Acknowledgements

The EPA acknowledges Aboriginal peoples as the enduring Custodians of the land, sea, waters and sky of New South Wales. See the Statement of Commitment to Aboriginal People webpage for the full statement.

The EPA Aboriginal Peoples Knowledge Group shared views, values and cultures for introductions to our environmental themes. They further enhanced the report through consultation on images and icons used throughout the report.

See the page for more information about this group and their contributions to the report.

An Advisory Committee comprising academic specialists and representatives of NSW government agencies provides advice on matters such as emerging trends and opportunities, topic content and information gaps.

The EPA acknowledges the contribution of the Advisory Committee members for their suggestions and advice:

• Dr Stephen Conaty, Director, Environmental Health Branch, NSW Health
• Dr Scott Dwyer, Research Director, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney
• Mr Bhiamie Eckford-Williamson, Euahalyi man, & Research Fellow, Monash University
• Bryony Horton, Director, Science Strategy and Impact, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
• Richard Kingswood, Director, Biodiversity and Ecological Health, National Parks & Wildlife Service
• Dr Natalie Moltschaniwskyj, Chief Scientist, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
• Professor Jim Prately, Research Professor of Agriculture, Gulbali Institute, Sturt University
• Kathryn Taffs, Acting Director, Water Science, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

The EPA worked closely with NSW Government agencies and subject matter experts from within the EPA in the development of this report.

The EPA is grateful for the assistance of NSW agencies who contributed most of the information and data for the Status and trends section, as well as further guidance for other sections. These agencies include:

• Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
• Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
• Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
• Forestry Corporation of NSW
• Hunter Water
• Sydney Water
• Transport for NSW
• WaterNSW.

Further assistance and review were provided by The Cabinet Office (NSW) and NSW 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:

• Emeritus Professor Ian Acworth, UNSW Water Research Laboratory
• Professor Linda Beaumont, Macquarie University
• Professor Andrew Blakers, Australian National University
• Associate Professor Mathew Crowther, University of Sydney
• Associate Professor Troy Gaston, University of Newcastle
• Dr Richard Greene, Australian National University
• Joseph Lovie-Toon, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
• Dr Benajmin Madden, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney
• Dr Chels Marshall PhD, Gumbaynggirr woman, Deakin University
• Associate Professor Robert Niven, University of New South Wales
• Dr Marie-Chantale Pelletier, Southern Cross University
• Professor Andrew Pitman, University of NSW
• Associate Professor Daniel Ramp, Centre for Compassionate Conservation, University of Technology Sydney
• Dr Michael Reid, University of New England
• Dr Aleks Todorovski, Todorovski Air Science
• Professor Stuart White, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney
• Glen Whitehead, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
• Kerryn Wilmot, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney.

Artwork throughout this report is created by Gerard Black, Worimi artist and owner of Baiyami Art.

The designs were developed to represent each of the main report themes: Voice of Country, Land, Water, Biodiversity, Air and atmosphere, Drivers, Climate change, People and industry with each piece inspired by the patterns of Country and the spirit all around us.

The designs overarching intent is to promote a greater sense of connection. It is hoped that the viewer can look at the art and transport themselves into the places where the art takes them – whether to the forests or down in the ocean or looking up into the sky to the birds. The aim is for the art to bring the viewer back to that connection level – how we connect to the world around us – the real underlying connection that we should all have.

Learn more about the designs in Video 1 from Worimi artist, Gerard Black.

The background page banners background lacing used throughout the report is titled Butjin Wanggal ('Dilly bag dance' from the Gathang language). It has been threaded throughout the report to represent the interconnectedness between people and all parts of the environment.

The SoE report features images of Country from across our beautiful state.

The EPA is on a journey to inclusiveness of Aboriginal people and cultures and notes the names of traditional Country assigned to photos may be contestable. These names demonstrate the EPA's commitment, but should not be regarded as fact.

For the SoE website, many photos have been cropped to fit the website’s banner format and text overlay. See the page for the full list.