Planning Minister John Day today announced the funding will be delivered to metropolitan Local Governments through the WA Local Government Association’s Perth Biodiversity Project, originally scheduled to end in October.

WALGA President, Cr Bill Mitchell welcomed the announcement, saying it would allow Project officers, together with the Department of Planning to continue to support Local Government in assessing and protecting their local environment.

“It is gratifying that the Minister recognises the importance of the Project in ensuring areas of ecological value are protected for current and future generations,” Cr Mitchell said.

“I congratulate the Minister on the pragmatic approach he has made to working together with Local Government, as well as his support of the State Natural Resource Ministerial Council.”

The announcement came at the launch of a new suite of tools for Local Government to better identify and protect high value areas of vegetation for conservation, including an online reference tool drawing information from different agencies into a single site.

In announcing the funding, Minister Day said, "Consideration of biodiversity conservation early in the land use planning process through integration into local planning strategies and schemes, will provide greater flexibility for minimising the impacts of development on biodiversity, reduce the amount of uncertainty for land owners and planners, and make decision making more efficient.

“This initiative represents a collaborative State and Local Government effort as it will be delivered by the Western Australian Local Government Association's Perth Biodiversity Project with support from the Department of Planning.”

Cr Mitchell said it was disappointing, however, the funding had ceased for the South West Biodiversity Project supporting Local Governments in that region.  Cr Mitchell thanked SWBP Officers for their contribution to conservation in the South West as the project came to an end today.

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