As a leader in large-scale carbon abatement, biodiversity restoration, and Traditional Owner partnerships, Salubris recognises the significance of the reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The passing of the legislation aligns closely with our outcome-driven approach to land management and provides a clear policy framework for biodiversity and nature-positive projects.
Highlights
- The EPBC Act reforms aim to clarify and accelerate project development approvals across the country
- Provide increased certainty around managing the impacts of biodiversity, which has historically been a major impediment to project approval
- Lay the foundations for biodiversity management by creating a market for nature positive projects to be funded via project developers or Government offsets funds
- The Act’s strengthened offset framework increases demand for secure land tenure, clear land use arrangements and Native Title partnerships
- Salubris is ideally positioned to build a substantial and sustainable biodiversity business as an addition to its burgeoning carbon abatement project business
- For industries facing rising expectations around their ecological integrity (e.g. mining, infrastructure, agriculture), the reforms make credible, compliant natural-capital partners essential. As a trusted environmental services provider, Salubris is ready to deliver
In late 2025, the Australian Parliament passed a major package of reforms to the EPBC Act, representing the most substantial shift in national environmental law in more than two decades. These reforms reshape the way environmental decisions are made across the country and introduce a clearer, more consistent national framework for every state and territory. Under these changes, a new federal regulator, the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), has been created. This independent agency will be responsible for monitoring, compliance and enforcement, bringing stronger oversight to environmental approvals and ensuring decisions are applied consistently.
The reforms also introduce a centralised framework of National Environmental Standards. These standards set out what ‘good’ environmental protection looks like and provide a baseline for assessments and approval decisions.
A key outcome of the EPBC reform package is an overhaul of the approval process for projects, which should accelerate approval timelines, drive down project development costs and increase efficiencies. Clear expectations will be set for dealing with biodiversity impacts, which have long been one of the biggest barriers for project developers – especially here in Western Australia’s mining-based economy.
Under the reformed law, “net gain” for nature becomes the new standard – meaning development proponents must demonstrate not just mitigation of harm, but measurable ecological improvement.
At Salubris, we already embed biodiversity uplift, carbon sequestration and Traditional Owner involvement at the core of our existing projects. The EPBC reforms provide a long-term policy platform that supports this approach and creates opportunities for growth and value generation.
As owners and developers of successful large carbon abatement projects, we recognise that suitable land tenure is a core component of viable long-term biodiversity projects. Our existing portfolio – including 1.7 million hectares of pastoral land tenure and over 4 million hectares of Unallocated Crown Land (UCL) under Diversification Lease or Section 91 Licence application – provides a substantial land bank and a strong platform to participate in the emerging biodiversity industry.
With a strong focus on the emerging biodiversity market, and backed by leading scientific expertise, we are well advanced in developing biodiversity projects across the Goldfields, Murchison and Pilbara regions of Western Australia. These projects target bird habitat, grassland regeneration, and the protection of other rare and endangered species.
In addition, the reforms elevate the need for meaningful Traditional Owner engagement, transparent decision-making, and recognition of cultural landscapes. Salubris’ existing model- working in partnership with Traditional Owners for land stewardship, carbon credits and biodiversity restoration – aligns directly with these reform priorities.
As National Environmental Standards are finalised and the new regulator becomes operational (expected mid-2026), project proponents and investors will need to adapt their planning, due-diligence and environmental strategies.
Salubris aims to:
- Expand its large-scale carbon and biodiversity projects
- Further develop its land bank of opportunities in conjunction with its Traditional Owner partners
- Offer robust, data-driven restoration and carbon services to industry and investors
Edward Rigg, Chairman of Salubris, notes, “These reforms mark a generational shift for environmental stewardship in Australia, one that aligns closely with Salubris’ mission to deliver nature-enhanced value. We’re proud to be positioned at the intersection of industry, biodiversity, community and culture, ready to deliver real outcomes.”
For further details please contact us here. You can also subscribe to our mailing list to be the first to hear project updates and company announcements.
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