The national Threatened Species Scientific Committee is inviting comments and submissions on a proposed listing for a nationally threatened ecological community under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

The Committee is undertaking a scientific assessment of the ‘Coastal Swamp Oak (Casuarina glauca) Forest of south-east Queensland and New South Wales’ ecological community, which is found along the east coast from south-east Queensland to southern NSW. A draft assessment (within what is known as a Conservation Advice) has been completed , which indicates the ecological community may be eligible for listing as Endangered. The draft advice is now available for public comment and can be downloaded from the Department of the Environment and Energy’s website at:

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/nominations/comment/coastal-swamp-oak-forest

The closing date for comment is Friday 25 August 2017.

A Guide to Consultation is also available on the same website. As the draft Conservation Advice presents information in some technical detail, the Guide uses simpler language to explain the main points of the listing assessment and what it may mean if the ecological community is approved for listing. Questions are also available online on which the Committee particularly seeks advice. These may help frame any comments you wish to provide. However, feedback to the Committee does not need to be limited to these questions – the Committee welcomes, and will consider, any constructive comments received about the ecological community and its eligibility for listing as nationally threatened.