Improving access to WA’s biodiversity information

A digital transformation of Western Australia’s biodiversity data is ensuring information about native species and their habitat is easy to find and access to better support decision-making and conservation research.

Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek and Western Australian Minister for Environment Reece Whitby today launched the new online resource, Dandjoo.

The resource is the first of its kind in the country with Western Australia as the pilot State.

Dandjoo, which means ‘together’ in the Noongar language, is supported by a joint commitment of $9.2 million and provides reliable and comprehensive information for use by industry, researchers, governments and other stakeholders.

The platform allows easy access to a wealth of the State’s historical biodiversity data, improving how the information is managed and streamlining environmental decision-making so it is more efficient and effective.

The data-sharing platform developed by the Biodiversity Information Office (BIO) hosted by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, and its delivery of Dandjoo, is part of Western Australia’s broader commitment to the national Digital Environmental Assessment Program.

Government agencies and external parties can easily submit data to the platform so it can be used more widely. BIO staff will curate submitted data in consultation with data providers before publishing it to the platform to ensure it is of the highest quality.

The platform has been developed to support streamlining of environmental approvals processes, an election commitment made by the McGowan Government in 2020.

A commitment of $7.7 million was made to the project, with an additional $1.5 million contribution from the Commonwealth.

For more: bio.wa.gov.au

As stated by the Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek:

“Australia has some of the most remarkable plants and animals in the world, and through efficient data sharing and management we can better manage our unique biodiversity.

“Biodiversity information in Australia is fragmented, disparate, and often unreliable.

“This system will help governments, landholders, developers, researchers and other stakeholders by giving them access to reliable and comprehensive information to inform their actions.”  

As stated by WA Environment Minister Reece Whitby:

“This platform will become a useful resource for government agencies, industry and those involved in the environmental approvals planning process, as well as supporting conservation research.

“It will now be easier for people to access and share information on our biodiversity.

“The McGowan Government is proud to be delivering this platform with support from a range of partners, including the Commonwealth Government.”

/Public Release. View in full here.