The Northern Jarrah Forest in Western Australia has environmental, cultural, social and economic significance. With competing existing uses of the region, and plans for the expansion of development areas, strategic approaches are required to mitigate the impacts of development and ensure a meaningful contribution to sustainable developments through biodiversity offsets.
Environmental offsets are used throughout Australia to compensate for the impacts of development. In Western Australia, offsets are required by the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water for impacts to Matters of National Environmental Significance; the Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions for the taking of flora, fauna, and impacts to ecological communities; and the Western Australian Department of Water and Environmental Regulation for native vegetation clearing and environmental protection.
This project focused on biodiversity offsets and was conducted in four stages.
1. Literature review to identify knowledge gaps and opportunities for offsets in the Northern Jarrah Forest: The identification of gaps in knowledge, management and conservation in the Northern Jarrah Forest.
2. Stakeholder engagement to provide context to the data analysis. The information gathered during this stage was also used as the “acceptability” component of the risk assessment of offset options during Stage 3.
3. Spatial data analysis to identify areas potentially suitable for offset opportunities to be implemented. The results of the spatial analysis were risk assessed and the information gathered during this stage was also used to inform the “confidence” component of the risk analysis.
4. A final report to consolidate information gathered in the three preceding stages and final recommendations: Strategic opportunities for environmental offsets in the Northern Jarrah Forest.
The project report was initiated by Alcoa of Australia Limited, Newmont Boddington Pty Ltd, and South32 Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd under the South West Sustainability Partnership initiative. We thank these organisations for their assistance and input in the preparation of this report.
More information such as supplementary maps are available on request. Please contact us at restoration@wabsi.org.au