A new online resource containing data and information about native species and their habitats has been launched jointly by Western Australia and the national Australian Government as an easy way to support decision-making and conservation research.
Opened jointly by WA Minister for Environment, Reece Whitby and Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, the resource is the first of its kind in the country with WA serving as its pilot State.
Entitled ‘Dandjoo’, which means ‘together’ in the Noongar language, the project provides reliable and comprehensive information for use by industry, researchers, Governments and other stakeholders.
According to Mr Whitby and Ms Plibersek, the data platform will allow easy access to a wealth of the State’s historical biodiversity data, improving how the information is managed and streamlining environmental decision-making so it is more efficient and effective.
“This platform will become a useful resource for Government Agencies, industry and those involved in the environmental approvals planning process, as well as supporting conservation research,” Mr Whitby said.
“It will now be easier for people to access and share information on our biodiversity.”
He said the data-sharing platform developed by the Biodiversity Information Office (BIO) and hosted by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions connected Western Australia’s broader commitment to the national Digital Environmental Assessment Program.
Ms Plibersek said Australia had some of the most remarkable plants and animals in the world and only through efficient data sharing and through its management could the nation’s biodiversity be managed.
“Biodiversity information in Australia is fragmented, disparate and often unreliable,” Ms Plibersek said.
“This system will help governments, landholders, developers, researchers and other stakeholders by giving them access to reliable and comprehensive information to inform their actions.”
Mr Whitby said Government agencies and external parties can submit data to the Dandjoo platform so it can be used more widely.
“BIO staff will curate submitted data in consultation with data providers before publishing it to the platform to ensure it is of the highest quality,” he said.
“The platform has been developed to support streamlining of environmental approvals processes, an election commitment made by the McGowan Government in 2020.”
More information about the new biodiversity platform can be accessed at this PS New link.
