The Pilbara is one of Australia’s most distinctive regions, renowned for its vast landscapes, unique biodiversity, rich cultural heritage and important natural resources. As development continues across the region, protecting these environmental values remains a priority.
During the environmental approvals process payments into the Pilbara Environmental Offset Fund (PEOF) can be required when development activities result in significant environmental impacts that cannot be avoided or reduced. The PEOF brings together people, science and investments to deliver strategic, landscape-scale offset projects in partnership with Traditional Owners, conservation agencies, industry and government to achieve lasting environmental benefits across the Pilbara.
A strategic approach to conservation
Focusing on partnerships and targeted on-ground action, PEOF projects help to improve habitat condition, strengthen ecosystem resilience and deliver measurable environmental outcomes at a landscape scale.
One example is the Budadee Bilby Habitat Management Project at the Tharra (Woodstock-Abydos Protected Reserve) led by Budadee Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with Terra Rosa Consulting, with technical support from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).
Protecting the greater bilby
The greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) is one of Australia’s most iconic threatened species. Once widespread across arid Australia, bilby populations have declined significantly and continue to face pressures from habitat loss, introduced predators and altered fire regimes.
Bilbies are also important ecosystem engineers. Their digging helps aerate soils, and support plant growth, while their burrows provide refuge for other native animals. Protecting bilby habitat therefore benefits the broader ecosystem health and biodiversity.
Traditional knowledge and on-ground action
Beginning in 2021 with a weed management project, Budadee has now expanded into a broader habitat management program that combines Traditional Owner knowledge with contemporary conservation and monitoring practices. This project demonstrates how PEOF initiatives can evolve over time as knowledge, partnerships and capacity grow.
Baseline surveys undertaken across Tharra (Woodstock-Abydos Protected Reserve) during 2023 and 2024 recorded some of the highest bilby occupancy levels documented in the Pilbara, highlighting the importance of protecting this habitat. Ongoing monitoring continues to improve understanding of how vegetation and wildlife respond to management actions.
Guided by Elders, the project aims to protect and improve priority habitat through invasive species management and the reintroduction of cultural burning practices. Budadee Rangers began conducting cultural burns in 2025. These carefully planned burns create a patchwork of recently and previously burnt areas encouraging regeneration of native vegetation and helping reduce the spread of large wildfires, supporting healthy habitat for bilbies and many other native species.
Building a Stronger Future
The Budadee Bilby Habitat Management Project demonstrates how the PEOF translates offset investments into practical conservation outcomes.
By addressing key threats and improving habitat condition, the project is helping strengthen biodiversity, ecological resilience and landscape connectivity across the Pilbara. It also demonstrates the value of combining Traditional knowledge, science and collaboration as a foundation for achieving long-term environmental outcomes.
As the PEOF continues to grow, it will support a diverse portfolio of projects aimed at managing environmental threats, supporting threatened species recovery and improving understanding of the Pilbara’s unique ecosystems.
Together, these projects are building and sharing knowledge and expanding trusted partnerships. Through strategic investment and on-ground action, the Pilbara Environmental Offsets Fund is helping create a stronger future for biodiversity across the Pilbara.
