NATURE CONSERVATION COUNCIL OF NSW MEDIA RELEASE

June 26, 2025

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Environment in Freefall: NSW State of the Environment Report “Truly Alarming”

Today’s NSW State of the Environment Report paints a grim picture of the health of NSW ecosystems according to the Nature Conservation Council of NSW, the state’s leading environmental organisation. 

The State of the Environment report is NSW’s premier scientific report card, released every three years. It describes the health of our life support systems – the land, water, air and ecosystems, and it tracks trends over time. This year almost all indicators are “getting worse”. 

Key Report Findings 

Since the last report, 36 more animal and plant species have been listed as threatened with extinction. 

Since 2021, there have been 190 fish kill events, with tens of millions of fish dying in some events. 

Alarmingly, the fastest growing segment of threatened animals is those which are critically endangered, which grew by 35 species over the same period. This is a stark indicator of the worsening biodiversity crisis, and shows current settings to protect endangered species are not working.  

Across the state, distribution of native land mammals continues to shrink, with fewer habitats left to offer safe refuge. The clearing of native vegetation remains significantly higher than before land clearing laws were loosened in 2016, with agriculture the main driver. 

Projections show that only half of all native animal species currently listed are expected to survive the next 100 years. 

Recommendations 

In response to the State of the Environment report card, NCC is calling on the NSW Government to: 

• Rein in land clearing for agriculture by closing legal loopholes. 
• End native forest logging, protecting 1 million hectares of our most precious forest for conservation and recreation.  
• Reduce water extraction by irrigators, allowing inland rivers to connect and flow. 
• Restore coastal estuaries to protect communities from climate impacts. 
• Increase funding for environmental programs from 1.6% to at least 2% of state expenditure to resource an effective NSW Nature Strategy. 

Statements attributable to Jacqui Mumford, Chief Executive Officer of Nature Conservation Council NSW: 

“Every NSW resident should be outraged that our shared natural heritage is being stolen from under our feet.  

“The risk to First Nations cultural heritage is intolerable. Indigenous knowledge must be informing the protection and restoration of Country. 

“This report confirms what we already know, and the message couldn’t be clearer. Nature in NSW is in deep trouble and those in power are failing to turn this alarming trajectory around.  

“Our state’s environment is being mismanaged, and until the developers, irrigators, and logging companies are kicked out of government back-rooms, nothing will change. 

“The ecological carrying capacity of NSW has been slashed to 29% of its natural level since colonisation.

 

“Our rivers are being sucked dry, forests are shrinking, and species are vanishing. We need the NSW Government to act with the urgency that the biodiversity crisis demands. 

“The NSW Government urgently needs to develop and implement their Nature Strategy, fix the laws that aren’t working and truly chart a path out of this crisis.” 

“This is an opportunity for Premier Minns to secure a legacy as the government that stood up for nature by acting urgently to stop extinction, restore ecosystems, and protect the future for all of us.” 

Statements attributable to Mel Gray, Inland Rivers Campaigner, NCC: 

“This report is truly alarming. River health is plummeting. Waterbird populations have suffered sharp declines and native fish kill events have increased dramatically since 2018. 

“Even with wetter conditions in recent years, poor riparian and wetland health has meant a spike in water pollution and an increase in native fish kill events. Combined with the sudden crashing of water bird populations in inland NSW, it paints a chilling picture – and it’s just getting worse.  

“Despite overwhelming evidence and years of promises from Labor in opposition and as a new government, for the people and wildlife of the Darling-Baaka River nothing has changed. 

“We know how to solve this. The Connectivity Expert Panel has provided a blueprint, backed by science and the law, for restoring the Darling-Baaka River to life, and yet it sits on a shelf.” 

Statements attributable to Jacqueline Mills, Senior Climate Campaigner, NCC: 

“NSW has warmed by 1.4 degrees since 1910, and sea levels have risen 12 cm in the last 35 years. 

“Climate change is one of the biggest drivers of species extinctions, yet NSW is not on track to meet its emission reduction targets.  

“The Minns government needs to redouble its efforts to bring on renewable energy and give nature a fighting chance. 

“Everyone in our state has been impacted by climate-fuelled disasters, yet coal and gas companies are pouring more fuel on the fire every day.  

“Today’s report makes it clear that transition to clean energy and a phase out of coal mining can’t come quickly enough to preserve our way of life.”

  

ENDS  

Media contact: Madeline Hayman-Reber 

E: mhaymanreber@nature.org.au M: 0493 733 52
  

Assessment of NSW State of the Environment 2024 Report in relation to Ku-ring-gai’s Environment

The NSW State of the Environment (SoE) 2024 Report, published by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) on June 26, 2025, provides a comprehensive overview of the health of NSW’s environment, covering land, water, air, ecosystems, and urban environments.

While the report focuses on statewide trends, it contains information directly applicable to the Ku-ring-gai Local Government Area (LGA), known for its rich biodiversity, urban tree canopy and bushland reserves that connect to Ku-ring-gai Chase, Lane Cove, and Garigal National Parks.

Below are the key points relevant to Ku-ring-gai’s environment:

1. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health:
   • The report highlights a statewide decline in biodiversity, with 1,113 species and 122 ecological communities listed as threatened under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. Ku-ring-gai has endangered ecological communities, the Blue Gum High Forest, Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest and Duffy’s Forest which are directly affected by these trends.
   • The extent of native vegetation cover has declined over the past three years. The ability of remaining habitats in NSW to support native plants, animals and ecosystems has dropped to 29% of their original capacity since pre-industrialisation. (page 6). This trend will be exacerbated by the loss of tree canopy from the NSW Planning ‘reforms’ which will decimate Ku-ring-gai’s tree canopy and block wildlife corridors.
   • The number of threatened species listings in NSW has increased by 36 since December 2020. In 2024, more than 600 plant species and 300 animal species in NSW are threatened and risk extinction. (page 6). The NSW Government and Ku-ring-gai Council have not acknowledged the risk of extinction for threatened animal and plant species in Ku-ring-gai.
   • Coastal vegetation and habitats such as saltmarsh, mangroves and seagrass continue to be threatened by development and climate change. (page 6). The NSW Planning ‘reforms’ fail to acknowledge that this will threaten Ku-ring-gai’s Estuarine saltmarsh.
   • The NSW Government and Ku-ring-gai Council have failed to show the data on long-term plant species information, habitat fragmentation, urban-bushland interface and invasive species that will result due to the development pressures as a result of the NSW Planning ‘reforms’.
   • The NSW’s Saving our Species program supports the management of threatened species and ecological communities, which is relevant to Ku-ring-gai’s efforts to protect local flora and fauna. The NSW Biodiversity Indicator Program monitors biodiversity trends, providing data that can inform Ku-ring-gai’s conservation strategies.
     
     
2. Climate Change:
   • The report emphasizes the growing threat of climate change, including heatwaves, extreme weather, and impacts on biodiversity and infrastructure. Ku-ring-gai’s urban forest and bushland areas, adjacent to three national parks, are vulnerable to heat stress and bushfire risks, which are exacerbated by climate change.
   • Severe fire weather days and hot days (35°C or more) are projected to increase. Average temperatures across the State have already risen 1.4 °C since 1910 and sea surface temperatures in the Sydney area have increased by about 0.14-0.2°C per decade since the 1950s. (page 6)
     
3. Urban Environment and Tree Canopy:
   • Urban Pressures: The report addresses the impact of urban development on green spaces, noting that population growth and housing development contribute to habitat loss and urban heat island effects.
   • Ku-ring-gai faces pressures from the NSW Government’s Transport-Oriented Development (TOD) program, which proposes high-density housing near Roseville, Lindfield, Killara, and Gordon railway stations.
   • Invasive species continue to exert pressure on native plants and animals. With 23,500 dwellings = 50,000+ population – what are the increase in cats, and weeds into our bushland. State Transport has cleared invasive weeds at Killara Station, but they will return as there is not replanting. Nor does there appear to be any bushregeneration programs on the wildlife corridor.
     
4. Aboriginal Cultural Values and Connection to Country:
   • The SoE 2024 Report introduces the Aboriginal Peoples Knowledge Group (APKG), which emphasises Aboriginal cultural values and connection to Country. Ku-ring-gai, named after the Kuringgai tribe, has significant Aboriginal heritage sites, and the report’s focus on integrating Aboriginal knowledge into environmental management supports local efforts to protect these sites.
     
5. Air and Water Quality:
   • Air Quality: The report notes that air quality in NSW is generally good but affected by urban activities and industrial emissions.
   • Ku-ring-gai’s air quality benefits from its green spaces but could be impacted by increased traffic from TOD developments.
   • Water Quality: The report identifies challenges with stormwater . Most estuaries and coastal swimming sites have water quality that is suitable for swimming, but this varies, especially after heavy rainfall.
     
     
6. Data Gaps and Emerging Issues:
   • The report identifies gaps in data on soil nutrient imbalance, noise and light pollution, and climate change resilience metrics. These gaps are relevant to Ku-ring-gai, where urban development and proximity to bushland increase the need for robust data to guide environmental planning

• Development Pressures: The SoE 2024 Report’s acknowledgment of urban development impacts aligns with concerns in Ku-ring-gai about the TOD program. The proposed 24,200 apartments near train stations threaten the urban tree canopy and biodiversity.
• Data Gaps: The report’s noted lack of data on habitat fragmentation, invasive species, and climate resilience metrics limits Ku-ring-gai’s ability to fully assess and mitigate environmental impacts from development and climate change.

Threats

• Climate Change Risks: The report’s focus on heatwaves, bushfires, and extreme weather underscores risks to Ku-ring-gai’s bushland and urban forest.
  Increased development could exacerbate urban heat island effects, challenging the LGA’s climate resilience.
• Biodiversity Loss: The statewide decline in biodiversity, combined with local development pressures, threatens Ku-ring-gai’s endangered ecological communities.
• Air and Water Quality Impacts: Increased traffic from TOD developments could degrade air quality, while urban runoff from new housing may strain waterways.
  NSW air quality meets national standards most of the time. In the past three years air quality has been negatively affected during extreme weather events, such as storms and bushfires. (page 6)

Conclusion

The NSW State of the Environment 2024 Report provides valuable insights into environmental challenges facing Ku-ring-gai’ s biodiversity, climate change, urban pressures, and Aboriginal cultural values. It acknowledges population increases and urbanisation (that are the core platforms of the NSW Planning reforms including the TOD SEPP) pose significant risks to Ku-ring-gai’s urban tree canopy, biodiversity, and heritage sites.

See page 2: The Bioregions of NSW South Wales, their biology, conservation and history, NPWS, 2003 and in particular, ‘The Sydney Basin Bioregion, Chapter 15, page 185