State of the Environment Report 2007
Natural heritage areas are valued for their biological and physical features. They may be significant in terms of their existence or intrinsic values, or in terms of their social, aesthetic, life support or scientific values for both present and future generations (Lennon et al., 2001). They may also have cultural or spiritual significance. Natural heritage places can be diverse and include such things as landscapes, waterways, desert mound springs, or marine or bushland ecosystems. Natural heritage places are usually rich in biodiversity and are important scientifically for understanding the evolution of plants, animals and the natural landscape. Natural heritage also includes geological features that are important for understanding Earth's evolution. Significant geoheritage may include important fossil localities, rock relationships, type sections, significant landforms (e.g. mountains, outcrops) or other geological or geomorphological features that are unique or considered scientifically valuable.
The number of all natural heritage places has not been systematically collected, as there is no single registration system in WA. At the national level, the Register of the National Estate contains the most extensive list of natural heritage places in WA. In 2007, 285 natural heritage places were registered on the register, which was compiled between 1976 and 2003. A further 222 places have not been registered because funding cutbacks in 1998 resulted in the cessation of registrations in WA.
Natural heritage places of high conservation value are normally included in the State's conservation reserve system and nationally significant natural heritage is included on national heritage registers (Figure H1.1). Between 1999-2000 and 2005-06 the total area protected in the conservation estate increased from 19.1 million hectares to 20.4 million hectares, or 7% (Table H1.1). Most of the increase occurred in 2004, with the expansion of marine conservation areas and the creation of 46 new national parks, nature reserves and conservation parks. Despite the proclamation of an increasing number of conservation reserves in recent years, the reservation target of 15% of each native vegetation type has only been met in 20% of the terrestrial bioregions (see 'Conservation'). In addition, reservation alone does not ensure that natural heritage will survive in perpetuity, but it does provide more security for protection.
![Figure H1.1: Distribution of natural heritage places identified through the conservation reserve system, heritage registers and other databases, as at 2005. [Data source: Department for Planning and Infrastructure – Bushforever [ver. 2002], Department of Conservation and Land Management – Marine Reserves [ver. 2005], Managed Lands and Waters [ver. 2004], Department of Environment – Wild Rivers [ver. 2002], Department of Environment and Heritage – Collaborative Protected Areas Database [ver. 2002],Directory of Important Wetlands [ver. 2001], Marine Protected Areas [ver. 2004], Ramsar Wetlands [ver. 2000], Register of the National Estate [ver. 2004], World Heritage Areas [ver. 2004]; Analysis: EPA; Presentation: EPA.]](/site/files/images/Figure-H1.1_Large.jpg)
It should be noted that not all natural heritage places listed on formal heritage registers (e.g. Register of the National Estate) fall within the State's conservation reserve system. For example, it excludes local government reserves and some places identified through environmental protection policies. The extent of natural heritage places on private land, and for other tenures, is largely unknown as this information is not routinely collated or collected. However, the area of private land under conservation covenants through public covenanting programs increased from 78 000 ha to 260 000 ha (230%) between 1999-2000 and 2005-06
There is currently no system for formal recognition of geoheritage. The Geological Society of Australia has identified approximately 150 significant geological sites in WA (Carter, 1987; Lemmon et al., 1979). Proposals for about another 20 sites exist. Some sites are protected as they are contained within conservation reserves or formal reserves for the protection of sites of geological significance. Conditions may also be placed on mining tenements that cover geoheritage sites. However there is currently no formal protection mechanism that covers all geoheritage sites.
Comprehensiveness is a measure of the extent to which all relevant place types have been recognised, at an appropriate scale, and the extent to which all relevant places have been recognised. It is not permanently achieved at any given time, as knowledge of our heritage places is constantly evolving. It is not possible to quantify the comprehensiveness of the State's natural heritage in the absence of a register and a comprehensive database.
Information about the overall condition of natural heritage places is not available. In the absence of this information, the extent of natural heritage areas covered by management plans provides a surrogate measure of condition and integrity as it indicates the extent to which natural heritage is being pro-actively managed. Management plans are prepared for protected areas in the conservation reserve system and are intended to guide strategic and long-term management of protected areas. The total number of management plans under the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984is 48. A further 35 plans are being prepared. Currently 18% of the total area of the conservation estate is covered by management plans (Table H1.2; Department of Conservation and Land Management, 2005). This statistic only includes areas managed by the Department of Environment and Conservation and does not indicate the management status of all natural heritage in WA. Information on management of natural heritage places under the jurisdiction of local government and in private ownership is not available.
Western Australia's natural heritage is subject to a range of pressures that contribute to a loss of heritage values. The main pressures on natural heritage are from development, objections to natural heritage protection, and land, water and biodiversity degradation problems, many of which have been covered elsewhere in this report. An emerging pressure identified by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for world heritage properties and applicable to other natural heritage places is the potential impact of climate change (Commission III, 2005). Climate change may have serious impacts on natural heritage areas in WA in the future (see 'Climate change').
Objections to proposed protection of natural heritage places are typically the result of development pressures and views about property rights from some sectors of the community. The number of objections to statutory protection of natural heritage is not comprehensively measured. Objections are often made by property owners to proposed protection of natural heritage places on private land or when proposed protection of public areas restricts the use of the area.
As an example, in July 2004 the EPA released the Revised Draft Environmental Protection (Swan Coastal Plain Wetlands) Policy 2004 for public comment. The draft policy sought to protect Swan Coastal Plain wetlands of high ecological value on private and Crown land. A total of 664 submissions were received in relation to the draft policy and draft register, with the majority from private landholders objecting to any form of restrictions being placed on their property and therefore opposing protection of the wetlands (Environmental Protection Authority, 2004).
The main development processes placing pressure on natural heritage are urban growth, land clearing and industrial development. There is currently no measure of the overall level of development pressure on the State's natural heritage.
Conservation reserve system: The principal State legislation providing for the establishment and management of the public terrestrial and marine conservation reserve systems is the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 Reserves are vested in the Conservation Commission (terrestrial) and the Marine Parks and Reserves Authority (marine). The Department of Environment and Conservation manages reserved lands and waters. A number of new national parks and conservation reserves have been created through a variety of processes including the Government's Protecting our Old Growth Forests Policy (Australian Labor Party Western Australian Division, 2001) and the Gascoyne-Murchison Rangelands Strategy (Government of Western Australia, 1997).
State Register of Geoheritage Sites: The Geological Survey of Western Australia is in the process of developing the register, which will formally identify and protect significant geoheritage sites in WA, enabling them to be managed on an integrated basis. Reserves for the protection of sites of geological significance are being created which provide added protection for geoheritage sites. There are currently five such reserves in WA and a further two are in the process of being created.
Planning: Natural heritage is beginning to achieve statutory recognition within planning processes. For example, an increasing number of regional land use plans now cover heritage and landscape issues. Some local governments recognise and identify places of natural heritage within their town planning schemes, local planning strategies and municipal inventories. Survey results indicate that in 2005, 26% of local governments had biodiversity plans or green plans. On average, local government expenditure on natural heritage conservation was $14 000 per $1 million in revenue, or 1.4% (Charlton & Betham, in prep.).
Natural Heritage Trust: This Commonwealth program has provided funding for many programs in WA that extend to conservation, biodiversity protection and heritage protection. Heritage issues and management needs are identified to varying degrees in the natural resource management strategies developed by regional natural resource management groups.
Covenanting: The National Trust of Australia (Western Australia), the Department of Environment and Conservation and the Department of Agriculture operate covenanting programs to protect high conservation value areas on private property. Since 2000, the area of private land registered under Department of Environment and Conservation and National Trust conservation covenanting programs has tripled to approximately 250 000 ha. Several other programs involve conservation on private land including BushBank, the Australian Bush Heritage Fund and the Gondwana Link.
Non-government organisations: Several non-government organisations, such as the Wildflower Society of WA and Birds Australia, are actively involved in the promotion of natural heritage.
Significant natural heritage places are protected under the State's conservation reserve system; however, areas can still be subjected to development (especially mining) with Parliamentary approval. Unfortunately, many aspects of natural heritage can not be restored or rehabilitated once they have been impacted. The destruction of natural heritage places diminishes our understanding of our place in the world and undermines community identity, amenity and quality of life. It also contributes to the loss of biodiversity and geological diversity across WA. Decline in the State's natural heritage areas adversely impacts on the tourism industry, which may have negative flow-on effects to regional areas dependent on nature-based tourism.
8.5 Establish a system for statutory recognition of natural heritage, including geoheritage.
