Australia to protect 30 million hectares of bushland

The Australian government plans to invest an additional $250 million to protect 30 million hectares of bushland. This area is about the same size as New Zealand. The funding will be announced in the upcoming federal budget and aims to meet Australia’s goal of conserving 30 percent of its land by 2030. Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said the money would help improve conservation efforts. She highlighted how much Australians enjoy their natural environment, including activities like camping and bushwalking. The initiative will involve partnerships with state governments, private landholders, and Indigenous groups. In 2022, Australia signed a global agreement aiming to protect at least 30 percent of land and oceans by the end of the decade. Currently, about 26 percent of Australia’s land is protected. Although the ocean target has been exceeded, conservationists believe more funding is needed to reach the land target. Rachel Lowry, CEO of Bush Heritage Australia, welcomed the funding but emphasized it is only a start. She mentioned that achieving the target will require a much larger investment than the proposed $250 million. Private landholders also play a vital role in conservation, according to Jody Gunn of the Australian Land Conservation Alliance. She stressed that protecting nature is crucial for future generations and that over half of Australia's threatened species live on private land. This funding announcement comes amid efforts by the government to avoid legal disputes regarding environmental reviews, particularly concerning salmon farming in Tasmania. Despite the challenges, Minister Plibersek expressed her commitment to improving environmental protections while also supporting business needs.