Today marks one year since the publication of the first Tasmanian State of Environment Report in 15 years.

This report provides critical health checks for Tasmania’s environment, which is fundamental to Tasmanians’ health and their economy.

The Tasmanian Government has had more than 12 months to address the threats the environment is facing, and based on the available information, nothing has changed.

The report raised the alarm for an environment in decline and facing multiple threats.

It found the majority of environmental indicators were ‘getting worse’ – ranging from deteriorating beaches and rapid native vegetation loss to the increase in animals and plants threatened with extinction.

Over a third of indicators are now classified as in ‘poor condition’, including Tasmania’s native bird populations.

The government agreed to prioritise developing a long-term vision and strategy for Tasmania’s environment, as recommended by the Tasmanian Planning Commission, to safeguard the long-term environmental health of the state.

It also agreed to prioritise developing an environmental data strategy, to assess which environmental laws need reform, and to improve native vegetation mapping and information.

“Without adequate government investment, the state’s iconic natural assets will continue to degrade, which will likely have a damaging effect on the state’s economy, employment and the health of Tasmanians,” said Eloise Carr, Director of The Australia Institute Tasmania.

“To address this declining trajectory, urgent investment in new jobs, technology and resources is needed to ensure that Tasmania’s environment can bounce back.

“It is concerning that the government has not implemented any of the agreed priorities from the first report in 15 years.

“If Tasmanians are to have a healthy environment, which is fundamental to their own wellbeing as well as the state’s economy, continued government inaction is not an option.

“Insufficient government funding led to a decade-long delay to the 2024 report, despite the law requiring them to be produced every five years. How much will the government invest in nature in this year’s “interim” budget in November?”

“Under the Liberal government, Tasmania has experienced a decade of environmental declines, according to the 2024 Report,” said James Overington, CEO, Environment Tasmania.

“Over the past year, the government has done little to change this trajectory.

“To be successful, the government must address its paralysis and invest in the restoration of the environment.

“Tasmanians will not tolerate another 10 years of declines, and it would be a grim legacy for the Liberals to leave in their wake.”