The EPA has proudly partnered with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety to deliver the Index of Biodiversity Surveys for Assessments (IBSA), a new project that captures vital biodiversity data and makes it publicly available. IBSA was developed as a result of collaboration between the State Government and the Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute.
The Index of Biodiversity Surveys for Assessments (IBSA) is a ground-breaking initiative that will unlock biodiversity data contained in land-based field surveys conducted as part of the environmental approvals process. About $38 million is spent each year collecting biodiversity data but until now this information has not been centralised or publicly available. Creating a register of this data means more efficiencies for the public and private sector.
From 30 April 2018 all biodiversity survey reports submitted to the EPA as part of assessment and compliance processes will need to be accompanied by IBSA data packages. For more information see www.dwer.wa.gov.au/ibsa
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