The Australian Government will provide $37.8 million over four years to implement reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the Act).

The main elements of the reforms include: improving the environmental impact assessment process; moving towards landscape‑based environmental protection approaches; improving the process for identifying and managing species and environments under threat; simplifying the listing process for national and Commonwealth heritage and improving protection of Indigenous heritage; and strengthening the arrangements for the five‑yearly State of the Environment Report.

This measure includes capital funding of $5.5 million to develop and implement an integrated information technology system to support administration of the Act.

The cost of the reforms will be offset through enhanced cost recovery arrangements from December 2012, including their extension to environmental impact assessments. These changes are estimated to increase revenue by $38.1 million over four years.

The cost of this measure will also be partially met from the existing resourcing of the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.

This measure delivers on the Government's response to the Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.