ContentsIntroduction
Biodiversity Conservation
Protection of biodiversity
Overview
What biota should the Act protect?
Listing of threatened and specially protected biota
Protection of listed biota
Protection of habitat
Controlling threatening processes
"Conservation offset" conditions
Bioregional planning
Bilateral agreements
Restoration of biodiversity
Overview
Recovery plans
Conservation orders
Assistance for biodiversity management and restoration Sustainable use of biodiversity
Overview
Objectives
General controls
Export of fauna
Bioprospecting
Nature-based tourism and recreation
Use of biological resources by indigenous people
Public consultation on the Biodiversity Conservation Act
Introduction
Western Australia is internationally renowned for the diversity of its plants, animals and ecosystems, and the southwest of the State is recognised as one of the world's 25 biodiversity hotspots.
At a time when the world is losing species and their habitats at an increasing rate, we have a particular responsibility to conserve this biodiversity.
It is important that Western Australia has effective legislation to assist us in our efforts to achieve this goal.
It has been recognised for some time that our principal biodiversity conservation legislation, the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, is outdated and does not provide an adequate legislative basis for biodiversity conservation in this State.
This Government is determined to act to bring biodiversity conservation in Western Australia into the 21st century. We aim to introduce a Biodiversity Conservation Bill to the Parliament by late 2003 or early 2004. Between now and then we will be engaging in a public consultation process to develop the best possible Bill to put to the Parliament.
Comment on this consultation paper will be an important first step in the public consultation process, and we urge interested organizations and members of the public to provide a response to the consultation paper.
Dr Geoff Gallop MLA Dr Judy Edwards MLA
Premier of Western Australia Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Biodiversity Conservation
Why we need new biodiversity conservation legislation
Biodiversity is the variety of life | 
