Australia is facing a biodiversity crisis. Land clearing, ecosystem degradation, unsustainable material use and disconnected planning systems have made the built environment a key contributor to nature loss. At the same time, Australia’s environmental legislation – particularly the Environmental Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act – has been found to be ineffective. It does not protect biodiversity, integrate land use planning or embed the cultural values, knowledge and leadership of First Nations peoples. This roadmap sets a vision for a nature positive built environment by 2050, aligning with global goals for nature. It recognises that our cities, buildings, and infrastructure must do more than minimise harm—they must actively protect and regenerate biodiversity and ecosystems. 

The roadmap identifies five key challenges:

• Fragmented policy and weak implementation, particularly under the EPBC Act, undermines environmental outcomes and public trust. 
• Accelerating land development is degrading ecosystems in Australia’s most biodiverse and contested regions. 
• A low circularity rate in Australia drives waste and missed opportunities for regenerative design. 
• Resource use contributes to habitat loss, pollution, and water stress. 

Underinvestment in nature continues to reward destruction over restoration and regeneration. And proposes five core principles, each supported by measurable targets: 

• Prevent nature loss – Commit to no net loss and deliver net gain outcomes. 
• Increase and connect nature – Restore ecosystems and reconnect fragmented habitats. 
• Drive circularity – Minimise waste and pollution through circular design. 
• Choose low-impact materials – Avoid ecosystem harm from construction supply chains. 

Invest in nature – Embed funding for restoration and regenerative outcomes. This roadmap developed by GBCA is open for consultation, and MECLA hosted a special briefing to provide an opportunty to give feedback and ask questions.