Aboriginal people have a spiritual and cultural connection and an inherent right to protect the land, waters, sky and natural resources of New South Wales. This connection goes deep and has been since the dreaming. The entire landscape, including traditional lands, fresh water and seas, has spiritual and cultural significance to Aboriginal people. If the cultural and spiritual values of Aboriginal people are sustained by providing protection, respect, quantity and quality, then many other components of Aboriginal life will be healthy. By this understanding there is no separation of country, culture, waters and wellbeing. The health of the natural environment, fresh waters, land animals, marine animals and people are intimately connected. In compiling this report the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) acknowledges this and that Aboriginal people as the first protectors have continuously cared for Country and the natural environment of NSW for thousands of generations. The EPA acknowledges the custodians and honours the ancestors, the Elders both past and present and extend that respect to other Aboriginal people in NSW.

Dharawal Country, Royal National Park, NSW

The NSW Environment Protection Authority, acknowledge Aboriginal peoples as the enduring Custodians of the land, sea, waters and sky of New South Wales.

We recognise the entire NSW landscape, including the lands, waters, plant and animal species and seas, has spiritual and cultural significance to all Aboriginal peoples of NSW. By this understanding there is no separation of nature, wellbeing, and Culture. The health of the natural environment, and the health of people and culture are intimately connected.

Upon the release of the NSW 2021 SoE Report and in the spirit of reconciliation, the EPA is committed to:

• Work in respectful partnership with Aboriginal peoples
• Actively learn from and listen to Aboriginal voices, cultures and knowledges
• Respect Aboriginal people’s knowledge and science as an equal to western science
• Weave Aboriginal knowledges and science with conventional science into the EPA’s decision making
• Act boldly and bravely to play our part to mend and heal Country together
• Ensure Aboriginal knowledge, science and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property is protected, and Aboriginal peoples have Free, Prior and Informed Consent
• Address both the tangible and intangible cultural elements of environmental protection
• Deliver on results that have direct benefits for Aboriginal communities
• Embed consistent, meaningful, and trustworthy engagement with Aboriginal communities
• Develop Aboriginal cultural competency across the agency
• Increase Aboriginal employment across the agency to exceed public sector Aboriginal employment targets and to identify specific occupational gaps
• Monitor the impact of the Statement of Commitment on Aboriginal peoples, Country, cultures and spirit.

Preparation of NSW State of the Environment 2021 has relied on contributions, appraisal and validation from many sources.

In 2021, the EPA invited the views, values and knowledge of Aboriginal people to enhance its understanding of the health of the NSW environment.

The SoE Aboriginal Peoples Knowledge Group was established to improve representation of Aboriginal people during preparation of the 2021 report. This included, among other things, providing introductions to the six environmental themes, sharing cultural stories, reviewing the Fire topic and setting a process to deliver future enhancements to the website.

This has been an important step to better recognise outcomes and impacts to Aboriginal people and cultures. The group will continue to guide further engagement for wider representation from Aboriginal people across NSW in State of the Environment reporting.

For this report the Aboriginal Peoples Knowledge Group comprised members of:

• EPA Aboriginal Initiatives
• EPA Governance Risk and Planning
• Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
• NSW Aboriginal Land Council.*

And two independent members:

• Wally Stewart, Walbunja man from the south coast of NSW
• Associate Professor Bradley Moggridge, Kamilaroi Water Scientist.

*Established under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW), the NSW Aboriginal Land Council is the peak representative body for Aboriginal people in NSW.

‘We talk about Country as Aboriginal people. We talk about Country as a being. The thing for us is you hear people like to say “This is my country” and it’s not like it’s “I take, it’s no one else’s”. It’s “This is the Country I’m connected to. This is the being I’m connected to”.’
– Andrew Beach (Wonnarua): Acting Unit Head Regulatory Operations

‘Our Country is our soul, is our mother and if that’s gone, we’re gone too.’
– Denise O’Donnell (Malyangapa, Ngiyampaa & Barkindji): EPA Liaison

Future Opportunities raised by the Group

Throughout the report, the Aboriginal Peoples Knowledge Group has identified future opportunities for management authorities to learn more and apply how Aboriginal cultures and practices improve the care, protection and management of the environment.

The Group has also identified the following as being important:

• That Aboriginal knowledges and cultures are valued and promoted alongside western sciences.
• Inclusion of Aboriginal people in decision making and programs that aim to sustain healthy native vegetation, animals and Country.
• That more scientific, biodiversity and conservation (environmental management) committees include membership of Aboriginal people, and that this outcome be measured through a future additional SoE indicator.

Preparation of NSW State of the Environment 2021 has relied on contributions, appraisal and validation from many NSW Government agencies and from within the EPA.

The EPA is grateful for the assistance of NSW agencies who contributed the majority of content for other topics, particularly:

• Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
• Department of Regional NSW
• Forestry Corporation of NSW
• Hunter Water Corporation
• NSW Rural Fire Service
• Sydney Water Corporation
• Transport for NSW.

Review assistance was also provided by the Department of Premier and Cabinet and NSW Ministry of Health.

Independent expert review enhances the value and transparency of the report by ensuring that the most up-to-date and appropriate information is included; analysis and interpretation of the material is appropriate; and content adequately covers new and emerging issues.

The EPA acknowledges the contribution of the following experts who reviewed content and data relevant to their expertise:

• Associate Professor Howard Bridgman, University of Newcastle
• Associate Professor Mathew Crowther, University of Sydney
• Dr Scott Dwyer, Institute for Sustainable Futures
• Dr Damien Giurco, Institute for Sustainable Futures
• Dr Ben Gooden, CSIRO
• Dr Richard Greene, Australian National University
• Dr Mike McLaughlin, University of Adelaide
• Professor Andrew Pitman, University of NSW
• Associate Professor Owen Price, Director of the Centre for Environmental Risk Management of Bushfire Risk, University of Wollongong
• Professor David Stern, Australian National University
• Mr Rob Sturgiss, Australian Department of Environment and Energy
• Professor Martin Thoms, University of New England
• Mr Ian Varley, Water Resources and Environmental Management
• Professor Stuart White, Institute for Sustainable Futures
• Mr Bhiamie Williamson, Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, Australian National University
• Associate Professor Jane Williamson, Macquarie University
• Kerryn Wilmot, Institute for Sustainable Futures

Tabled report

• Front Cover: Tim Johnson, Pink flannel flower, Blue Mountains National Park, Dharug Country
• About the Report: Roger Laird, Harrington sandbar, Harrington, Biripi Country
• Key Findings: Pauline Coppin, Plant with water drops, Warrumbungles, Gamilaroi, Wiradjuri and Weilwan Country
• Drivers: istock image, Pitt Street shops, Sydney, Gadigal Country
• Human Settlement: istock image, Suburb from above, Sydney, Gadigal Country
• Climate and Air: Kevin Dodds, Misty town and hills, Tumut valley, Walgalu/Wolgalu, Wiradjuri, and Ngungawal Country
• Land: Claudia Abbott, Green hills, Megalong Valley, Dharug and Gundungurra Country
• Biodiversity: Jennifer O’Meara, Green and gold bell frog, Sydney Olympic Park, Wangal Country
• Water and Marine: Simon Walsh. Marshes, Boulder Beach, Nyangbul Bundjalung Country
• Appendix: Sarah Winter, Waterfall, Great Otway National Park, Gulidjan and Gadubanud people

The EPA is on a journey to inclusiveness of Aboriginal people and cultures and notes the names of traditional Country may be contestable and should not be regarded as fact and has been used to demonstrate EPAs commitment.

Website

Many of the contributed photos have been cropped to fit the website's banner format and text overlay.

Location	Photo credit	Image thumbnail
Homepage	Simone Cottrell/OEH (2016). The Governor rock formation, seen from Governor lookout walking track, in Mount Kaputar National Park. Accessed from OEH Image Library.
	Roger Laird (2020). Vertical drone photo of Harrington sandbar. DPI staff contribution. This image is also used on .
	Pauline Coppin/DPIE (2020). Close up of raindrops on trees in the Warrumbungle National Park. DPIE staff contribution.

Drivers theme and topic pages

Location	Photo credit	Image thumbnail
	Caz Nowaczyk/EPA (2017). Scenic photo towards Wollongong, with Seacliff Bridge and suburb of Coalcliff focus. Accessed from EPA Image Library.
	Roger Laird/DPI (2012). Oblique aerial photograph showing Sydney's Bondi Beach, residential and high-rise development. DPI staff contribution. 2018 Tab: John Spencer/EPA (2017). Aerial view of a residential area in Newcastle. Accessed from EPA Image Library.
	Stephen Ward/DPI (2020). New road bridge over the Clarence River at Harwood. DPIE staff contribution. 2018 Tab: Sarah Ryan/EPA (2017). Waterfront in Wollongong showing recreational activity and tourist development. Accessed from EPA Image Library.

Human Settlement theme and topic pages

Location	Photo credit	Image thumbnail
	Roger Laird (2012). Oblique aerial photograph showing Sydney's Bondi Beach, residential and high-rise development. DPI staff contribution.
	John Spencer/EPA (2016). Morning light on Newcastle Industry. Accessed from EPA Image Library. 2018 Tab: Caz Nowaczyk/EPA (2017). Night time view across the Illawarra from Mount Keira, showing residential and industrial lights. Accessed from EPA Image Library.
	John Spencer/EPA (2016). Cyclist walking over bridge with bike, Newcastle. Accessed from EPA Image Library. 2018 Tab: John Spencer/EPA (2016). Cars, trucks and bus on four lane highway near Newcastle Port. Accessed from EPA Image Library.
	Martin Asmus/DPI (2020). Hay Weir, Murrumbidgee River. DPI staff contribution. 2018 Tab: Phil Molyneaux/EPA (undated). Bales of crushed steel cans at a waste recycling facility. Accessed from EPA Image Library.
	Evolving Images/EPA (2013). Man working at MRF: Materials Recycling Facility. Accessed from EPA Image Library. 2018 Tab: Bottlebrush Media/EPA (2017). Close up of contaminated soil being sampled. Accessed from EPA Image Library.
	EPA (2015). Gaswork remediation site. Accessed from EPA Image Library. 2018 Tab: Sarah Ryan/EPA (2017). Treated effluent liquid moving through stages at a water recycling plant. Accessed from EPA Image Library.

Climate and Air theme and topic pages

Location	Photo credit	Image thumbnail
	Kevin Dodds (2020). Winter sunrise over Tumut Valley. Special conditions apply to the use of this staff contributed image.
	John Spencer/EPA (2016). Powerplant pictured across water. Accessed from EPA Image Library. 2018 Tab: John Spencer/EPA (2016). Smoke stacks and powerplant at Muswellbrook. Accessed from EPA Image Library.
	Brian Rosenberg/DPIE (2017). Grazing pastures in Millthorpe. DPIE staff contribution. 2018 Tab: EPA (2018). View from a plane over Blue Mountains – smoke from hazard reduction burns. Accessed from EPA Image Library.
	Victoria Seeck/EPA (2021). View of dry paddock with windmill and water tank, Hay. EPA staff contribution. 2018 Tab: Michael Jarman/OEH (2009). Trees in bushfire at Murramarang National park. Accessed from OEH Image Library.
	EPA (2018). View from a plane over Blue Mountains – smoke from hazard reduction burns. Accessed from EPA Image Library.

Land theme and topic pages

Location	Photo credit	Image thumbnail
	Claudia Abbott/NPWS (2020). Sunset in Megalong Valley. NPWS staff contribution.
	Brian Rosenberg/DPIE (2017). Snow on Rams Head north. DPIE staff contribution. 2018 Tab: John Spencer/OEH (2012). Honeysuckle Forest track, Barrington Tops National Park. Accessed from OEH Image Library.
	Stuart Murphy (2020). Aerial view of Clarence floodplain backswamp showing kangaroo tracks. Special conditions apply to the use of this staff contributed image. 2018 Tab: John Spencer/EPA (2017). Aerial view of paddocks adjacent to bush in the Narrabri area. Accessed from EPA Image Library.
	Greg West/DPI (2019). Rainforest floor view within Barrington Tops National Park. DPI staff contribution. 2018 Tab: Brent Mail Photography/EPA (2017). Straight red gums captured with forest floor in background. Accessed from EPA Image Library.
	Genevieve Wright/DPIE (2020). Grass trees and Eucalypts re-sprout following the 2020 bushfires in Mt Imlay, NSW. DPIE staff contribution.

Biodiversity theme and topic pages

Location	Photo credit	Image thumbnail
	Brian Rosenberg/DPIE (2020). Common Brown (Heteronympha merope) at fourth crossing Mullion. DPIE staff contribution.
	Jennifer O'Meara/Sydney Olympic Park (2020). Juvenile endangered Green and Golden Bell Frog observed in the Brickpit - part of extensive threatened species habitat managed by the Sydney Olympic Park Authority in a long-term commitment to bell frog conservation. DPIE staff contribution. 2018 Tab: John Spencer/OEH (2014). A pair of Glossy black-cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus lathami) sit on a tree branch at Captain Cook's Lookout in Hat Head National Park. Accessed from OEH Image Library.
	Brian Rosenberg/DPIE (2021). Senicio weeds near Millthorpe. DPIE staff contribution. 2018 Tab: John Yurasek/OEH (2012). Lantana. Timber detail of buildings, part of the Arndell family homestead built in 1821, Cattai National Park. Accessed from OEH Image Library.
	Brian Rosenberg/DPIE (2020). Crimson rosella (Platycercus elegans) near Cowrigga, NSW. DPIE staff contribution. 2018 Tab: John Yurasek/OEH (2012). Goanna in Bouddi National Park. Accessed from OEH Image Library.

Water and Marine theme and topic pages

Location	Photo credit	Image thumbnail
	John Spencer/OEH (2012). Lake Burragorang, Warragamba Catchment, Nattai National Park. Accessed from OEH Image Library.
	Nick May (2020). Scenic photo of Newcastle region. Access from EPA Image Library. 2018 Tab: DPE (2015). Chaffey Reservoir Dam in Tamworth NSW. Accessed from DPE Image Library.
	Martin Asmus/DPI (2020). Drowned trees in Hay Weirpool, Murrumbidgee River. DPIE staff contribution. 2018 Tab: Gavin Hansford/OEH (2013). Kayakers on the Murrumbidgee River. Accessed from OEH Image Library.
	Jo Erskine/NPWS (2020). Aerial photo over Tomago Wetlands. DPIE staff contribution. 2018 Tab: John Spencer/OEH (2012). Seaham Swamp Nature Reserve. Accessed from OEH Image Library.
	Water efficiency team/DPIE (2020). Aerial photo of artesian bore to be replaced and plugged under IGABDR program in 2021 south of Moree, NSW. DPIE staff contribution. 2018 Tab: John Spencer/EPA (2017). Aerial view of dam irrigation storage ponds adjacent to ploughed land. Accessed from EPA Image Library.
	Stuart Murphy/EPA (undated). Beach aerial photo with boat floating in shallow water. Special conditions apply to the use of this staff contributed image. 2018 Tab: John Spencer/OEH (2014). Dolphins surfing the ocean swell near Nadgee Nature Reserve. Accessed from OEH Image Library.