Reclaiming nature: eco-restoration of liminal spaces

Past environmental damage is a major hindrance to sustainability, yet its restoration is a low priority of Australian environmental law compared to current and future impacts. The governance of eco-restoration is fragmented and incomplete, with little regulatory influence in regard to landscape or ecosystemscale restoration. In many cases eco-restoration is not viable because of irreparable environmental damage, and in a few cases - wild areas - it is generally less necessary. But in the extensive liminal spaces that have suffered some damage, restoration and better governance of it is needed. Remediation of old mines or brownfield sites – the current focus of Australian eco-restoration law – is not a useful precedent for ecosystem restoration of liminal landscapes. A number of fascinating biodiversity-focused restoration projects are underway across Australia, but are without a coherent governance framework that would enable such projects to likely have a more decisive and widespread impact. Some reforms could be undertaken to improve the legal framework for eco-restoration in Australia, especially in regard to terminology, goals and tools.