Advocacy
Nature Conservation has a strong commitment to providing advocacy and leadership on local environmental issues.
Calling for world-class management of the Margaret River Region
We draw upon our strong science base and local experience and knowledge to call for and advocate for environmental best practice and fit-for-purpose management of our unique local environment. Timely and considered contributions to planning, policy and decision-making processes and discussions are an important and effective component of our work.
It also compliments our other roles and programs on environmental education, community and landholder support, strategic planning and management, and on-ground conservation work. And strong advocacy is absolutely necessary given the many pressures on our region.
Advocacy
Since 2022, we have been working to establish a strong advocacy program to provide a voice for our local environment in the face of difficult challenges like biodiversity loss, climate change and land use change. We provide that voice in several ways, including making written submissions on proposed changes to laws, regulations and policies, and on proposals for land development.
Our advocacy program is staffed almost entirely by volunteers and is lead by our Board Advisor Emma Scaife, who has both a legal and environmental background.
Listen to Emma chatting about our advocacy program
What we monitor
We monitor proposals for potential submission across all levels of government (local, state and federal). We regularly monitor planning applications submitted to the local government for comment and any local proposals under review by WA’s Environmental Protection Authority. We also look out for native vegetation clearing proposals and we welcome notifications from the local community of various proposals.
When we make a submission
We choose to make submissions where we think a voice for the environment will make a real and positive difference to the outcome. With this in mind, we make a preliminary assessment of the conservation value of the land and the significance of the potential environmental impacts that we see occurring before deciding to prepare a submission. As we are staffed by volunteers, choosing to make a submission is always a discretionary decision and subject to consideration of available resources.
What we say in our submissions
Our submissions focus on matters directly relating to environmental conservation and we take a pragmatic, science-based approach. We don’t engage in activism or make submissions on matters that relate to non-environmental concerns, such as nuisance to neighbours or damage to property. In our submissions, we try to assist applicants or government bodies to find a more conservation-friendly way of achieving their goals, and we typically offer to meet in person with applicants or government representatives to provide further assistance.
Join our team
We are building a strong and sustainable volunteer team so we can achieve more in this sphere. If you are interested in joining our volunteer advocacy team, we would love to hear from you.
Photos by: Jinni Wilson
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Get In Touch
Address
Community Resource Centre
33 Tunbridge Street
Margaret River WA 6285
Postal Address
PO Box 1749 Margaret River WA. 6285
Contact Us
Phone: (08) 9757 2202
Email: info@natureconservation.org.au
