Biodiversity

Threatened species

Threat abatement plans

Threat abatement plans provide for the research, management, and any other actions necessary to reduce the impact of a listed key threatening process on native species and ecological communities. Implementing the plan should assist the long term survival in the wild of affected native species or ecological communities.

The Australian Government Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts (the Minister), may decide whether to have a threat abatement plan for a threatening process in the list of key threatening processes established under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

Making a decision to have a threat abatement plan

Within 90 days of listing a key threatening process the Minister must decide if a threat abatement plan should be made or adopted.

This decision is based on whether having and implementing a plan is the most 'feasible, effective and efficient way to abate the process'. The Minister will consult the Threatened Species Scientific Committee and interested government agencies before making this decision.

Making or adopting a threat abatement plan

If a threat abatement plan is needed one will be developed in accordance with the requirements specified in Section 271 of the EPBC Act and in Regulation 7.12.

Having decided to have a plan, before making or adopting the plan the Minister must consult widely. Consultation includes advertising and inviting comment on the plan during a specified period. In making a threat abatement plan regard must be had to the role and interests of Indigenous people in the conservation of Australia's biodiversity.

More information

For a comprehensive understanding of the provisions relating to threat abatement plans, you should refer directly to the:

For general information about threat abatement plans contact the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts Community Information Unit:
Email: ciu@environment.gov.au
Freecall: 1800 803 772

Male noisy scrub bird. Photo Alan Danks

Key

   Links to another web site
   Opens a pop-up window