One of Victoria’s oldest conservation charities welcomes Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s commitment to reform our environmental protection laws.

Over the last 50 years Trust for Nature has protected 110,000 ha of freehold land in Victoria.

Last week the Australian Government announced plans to overhaul environmental laws, including introducing an independent, national, Environment Protection Authority.

CEO of Trust for Nature, Corinne Proske, says the changes will help build on the job we do. She said, “Trust for Nature was set up to increase conservation on private land.

“We protect threatened species, but we can’t successfully save them alone—we need a national legal framework in place that supports environmental protection and provides organisations, landholders and governments with clarity around their role in helping to preserve the habitats our plants and animals need to survive.”

To date over 1,500 Victorians have placed conservation covenants on their properties to permanently protect their conservation values.

The covenant remains on the property title, even after the property changes hands.

Corinne said, “We are really pleased to see the introduction of National Environmental Standards and a commitment to investigate barriers and incentives for the protection and restoration of biodiversity on private land.

“We also applaud the commitment to partner with First Nations to achieve better outcomes for community and nature. Improved cultural land management is  key to the sustainability of our environment.

“Plants and animals don’t recognise state and federal borders, so more support nationwide for habitat management and protection.”