Planners and the conservation of biological heritage: Implications for New Zealand and Australia

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to encourage greater attention by planners to conservation of native or indigenous biodiversity, and to the skills and knowledge required for this endeavour. This paper argues that, in order to be effective, planners need to develop methods and principles of planning that support the long-term survival of native species and ecosystems. To do so, they will need to work with ecologists, biologists, and land managers, and bring new areas of ecological understanding to their traditional skills. They will also have to demonstrate that they have the skills they claim to have. Moreover, since conservation of biodiversity frequently requires the maintenance or restoration of ecological processes a change in the common focus of planning on development approval with limited monitoring or enforcement, is required.