Will the New Nature Laws Work? Blue Mountains Public Forum

Date: Sunday, 3 May 2026
Time: 1:30pm
Location: Tibbi Whalan Hall, Civic Arcade, Katoomba

Hosted by Resilient Blue Mountains and the Macquarie Alliance for Climate, this public forum brings together community members, experts, and elected representatives to explore recent reforms to Australia’s national nature laws (the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the “Nature Positive Plan”).

The new nature laws will shape the Blue Mountains for decades to come. Join this forum to ask questions, seek clarity on commitments, and engage directly with those responsible for how these laws are implemented across local, state and federal levels.

Many people are concerned about what these reforms will mean in practice. This forum creates space to unpack the changes, understand their implications, and discuss how they will affect our region and the ecosystems we care about.

The session will take the form of a moderated panel and Q&A, with questions gathered from the audience in advance. Panel participants include:

• Susan Templeman – Federal Member for Macquarie and Special Envoy for the Arts
• Trish Doyle – NSW Member for Blue Mountains and Parliamentary Secretary for Environment, Heritage, Climate Change and Energy
• Mark Greenhill – Mayor of Blue Mountains City Council
• Brad Smith – Policy and Advocacy Director at the Nature Conservation Council of NSW
• Annette Cam – President of the Blue Mountains Conservation Society
• Martin Mansfield – Community leader with the Australian Conservation Foundation (Greater Western Sydney group)
• Panel Chair: Roy Tasker  – Scientific Advisor, Planet Ark

Each panelist will give a short opening contribution, followed by audience questions and discussion.

Bring your questions and your voice. Be part of a community working to ensure these laws protect nature, support climate justice, and reflect the needs of present and future generations.

Lodge your question to the panelists when you request your ticket or do an RSVP or by clicking here.

Entry is by donation. Reserve your spot now when you donate or if you cannot donate, through the RSVP below.

We look forward to welcoming you!