Think tank and conservationists alarmed by Tasmanian State of the Environment Report

The 2024 State of the Environment Report produced under the State Policies and Projects Act 1993 by the independent Tasmanian Planning Commission was tabled in Parliament this week and is now publicly available.

The Report documents selected environmental data, trends, and progress across Tasmania and is the first of its kind in over a decade.

The Australia Institute notes the Report as being a scathing indictment of the Tasmanian Government's environmental mismanagement while the Bob Brown Foundation says the Tasmanian State of the Environment report paints a 'shocking picture’.

Tasmanian Planning Minister Felix Ellis said the state government is reviewing the report’s findings and noted “we are committed to sustainable management of our environment while also continuing to pursue economic development opportunities, ensuring Tasmania remains the best place to live, work and raise a family.”

The Australia Institute is alarmed by the Report and advised that the State of the Environment Report shows Tasmania's unique environmental assets have been severely impacted by years of neglect from the state government.

The Report rates nearly two thirds of environmental indicators as declining or in poor condition. 40% of the indicators for coastal and marine environments are in 'poor' condition.

The Report highlights a significant decline in vital habitats such as kelp forests in the ocean and Swift Parrot forests on land.

According to the Report, 31% of Tasmanian vascular flora (588 species) is considered threatened or possibly threatened, with 36% of endemic plant species facing a similar fate.

The number of endangered and vulnerable flora species under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act has also increased from 189 in 2008 to 230 in 2022.

In terms of fauna, 16.5% (76 species) of Tasmania’s vertebrate species are currently listed as threatened.

The report notes that between 1995 and 2023, the total number of threatened fauna species increased in every habitat type, with terrestrial habitats experiencing the most significant rise.

Eloise Carr, Director of the Australia Institute's Tasmanian branch notes "The Australia Institute welcomes the first Tasmanian State of the Environment Report in 15 years but is alarmed by what the report reveals about the deteriorating state of Tasmania's environment.

"The report is a scathing indictment of the Tasmanian Government's environmental mismanagement. Too often they are putting foreign profits ahead of Tasmanians' wellbeing, because we all rely on a healthy environment.

"It is clear from last week's budget that all the Government intends to do about the report is read it.

"They have not put any money towards implementing its recommendations or preparing the next one. Instead, they have slashed the Tasmanian Planning Commission's budget by $400,000.

"The report also reveals serious deficiencies in Tasmania's environmental monitoring programs. This means government agencies do not have data to be able to make strategic decisions about the use of natural resources.

"It is unacceptable that in 2024 we cannot report accurately on the state of our rivers and wetlands.

"The Tasmanian Planning Commission has failed to consider the impact of poor environmental health on human wellbeing, account against United Nations frameworks, or incorporate Tasmanian Aboriginal peoples' rights and knowledge throughout its assessments.”

The Bob Brown Foundation has accused the Liberal Government of overseeing much of the destruction since coming to power, claiming they have acted at the behest of loggers, miners and industrial fish farmers.

The Foundation’s Jenny Weber said the environmental destruction is evident in the “annihilation” of “precious ecosystems” across the state.

“Across this island, native forest logging is responsible for pushing animals like the Swift Parrot, Tasmanian Devil and the Masked Owl towards extinction,” she said.

“It is horrifying that our ancient forests are chopped down for woodchips while our unique wildlife pays the price and it is all sanctioned by the Liberal and Labor coalition.”

The report made 16 recommendations to the state government:

1. Develop a long-term vision and strategy for Tasmania’s environment

2. The Commission recommends that the Tasmanian Government explore opportunities to collaborate with the Aboriginal community in ways that continue to incorporate Aboriginal knowledge and values into better care of the environment.

3. Develop an environmental data strategy

4. Contemporary RMPS (Resource Management and Planning System) objectives and legislation

5. Establish more marine protected areas

6. Undertake a review of Tasmania’s coastal policy

7. Recommendation 7:Support the collection and analysis of fisheries independent data

8. Improve native vegetation mapping and information

9. Implement measures to end illegal vegetation clearance

10. The Commission recommends that the Tasmanian Government continue to invest in Tasmania’s terrestrial reserve system in order to maintain the integrity of the current reserve estate

11. Implementation of a statewide soil monitoring program

12. Strengthen fire management activities

13. The Commission recommends that the Tasmanian Government support the regular review of programs dealing with biosecurity matters and invasive species to ensure these programs are properly resourced, strengthened, and prioritised.

14. Development of a broader water policy, monitoring and reporting approach

15. Air quality monitoring and emissions reduction across all sectors

16. Implementation of the Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy

The State of Environment Report 2024 is available here.

https://www.planning.tas.gov.au/other-resources/state-of-the-environment/state-of-the-environment-report-2024