequests, the country now has one of the world’s largest networks of privately protected and managed land

by James Norman, Fri 17 Apr 2026

Excerpt: "Over three decades later, #BushHeritage today owns and protects 45 bought or gifted bush reserves around #Australia – covering more than 1.4m hectares of land and providing habitat for over 9,000 native species. Working with #FirstNations communities and farmers, it supports the management of an additional 20.5m hectares beyond what it owns directly.

" 'Some of Australia’s most threatened and fragile #ecosystems and #wildlife sit outside of the national reserve system,' says Rachel Lowry, Bush Heritage Australia’s chief executive officer.

" 'They’re found on private land or pastoral country, and they may have deep cultural and ecological values, but they’re not protected from threats such as #LandClearing, #mining or #InvasiveSpecies.'

"The organisation reports a rise in the number of personal bequests, from 2,500 in 2022 to more than 4,600 bequests last year. Lowry puts the increase down to a personal desire to have a meaningful impact on the worsening global climate and #biodiversity crisis.

"Bush Heritage’s model has inspired other groups around Australia to acquire and conserve lands and forests of significant ecological value. One such example is the #NorthEastTasmania #LandTrust (#NETLT), which secretary Dr Christine Hosking describes as 'a microcosm of Bush Heritage'.

"Formed in 2009, the organisation manages donated land through weed control and regeneration of the native environment.

" 'Currently, we have 10 acres [4 hectares] of endangered eucalyptus forest in #BinalongBay that adjoins the #BayOfFires #Conservation Area, and a smaller patch of coastal habitat for the endangered swift parrot,' she says."

#SolarPunkSunday #LandConservation #EndangeredSpecies #ClimateCrisis #ProtectTheForest #ProtectTheForests #Regeneration #PreserveNature #Conservationists #IndigenousAustralians #TraditionalLandManagement

‘The environmental movement needs many hands’: saving Australia’s biodiversity is getting personal

Powered by individual donations and bequests, the country now has one of the world’s largest networks of privately protected and managed land

by James Norman, Fri 17 Apr 2026

Excerpt: "Over three decades later, #BushHeritage today owns and protects 45 bought or gifted bush reserves around #Australia – covering more than 1.4m hectares of land and providing habitat for over 9,000 native species. Working with #FirstNations communities and farmers, it supports the management of an additional 20.5m hectares beyond what it owns directly.

" 'Some of Australia’s most threatened and fragile #ecosystems and #wildlife sit outside of the national reserve system,' says Rachel Lowry, Bush Heritage Australia’s chief executive officer.

" 'They’re found on private land or pastoral country, and they may have deep cultural and ecological values, but they’re not protected from threats such as #LandClearing, #mining or #InvasiveSpecies.'

"The organisation reports a rise in the number of personal bequests, from 2,500 in 2022 to more than 4,600 bequests last year. Lowry puts the increase down to a personal desire to have a meaningful impact on the worsening global climate and #biodiversity crisis.

"Bush Heritage’s model has inspired other groups around Australia to acquire and conserve lands and forests of significant ecological value. One such example is the #NorthEastTasmania #LandTrust (#NETLT), which secretary Dr Christine Hosking describes as 'a microcosm of Bush Heritage'.

"Formed in 2009, the organisation manages donated land through weed control and regeneration of the native environment.

" 'Currently, we have 10 acres [4 hectares] of endangered eucalyptus forest in #BinalongBay that adjoins the #BayOfFires #Conservation Area, and a smaller patch of coastal habitat for the endangered swift parrot,' she says."

#SolarPunkSunday #LandConservation #EndangeredSpecies #ClimateCrisis #ProtectTheForest #ProtectTheForests #Regeneration #PreserveNature #Conservationists #IndigenousAustralians #TraditionalLandManagement

Farmer "preferred profit and commercial interest over the environment."

The owner of Treetops Estate Pty Ltd has been fined $84,000 for illegal land clearing — much less than the $2.2 million it would have cost him if he had obtained a permit for the work. The farmer was convicted over clearing 112 hectares of bushland.

"The clearing significantly reduced high-value remnant vegetation and the habitat of 18 species of native birds, including three of conservational significance: peregrine falcon, purple-gaped honeyeater and black-chinned honeyeater." >>
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-09/farm-owner-convicted-over-land-clearing-fine-less-than-permit/106543362
#biodiversity #LandClearing #deforestation #farming #crime #CostOfDoingBusiness #extinction #birds #EPBCact

Farmer "preferred profit and commercial interest over the environment."

The owner of Treetops Estate Pty Ltd has been fined $84,000 for illegal land clearing — much less than the $2.2 million it would have cost him if he had obtained a permit for the work. The farmer was convicted over clearing 112 hectares of bushland.

"The clearing significantly reduced high-value remnant vegetation and the habitat of 18 species of native birds, including three of conservational significance: peregrine falcon, purple-gaped honeyeater and black-chinned honeyeater." >>
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-09/farm-owner-convicted-over-land-clearing-fine-less-than-permit/106543362
#biodiversity #LandClearing #deforestation #farming #crime #CostOfDoingBusiness #extinction #birds #EPBCact

Dreamworld Gold Coast
without the koalas

Koala habitats would be impacted under the proposal to expand Dreamworld.

Coomera resident "said he could hardly believe it was the same suburb where he once saw koalas in the trees. "It's all gone...It's just wall-to-wall suburban development."

"Dr O'Hare said instead of clearing vegetation and koala habitat for the project, developers should use 7 hectares of land occupied by a car park." >>
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-07/dreamworld-expansion-considered-concern-traffic-gridlock/106469590
#biodiversity #koalas #sprawl #Cars #traffic #CarDependence #CarParks #Coomera #LandClearing

Dreamworld Gold Coast
without the koalas

Koala habitats would be impacted under the proposal to expand Dreamworld.

Coomera resident "said he could hardly believe it was the same suburb where he once saw koalas in the trees. "It's all gone...It's just wall-to-wall suburban development."

"Dr O'Hare said instead of clearing vegetation and koala habitat for the project, developers should use 7 hectares of land occupied by a car park." >>
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-07/dreamworld-expansion-considered-concern-traffic-gridlock/106469590
#biodiversity #koalas #sprawl #Cars #traffic #CarDependence #CarParks #Coomera #LandClearing

Koala habitat logged by farmers. Will they be charged under the new environment laws?

"Carte blanche" for bulldozing endangered ecosystems?

"The Australian Conservation Foundation has identified a dozen cases of land clearing since December that should have sought environmental approval."

"The ACF has found, via satellite imagery, a dozen cases in Queensland and NSW of old bushland containing endangered habitats being cleared without any of the necessary referrals for approval."

"The maximum penalty for breaches of the EPBC Act is up to $1.565 million for individuals and up to $15.65 million for corporate breaches." >>
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-19/epbc-land-clearing-koala-unaware-farmers/106452434
#biodiversity #EPBCAct #LandClearing #farmers #koalas #NativeVegetation #law #EndangeredEcosystems #NSW

Koala habitat logged by farmers. Will they be charged under the new environment laws?

"Carte blanche" for bulldozing endangered ecosystems?

"The Australian Conservation Foundation has identified a dozen cases of land clearing since December that should have sought environmental approval."

"The ACF has found, via satellite imagery, a dozen cases in Queensland and NSW of old bushland containing endangered habitats being cleared without any of the necessary referrals for approval."

"The maximum penalty for breaches of the EPBC Act is up to $1.565 million for individuals and up to $15.65 million for corporate breaches." >>
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-19/epbc-land-clearing-koala-unaware-farmers/106452434
#biodiversity #EPBCAct #LandClearing #farmers #koalas #NativeVegetation #law #EndangeredEcosystems #NSW

Australian wildlife in ‘harm’s way’, with volunteers left to ‘pick up the pieces’ amid climate crisis, fires and floods

"Last financial year, volunteers responded to more than 320,000 calls for help for sick, injured or orphaned wildlife. Nearly 130,000 rescue operations were conducted and vets assessed 51,000 injured animals."

"The soaring demand is being driven by climate change and habitat destruction."

“As a consequence of these pressures, more and more animals are getting in harm’s way. When they get in harm’s way, governments take very little interest. So it is left to volunteers to pick up the pieces and get those animals back into the wild. Currently responsibility for injured animals falls on the community."

"We need a national approach.”
>>
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/03/australian-wildlife-in-harms-way-with-volunteers-left-to-pick-up-the-pieces-amid-climate-crisis-fires-and-floods
#biodiversity #wildlife #conservation #EPBCAct #volunteers #FossilFuels #sprawl #roads #LandClearing #climate #governance

Australian wildlife in ‘harm’s way’, with volunteers left to ‘pick up the pieces’ amid climate crisis, fires and floods

"Last financial year, volunteers responded to more than 320,000 calls for help for sick, injured or orphaned wildlife. Nearly 130,000 rescue operations were conducted and vets assessed 51,000 injured animals."

"The soaring demand is being driven by climate change and habitat destruction."

“As a consequence of these pressures, more and more animals are getting in harm’s way. When they get in harm’s way, governments take very little interest. So it is left to volunteers to pick up the pieces and get those animals back into the wild. Currently responsibility for injured animals falls on the community."

"We need a national approach.”
>>
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/03/australian-wildlife-in-harms-way-with-volunteers-left-to-pick-up-the-pieces-amid-climate-crisis-fires-and-floods
#biodiversity #wildlife #conservation #EPBCAct #volunteers #FossilFuels #sprawl #roads #LandClearing #climate #governance

Bulldozing Australia’s great tropical savanna
"One of the largest intact and biodiverse savanna ecosystems left on Earth”.

"The environment minister, Murray Watt, has given the green light for the bulldozing of nearly 3,000 hectares of tropical savanna in the Northern Territory without an assessment under Australia’s nature laws."
>>
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/24/federal-green-light-bulldoze-tropical-savanna-northern-territory-threatened-species
#biodiversity #cotton #monoculture #ThreatenedSpecies #EPBCAct #LandClearing #NationalInterest #exemptions #laws #Australia #extractivism #water

Image: The Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae)
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gouldian_Finch_(8952067299).jpg

Bulldozing Australia’s great tropical savanna
"One of the largest intact and biodiverse savanna ecosystems left on Earth”.

"The environment minister, Murray Watt, has given the green light for the bulldozing of nearly 3,000 hectares of tropical savanna in the Northern Territory without an assessment under Australia’s nature laws."
>>
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/24/federal-green-light-bulldoze-tropical-savanna-northern-territory-threatened-species
#biodiversity #cotton #monoculture #ThreatenedSpecies #EPBCAct #LandClearing #NationalInterest #exemptions #laws #Australia #extractivism #water

Image: The Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae)
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gouldian_Finch_(8952067299).jpg

Australian biodiversity and imperial obsequiousness

In a nutshell:
#biodiversity #mining #JarrahForest #LandClearing #UnlawfulClearing #EPBCAct #EPBCActExemptions #cockatoos #EndangeredSpecies
#Australia #CriticalMinerals #ImperialObsequiousness #SubimperialEnforcer #ExemptionPower #NationalInterest #extractivism #zeitgeist

"The Australian government’s decision to allow the US mining giant Alcoa to continue clearing swathes of Western Australian jarrah forest despite past illegal clearing practices was made in part due to a critical minerals deal reached between Australia and the Trump administration last year, a new document shows."

"...The government has prioritised corporate interests and foreign defence interests above the jarrah forests, the endangered species that rely on the forests and Perth’s drinking water – showing just how wrong their priorities are.”

“In the twisted logic of Australia in the Trump age, the national interest lies not in honouring and protecting the beauty and richness of our natural heritage, but in sacrificing it to foreign mining companies.”
>>
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/21/australia-us-minerals-underpinned-decision-to-allow-alcoa-to-keep-clearing-wa-forest-document-reveals

Australian biodiversity and imperial obsequiousness

In a nutshell:
#biodiversity #mining #JarrahForest #LandClearing #UnlawfulClearing #EPBCAct #EPBCActExemptions #cockatoos #EndangeredSpecies
#Australia #CriticalMinerals #ImperialObsequiousness #SubimperialEnforcer #ExemptionPower #NationalInterest #extractivism #zeitgeist

"The Australian government’s decision to allow the US mining giant Alcoa to continue clearing swathes of Western Australian jarrah forest despite past illegal clearing practices was made in part due to a critical minerals deal reached between Australia and the Trump administration last year, a new document shows."

"...The government has prioritised corporate interests and foreign defence interests above the jarrah forests, the endangered species that rely on the forests and Perth’s drinking water – showing just how wrong their priorities are.”

“In the twisted logic of Australia in the Trump age, the national interest lies not in honouring and protecting the beauty and richness of our natural heritage, but in sacrificing it to foreign mining companies.”
>>
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/21/australia-us-minerals-underpinned-decision-to-allow-alcoa-to-keep-clearing-wa-forest-document-reveals

Australian biodiversity and imperial obsequiousness

In a nutshell:
#biodiversity #mining #JarrahForest #LandClearing #UnlawfulClearing #EPBCAct #EPBCActExemptions #cockatoos #EndangeredSpecies
#Australia #CriticalMinerals #ImperialObsequiousness #SubimperialEnforcer #ExemptionPower #NationalInterest #extractivism #zeitgeist

"The Australian government’s decision to allow the US mining giant Alcoa to continue clearing swathes of Western Australian jarrah forest despite past illegal clearing practices was made in part due to a critical minerals deal reached between Australia and the Trump administration last year, a new document shows."

"...The government has prioritised corporate interests and foreign defence interests above the jarrah forests, the endangered species that rely on the forests and Perth’s drinking water – showing just how wrong their priorities are.”

“In the twisted logic of Australia in the Trump age, the national interest lies not in honouring and protecting the beauty and richness of our natural heritage, but in sacrificing it to foreign mining companies.”
>>
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/21/australia-us-minerals-underpinned-decision-to-allow-alcoa-to-keep-clearing-wa-forest-document-reveals

Australian biodiversity and imperial obsequiousness

In a nutshell:
#biodiversity #mining #JarrahForest #LandClearing #UnlawfulClearing #EPBCAct #EPBCActExemptions #cockatoos #EndangeredSpecies
#Australia #CriticalMinerals #ImperialObsequiousness #SubimperialEnforcer #ExemptionPower #NationalInterest #extractivism #zeitgeist

"The Australian government’s decision to allow the US mining giant Alcoa to continue clearing swathes of Western Australian jarrah forest despite past illegal clearing practices was made in part due to a critical minerals deal reached between Australia and the Trump administration last year, a new document shows."

"...The government has prioritised corporate interests and foreign defence interests above the jarrah forests, the endangered species that rely on the forests and Perth’s drinking water – showing just how wrong their priorities are.”

“In the twisted logic of Australia in the Trump age, the national interest lies not in honouring and protecting the beauty and richness of our natural heritage, but in sacrificing it to foreign mining companies.”
>>
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/21/australia-us-minerals-underpinned-decision-to-allow-alcoa-to-keep-clearing-wa-forest-document-reveals

Australian biodiversity and imperial obsequiousness

In a nutshell:
#biodiversity #mining #JarrahForest #LandClearing #UnlawfulClearing #EPBCAct #EPBCActExemptions #cockatoos #EndangeredSpecies
#Australia #CriticalMinerals #ImperialObsequiousness #SubimperialEnforcer #ExemptionPower #NationalInterest #extractivism #zeitgeist

"The Australian government’s decision to allow the US mining giant Alcoa to continue clearing swathes of Western Australian jarrah forest despite past illegal clearing practices was made in part due to a critical minerals deal reached between Australia and the Trump administration last year, a new document shows."

"...The government has prioritised corporate interests and foreign defence interests above the jarrah forests, the endangered species that rely on the forests and Perth’s drinking water – showing just how wrong their priorities are.”

“In the twisted logic of Australia in the Trump age, the national interest lies not in honouring and protecting the beauty and richness of our natural heritage, but in sacrificing it to foreign mining companies.”
>>
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/21/australia-us-minerals-underpinned-decision-to-allow-alcoa-to-keep-clearing-wa-forest-document-reveals

Environmental crime or wildlife crime are crimes which are destructive or extractive to nature
"Crime and punishment in the outback: A review of extractive and destructive green crime cases in Australia's criminal justice system."

" Illegal activities harming the environment and aimed at benefiting individuals or groups or companies from the exploitation of, damage to, trade or theft of natural resources, including, but not limited to serious crimes and transnational organized crime"

"In 2018 a farmhand in rural Victoria, Australia, was found guilty of the illegal killing of over 400 wedge-tailed eagles (Aquila audax), a large and long-lived bird of prey which is protected under the Wildlife Act 1975 (Vic) "
>>
Onley, I. R., Alber, J., Smith, K. A. F., Toole, K., Chadwick, D. L., Williams, C., & Cassey, P. (2026). Crime and punishment in the outback: A review of extractive and destructive green crime cases in Australia's criminal justice system. Conservation Science and Practice, e70232. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.70232

#Biodiversity #extractivism #CITES #monetisation #TakeCulture #WildlifeTrafficking #LandClearing #Fishing #WildlifeTrade #reptiles #WaterTheft #CriminalJusticeSystem #WEC #harm #exploitation #CompanionSpecies #GreenCrimes

Environmental crime or wildlife crime are crimes which are destructive or extractive to nature
"Crime and punishment in the outback: A review of extractive and destructive green crime cases in Australia's criminal justice system."

" Illegal activities harming the environment and aimed at benefiting individuals or groups or companies from the exploitation of, damage to, trade or theft of natural resources, including, but not limited to serious crimes and transnational organized crime"

"In 2018 a farmhand in rural Victoria, Australia, was found guilty of the illegal killing of over 400 wedge-tailed eagles (Aquila audax), a large and long-lived bird of prey which is protected under the Wildlife Act 1975 (Vic) "
>>
Onley, I. R., Alber, J., Smith, K. A. F., Toole, K., Chadwick, D. L., Williams, C., & Cassey, P. (2026). Crime and punishment in the outback: A review of extractive and destructive green crime cases in Australia's criminal justice system. Conservation Science and Practice, e70232. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.70232

#Biodiversity #extractivism #CITES #monetisation #TakeCulture #WildlifeTrafficking #LandClearing #Fishing #WildlifeTrade #reptiles #WaterTheft #CriminalJusticeSystem #WEC #harm #exploitation #CompanionSpecies #GreenCrimes

Crime against wildlife is surging in Australia
Flogging off native animals and plants

" Around the world, wildlife and environmental crime is surging. It is estimated to be the fourth largest organised transnational crime sector, and to be growing at a rate two to three times faster than the global economy."

"This is a considerable problem, because Australia has unique and endemic wildlife species, high extinction rates, and is a country that is difficult to police due to its sheer size and vast remote areas. Our new, Australia-first study addresses this knowledge gap."

"We don’t understand the full extent and impact of these crimes in Australia, but we do know they can be disastrous. Wildlife trafficking and illegal trade erodes biodiversity through the removal of native species from their habitats. It also fuels the spread of invasive species, parasites and diseases."

"Over half of the environmental crimes (61.3%) occurred in outer regional and remote areas of Australia. "
>>
https://theconversation.com/crime-against-wildlife-is-surging-in-australia-these-4-reforms-can-help-tackle-it-273006
#Biodiversity #extractivism #CITES #monetisation #TakeCulture #WildlifeTrafficking #crime #loggingImpacts #deforestation #LandClearing #ecosystems #destruction #Trade #pets #consumption #NativeSpecies #flora #reptiles #birds #extinction #WEC #fishing #harm #exploitation

Crime against wildlife is surging in Australia
Flogging off native animals and plants

" Around the world, wildlife and environmental crime is surging. It is estimated to be the fourth largest organised transnational crime sector, and to be growing at a rate two to three times faster than the global economy."

"This is a considerable problem, because Australia has unique and endemic wildlife species, high extinction rates, and is a country that is difficult to police due to its sheer size and vast remote areas. Our new, Australia-first study addresses this knowledge gap."

"We don’t understand the full extent and impact of these crimes in Australia, but we do know they can be disastrous. Wildlife trafficking and illegal trade erodes biodiversity through the removal of native species from their habitats. It also fuels the spread of invasive species, parasites and diseases."

"Over half of the environmental crimes (61.3%) occurred in outer regional and remote areas of Australia. "
>>
https://theconversation.com/crime-against-wildlife-is-surging-in-australia-these-4-reforms-can-help-tackle-it-273006
#Biodiversity #extractivism #CITES #monetisation #TakeCulture #WildlifeTrafficking #crime #loggingImpacts #deforestation #LandClearing #ecosystems #destruction #Trade #pets #consumption #NativeSpecies #flora #reptiles #birds #extinction #WEC #fishing #harm #exploitation

An intact Great Koala National Park reduces fire risks

Some mainstream media, politicians and the logging industry see Australian flora and fauna as one big ' firebomb' that needs logging urgently.

"...A logged forest is at much greater risk of burning at higher severity than intact forests that have not been logged. Logged forests are at significantly greater risk of high-severity wildfire than intact (unlogged) forests." David Lindenmayer, Ecologist
>> (paywall)
https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-great-national-koala-park-is-not-a-firebomb-it-s-the-opposite-20251113-p5nf1u.html
#BushFires #deforestation #landclearing #biodiversity #ThegreatKoalaNationalPark #NSWLogging #LoggingImpacts #fires #VestedInterests #LoggingIndustry #BellingenLogging #BellingenShire #risks

An intact Great Koala National Park reduces fire risks

Some mainstream media, politicians and the logging industry see Australian flora and fauna as one big ' firebomb' that needs logging urgently.

"...A logged forest is at much greater risk of burning at higher severity than intact forests that have not been logged. Logged forests are at significantly greater risk of high-severity wildfire than intact (unlogged) forests." David Lindenmayer, Ecologist
>> (paywall)
https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-great-national-koala-park-is-not-a-firebomb-it-s-the-opposite-20251113-p5nf1u.html
#BushFires #deforestation #landclearing #biodiversity #ThegreatKoalaNationalPark #NSWLogging #LoggingImpacts #fires #VestedInterests #LoggingIndustry #BellingenLogging #BellingenShire #risks

Australia's new national environmental standards

"Former ACCC chair condemns proposed exemption allowing minister to approve projects that don’t comply with law. Samuel, who led a 2020 review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, also argued a loophole that effectively exempts native forest logging from the laws “shouldn’t be there”.

“Logging operations should be subject to the same rules as mining, agriculture, urban development and so on." >>
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/14/graeme-samuel-calls-for-labor-to-ditch-national-interest-workaround-for-environment-laws

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act)
The problem of ministerial discretion and “national interest” exemptions. >>
https://mastodon.au/@Bellingen/115528660854362227

Authoritarianism—but make it look like the rule of law. >>
https://mastodon.au/@Bellingen/115528971744822369

#EPBCAct #biodiversity #NationalInterest #law #exemption #MinisterialDiscretion #FastTrackApprovals #VestedInterest #ParliamentaryScrutiny #EnvironmentalLaw #conservation #regulation #governance #democracy #NSWLogging #landclearing #DualState #lawlessness #authoritarianism #LawGuardrails #normalcy #EmergencyPowers #NationalInterest #legitimisation #exemption #constitution #state #governance #LoggingImpacts

Australia's new national environmental standards

"Former ACCC chair condemns proposed exemption allowing minister to approve projects that don’t comply with law. Samuel, who led a 2020 review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, also argued a loophole that effectively exempts native forest logging from the laws “shouldn’t be there”.

“Logging operations should be subject to the same rules as mining, agriculture, urban development and so on." >>
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/14/graeme-samuel-calls-for-labor-to-ditch-national-interest-workaround-for-environment-laws

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act)
The problem of ministerial discretion and “national interest” exemptions. >>
https://mastodon.au/@Bellingen/115528660854362227

Authoritarianism—but make it look like the rule of law. >>
https://mastodon.au/@Bellingen/115528971744822369

#EPBCAct #biodiversity #NationalInterest #law #exemption #MinisterialDiscretion #FastTrackApprovals #VestedInterest #ParliamentaryScrutiny #EnvironmentalLaw #conservation #regulation #governance #democracy #NSWLogging #landclearing #DualState #lawlessness #authoritarianism #LawGuardrails #normalcy #EmergencyPowers #NationalInterest #legitimisation #exemption #constitution #state #governance #LoggingImpacts

The nature reform bill: “riddled with loopholes that would enable rampant deforestation and species extinctions to continue at pace”.

"Ken Henry warns Labor’s nature laws ‘are worthless’ unless minister tightens ‘national interest’ exemptions. Every project developer is absolutely convinced that their project is in the national interest... Henry said the vague drafting of the “national interest” exemption and the failure to close loopholes for native forest logging and land clearing were problems that needed to be fixed."
>>
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/oct/30/ken-henry-warns-labors-nature-laws-are-worthless-unless-minister-tightens-national-interest-exemptions

Labor’s environmental law overhaul: a little progress and a lot of compromise
https://theconversation.com/labors-environmental-law-overhaul-a-little-progress-and-a-lot-of-compromise-268198
#EPBCAct #exemptions #NationalInterest #deforestation #LandClearing #FastTrackApprovals #NativeForests #LoggingImpacts #climate

The nature reform bill: “riddled with loopholes that would enable rampant deforestation and species extinctions to continue at pace”.

"Ken Henry warns Labor’s nature laws ‘are worthless’ unless minister tightens ‘national interest’ exemptions. Every project developer is absolutely convinced that their project is in the national interest... Henry said the vague drafting of the “national interest” exemption and the failure to close loopholes for native forest logging and land clearing were problems that needed to be fixed."
>>
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/oct/30/ken-henry-warns-labors-nature-laws-are-worthless-unless-minister-tightens-national-interest-exemptions

Labor’s environmental law overhaul: a little progress and a lot of compromise
https://theconversation.com/labors-environmental-law-overhaul-a-little-progress-and-a-lot-of-compromise-268198
#EPBCAct #exemptions #NationalInterest #deforestation #LandClearing #FastTrackApprovals #NativeForests #LoggingImpacts #climate

New national environmental standards ?

"ACF warns weak nature laws risk repeating decades of destruction. As it stands, this draft bill has too many loopholes that benefit big polluters and bulldozers. This is the biggest nature law reform in a generation, and Parliament has to get it right.”

" ACF is calling on the government to ensure the reforms:

Close loopholes that allow deforestation and habitat destruction to continue .

Establish an independent regulator to enforce the rules without political interference .

Set clear national standards to protect and restore nature, and
Require decision-makers to consider climate harm in every decision. "
>>
https://www.acf.org.au/news/acf-warns-weak-nature-laws-risk-repeating-decades-of-destruction
#biodiversity #EPBCAct #law #nature #NativeForests #LoggingImpacts #exemption #NationalInterest #climate #harm #FossilFuels #deforestation #mining #extractivism #LandClearing

New national environmental standards ?

"ACF warns weak nature laws risk repeating decades of destruction. As it stands, this draft bill has too many loopholes that benefit big polluters and bulldozers. This is the biggest nature law reform in a generation, and Parliament has to get it right.”

" ACF is calling on the government to ensure the reforms:

Close loopholes that allow deforestation and habitat destruction to continue .

Establish an independent regulator to enforce the rules without political interference .

Set clear national standards to protect and restore nature, and
Require decision-makers to consider climate harm in every decision. "
>>
https://www.acf.org.au/news/acf-warns-weak-nature-laws-risk-repeating-decades-of-destruction
#biodiversity #EPBCAct #law #nature #NativeForests #LoggingImpacts #exemption #NationalInterest #climate #harm #FossilFuels #deforestation #mining #extractivism #LandClearing

Biodiversity is in catastrophic decline. Here are three ways to ensure Australia’s conservation law actually works

"The commonwealth bureaucracy has failed to enforce the existing laws."

"The exemption for native forest logging should have been phased out. Instead, it was extended."

"The highest priority for the reforms must be to ensure land-clearing is properly regulated."
>>
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/oct/28/australia-conservation-law-biodiversity-decline
#biodiversity #NativeForests #NSWLogging #LoggingImpacts #EPBCAct #extractivism #deforestation #LandClearing #conservation #regulation

Biodiversity is in catastrophic decline. Here are three ways to ensure Australia’s conservation law actually works

"The commonwealth bureaucracy has failed to enforce the existing laws."

"The exemption for native forest logging should have been phased out. Instead, it was extended."

"The highest priority for the reforms must be to ensure land-clearing is properly regulated."
>>
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/oct/28/australia-conservation-law-biodiversity-decline
#biodiversity #NativeForests #NSWLogging #LoggingImpacts #EPBCAct #extractivism #deforestation #LandClearing #conservation #regulation

When trees are being knocked down for farming, it's common for koalas to seek out street signs and power poles as their last available refuge to hide from cars and dogs.
First the thylacine, then...
>>
https://au.news.yahoo.com/discovery-on-power-pole-reveals-growing-problem-aussie-town-didnt-know-existed-074734939.html
#koalas #NSW #LandClearing #biodiversity #sprawl #HabitatDestruction #DogAttacks #pets #dogs #cars #roads #Australia #WildlifeRescue

When trees are being knocked down for farming, it's common for koalas to seek out street signs and power poles as their last available refuge to hide from cars and dogs.
First the thylacine, then...
>>
https://au.news.yahoo.com/discovery-on-power-pole-reveals-growing-problem-aussie-town-didnt-know-existed-074734939.html
#koalas #NSW #LandClearing #biodiversity #sprawl #HabitatDestruction #DogAttacks #pets #dogs #cars #roads #Australia #WildlifeRescue

After widespread and ongoing land clearing of native vegetation comes
Nature Repair under the market paradigm :

"Nature Repair Market: Enhancing Native Vegetation method design. The Nature Repair Market is a legislated voluntary national biodiversity market designed to increase investment in nature and deliver high integrity biodiversity outcomes. Under the Market, landholders will undertake projects that result in specific measurable biodiversity outcomes.The proposed method would support projects on areas of Australia’s landscape that have historically experienced widespread clearing of native vegetation."
>>
https://consult.dcceew.gov.au/env-methods-nature-repair-market
Have your say:
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/environmental-markets/nature-repair-market
#LandClearing #NativeVegetation #biodiversity #ecosystem #restore #RemnantVegetation #NSWLogging #destruction #governance

After widespread and ongoing land clearing of native vegetation comes
Nature Repair under the market paradigm :

"Nature Repair Market: Enhancing Native Vegetation method design. The Nature Repair Market is a legislated voluntary national biodiversity market designed to increase investment in nature and deliver high integrity biodiversity outcomes. Under the Market, landholders will undertake projects that result in specific measurable biodiversity outcomes.The proposed method would support projects on areas of Australia’s landscape that have historically experienced widespread clearing of native vegetation."
>>
https://consult.dcceew.gov.au/env-methods-nature-repair-market
Have your say:
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/environmental-markets/nature-repair-market
#LandClearing #NativeVegetation #biodiversity #ecosystem #restore #RemnantVegetation #NSWLogging #destruction #governance

Labor is close to a deal on environmental law reforms.
There are troubling signs these will fall short.
No more logging loopholes?
No New Extinctions?
>>
https://theconversation.com/labor-is-close-to-a-deal-on-environmental-law-reforms-there-are-troubling-signs-these-will-fall-short-267102
#Biodiversity #EPBCAct #EPA #destruction #law #FossilFuels #GHG #climate #LoggingImpacts #LandClearing #extinctions

Labor is close to a deal on environmental law reforms.
There are troubling signs these will fall short.
No more logging loopholes?
No New Extinctions?
>>
https://theconversation.com/labor-is-close-to-a-deal-on-environmental-law-reforms-there-are-troubling-signs-these-will-fall-short-267102
#Biodiversity #EPBCAct #EPA #destruction #law #FossilFuels #GHG #climate #LoggingImpacts #LandClearing #extinctions

A nation of arsonists
From arson to carelessness: how humans set Europe on fire

"A staggering 96% of EU wildfires are human-caused, many set on purpose... Yet the issue is consistently overlooked by policymakers and treated lightly by courts."

"Many blazes are caused by carelessness, but a significant proportion are deliberate – especially in the worst-affected countries: Portugal, Spain, France and Greece."

“This is a serious crime that destroys lives, villages and natural heritage...The law exists – what is lacking is firm justice, without complacency...A 2015 government report also found that farmers often start fires while clearing land during high-risk periods and then allow them to spread unchecked.""
>>
https://www.euractiv.com/news/mishaps-negligence-and-arson-how-humans-set-fire-to-europe/
#bushfires #fires #arson #LandClearing #farming #grazing #SlashedBurn #PileBurning #crime

A nation of arsonists
From arson to carelessness: how humans set Europe on fire

"A staggering 96% of EU wildfires are human-caused, many set on purpose... Yet the issue is consistently overlooked by policymakers and treated lightly by courts."

"Many blazes are caused by carelessness, but a significant proportion are deliberate – especially in the worst-affected countries: Portugal, Spain, France and Greece."

“This is a serious crime that destroys lives, villages and natural heritage...The law exists – what is lacking is firm justice, without complacency...A 2015 government report also found that farmers often start fires while clearing land during high-risk periods and then allow them to spread unchecked.""
>>
https://www.euractiv.com/news/mishaps-negligence-and-arson-how-humans-set-fire-to-europe/
#bushfires #fires #arson #LandClearing #farming #grazing #SlashedBurn #PileBurning #crime

The destruction of koala habitat shows ‘total failure’ of nature laws

"More clearing of koala habitat has been approved under Australia’s nature laws in 2025 so far than in any other year since the marsupial was listed as a threatened species, according to an analysis by the Australian Conservation Foundation.The very law meant to protect nature is so poorly enforced that it has failed to stop nearly 2.3m hectares of likely koala habitat from being bulldozed and cut down."

"The analysis found native forest logging, particularly in NSW, was also contributing to koala habitat loss, with 391,170 ha of likely koala habitat destroyed by logging operations over the 12-year period."
>>
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/07/loss-of-koala-habitat-shows-total-failure-of-nature-laws-conservationists-say
#EPBCAct #biodiversity #nature #laws #governance #enforcement #failure #extinction #harm #NSWLogging #BellingenLogging #EndangeredSpecies #conservation #LandClearing #deforestation #koalas #decline #LoggingImpacts #TheGreatKoalaNationalPark

The destruction of koala habitat shows ‘total failure’ of nature laws

"More clearing of koala habitat has been approved under Australia’s nature laws in 2025 so far than in any other year since the marsupial was listed as a threatened species, according to an analysis by the Australian Conservation Foundation.The very law meant to protect nature is so poorly enforced that it has failed to stop nearly 2.3m hectares of likely koala habitat from being bulldozed and cut down."

"The analysis found native forest logging, particularly in NSW, was also contributing to koala habitat loss, with 391,170 ha of likely koala habitat destroyed by logging operations over the 12-year period."
>>
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/07/loss-of-koala-habitat-shows-total-failure-of-nature-laws-conservationists-say
#EPBCAct #biodiversity #nature #laws #governance #enforcement #failure #extinction #harm #NSWLogging #BellingenLogging #EndangeredSpecies #conservation #LandClearing #deforestation #koalas #decline #LoggingImpacts #TheGreatKoalaNationalPark

Minns government’s #environmental integrity condemned as ‘nonexistent’ amid 40% surge in land clearing https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jul/29/nsw-land-clearing-surge-government-environmental-integrity-condemned-ntwnfb

Chris Minns promised to build bigger educational facilities in our ever expanding region, then when elected proceeded to give all the land earmarked for schools to developers to build shops & parking.

#AusPol #Environment #Logging #LandClearing #Destruction #Liars

NSW "cowboys continue to knock down huge swathes of healthy forests."

"ACF says satellite evidence shows mass native habitat destruction by farmers."
>>
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2025-06-21/acf-citizen-scientists-satellite-images-of-land-clearing/105436794
#biodiversity #LandClearing #ThreatenedSpecies #beef #meat #cattle #extractivism #EPBCAct #CitizenScientist #degradation #NSW