Australia’s Native Vegetation Framework A NATIONAL FRAMEWORK TO GUIDE THE ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AUSTRALIA’S NATIVE VEGETATION COAG STANDING COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENT AND WATER Australia’s Native Vegetation Framework A NATIONAL FRAMEWORK TO GUIDE THE ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AUSTRALIA’S NATIVE VEGETATION COAG STANDING COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENT AND WATER © Standing Council on Environment and Water 2012 This work is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce this material in unaltered form only (retaining this notice) for your personal, non-commercial use or use within your organisation. Selected passages may be reproduced provided due acknowledgement is made. Permission will be required for the reproduction of any photographs. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Secretariat through the Community Information Unit (see contact details below). For bibliographic purposes this publication may be cited as: COAG Standing Council on Environment and Water 2012, Australia’s Native Vegetation Framework, Australian Government, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra. ISBN 978-1-921733-57-4 - Australia’s Native Vegetation Framework The views and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Commonwealth or the members of the COAG Standing Council on Environment and Water and its associated committees, including the Native Vegetation Framework Review Task Group. The Commonwealth of Australia acting through the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has exercised due care and skill in the preparation and compilation of the information set out in this publication and the information provided in this publication is considered to be correct at the time of publication. However changes in the circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information. The Commonwealth therefore disclaims all representations and warranties regarding the currency, completeness, accuracy and suitability of the content of this publication and, disclaims all legal liability for any loss, damage, expense and / or costs incurred by any person arising out of use of or reliance on this publication. The Commonwealth recommends that users exercise their own skill and care with respect to their use of this publication and that users carefully evaluate the accuracy, currency, completeness and relevance of the material in this publication for their purposes. Secretariat Australia’s Native Vegetation Framework Review Task Group Secretariat c/- National Biodiversity Section Biodiversity Policy Branch Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities GPO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601 More information and a copy of the framework is available at: www.environment.gov.au/nvf More information is also available from: Community Information Unit Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities GPO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601 Telephone: 1800 803 772 Email: [email protected] Main cover image: Majura paddock bathed in evening light (Photo by Tristan Armstrong, Friends of Mount Majura) Front cover images: From top left to right: Watering seedling to aid survival through drought period on Mt Macdonald, ACT (Photo by Andrew Tatnell); Close up of flowering Acacia at Boyagarra Pool on the Avon River, WA (Photo by Michael Marriott); Discussing successful tree planting on property east of Cowra, NSW (Photo by John Baker); Eucalyptus macrocarpa in full flower, in paddock at edge of remnant vegetation in the Avon NRM region (Photo by Michael Marriott); Checking the remains of an old Indigenous fire site on Stratford Station, near Blackall, QLD (Photo by Dragi Markovic). Back cover images From top left to right: Un-named species germinating on farm near Dumbleyung, WA (Photo by Michael Marriott); Hakea obtusa in the Ravensthorpe Connection, WA (Photo by Amanda Keesing); Nantawarrina Indigenous Protected Area, SA (Photo by Nick Rains); Kingia in Stirling Range National Park, WA (Photo by Amanda Keesing); Collecting Prickly Tree plants for revegetation in forestry corridor near Millicent, SA (Photo by Dragi Markovic). Design by Voodoo Creative The publication was printed in Australia on recycled paper. Australia’s Native Vegetation Framework ii Ministerial Council Foreword Australia’s native vegetation is crucial to a healthy and biodiverse Australian landscape. It provides essential ecological goods and services and supports our economy and the productivity of many industries. Our native vegetation also underpins our cultural identity as a nation: it continues to play an important role in the relationship of Indigenous peoples with country — their traditional lands and waters — and in the lives of the many Australians who enjoy the wonder and beauty of our natural environments. The Council has now released Australia’s Native Vegetation Framework as a national policy and call for action to achieve the sustainable management of Australia’s native vegetation. It provides strategic guidance for the next steps forward, recognising the essential role that native vegetation plays in conserving and promoting a biodiverse and thriving natural landscape and our shared responsibility to manage and protect it. This framework updates the 2001 National Framework for the Management and Monitoring of Australia’s Native Vegetation and adapts our national approach to emerging priorities and pressures on our land environment. It will also better enable us to plan for and manage the changes to native vegetation and production systems that are expected through climate change. The framework has been developed by a cooperative effort between all Australian Governments, and expresses their commitment to improving the national condition of native vegetation. Victoria supports the Framework in-principle and is not opposed to setting national directions relating to native vegetation management. However, Victoria is currently reviewing the state native vegetation regulations and the Victorian Minister for Environment and Climate Change is not in a position to consider endorsing the Framework until the Victorian review is complete. Australian Governments will work together to implement the framework as well as to monitor and report on progress towards its goals and targets. It supports Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010–2030 by translating the strategy’s principles, priorities for action and targets into specific goals and targets for native vegetation. The framework provides information on how government, the private sector and the community can work together to improve the health and condition of Australia’s native vegetation. It also provides a means to monitor and evaluate our progress. The framework’s vision will be achieved when our combined efforts result in an Australian landscape that maintains and promotes healthy, diverse and connected native vegetation communities which are resilient to change. This will be for the long-term benefit of all Australians. COAG Standing Council on Environment and Water Foreword iii Contents Executive Summary vi Purpose of Australia’s Native Vegetation Framework viii Vision and principles for Australia’s Native Vegetation Framework xii 1 Setting the context 1 1.1 Australia’s native vegetation 2 1.1.1 What is native vegetation? 2 1.1.2 Why is native vegetation important? 2 1.2 The current record 4 1.2.1 The current extent and condition of native vegetation 4 1.2.2 Achievements so far 11 1.2.3 Threats to native vegetation 21 1.3 What can we do? 25 2 Goals, outcomes and targets 33 2.1 Goal 1 – Increase the national extent and connectivity of native vegetation 38 2.1.1 Outcomes for Goal 1 38 2.1.2 Rationale for Goal 1 38 2.1.3 Targets for Goal 1 41 Australia’s Native Vegetation Framework iv 2.2 Goal 2 – Maintain and improve the condition and function of native vegetation 45 2.2.1 Outcomes for Goal 2 45 2.2.2 Rationale for Goal 2 45 2.2.3 Targets for Goal 2 46 2.3 Goal 3 – Maximise the native vegetation benefits of ecosystem service markets 50 2.3.1 Outcomes for Goal 3 50 2.3.2 Rationale for Goal 3 50 2.3.3 Targets for Goal 3 53 2.4 Goal 4 – Build capacity to understand, value and manage native vegetation 59 2.4.1 Outcomes for Goal 4 59 2.4.2 Rationale for Goal 4 59 2.4.3 Targets for Goal 4 62 2.5 Goal 5 – Advance the engagement and inclusion of Indigenous peoples in management of native vegetation 68 2.5.1 Outcomes for Goal 5 68 2.5.2 Rationale for Goal 5 68 2.5.3 Targets for Goal 5 72 3 Implementation 77 Appendix 1: Current frameworks, policies, initiatives and legislation 80 Appendix 2: List of extra resources available 93 Glossary 94 References and bibliography 102 Peppermint box woodland on private property near Murray Bridge, SA (Photo by Andrew Tatnell) Contents v Executive Summary Australia’s Native Vegetation Framework will guide native vegetation management across the Australian landscape. The vision of the framework is that native vegetation is managed in an ecologically sustainable way that promotes its enduring environmental, economic, social, cultural and spiritual values. The framework recognises that native vegetation is crucial for the health of Australia’s environment, that it supports our economy and productivity as well as our biodiversity and that it is embedded within Australia’s