Ecological communities comprise a group of diverse life forms—plants, animals, and microorganisms—coexisting and interacting within a specific geographic area and habitat (WWF, 2025). Healthy ecosystems are essential to our survival, providing food, shelter and resources; however, many ecosystems are threatened by changing land use (e.g. urbanisation, agriculture, minerals, and industrial development), introduction of exotic species and diseases, and environmental changes (WABSI, 2025).
The Australian Government faces the environmental challenge of protecting and maintaining healthy ecological communities while pursuing economic development. It has established legal frameworks that define the process for identifying and conserving significant species and ecological communities. The Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) aims to protect and manage species and ecological communities that are considered of national environmental significance. In WA, the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act) establishes mechanisms to protect and conserve native plants, animals and ecological communities within the state (DBCA, 2025).
The BC Act contains conservation categories for ecological communities to ensure effective environmental management within WA. Determined through science-based criteria, the categories consider the level of threat, ecological significance, and urgency of protection required. So, what is the purpose of species and communities’ classification? How should land use changes be managed when conservation-significant communities are identified? What should be done when a conservation-significant community is recognised on your land? Let’s explore these categories and their relevance.
(Copyright Mathew White).
Ecological Communities Protected by the EPBC Act
Under the EPBC Act, there are three categories for listing Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) – Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable – differentiated primarily by the timeframe for the risk of extinction in the wild (DCCEEW, 2025b).
A Critically Endangered ecological community has an extremely high risk of extinction in the immediate future (within the next 10 years), while an Endangered ecological community faces this risk in the near future (the next 20 years). The third category (Vulnerable ecological communities) is in the medium-term future, with the timeframe being about the next 50 years.
Development activities and land use changes may impact the resident ecological communities. To manage this risk, an environmental survey should be conducted prior to development to identify the presence of listed species or communities, assess their conservation status, and evaluate the potential ecological impact of the proposed actions. The results of this survey help determine whether a referral to the Australian Government is required under the EPBC Act, based on the likelihood of a significant impact. However, despite these obligations, between 2000 and 2017, approximately 7.7 million hectares of land habitat were cleared, of which 93% (7.1 million hectares) weren’t referred for assessment, highlighting a major gap in regulatory compliance. (DCCEEW, 2021)
(Copyright B Knott) (DCCEEW, 2016).
Ecological Communities Protected by the BC Act
Under the BC Act, ecological communities are classified as Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable or Collapsed, based on their risk of ecological collapse, which ranges from extremely high immediate risk to complete loss of structure, function and composition. Critically Endangered communities face an extremely high risk of ecological collapse in the immediate future; Endangered is considered at risk of collapse in the near future, Vulnerable in the medium-term future; and a Collapsed community is already considered functionally lost. These categories align with the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) criteria, and additional communities may be listed as Priority Ecological Communities while further data is gathered (DBCA, 2023).
State classification aims to protect and conserve native flora, fauna, and ecological communities, and provides a prioritisation that helps inform conservation planning and management actions. The BC Act has a legal effect on local land use and biodiversity management. Under the BC Act, there are currently 65 ecological communities listed as threatened, categorised as follows: 45 Critically Endangered, 9 Endangered, and 11 Vulnerable. Of these, 27 are also listed under the EPBC Act (DBCA, 2025). An example of a Threatened Ecological Community protected under both the BC Act 2016 and the EPBC Act 1999 is the Banksia Woodlands of the Swan Coastal Plain. This community has a dominance of Banksia attenuata, B. menziesii, and B. ilicifolia, along with a diverse understorey of shrubs, herbs, and sedges, and is a key habitat for species like Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo (DCCEEW, 2016)
The Relevance of Conservation Significant Ecological Communities
Conservation-significant ecological communities are a vital consideration in the planning and approval of economic development projects across various industries in WA. Their protection under both the BC Act 2016 and EPBC Act 1999 necessitates careful planning and thorough environmental assessment to ensure that development objectives are balanced with ecological preservation. Safeguarding these communities is not only an environmental obligation but also an essential step toward achieving long-term sustainability.
When a conservation-significant ecological community protected under either or both Acts is identified within the proposed development area, a range of legal obligations and regulatory processes come into effect. The potential impact must be assessed, and a determination made as to whether the project should be formally referred to the relevant regulatory authority. In some cases, authorities may require the project to be modified to avoid or reduce ecological impacts. Where avoidance is not feasible, mitigation measures and biodiversity offsets may be necessary to address the residual impacts. Aligning development with conservation priorities can significantly reduce legal, environmental, and reputational risks while enhancing long-term economic value through responsible land use and preservation of ecosystem services.
Navigating the legal process for activities that may impact conservation-significant ecological communities in Western Australia can be challenging, especially when it’s unclear whether formal environmental referral is required. Integrate Sustainability (‘ISPL’) has extensive experience assisting project proponents in identifying ecological risks early, preparing supporting documentation, and engaging with the appropriate regulatory bodies. If you need guidance on whether your project may impact Priority or Threatened Ecological Communities and how to manage the process effectively, please don’t hesitate to contact Integrate Sustainability by email at enquiries@integratesustainability.com.au or call us at 08 9468 0338.
ISPL- Conservation Significant Ecological Communities- PDF
References
DBCA. (2023, August 21). Conservation status definitions. Retrieved May 5, 2025, from Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Biodiversity Information Office: https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/wildlife-and-ecosystems/threatened-ecological-communities
DBCA. (2025, March 27). Threatened ecological communities. Retrieved from Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions: https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/wildlife-and-ecosystems/threatened-ecological-communities
DCCEEW. (2016). Banksia Woodlands of the Swan Coastal Plain: a nationally protected ecological community. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water : https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/banksia-woodlands-scp-guide.pdf
DCCEEW. (2021). 2021 State of the Environment Report – Fact sheet. Retrieved from The State of Australia’s Environment: https://wabsi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1.-DCCEEW-SOE_factsheet_Overview.pdf
DCCEEW. (2025a, May 2). Threatened ecological communities. Retrieved from Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/communities
DCCEEW. (2025b, May 17). About threatened ecological communities. Retrieved from Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/communities/about#why-list
EPA. (2018, March). Evaluating the environmental condition of Weeli Wolli Creek. Retrieved June 23, 2025, from Environmental Protection Authority Government of Western Australia: https://www.epa.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/Publications/Weeli%20Wolli%20Evaluation%20Project%20-%20Supporting%20technical%20document_070318.pdf
WABSI. (2025, May 1). Western Australia’s unique biodiversity. Retrieved from Western Australia Biodiversity Science Institute: https://wabsi.org.au/our-work/was-unique-biodiversity/
WWF. (2025, May 1). What is biodiversity? Retrieved from World Wild Life: https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/what-is-biodiversity#:~:text=Biodiversity%20is%20all%20the%20different,maintain%20balance%20and%20support%20life.