Review of the BioBanking Scheme

On Thursday 10 May 2012, the Minister for the Environment, the Hon. Robyn Parker MP, announced the commencement of a review of the BioBanking Scheme. Submissions were invited on the Scheme until Monday 9 July 2012. Submissions are now being considered.  

A review of BioBanking and the BioBanking Assessment Methodology are required under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.

The scope of the review includes:

  • the performance and cost-effectiveness of the scheme
  • the extent to which the scheme is achieving the goal of maintaining or improving biodiversity conservation
  • the operation and use of the BioBanking Assessment Methodology and its relationship with similar methodologies
  • the scheme’s framework, including issues associated with biobanking agreements, statements and transactions, the BioBanking Trust Fund and assessor accreditation.

The aim of the review is to identify the strengths and challenges of BioBanking and evaluate ways of improving it to ensure it achieves credible environmental outcomes and is practical to use.

Public exhibition and consultation

A summary document, discussion paper and revised BioBanking Assessment Methodology have been prepared to initiate comments and opinions on the scheme during the review.  

BioBanking review: A summary of themes and issues (20120061bbrevsum.pdf, 61KB) is for people who are not familiar with the operational details of the scheme but would like to participate in the review.

BioBanking review: Discussion paper (20120062bbrevdp.pdf, 349KB) provides an overview of the performance of BioBanking and describes each component of the scheme.

The revised BioBanking Assessment Methodology (20120029drftbbassessmeth.pdf, 764KB) demonstrates ways in which some of the issues canvassed in the discussion paper can be addressed. The recommended changes are based on experience gained from using the methodology over the past two years and include amendments publicly exhibited in late 2010. 

Stay informed

The period for making submissions closed on Monday 9 July 2012. Submissions are now being considered.

If you would like to recieve updates on the BioBanking Review please email biobanking@environment.nsw.gov.au with 'BioBanking Review Update' in the Subject field.

Questions about the BioBanking review should be directed to biobanking@environment.nsw.gov.au

Page last updated: 12 July 2012