Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

An Ecological Impact Assessment (EIA) or Flora and Fauna Assessment (FFA) is a formal study used to predict the potential direct and indirect environmental impacts of a proposed project or activity. It describes the existing ecological values of a site, assesses the potential impacts of the development, and provides clear reporting and recommendations for impact avoidance, minimisation and mitigation. This is often a key requirement for project compliance and approvals.

A biodiversity survey, or a flora and fauna assessment (FFA), is typically required during the planning and approvals phase of a project. If your project site has the potential to impact native plants (flora) or animals (fauna), a survey is needed to understand the ecological values present and ensure your project is compliant with the relevant local, state and federal government requirements. If engaged and considered early, a high quality ecological assessment can result in streamlined project approvals whilst achieving sustainable ecological outcomes for biodiversity values identified on site.

A Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) is a practical, strategic document that outlines how vegetation on a specific site will be managed over a prescribed amount of time, towards a set of strategis management goals (eg. no more than 10% weed coverage within management area 1). This can be for conservation, restoration, or to meet specific project or regulatory requirements. It provides practical planning to achieve sustainable vegetation outcomes. Vegetation Management Plans are often prescribed by local councils as a condition of development consent to manage areas of retained native vegetation

Ecological restoration is the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded or damaged. We develop strategies to restore and protect natural landscapes, helping to return them to a healthier, more self-sustaining state.

• A Biodiversity Survey (or Flora and Fauna Assessment) is a broad assessment to identify the full range of flora and fauna within a project area.

• A Targeted Survey is a highly specific study designed to determine the presence (or absence) of a particular species of concern, often required for specific regulatory or project needs. Targeted surveys are often undertaken within a specific timeframe to increase the likelihood of detecting the targets in indeed they are present.

The Biodiversity Offsets Scheme (BOS) is the framework in NSW designed to avoid, minimise, and offset impacts on biodiversity from development and clearing. If a project has an unavoidable impact, it creates a "credit obligation" that must be offset. This is often done by purchasing biodiversity credits from landholders who have established a permanent "Biodiversity Stewardship Site" (BSA).

The BOS is triggered in a few key ways. Your project will require assessment under the scheme if it is:

• Likely to significantly impact a threatened species or ecological community (as determined by a 5 part test of significance - as per Section 7.3 of the Biodiversity Conservation Act (2016).

• A State Significant Development (SSD) or State Significant Infrastructure (SSI) project.

• Exceeds certain clearing thresholds. The two main thresholds are:

  1. The development is on land mapped on the Biodiversity Values Map (BVM).

  2. The development exceeds the area clearing threshold (e.g., clearing over 1 ha on a 40 ha lot, or 0.25 ha on a lot under 1 ha). As accredited assessors, we can determine your project's triggers and guide you on the required Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR).

A BDAR is the standard report required for a development project that triggers the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme. Prepared by an accredited assessor, this report identifies how a proposed development will avoid, minimise, and offset the biodiversity impacts of a project. It is the key document used by consent authorities (like councils) to assess your development application.

A BSSAR is the report required for a landholder who wants to protect and manage their land to generate biodiversity credits. This report assesses the high-level biodiversity values of a proposed "Biodiversity Stewardship Site". If approved, the landowner enters a formal agreement to conserve that land in perpetuity and can then sell the credits generated.

A BCAR is a strategic, large-scale assessment used for land-use planning, typically by planning authorities or local governments. Instead of assessing a single project, it assesses a large area to identify lands for development and lands for conservation. Once an area is "certified," future development projects within that certified-land footprint can proceed without needing a separate BDAR.

A full BDAR is a comprehensive assessment under the Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) that quantifies all biodiversity impacts. A streamlined BDAR is an alternative pathway within the BAM that an accredited assessor can use when the BOS is triggered, but the impacts are considered low. This pathway can only be used for specific cases, such as impacts to:

• Scattered trees

• Planted native vegetation (e.g., landscaping, windbreaks)

• Small areas of clearing A streamlined assessment is more efficient as it primarily assesses impacts on species at risk of "Serious and Irreversible Impact" (SAII), rather than requiring a full credit calculation for all values. We can assess your project and determine the most appropriate and cost-effective assessment pathway.

An SAII is a "Serious and Irreversible Impact" on biodiversity. This is the most severe finding under the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme. It means an impact is likely to contribute significantly to the risk of a threatened species or ecological community becoming extinct. An accredited assessor is responsible for identifying potential SAIIs in the BDAR, but the final determination is made by the consent authority (e.g., Council or the Department of Planning).

The implications are severe and depend on your approval pathway:

• For Local Development: If the consent authority (e.g., a local council) determines your project will have a Serious and Irreversible Impact, they must refuse development consent.

• For State Significant Development (SSD/SSI): The decision-maker can still approve a project with an SAII, but only if they determine there are additional and appropriate measures to minimise the impact and that the project's benefits outweigh the environmental cost. Our primary goal is to identify these risks early and help you avoid and minimise any potential SAIIs through practical project design.