Who are the members of the Conservation Commission and how are they appointed?
The Conservation Commission comprises of nine Commissioners appointed by the Governor of Western Australia on the nomination of the Minister for Environment. The Minister must call for expressions of interest for appointment to the office of the Conservation Commission by publishing a notice in a daily newspaper circulating throughout the State, before making nominations to the Governor. Members (Commissioners) are persons who have knowledge and experience in the conservation or management of biodiversity, environmental management, including the management of the natural environment for use for recreational purposes or the sustainable use of natural resources. One member is a person who has knowledge of and experience in Aboriginal cultural and Aboriginal heritage matters. The Commissioners are appointed for terms of either one, two or three years.
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How are proposed Management Plans prepared by the Conservation Commission?
The Conservation Commission is responsible for preparing proposed Management Plans for all lands vested in it and for submitting these plans to the Minister for Environment. Management plans are developed in cooperation with the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC). If the land is State forest or a timber reserve, the Conservation Commission must prepare the Management Plan through the DEC, acting jointly with the Forest Products Commission (FPC), or if the land is or includes a public water catchment area, through the DEC acting jointly with the relevant water utility.
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Why was the Conservation Commission established?
The Conservation Commission was established in November 2000 to:
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be an advisory body to the Minister for Environment
to develop polices to protect the natural environment for current and future generations;
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to prepare and submit to the Minister for Environment proposed Management Plans;
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to monitor and audit the implementation of, and compliance with, Management Plans.
The State forest, timber reserves, National Parks, conservation parks, nature reserves, and other relevant reserves are vested in the Conservation Commission.
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Does the Conservation Commission report to the Minister for Forestry?
No. The Conservation Commission is appointed by the Minister for Environment.
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What policies does the Conservation Commission develop?
The Conservation Commission is responsible for:
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developing policies for the preservation of the natural environment of the State
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the provision of facilities for the enjoyment of that environment by the community;
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the promotion of the appreciation of the flora and fauna and the natural environment;
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the promotion of the objectives of Management Plans.
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What advice does the Conservation Commission provide and to whom?
The Conservation Commission is responsible for:
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advising the Minister for Environment on the application of the principles of ecologically sustainable forest management;
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the production and harvesting, on a sustained yield basis of forest produce throughout the State;
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inquiring into other matters at the Minister's request;
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providing advice upon request, on matters relating to the land and waters vested in it, to any body or person, if the provision is in the public interest and is practicable for the Conservation Commission to provide.
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Does the Conservation Commission monitor and audit the implementation of, and compliance with, the Management Plans that are prepared for the land vested in it?
The Conservation Commission is responsible for developing guidelines for monitoring and assessing the implementation of Management Plans by DEC, setting performance criteria for assessing and auditing the performance of DEC and the FPC, in carrying out and complying with the Management Plans, and for assessing and auditing the performance of DEC and the FPC in carrying out and complying with the Management Plans.
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Does the Conservation Commission undertake research?
The Conservation Commission may, with the approval of the Minister for Environment, undertake study or research for the purpose of developing its policies.
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Are marine reserves vested in the Conservation Commission?
No. Marine reserves are vested in the Marine Parks and Reserves Authority.
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Who manages the land vested in the Conservation Commission?
DEC manages lands and waters vested in the Conservation Commission and the associated forest produce and fauna and flora, in accordance with an approved Management Plan. Where no Management Plan exists e.g. nature reserves, in such manner that only necessary operations are undertaken and in the case of National Parks and conservation parks, in such manner that only compatible operations are undertaken.
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Where is the Conservation Commission's Office?
The Conservation Commission of Western Australia has its office at the corner of Australia II and Hackett Drives in Crawley, Perth WA 6009, for details view our contact page.
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What is the difference between the Conservation Commission and the Conservation Council?
The Conservation Commission is the controlling body in which the State’s terrestrial conservation estate is vested and for which it has statutory authority and responsibility with respect to the care, control and management. The Conservation Council of WA is a non-government organization that represents the state’s peak body for community-based environment organizations. The Conservation Commission and the Conservation Council communicate regularly to promote increased environmental protection. The Conservation Council contributes to the development of government policy by being involved in public consultation processes and being represented on various committees and working groups.
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What is the relationship between the Department of Environment and Conservation and the Conservation Commission?
The Department of Environment and Conservation manages the land on behalf of the Conservation Commission. Management plans for lands vested in the Conservation Commission are developed on behalf of the Conservation Commission by the Department of Environment and Conservation. These plans are independently audited by the Conservation Commission. Management policies used by the Department of Environment are endorsed by the Conservation Commission.
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