What is Biodiversity?
The term biodiversity derives from 'biological diversity'. It means the variety of life, the different plants, animals and microorganisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystem of which they form a part.
Biodiversity contributes to the maintenance of essential ecological processes, and contributes to air and water quality, visual amenity, cultural identity and agricultural productivity. There are also important ethical, moral and economic reasons for conserving biodiversity.
Biodiversity is an essential part of the operation of ecological processes which are critical to everyday life. It has an important bearing on economic and social issues such as land use, land degradation, greenhouse gas emissions, agriculture and tourism and plays a large part in the unique identity of local places and communities. Local Government has an essential role to play in managing and planning for biodiversity. Councils can develop biodiversity strategies and plans, make changes to land use planning instruments to incorporate the protection of biodiversity and actively manage biodiversity through specific programs and projects.
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Fish Friendly Councils
The NSW Government, with support from the LGSA, has just launched a new program called "Fish Friendly Councils".
Co-ordinated by the Department of Primary Industries the program will assist local councils in playing a greater role in native fish conservation. Councils' activities in water and sewer management, vegetation rehabilitation, stormwater management and roads construction and associated maintenance have a great impact on the health of waterways and native fish.
Fish Friendly Councils will assist Local Government to:
- Better understand native fish in their area, their habitat needs and conditions.
- Understand the contribution of recreational fishing/tourism to local economies.
- Identify threats to fish habitat in their area and deliver fish friendly solutions.
- Build on existing waterway management programs (e.g. road crossing maintenance and replacement) to incorporate positive outcomes for aquatic habitat.
- Assist community groups who are working on fish habitat.
- Promote their fish friendly activities to their communities.
The program will distribute to all councils the 10 Top Tips for Fish Friendly Councils brochure, supported by the Fish Friendly Councils website (opens in new window).
| ** New Program ** |
