Australia’s diverse landscapes have long been admired, with certain regions symbolising the country’s natural beauty.

One such area, known for its striking terrain and ecological significance, is now at the centre of growing concern.

Recent satellite imagery has revealed an unsettling transformation, prompting alarm among conservationists.


Jess Abrahams, the ACF's national nature campaigner, described the situation bluntly: 'It's disturbing.'

The land that has been cleared is thought to be part of the 'Mallee bird ecological community,' a federally-listed endangered habitat that spans the borders of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.

This region, characterised by its long, hot summers and sparse rainfall, is home to 90 species on the brink of extinction, including the Malleefowl, regent parrot, and western whipbird.


The ACF has made drone footage available, showcasing the drastic changes to the landscape, a visual testament to the severity of the situation.

Abrahams points to two main culprits behind this environmental crisis.

‘By lending to agribusinesses without appropriate conditions relating to deforestation, banks are effectively financing the destruction of habitat for threatened species,’ he explained.

‘Banks should do greater due diligence on applicants, set “no deforestation” targets and attach strict conditions to their loans to agribusinesses and property developers.’


He argued that banks should implement more rigorous due diligence processes, set 'no deforestation' targets, and attach strict conditions to their loans to prevent further habitat destruction.

The second issue lies with the federal government, which is responsible for safeguarding endangered species and landscapes.

Despite over 2,200 species being listed as threatened, the problem continues to escalate.

Abrahams criticised the government for not enacting strong nature protection laws, which the Albanese Government promised before the last election but has yet to materialise.

The government's pledge to prevent new extinctions seems hollow as scientists warn that many small species are disappearing before they can even be documented, largely due to ineffective monitoring of habitat destruction.


'We are in an extinction crisis,' Abrahams stated.

'More than 7 million hectares of habitat for threatened species have been destroyed since the enactment of Australia's flawed environment law. This is why we need strong new nature laws and an independent regulator.'

While state and territory governments primarily monitor land clearing, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act sets additional requirements.

Any project likely to significantly impact a federally threatened species or ecological community must be referred to the Commonwealth.

The ACF has documented seven allegations of clearing that would breach federal protections under the EPBC Act and has communicated these concerns and evidence to the federal environment department.


The department is investigating these allegations or has surveyed the alleged breaches.

The department declined to provide detailed answers, stating only that it has received the allegations and that inquiries are ongoing.
What steps should financial institutions and the government take to prevent further destruction of endangered habitats? How can everyday Australians contribute to protecting vulnerable ecosystems before it's too late? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.