Biodiversity offsets in the Northern Jarrah Forest

Biodiversity offsets are one part of the mitigation hierarchy and can compensate for environmental impacts that cannot be avoided, mitigated or rehabilitated. In the Northern Jarrah Forest, a strategic approach can help move beyond project-by-project offsets towards opportunities that deliver broader regional environmental benefits.

WABSI worked with industry, government and other stakeholders to identify knowledge gaps, opportunities and potential locations for strategic offset activities. The project combined a review of existing knowledge, stakeholder engagement and spatial analysis to assess where conservation, restoration and management activities could have the greatest value.

Considering offsets at a regional scale creates opportunities to address cumulative impacts, improve ecological connectivity and prioritise investment where it can deliver the greatest environmental benefit. It can also reduce the risks and inefficiencies associated with individual, disconnected offset activities.

The project's final recommendations identify strategic opportunities for environmental offsets in the Northern Jarrah Forest, taking account of environmental, social, cultural and economic considerations. This provides a stronger evidence base for decisions about where restoration and conservation investment can contribute to both biodiversity outcomes and sustainable development.