The Northern Territory Environmental Protection Authority (NT EPA) has released an “Environmental quality report: Biodiversity of the Howard sand plains Site of Conservation Significance”.

The report is an environment quality report under section 28 of the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority Act (NTEPA Act) and will provide a basis for separate advice to the Minister for the Environment under section 25 of the NT EPA Act.

Government agencies are reviewing the draft report, and the public and industry are invited to provide comment  into the finalisation of the report prior to its submission to the Minister.

The Howard sand plains is a site of Conservation Significance because of its globally significant, species-rich communities of bladderworts (carnivorous plants), and nationally and Territory listed threatened species.

The report reviews existing knowledge of the sand plains’ biodiversity and the threats to it, as well as proposes possible long term solutions to ensure its preservation.

The report is available on the NT EPA website at www.ntepa.gov.au/envirocomment or by contacting the Office on (08) 8924 4218 during business hours.

Submissions close COB, 25 May 2015.

All comments on the draft Guidelines for Pollution Avoidance on Commercial and Residential Building Sites will be made publicly available on the NT EPA website. If you do not wish your comments or parts of your comments, or your identity made publicly available, you should clearly indicate this in your submission.