Media release – Felix Ellis, Minister for Housing and Planning, 17 September

Release of the 2024 State of Environment Report

The 2024 State of the Environment Report (the Report) produced under the State Policies and Projects Act 1993 has been tabled in Parliament and is now publicly available.

The Report, produced by the independent Tasmanian Planning Commission, documents selected environmental data, trends, and progress across Tasmania.

Minister for Housing and Planning, Felix Ellis, said the Tasmanian Government’s 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future gets the balance right in terms of growing jobs and the economy as well as protecting our environment.

“The State of the Environment Report is a reporting requirement under the State Policies and Projects Act 1993, and I thank the Commission and the many individuals who have helped produce the Report,” Minister Ellis said.

“Our environment is the envy of many across the globe, and we remain committed to managing our natural assets in a sound and sensible way – including by leveraging this natural and sustainable resource for the benefit of Tasmanians.

“We are committed to sustainable management of our environment while also continuing to pursue economic development opportunities, ensuring Tasmania remains the best place to live, work and raise a family.

“Our Government is currently reviewing the Report, its detailed findings and recommendations.”

The State of Environment Report 2024 is available here.

Media release – Vica Bayley MP, Greens Environment spokesperson, 17 September 2024

Decade-overdue State of the Environment Report paints dire picture of a failure to act

The long-awaited State of the Environment Report paints a dire picture of lutruwita/Tasmania’s environmental health, with nearly two thirds of key environmental indicators in decline or rated poor.

The sick state of our environment is deeply concerning, but it’s no surprise. The Greens, community members, and independent scientists have long recognised the declining state of the environment and the apathy of government, and have been raising the alarm.

Despite long-term concerns, Liberal politicians have failed to protect – or in many cases even monitor – Tasmania’s environment. Too often they’ve made active decisions to put the interests of business ahead of the environment.

This report highlights many challenges for this island’s unique environment. There’s climate change, threatened species in decline, pollution, inappropriate development, damage caused by invasive species and land clearing – the list goes on. But the Liberals have had their heads in the sand, which is why this report shows so many environmental indicators going backwards.

We’ve always said Liberal politicians cannot keep allowing their corporate mates and vested interests to ravage Tasmania’s environment, and that proper environmental protections are needed. The State of the Environment Report gives clear direction on steps forward, and the Liberals should take notice and take action.

This report makes a range of important recommendations, many of which are measures the Greens have been highlighting for years. It reinforces the need for meaningful action responding to climate change, protecting threatened species, expanding reserves, managing waterways, eradicating invasive species, creating more Marine Protected Areas, and much more.

On top of its many important findings, the SOE Report also shows there’s still much about lutruwita/Tasmania’s environment we still don’t know. That has to change. Monitoring of our life-giving soil and rivers, as well as the waste we produce, must be urgently improved.

This report should be a wake-up call for the Rockliff Government. It’s time for the Liberals to end their decade of destruction, delay and denial, and to finally step up to protect Tasmania’s environment.

Media release – Andrew Wilkie, independent MHR for Clark, 17 September 2024

Tassie government only paying lip service to the Environment

The first Tasmanian State of the Environment Report since 2009 has finally been released by the State Government and it paints a grim picture for Tasmania’s environment. Only two of the 29 environmental indicators are getting better, while 16 are getting worse. Notably, Tasmania’s greenhouse gas emissions reductions fall well short of what scientists say is needed to secure a safe climate. This is not good enough.

Tasmanians pride ourselves on our pristine environment, but this report makes it clear our state is facing significant challenges that threaten our diverse ecosystems and our clean, green reputation.

This report has been delayed for far too long. The State Government must now get on with implementing all 16 recommendations if Tasmania is to address the environmental challenges it faces.

Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 17 September 2024

State of the Environment Report paints shocking picture, despite government’s best efforts to keep it hidden

Today’s release of Tasmania’s first State of the Environment Report in 15 years shows that Tasmania’s unique environment is being completely destroyed by extractive industries and the big end of town.

With a huge decline in vital habitats such as kelp forests in the ocean and in swift parrot forests on land, this report should be a huge alarm bell to Tasmania and Tasmanians. The Liberal Government has overseen massive environmental destruction at the behest of the loggers, miners and industrial fish farmers.

The report also barely mentions that much of the destruction and decline in Tasmania’s environment is caused by these industries.

Some shocking statistics from the report:

Flora      
•    31% (588 species) of Tasmanian vascular flora is considered threatened or possibly threatened.
•    Of 563 endemic species of plants in Tasmania, 203 or 36% are considered threatened or possibly threatened.
•    The number of endangered and vulnerable Tasmanian flora (under the TSP Act) has increased significantly by 41 species, from 189 species in 2008 to 230 species in 2022.

Fauna
•    In 2023, 16.5% (76 threatened species of a total of 460 vertebrate fauna species) of Tasmania’s vertebrate fauna are listed as threatened species.
•    Between 1995 and 2023, the total number of threatened fauna species increased in every habitat type, with terrestrial habitat showing the most significant increase in threatened species listings.

“The report shows that our coasts and marine environments are in dire straits. With a huge loss of habitat, invasive sea urchins, pollution, and oxygen degradation from industrial fish farms, all topped off with ever-increasing water temperatures, the Tasmanian government has been completely asleep at the wheel when it comes to protecting and looking after our unique rivers, creeks, wetlands, and oceans,” said Alistair Allan, Antarctic and Marine Campaigner

“While the government has been driving the environmental destruction and refusing to report on it for fifteen years, we have been out in the forests seeing the annihilation of precious ecosystems. The proof that the state of the environment is dire is in every clearfell across thousands of hectares. Across this island, native forest logging is responsible for pushing animals like the swift parrot, Tasmanian devil and the masked qwl towards extinction. It is horrifying that our ancient forests are chopped down for woodchips, while our unique wildlife pays the price, and it is all sanctioned by the Liberal and Labor coalition,” said Jenny Weber, Bob Brown Foundation’s Campaigns Manager.

Media release – The Australian Institute, 17 September 2024 

Overdue report delivers scathing assessment of Tasmanian Government’s environmental record 

The State of the Environment Report released today shows that Tasmania’s unique environmental assets have been severely impacted by years of neglect from the state government, the Australia Institute has said. 

Key Findings: 

  • The Tasmanian Government has released the first State of the Environment Report in 15 years.  
  • The report shows that the Government has severely mismanaged the state’s environment and natural resources.  
  • The report rates nearly two thirds of environmental indicators as declining or in poor condition. 40% of the indicators for coastal and marine environments are in ‘poor’ condition. 
  • The Tasmanian Government should allocate ongoing funding to adequately resource the implementation of the report’s recommendations and the production of the next State of the Environment Report. 
  • The report reveals deficiencies in the availability of environmental data, calls out the Government’s environmental mismanagement and recommends strengthening outdated and ineffective laws. 
  • The last State of the Environment report was released in 2009, despite a legislative requirement to produce one every five years.  
  • The Australia Institute, supported by the Environmental Defenders Office, urged the Government to recommence these reports in 2022.  

“The Australia Institute welcomes the first Tasmanian State of the Environment Report in 15 years but is alarmed by what the report reveals about the deteriorating state of Tasmania’s environment,” said Eloise Carr, Director of the Australia Institute’s Tasmanian branch. 

“The report is a scathing indictment of the Tasmanian Government’s environmental mismanagement. Too often they are putting foreign profits ahead of Tasmanians’ wellbeing, because we all rely on a healthy environment. 

“It is clear from last week’s budget that all the Government intends to do about the report is read it.  

“They have not put any money towards implementing its recommendations or preparing the next one. Instead, they have slashed the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s budget by $400,000. 

“The report also reveals serious deficiencies in Tasmania’s environmental monitoring programs. This means government agencies do not have data to be able to make strategic decisions about the use of natural resources.  

“It is unacceptable that in 2024 we cannot report accurately on the state of our rivers and wetlands. 

“The Tasmanian Planning Commission has failed to consider the impact of poor environmental health on human wellbeing, account against United Nations frameworks, or incorporate Tasmanian Aboriginal peoples’ rights and knowledge throughout its assessments. 

“The Australia Institute also notes with disappointment that it took the threat of legal action for the Tasmanian Government to comply with its own laws and publish the report.” 

Media release – Neighbours of Fish Farming, 18 September 2024

State of Environment report: Deplorable for waterways

NOFF deplores the State government’s criminal neglect of rivers and coastal waters highlighted in the newly-released, much delayed State of the Environment Report.

The report reveals deeply disturbing failures and lack of action over the past decade.

“The government has failed on every front, making a joke of the state’s reputation as the green and beautiful state of which all Tasmanians could be proud,” says NOFF president, Peter George.

“There’s a shameful litany of neglect in the State of the Environment Report.

“Nowhere is that more evident than in the failure to monitor and protect Tasmanian rivers, coastal waters and marine life.

“The Government has nowhere left to hide from responsibility for the degradation of our waterways.”

NOFF highlights the report’s dire warnings about the potential extinction of the Maugean skate in Macquarie Harbour and of the red & spotted handfish in Storm Bay.

“The government and its mates in the salmon industry are now on the clearest notice possible that industrialisation of our waterways is a pathway to marine destruction and extinction.”

The State of the Environment Reports says:

‘Critically endangered red and spotted handfish and the endangered Maugean skate, are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of habitat degradation, pollution, invasive species, and climate change.’

“Only a government that pays lip service to the environment but doesn’t really want to do anything about it can ignore the report’s warning that ‘Tasmania’s threatened marine fish are at a crossroads’, from human activities and global warming,” says Mr George.

“The report makes it clear that it had neither time nor resources to complete a comprehensive investigation into the state of Tasmania’s waterways and that is an indictment of a government that does not have protecting nature at its core – where it should be.”

NOFF says the extensive document needs careful reading and expects more concerns will be highlighted in time.

Media release – Environment Tasmania, 18 September 2024

Tasmania’s environment is in a state of decline confirms official environment report

Yesterday, Tasmania’s new State of the Environment Report was published. The report provides a health check of Tasmania’s natural environment and how well it’s being managed. The report is deeply concerning with 27 out of the 29 indicators, used in the report to assess the health of the environment, categorised as either ‘getting worse’, ‘stable’ or ‘unknown’.

Over half of these environmental indicators, which include threatened plants and animals, are showing a downward trend. Tasmania’s environment is facing a growing threat. Urgent intervention is needed which will require a complete shift in government decision-making.

This report tells a story of long-term neglect in Tasmania, not just of the environment but also for monitoring, reporting and investment in sustainable industries, technologies and jobs. Tasmania is moving in the wrong direction; there needs to be greater investment in building a resilient, innovative, sustainable future for the state.

Tasmanians rely on a healthy, flourishing environment. If the state government is serious about preserving the Tasmanian way of life it must react appropriately to the findings of this report and adequately invest in the report’s recommendations.

“These downward trends are alarming and the government’s response to this report will be critical. Clearly, its current investment in environmental protection, monitoring and reporting is inadequate and a step change is urgently required,” said James Overington, executive officer, Environment Tasmania.

“How can Tasmania claim to be a world leader in clean energy generation when its net emissions, per person, lags behind nearly 90% of industrialised economies – as outlined in the report? We need a multi-sector, collaborative approach to effectively tackle our emissions in Tasmania. The current top-down, siloed decision-making process is harmful to the environment and communities,” said Dr Emily Samuels-Ballantyne, Energy and Climate Campaigner, Environment Tasmania.

“The report paints a bleak picture of Tasmania’s threatened marine ecosystems, with current laws failing to protect species that are most vulnerable to extinction. As outlined by the report the Maugean skate faces “serious, imminent extinction risks”, the Federal Environment Minister must respect the findings from this report and remove salmon farming from the skate’s last remaining refuge,” said James Watts, Save the Skate Campaigner, Environment Tasmania.

Media release – BirdLife Tasmania, 18 September 2024

— untitled —

BirdLife Tasmania welcomes the release of the Tasmanian 2024 State of the Environment Report, 15 years after the publication of the last report.

Dr Mike Newman, Chair of the BirdLife Tasmania Science Sub-committee, who analysed and compiled much of the BirdLife Tasmania data for the report said: ”The report contains some sobering information about the state of the environment, but we believe the recommendations contained in the report will, if implemented, contribute to reversing the declines and help to protect Tasmania’s birds.

“There is some positive news, with albatross numbers appearing to stabilise following pest eradication on Macquarie Island, and some mainland Tasmania bird populations are stable or increasing. However, it is concerning that many terrestrial species are in decline.

“The swift parrot and endemic forty-spotted pardalote face real threats of extinction. Other endemic species such as the strong- billed honeyeater, dusky robin, and Tasmanian thornbill are in significant decline. This means that one third of the bird species found only in Tasmania face real threats of disappearing forever,” Dr Newman said.

The data also show there are potential declines of pink robin, yellow-rumped thornbill, swamp harrier, white-fronted chat, brown falcon, beautiful firetail, Australasian pipit, and olive whistler. In addition, numbers of migratory shorebirds that spend the summer months in Tasmania’s wetlands, beaches and mudflats are in decline.

“Gaining an early understanding of the issues impacting these species, allows for timely interventions and may prevent the need for extensive and expensive Action Plans later on”, said Dr Newman.

Dr Newman went on to say “The Report goes some way towards raising the awareness of the plight of Tasmania’s birds but this must be supported by real action to improve the quality of our coasts, rivers, wetlands and forests. Addressing habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change and management of pest and feral species are also critical to the survival of our birds. It is clear in the report that all is not well in the Tasmanian environment.”.

BirdLife Tasmania Secretary Heidi Krajewsky said “BirdLife Tasmania provided a wealth of collective knowledge to the production of this report and was pleased to see that contributions by the community were recognised. Much of the data was collected by volunteers and enthusiasts as part of formal surveys or a personal endeavour. Some of the data collections spanned more than 40 years and are amongst the longest bird-related data sets in Australia.”

BirdLife Tasmania works closely with other environmental organisations and believes a formal strategy and collaborative approach between volunteers, scientists and policy makers, supported by a common and coordinated platform for sharing data is essential, as recommended in the Report.

Heidi Krajewsky concluded, “We hope this report will be a catalyst to implement real action to reverse the worrying decline in many of our birds.”

BirdLife Tasmania encourages the government take urgent action to implement the recommendations in the report and we hope that the next State of the Environment Report will show an improving outlook for our birds.

Media release – Invasive Species Council, 18 September 2024

State of Environment report exposes inaction: Invasive species on the rise in Tasmania

After a decade-long delay, the Tasmanian State of Environment report has finally been released, affirming what the Invasive Species Council has warned the government for years: invasive species are rapidly overtaking Tasmania’s unique wildlife and landscapes.

The report reveals that since 2009, 100% of the high-threat pest species assessed have increased, with an alarming 41 additional species added to the endangered or threatened list since 2002. It also highlights the critical funding gaps that have allowed this crisis to spiral out of control.

The Commission recommends that the Tasmanian government:

  • Removes protections of wild fallow deer from regulatory frameworks, including the Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulations 2023.
  • Continues support of the implementation of the Tasmanian Wild Fallow Deer Management Plan 2022–2027.
  • Develops and implements a strategy for the control of feral cats.
  • Regularly reviews programs dealing with biosecurity matters and invasive species to ensure these programs are properly resourced, strengthened, and prioritised.
  • Receives regular reports on the state of biosecurity and invasive species.

Dr Tiana Pirtle, Invasive Species Council’s Tasmanian Conservation Officer said: ‘This report confirms what we already knew – invasive species are on the rise and posing an unprecedented threat to Tasmania’s unique wildlife.

‘It is appalling to see 100% of high-threat pest species assessed in this report, including feral deer, cats and foxglove, have increased since 2009. This is the result of a lack of strategy, action, and funding from the Tasmanian government, which has allowed pests, weeds and diseases to proliferate in national parks and the World Heritage Area.

‘Tasmania is a remarkable island, with native wildlife found nowhere else on earth and has highly valued agriculture, forestry and tourism sectors.

‘But all of this is under threat due to a lack of funding and focus from the government to protect Tasmania from highly damaging invasive species like feral deer, feral cats and weeds.

‘Feral deer numbers have jumped dramatically to potentially more than 100,000 and they are now trampling and trashing the state, including iconic protected areas like Freycinet National Park and the World Heritage Area.

‘As this report highlights, it’s absurd that in Tasmania feral deer are still protected by law rather than treated as a serious invasive threat.

‘Feral and roaming pet cats hunt and kill millions of our native birds and small mammals every year. They have helped push at least 25 native Australian species into extinction and now imperil at least 50 Tasmanian animals.

‘Tasmania needs an updated state-wide feral cat strategy and dedicated funding for island eradication efforts such as the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre’s feral cat eradication proposal for lungtalanana/Clarke Island.

‘This report should serve as a wake-up call for the Tasmanian government. The recent state budget doesn’t reflect the commitment needed to tackle these invasive species issues.

‘The good news is that with investment and commitment, Tasmania could turn this around and become a wildlife revival success story. To do this, the Tasmanian government should commit to no new extinctions, reflecting the federal commitment.

‘The ball is now in the government’s court to take this opportunity to make a real impact and adopt these recommendations.’

Media release – Rosalie Woodruff MP, Greens Leader, 18 September 2024

Shocking State of the Environment Response from Premier Rockliff

In a terrible performance in Parliament today, Premier Jeremy Rockliff refused to accept any responsibility for the environmental degradation highlighted in the State of the Environment Report. Alarmingly, he also refused to commit to better protections for the environment – despite the strong calls made by this comprehensive study.

The science in the State of the Environment Report is clear – Tasmania’s forests, native animals, waterways and climate are going backwards under the Liberals. It’s not acceptable for the Rockliff Government to deny the science, or back in their corporate mates to continue to trash Tasmania’s environment. Yet in Parliament, that’s exactly what the Premier did.

This report is damning and demands a proper response. It’s shameful to see Premier Rockliff instead continuing to support the Liberal’s corporate mates in the forestry and aquaculture industries, who have destroyed the environment unchecked for the last decade.

There is so much the Liberals have to answer for when it comes to the worsening state of the environment. That’s why we asked the Premier to apologise to Tasmanians, and to future generations, for his failure to act while native forests are logged and burned, oceans warm from continued emissions, and native species are pushed towards extinction.

The Premier refused to apologise for the deterioration in our environment on his government’s watch – and to change anything in their policies to prevent more damage.

The State of the Environment Report makes recommendations to improve Tasmania’s environmental health that the Greens have been proposing for years. The Premier must commit to implementing the recommendations in full, before it’s too late for lutruwita/Tasmania’s precious environment and native species.