Flora Statutory Framework

All native flora species and vegetation types are protected under the State Wildlife Conservation Act 1950-1979. Rare and endangered species are listed under this act and some of these are also protected at the Federal level under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has released two Position Statements and several Guidance Statements relevant to the assessment of impacts on native flora and vegetation. This includes consideration of clearing of native vegetation, the protection of individual terrestrial flora species and impacts on mangroves. Links to some of these statements, and other relevant legislation information, are provided for your reference below.

Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950-1979
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
EPA Position Statement (Environmental Protection of Native Vegetation)
EPA Position Statement No. 3 (Terrestrial Biological Surveys as an Element of Biodiversity Protection)
EPA Guidance Statement No. 1 (Protection of Tropical Arid Zone Mangroves along the Pilbara Coastline)
EPA Guidance Statement No. 6 (Rehabilitation of Terrestrial Ecosystems)
EPA Guidance Statement No. 29 (Benthic Primary Producer Habitat Protection for Western Australia's Marine Environment)
EPA Guidance Statement No. 51 (Terrestrial Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia)


Terrestrial Flora Mangrove Ecosystems Statutory Framework Publications Links			All native flora species and vegetation types are protected under the State Wildlife Conservation Act 1950-1979. Rare and endangered species are listed under this act and some of these are also protected at the Federal level under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has released two Position Statements and several Guidance Statements relevant to the assessment of impacts on native flora and vegetation. This includes consideration of clearing of native vegetation, the protection of individual terrestrial flora species and impacts on mangroves. Links to some of these statements, and other relevant legislation information, are provided for your reference below. Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950-1979 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 EPA Position Statement (Environmental Protection of Native Vegetation) EPA Position Statement No. 3 (Terrestrial Biological Surveys as an Element of Biodiversity Protection) EPA Guidance Statement No. 1 (Protection of Tropical Arid Zone Mangroves along the Pilbara Coastline) EPA Guidance Statement No. 6 (Rehabilitation of Terrestrial Ecosystems) EPA Guidance Statement No. 29 (Benthic Primary Producer Habitat Protection for Western Australia's Marine Environment) EPA Guidance Statement No. 51 (Terrestrial Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia)