The federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt, announced proposed reforms this week to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Driven by ambitious climate goals and unfavourable delays in the current approval system, the government plans to introduce ‘go’ and ‘no-go’ zones, which will identify areas where projects can proceed without extensive applications, and areas where development cannot occur under any circumstances. Environmental Consultant Holly Hanley explains what the reforms may mean for developers and projects.

When planning for a major development project, biodiversity impact assessments are a critical step towards a successful application. They help identify potential threats and ensure the right course of action is taken to protect our native species.

By now, if you're working within Australia's environmental industry, you'll be familiar with the current Nature Positive reforms happening at a national level. Amidst the plethora of information, we’ve created a breakdown of where the reforms currently stand, what's next, and what it means for our clients.