Land and biodiversity at a time of climate change - Home
| Home | Green Paper | What you've said | Victoria's natural environment | Governance | Media releases The ecosystems of Victoria are globally significant. Victoria’s land and aquatic environments support a wider range of ecosystems than any area of similar size in Australia. However, despite the efforts of Victoria’s pioneering Landcare movement, a long history of environment protection legislation and widespread action by governments, businesses and the community, the health of our natural environment continues to decline. In addition to long-established pressures, we also need to contend with an unpredictable and changing climate. In the face of these challenges, the Victorian Government’s Our Environment Our Future: Sustainability Action Statement 2006, made a commitment to the development of a Land and Biodiversity White Paper (Action 7.1). Read the video transcript (below) Terms of Reference The White Paper, due for release in mid-2009, will:
Following the release of an initial Consultation Paper in April 2007 over 360 submissions were received. The key themes from these submissions were analysed extensively and used to inform the development of a Green Paper which was released on 6 April 2008. An independent analysis of the Consultation Paper submissions (PDF - 500 Kb) was also provided by the Environment Defenders’ Office.
 page top Related initiatives Parallel to the development of the White Paper the 1997 Biodiversity Strategy is being renewed. Contact To find out more, email land.whitepaper@dse.vic.gov.au or contact the Department of Sustainability and Environment’s Customer Service Centre on 136 186. Video transcript Victoria is well recognised for its diverse, fertile and attractive land and seascapes. These are characterised by distinctive plants and animals. They provide us with world class food, wine and tourism industries, and they provide our communities with unique cultural and recreational opportunities. These assets, however, are under constant pressure from both natural and human influences. Pressure that will only increase with the impact of climate change. Our weather patterns are becoming more extreme and crucial habitat is likely to be lost. These impacts will affect all Victorians, in our cities, our towns and our rural areas. We all have a role in protecting the ecosystems that support our prosperity and well-being. Communities, farmers, government and business are already working hard to protect our natural ecosystems and the values they provide. The White Paper for Land and biodiversity will extend this work, providing a foundation for government policy for the next 20 to 50 years and helping to build greater resilience into our natural systems and primary industries. Through the White Paper we will work towards a mosaic of land use, where the environmental, economic and social values of our natural systems are optimised for a sustainable future. |  |          |
