Government Proposes Special Wildlife Reserves

On 14 June the Nature Conservation (Special Wildlife Reserves) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 was introduced to Parliament.

The Bill will create a new class of privately protected area called Special Wildlife Reserves (SWR) that will allow private landholders and conservation groups to manage land similar to a national park.  

SWRs can be declared over a variety of land tenures including freehold and land subject to a lease under the Land Act 1994.  The responsible Minister and landholders must agree that the declaration of the area as an SWR should occur, agree to the terms of a conservation agreement, and there must be an approved management program.

Following the introduction of the Bill it was referred to the Agriculture and Environment Committee who are seeking feedback from interested stakeholders. Submissions close on Monday 10 July 2017.