Strong Nature Laws
A new framework for prosperity
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act is our nation’s key environmental and planning legislation, and yet it was failing to protect nature, undermining economic prosperity, holding back the transition to net zero and stalling much needed housing for a growing population.
Protecting nature is foundational to sustainable economic growth and a prosperous society. Reforming our broken environmental laws was a once in a generation opportunity to align economic prosperity with environmental protection and create a system that works for nature, the economy and communities.
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
On December 1 2025 significant amendments to the EPBC Act became law. They deliver fundamental changes to the way the Act operates and establishes new safeguards for the environment which are critical to a resilient and sustainable economy. The amendments create:
- An independent national Environment Protection Authority with the power to ensure compliance with environmental standards and issue stop work orders for non-compliance. It will audit accredited approval holders and will assess and approve projects when delegated by the Minister.
- Enforceable National Environmental Standards that establish clear, strong guidelines for activities to ensure a positive environmental outcome and importantly protect matters of national environmental significance.
- A Net Gain requirement to ensure that offsets must leave a protected matter measurably better off.
- An Unacceptable Impacts definition meaning a project which has an unacceptable impact on a Matter of National Environmental Significance cannot be approved.
- Removing exemptions for land clearing so that the rules are consistently applied. Land clearing will be subject to approval under the act and any land clearing within 50 meters of the Great Barrier Reef catchment will require assessment and approval. The Commonwealth Government will also gain new powers to respond to illegal land clearing, giving it stronger tools to enforce the law.
- Removing exemptions for Regional Forestry Agreements so that in 18 months native forest logging activities will be subject to the same assessment criteria as other activities assessed under the act.
- Removal of fast-track pathways for coal and gas preventing fossil fuel projects from moving through the new streamlined assessment pathway and the bioregional planning pathways.
- Preservation of the Water Trigger, maintaining federal oversight of major coal and CSG projects and their impact on water.
- A streamlined approvals system for renewables, housing and major projects that are critical to productivity and the transition to net zero
- Provides for Regional Plans to be developed by the three levels of government working with local communities, including First Nations custodians, to design sustainable futures for communities, business and the environment.
Muddy Mess – Deforestation and the Great Barrier Reef
Sediment from deforestation remains the major unsolved impact on Great Barrier Reef water quality. Individual decisions by thousands of landholders to clear forests for pasture have combined to dump millions of tonnes of mud onto inshore reefs.
To reverse this trend, the Commonwealth needs to implement a comprehensive, whole-of-catchment plan. This strategy should feature clear maps designating strict no-go zones where clearing is entirely banned, supported by enforceable ecosystem restoration targets.
Report
Bioregional Planning
Recent reforms to Australia’s national environment laws prioritise the creation of Bioregional Plans. These plans assess environmental values of a region before
major projects occur, identifying areas for protection and restoration, places for
development, and clear rules for development and conservation.
To evaluate the potential of Bioregional Planning to deliver improved environmental
outcomes and expedite the rollout of renewable energy, ACBF commissioned
experienced strategic planners Kirstie Allen and GYDE consulting to undertake case
studies that test the application of bioregional planning in two regions with emerging
renewable energy developments in NSW and Queensland.
An initial summary report, ‘Accelerating renewable energy development while
delivering environmental net gain’, found that bioregional planning presents a major
opportunity and is an important new tool to provide greater clarity for developers and
host communities, speed up approvals and secure clear outcomes for the
environment.
However, the summary report also found that ‘substantial budget and implementation
challenges’ lie ahead. Realising the potential of bioregional planning requires
immediate steps to be taken toward implementation, including significant federal
government investment to secure faster, more consistent approval decisions, a
‘major shift in data quality and accessibility’ and consistent rules and standards for
implementing bioregional plans.
ACBF welcomes feedback on the initial summary report, with a full report to be
available in April 2026. To provide feedback, please email
warrick@climatebiodiversity.org