posted on 2010-12-01, 00:00authored byBrian Coffey, Geoffrey Wescott
The overall condition of biodiversity in many parts of Australia is poor and declining, despite the establishment of national parks and other reserves, and the adoption of conservation activities on private land. The impacts of climate change add further challenges to sustaining biodiversity. In response to these issues, in December 2009, the State Government of Victoria released a major policy statement that aimed to provide the framework and directions to secure the health of Victoria's biodiversity and associated land and water resources over the next 50 years. Given Victoria's reputation for environmental policy reform and innovation, the question arises as to whether the Victorian approach will provide a model for other Australian jurisdictions to adopt or adapt. Drawing on insights from environmental policy, discourse theory, and ecological theory, this article provides a critique of Victoria's approach, focusing on the way in which biodiversity is conceptualised and governed.
History
Journal
Australasian journal of environmental management
Volume
17
Pagination
204 - 214
Location
Melbourne, Vic.
Open access
Yes
ISSN
1448-6563
eISSN
2159-5356
Language
eng
Notes
Reproduced with the specific permission of the copyright owner.
Publication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal
Copyright notice
2010, Environment Institute of Australia & New Zealand