Biodiversity Conservation Strategy

View up several tall, narrow, brown tree trunks to a view of the lush sub tropical canopy underside.

The Byron Shire Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2020-2030 is a plan of action for Council and the community, to protect and enhance our natural environment.

The Biodiversity Conservation Strategy describes some of our unique biodiversity values, why they are under threat, and how we can help to manage these threats. 

We live in one of the most biologically unique and diverse parts of Australia. But this special environment is fragile - it is everyone’s responsibility to help protect it.

Did you know?

  • NSW's Far North Coast is centred in a region with the highest frog, snake and marsupial diversity per unit area of land in Australia.
  • The region’s bird diversity is second only to the wet tropics, and our coastal wetlands are a food supply for migratory birds from all over the world.
  • Our hinterland includes one of the last remaining refuges of the ancient Gondwanan rainforests that have grown in Australia for 40 million years.
  • Species from tropical and temperate zones intermingle here, with many reaching their southern and northern distributional limits respectively in this region.
  • Over half the state’s plant species occur here in the northeast corner.
  • The endangered ecological community: Byron By Dwarf Graminoid Clay Heath occurs only in Byron Shire, and only around 5 hectares remains in the world.
  • Even small remnants of bushland provide habitat for threatened species including orchids, koalas and Mitchell’s rainforest snail. 

Download the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy

The Byron Shire Biodiversity Conservation Strategy is a plan of action to help Council and the community protect and enhance our natural biodiversity.

Public Consultation

To develop our Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, we spoke with:

  • local expert ecologists
  • aboriginal stakeholders
  • the community
  • other local councils.

The draft Strategy was peer reviewed by eight key local industry professionals, with expertise in flora, fauna, ecological restoration, town planning, plus a representative from the Bundjalung of Byron Bay Aboriginal Corporation (Arakwal).

It was then publicly exhibited for 8 weeks from 24 March to 20 May 2020.

It was adopted by Council on 25 June 2020, with amendments recommended during the public exhibition period.

Contact

Liz Caddick, Biodiversity Officer

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