Recommendation 27

The Commonwealth should reform the application of environmental offsets under the EPBC Act to address decline and achieve restoration.

1. The EPBC Act environmental offsets policy should be immediately amended (or a National Environmental Standard for restoration that includes offsets should be made) in accordance with the recommendations in Box 28.
2. As part of the second tranche of reform, the Act should be amended or standalone legislation passed to legislate the revised offsetting arrangements, providing the certainty required to encourage investment in restoration.