Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
Agency name	Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
Formed	2017
Jurisdiction	Western Australia
Headquarters	Perth
Parent agency	Government of Western Australia

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions is a statutory authority in Western Australia responsible for managing Kings Park, Perth, Ningaloo Coast, Karijini National Park and numerous other protected areas, coordinating initiatives that intersect with agencies such as the Department of Parks and Wildlife (Western Australia), Parks Australia, Conservation International, World Wide Fund for Nature and regional bodies including Shire of Broome and City of Perth. The agency operates across landscapes associated with Noongar people, Yamatji, Nyungar, Miriwoong Gajerrong and other Traditional Owners, while interacting with national frameworks such as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the Biodiversity Convention, and programs linked to UNESCO World Heritage Committee, Australian Heritage Commission and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

History

The prior administrative lineage traces through predecessors like Department of Environment and Conservation (Western Australia), Forest Products Commission (Western Australia), Department of Parks and Wildlife (Western Australia) and entities reorganised under the McGowan Ministry, following reviews influenced by reports from the Environmental Protection Agency (Western Australia), inquiries associated with the WA Parliament and policy positions from parties such as the Australian Labor Party (Western Australian Branch). Founding actions referenced historical conservation milestones including the creation of Kings Park and Botanic Garden, the proclamation of Nambung National Park, and heritage listings like Shark Bay World Heritage Area, with administrative precedents from colonial offices established during the era of the Government of Western Australia (1829–1890).

Organisation and structure

The department is structured into branches that align with specialist bodies such as the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, the Rottnest Island Authority, and collaborative units linked to Western Power, Water Corporation (Western Australia), Australian Wildlife Conservancy and regional operators like the Shire of Exmouth. Governance involves ministerial oversight through portfolios held within the Western Australian Legislative Assembly, executive leadership influenced by staffing from agencies such as the Australian Public Service Commission and liaison with statutory committees including panels represented by stakeholders from WWF-Australia, Bush Heritage Australia, Greening Australia, and indigenous corporations such as the Kimberley Land Council.

Responsibilities and functions

Statutory responsibilities encompass management of protected areas comparable to duties performed by Parks Canada, Department of Conservation (New Zealand), and National Park Service (United States), delivery of fire and emergency services in partnership with DFES (Western Australia), implementation of threatened species recovery plans under mechanisms like the EPBC Act and engagement with international agreements including the Convention on Biological Diversity. Operational functions involve biodiversity monitoring akin to programs run by CSIRO, invasive species control comparable to initiatives by Biosecurity Australia, heritage conservation aligned with Australian Heritage Council standards, and tourism facilitation in sites such as Margaret River and Rottnest Island with stakeholders including Tourism Western Australia and the Australian Tourism Industry Council.

Parks and reserves managed

The portfolio includes major protected areas and reserves such as Kings Park, Perth, Ningaloo Marine Park, Karijini National Park, Purnululu National Park, Zuytdorp Cliffs, Rottnest Island, Shark Bay, Francois Peron National Park, Stirling Range National Park, and numerous regional reserves adjoining areas managed by Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (Western Australia), Goldfields-Esperance region administrations, Kimberley conservation initiatives, and collaborative management areas recognized under native title determinations like those upheld by the Federal Court of Australia.

Conservation programs and research

Programs include threatened flora and fauna recovery initiatives working with partners such as Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Universities of Western Australia, Curtin University, Murdoch University, and research institutes like CSIRO. Research priorities span ecological restoration modeled after projects like Project Noah, translocations reflecting methods used by Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (Victoria), marine conservation comparable to Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority studies, and fire ecology research linked to findings from the Bushfire CRC and collaborations with the WA Museum and international bodies including IUCN.

Community engagement and education

Engagement strategies include ranger programs, volunteer initiatives coordinated with Landcare Australia, interpretive services in partnership with Botanic Gardens Conservation International, indigenous co-management agreements with organisations such as the Aboriginal Lands Trust (Western Australia), and public education campaigns aligned with outreach efforts by Australian Museum, Perth Zoo, Rottnest Island Authority and tourism bodies like Tourism Australia. The department supports citizen science platforms similar to Atlas of Living Australia and cooperative projects with conservation NGOs including Bush Heritage Australia and Greening Australia to integrate Traditional Owner knowledge from groups such as the Noongar people and Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation into land and sea country management.

Category:Government agencies of Western Australia