The Peak Environment Non-Government Organisations have previously expressed their opposition to the use of offset schemes… the proposed scheme does not promote sustainable agriculture, changes in behaviour and resource use, or the avoidance of clearing. It does not prevent inappropriate clearing or result in reversing the long-term decline in Australia's native vegetation, as required under the Commonwealth/New South Wales Partnership Agreement under the Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997 (Commonwealth of Australia 1997). The scheme was found to be inconsistent with the principles of ESD and was not able to be monitored sufficiently within the present levels of scientific knowledge, data availability or government resourcing.
