Threatened Species

371 The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) ().28 August 2024). Can the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water advise:

1. Which threatened species recovery projects have been initiated or advanced during 2023-24?

2. What is the timeline to commence and progress the preparation of the 'contemporary and accurate threatened species listing' as referred to in Budget Paper 4, Volume 2, page 139?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector): The Minister for Climate, Environment and Water has advised that:

1. There have been a range of threatened species recovery projects initiated or advanced in 2023-24 by the Department for Environment and Water and landscape boards. Across the 2023-24 financial year, projects were initiated or advanced for over 160 threatened species including at least:

two amphibian species

63 bird species

61 plant species

14 freshwater fish

13 mammal species

three marine fish species

six reptile species.

Additionally, work was undertaken to progress the monitoring, recovery and habitat enhancement for two invertebrate species considered to be threatened but not yet listed as a threatened species. Work was also undertaken on a range of nationally listed ecological communities.

The department and landscape boards are not the only organisations to undertake work on threatened species recovery, with work also undertaken by non-government organisations and other departments including the Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA.

2. The preparation of contemporary and accurate threatened species listing, aligned with national agreements and standards, commenced on 1 July 2024. The project will continue over four years from 2024-25.

Following completion of this initial four-year period of funding allocated in the 2024-25 budget, South Australia's threatened species list will continue to be accurately maintained in alignment with national agreements and standards.