This Fact Sheet identifies existing legal mechanisms for protecting critical habitat and areas of outstanding biodiversity value, including:
- Areas of Outstanding Biodiversity Value (NSW)
- Critical Habitat and areas of major interest (Qld)
- Critical Habitat (Vic)
- Critical Habitat (Cth)
These mechanisms comprise various powers to identify and declare areas for protection. If better utilised, these legal mechanisms could provide protection for critical, unburnt areas, to help species and ecosystem recover from the devastating impacts of the 2019-2020 bushfire season and to safeguard against future impacts of climate change.
