Western Swamp Tortoise Habitat Policy Review Delayed Again: Conservation Groups Concerned

Review Pushed to November 2026

Another eight months. That's how long the WA government has delayed the review of the Environmental Protection (Western Swamp Tortoise Habitat) Policy 2011, pushing the deadline to November 30, 2026, and sparking worries among conservationists.

What happened

The WA government, via the Environmental Protection Authority, has deferred the review of the Environmental Protection (Western Swamp Tortoise Habitat) Policy 2011. This means the policy, which aims to protect the habitat of the critically endangered Western Swamp Tortoise, will not be re-evaluated until November 30, 2026. A notice published in the WA Government Gazette formalised this decision.

What this means for you

If you are involved in conservation efforts related to the Western Swamp Tortoise, this delay means continued uncertainty. Specifically, if you are relying on updated regulations or revised habitat protection measures, you will have to wait longer. This could impact funding applications, research projects, or on-the-ground conservation activities that depend on a current and robust policy framework.

What this means for WA

This deferral sets a precedent for potentially delaying environmental policy reviews. It signals a possible trend where immediate economic or political considerations may outweigh long-term environmental protection goals. This decision raises questions about how the Cook Labor Government prioritises environmental conservation alongside other policy objectives, and how the Environmental Protection Authority balances its responsibilities.

The numbers

• The review is now deferred until November 30, 2026, as formally announced in the WA Government Gazette.
• The Environmental Protection (Western Swamp Tortoise Habitat) Policy 2011 is the specific policy under review, highlighting its age and the potential need for updates.
• This decision impacts a critically endangered species, the Western Swamp Tortoise, underscoring the stakes involved.
• This is a policy decision made by the Cook Labor Government, requiring the Environmental Protection Authority to defer the review.
• The original policy has been in place since 2011, indicating a potentially significant gap in updated protection measures.

Find your own data

This is just one of thousands of gazette entries GovScanner tracks each year. Search by keyword, industry, location, or minister on the free dashboard — or connect the API directly to your own tools and let AI do the watching for you.