Challenges and lessons of implementing strategic environmental assessment in a critically endangered ecosystem

Abstract

Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) can help to ensure that development across a landscape is planned and implemented with minimum environmental and biodiversity impacts. Despite its growing prevalence, few studies have investigated the implementation of biodiversity conservation interventions associated with SEA. Here, we examine an Australian SEA case study, the Melbourne Strategic Assessment, which set out to assess the impacts of Melbourne’s urban growth boundary expansion on threatened species and ecosystems. Using stakeholder interviews and document analysis, we evaluate the implementation of biodiversity conservation interventions under the SEA. We find that key interventions are yet to be fully implemented, including establishing a 15,000-hectare reserve to offset impacts on critically endangered grasslands. We identify systematic and pervasive failures, including questionable funding and enforcement arrangements, and highlight critical improvements needed. Given the growing use of SEA worldwide, urgent action is required to provide confidence in the ability of SEA to deliver biodiversity conservation objectives.