By Mark Carey,
Department of the Environment
Australian Government

On 21 December 2015, the Minister for the Environment the Hon Greg Hunt, approved the new Wildlife Conservation Plan for Migratory Shorebirds. On 14 January 2016, the Plan was lodged on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments and came into force the following day.

Under section 285 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, wildlife conservation plans may be prepared for the purposes of protection, conservation and management of listed migratory species. A review of the first Wildlife Conservation Plan for Migratory Shorebirds, first made in 2006, recommended the Plan be updated to outline a new national framework identifying research and management actions to protect migratory shorebirds in Australia. The new Plan includes a summary of Australia’s commitments under international conventions and agreements and outlines key aspects of identifying ‘important habitat’ as described in the EPBC Act Policy Statement 3.21 – Industry Guidelines for avoiding, assessing and mitigating impacts on EPBC Act listed migratory shorebird species. The Plan also outlines national actions to support migratory shorebird conservation, and will be used to ensure these activities are integrated and remain focused on the long-term survival of migratory shorebird populations and their habitat.

For further information and download links, please visit the website of the Department of Environment, Australian Government.