On National Threatened Species Day (7 September) the NSW Government announced a ‘zero extinction’ target for NSW national parks, along with 221 ‘assets of intergenerational significance’ (AIS) covering the locations of 92 threatened species across 110 conservation reserves1. These follow the initial declaration under new legislation of the iconic Wollemi Pine as the first AIS in January.
In his announcement, Environment Minister Matt Kean said these declarations “are a game changer for threatened species, triggering the strongest possible legal protections – mandating conservation plans, targeted feral animal control, bespoke fire management and monitoring and reporting“1.
The Guardian reports that AIS declarations were introduced after the 2019-20 bushfire disaster and that the list includes “15 of the most important strongholds for the koala and seven sites where the endangered brush-tailed rock-wallaby is found‘2.
An interactive map shows all the sites and species which include the Alpine She-oak Skink and Broad-toothed Rat in Kosciuszko National Park, Dwarf Mountain Pine in Blue Mountains NP, Rufous Scrub-bird in Border Ranges NP and NSW-extinct mammals re-introduced to Sturt NP and Mallee Cliffs NP.
- 1 “Zero extinctions target set for NSW national parks” NSW Government, 7 Sept 2021
- 2 “Zero extinction target for NSW national parks welcomed by environment groups” The Guardian, 7 Sept 2021
IBG comment
- This initiative came out of the blue when the Rural Fires Act was being amended in the aftermath of Black Summer (2019-2020). The main push for amending the RF Act was to allow clearing along private boundary fences, a dubious and potentially destructive ‘bushfire protection’ measure about which IBG raised concerns.
- IBG understands the AIS initiative came out of wrangling within government over how to respond to Black Summer (2019-2020). The NSW Bushfire Inquiry had suggested that critical environmental assets should receive protection second only to human life (ie. above property), but did not actually make a recommendation to that effect.
- Important environmental assets like threatened species and Aboriginal cultural features have long been mapped as part of local bushfire planning, however it has proved challenging to have them recognised and protected during firefighting operations. This is demonstrated by many examples from the Black Summer fires.
- With legal power behind AIS, IBG hopes this will enhance the protection of these sites, when possible, during bushfires. This does not have to be disruptive, as experience shows it is often just as easy to take a protective approach as the opposite.
- However the proof of the pudding is still to come, including AIS conservation plans (which include public input), effective integration into bushfire planning and actual protection.
- It is understood that more AIS sites are coming.
Independent Bushfire Group 