The Premier, at the request of the Minister for Agriculture has asked the Natural Resources Commission to advise on policy options to strengthen the management and protection of widespread critically endangered ecological communities (CEEC) under the Land Management (Native Vegetation) Code 2018.
The review considered mechanisms to support and incentivise landholders to protect, restore and improve the condition of CEEC.
The advice will help inform future decisions concerning how CEEC can be better managed and protected. This may include using native vegetation management options under the Land Management Framework and landholder incentives.
In January 2026, we delivered our final report to the Premier, Minister for Agriculture and Minister for the Environment.
Resources
- Terms of Reference (Strengthening the management and protection of widespread critically endangered ecological communities)
What is a critically endangered ecological community?
An ecological community:
- is a naturally occurring group of native plants, animals and other organisms living in a unique habitat.
- can be at risk of extinction. This can occur because of a significant reduction in its distribution across regions or a decline in ecological function.
- may be listed as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016depending on the level of threat and risk of its collapse.
The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2017 defines a listed CEEC on the basis that it is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in Australia in the immediate future.
Progress update
For this review, we have:
- sought written submissions from key stakeholders and met to discuss issues associated with critically endangered ecological communities
- engaged relevant agencies including data and information requests
- undertaken field visits to discuss issues with landholders and agencies
- engaged the advisory panel established for the protect and enhance review on specific issues associated with critically endangered ecological communities
- considered agency feedback on a draft report
- delivered a final report to the NSW Government.
Contact the Natural Resources Commission
Our team welcomes your feedback and enquiries.
Online: contact form
Phone: (02) 9228 4844
Email: nrc@nrc.nsw.gov.au