The second independent review of the EPBC Act acknowledged that poor regional coordination of development assessment, mitigation actions and offsets was leading to cumulative impact losses for biodiversity. Policy and governance work is needed to resolve these issues through improved regional planning and offset coordination. In this project, commissioned by DCCEEW, we test how governance concepts can be used to effectively manage an offset fund in the Julia Creek region where development pressures intersect with EPBC listed species and communities. Our assessment of the literature, and consultation with stakeholders initially suggests that a regional Offset Fund and Fund Manager approach outside-of, but fostered by Commonwealth and State government systems, may present an appropriate model worth considering for an offset fund in Northwest Queensland. Whatever the approach adopted, there are risks of failure if there is not a process for continuous and collaborative improvement embedded within the fund’s governance framework.
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Authors:
Mark Ford-Learner
Allan Dale
