<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/renewables-could-be-fast-tracked-and-koalas-saved-by-setting-aside-most-biodiverse-lands-study-finds/>
"Australian states could take huge strides towards protecting endangered
animals and plants by setting aside just 30 per cent of the land within their
borders with the highest biodiversity values, a new study finds.
The research mapped renewable energy projects against biodiversity and found
that smart planning can both avoid up to 90 per cent of vulnerable habitats and
hit energy targets.
In doing so, projects could be fast tracked or avoid stringent environmental
planning, and be more acceptable to local communities.
“Siting renewable energy in low biodiversity areas would see huge cost
savings,” said Australian Conservation Foundation acting chair Paul Sinclair in
a statement.
“With faster planning approvals and stronger community support, this would
boost productivity, grow jobs and speed up the shift to a clean, affordable,
renewable future.”
The report
Mapping Renewables for Nature comes a week after federal
environment minister Murray Watt announced new regional planning guidelines
which will create go and no-go zones for renewable and other developments.
But for this type of mapping to work as a way to fast track renewables, the
federal government needs to weigh in with the long promised EPBC environmental
reforms and an independent Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure the
rules are followed, the new study says.
“Strong standards, smart mapping and an independent EPA are key to developing
regional plans which can guide siting decisions, identify and protect nature
and support efficient assessments,” it says.
‘Reforms can deliver faster assessments for renewable energy projects, while
ensuring that these projects meet the same environmental conditions and
standards as other industries and projects.
The other requests were for funding to do nation-wide biodiversity
prioritisation mapping, and consultation to identify irreplaceable habitats
across the country for Matters of National Environmental Significance."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
