Apr 22, 2014 - and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999: (1) How many, and which, of these threatened communities currentl
MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Senate Question No. 0336
Senator Waters: asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment on 27 March 2014: With reference to threatened ecological communities listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999: (1) How many, and which, of these threatened communities currently have recovery plans in operation. (2) How many, and which, of these threatened communities currently have recovery plans being drafted. (3) How many, and which, of these threatened communities have been the subject of offset conditions relating to approved controlled actions, and, in each case, what were those offsets. (4) How many of these threatened communities have received Commonwealth monies for management through the Environmental Stewardship Program, and how much Commonwealth money did each community receive for management.
Senator Cormann: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question: (1) The following 26 ecological communities have recovery plans in place: •
Corymbia calophylla - Kingia australis woodlands on heavy soils of the Swan Coastal Plain
•
Corymbia calophylla - Xanthorrhoea preissii woodlands and shrublands of the Swan Coastal Plain
•
Eucalyptus ovata - Callitris oblonga Forest
•
Aquatic Root Mat Community 1 in Caves of the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge
•
Aquatic Root Mat Community 2 in Caves of the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge
•
Aquatic Root Mat Community 3 in Caves of the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge
•
Aquatic Root Mat Community 4 in Caves of the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge
•
Aquatic Root Mat Community in Caves of the Swan Coastal Plain
•
Assemblages of plants and invertebrate animals of tumulus (organic mound) springs of the Swan Coastal Plain
•
Buloke Woodlands of the Riverina and Murray-Darling Depression Bioregions
•
Eastern Stirling Range Montane Heath and Thicket
•
Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub of the Sydney Region
•
Iron-grass Natural Temperate Grassland of South Australia 1
MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT •
Mabi Forest (Complex Notophyll Vine Forest 5b)
•
Natural Temperate Grassland of the Southern Tablelands of NSW and the Australian Capital Territory
•
Peppermint Box (Eucalyptus odorata) Grassy Woodland of South Australia
•
Sedgelands in Holocene dune swales of the southern Swan Coastal Plain
•
Semi-evergreen vine thickets of the Brigalow Belt (North and South) and Nandewar Bioregions
•
Shrublands and Woodlands of the eastern Swan Coastal Plain
•
Shrublands and Woodlands on Muchea Limestone of the Swan Coastal Plain
•
Shrublands and Woodlands on Perth to Gingin ironstone (Perth to Gingin ironstone association) of the Swan Coastal Plain
•
Shrublands on southern Swan Coastal Plain ironstones
•
Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland of the South East Corner and Australian Alps Bioregions
•
The community of native species dependent on natural discharge of groundwater from the Great Artesian Basin
•
Weeping Myall - Coobah - Scrub Wilga Shrubland of the Hunter Valley
•
White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland
(2) Recovery plans are being drafted for the following 28 ecological communities: •
Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated Fens
•
Arnhem Plateau Sandstone Shrubland Complex
•
Blue Gum High Forest of the Sydney Basin Bioregion
•
Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant)
•
Broad leaf tea-tree (Melaleuca viridiflora) woodlands in high rainfall coastal north Queensland
•
Claypans of the Swan Coastal Plain
•
Coolibah - Black Box Woodlands of the Darling Riverine Plains and the Brigalow Belt South Bioregions
•
Cumberland Plain Shale Woodlands and Shale-Gravel Transition Forest
•
Giant Kelp Marine Forests of South East Australia
•
Gippsland Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis subsp. mediana) Grassy Woodland and Associated Native Grassland
•
Grassy Eucalypt Woodland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain
2
MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT •
Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) Grassy Woodlands and Derived Native Grasslands of South-eastern Australia
•
Littoral Rainforest and Coastal Vine Thickets of Eastern Australia
•
Lowland Native Grasslands of Tasmania
•
Monsoon vine thickets on the coastal sand dunes of Dampier Peninsula
•
Natural Grasslands of the Murray Valley Plains
•
Natural Grasslands of the Queensland Central Highlands and the northern Fitzroy Basin
•
Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain
•
Natural grasslands on basalt and fine-textured alluvial plains of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland
•
New England Peppermint (Eucalyptus nova-anglica) Grassy Woodlands
•
Scott River Ironstone Association
•
Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands (Freshwater) of the Temperate Lowland Plains
•
Shale/Sandstone Transition Forest
•
Subtropical and Temperate Coastal Saltmarsh
•
Swamps of the Fleurieu Peninsula
•
Turpentine-Ironbark Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion
•
Weeping Myall Woodlands
•
Western Sydney Dry Rainforest and Moist Woodland on Shale
(3) The following twelve threatened ecological communities have been the subject of offset conditions: •
Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant)
•
Coolibah – Black Box Woodlands of the Darling Riverine Plains and Brigalow Belt South Bioregions
•
Cumberland Plain Shale Woodlands and Shale-Gravel Transition Forest Threatened Ecological Community
•
Gippsland Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis subsp. mediana) Grassy Woodland and Associated Native Grassland
•
Grassy Eucalypt Woodland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain
•
Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) Grassy Woodlands and Derived Native Grasslands of South-eastern Australia Iron-Grass Natural Temperate Grassland of South Australia
•
Iron-Grass Natural Temperate Grassland of South Australia
•
Natural Grasslands of the Queensland Central Highlands and the northern Fitzroy Basin 3
MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT •
Natural Temperate Grassland of the Southern Tablelands of NSW and the Australian Capital Territory
•
Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain
•
Semi-evergreen vine thickets of the Brigalow Belt (North and South) and Nandewar Bioregions
•
White Box - Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red gum Grassy Woodland ecological community
The EPBC Environmental Offsets Policy (October 2012) applies to all referrals made under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 since 2 October 2012, and to projects that were undergoing assessment and had not had a proposed approval decision made by 2 October 2012. Detailed information on offsets required for EPBC-listed threatened ecological communities under the policy as conditions of approval for approved projects to 23 April 2014, is at Attachment A. (4) The Environmental Stewardship Programme is focused on the protection and rehabilitation of Matters of National Environmental Significance as listed under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The Programme provides long-term funding up to 15 years for private land managers to undertake management actions to achieve ecological outcomes, such as maintaining and/or improving the condition of a threatened ecological community. There have been seven competitive funding rounds under the Programme, targeting five threatened ecological communities. The first five rounds of the Programme targeted White Box - Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red gum Grassy Woodland ecological community (Box Gum Grassy Woodland). As at 23 April 2014, $27.165 million (GST exclusive) has been expensed from a total of $69.402 million (GST exclusive) currently contracted for grants under the Box Gum Grassy Woodland funding rounds. The subsequent two competitive funding rounds targeted multiple ecological communities including Peppermint Box (Eucalyptus odorata) Grassy Woodland of South Australia, Iron-Grass Natural Temperate Grassland of South Australia, and Box Gum Grassy Woodland. All of these threatened ecological communities have recovery plans in place. Additionally, Weeping Myall Woodland and Natural grasslands on basalt and fine-textured alluvial plains of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland were also targeted. Recovery plans are currently being drafted for these two threatened ecological communities. As at 23 April 2014, $20.314 million (GST exclusive) has been expensed from a total of $79.48 million (GST exclusive) currently contracted for grants under the Multiple Ecological Community funding rounds of the Programme. The Environmental Stewardship Programme has also provided $1 million in discretionary funding to increase protection for the Swamps of the Fleurieu Peninsula ecological community.
4
Offsets required under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999* Threatened Ecological Communities Key - CE: Critically endangered
E: Endangered
Attachment A
EPBC Ref / State
Approval date
Impacted matter of national environmental significance
Offset description
Management actions
Legal protection mechanism
Date of offset implementation
2010/5640
23/12/2012
Removal of 9.03 ha of poor – moderate quality Gippsland Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Associated Native Grassland ecological community – CE – a recovery plan is required to be prepared for this ecological community Removal of 82 ha of White Box Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red gum Grassy Woodland ecological community – CE – this ecological community has a national recovery plan
Protection and management of 140 ha property which contains 48 ha of the impacted ecological community in moderate quality. The property will be that will be managed to transition site to good quality
Rehabilitation, invasive species control, stock access control
Covenant under the Victorian Conservation Trust Act 1972
Offset implemented October 2012
Protection and management of at least 1537.4 ha of habitat of equivalent or better quality to that impacted for the impacted ecological community.
Rehabilitation, revegetation, weed control, feral animal control, fencing activities and access control
Legally binding conservation mechanism registered in perpetuity – still to be specified
11/03/2013
Removal of 13 ha of White Box Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red gum Grassy Woodland ecological community – CE this ecological community has a national recovery plan
Protection and management of a minimum: 232 ha of White Box - Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red gum Grassy Woodland ecological community
Rehabilitation, revegetation, weed control, feral animal control, fencing activities and access control
Legally binding conservation mechanism registered in perpetuity – still to be specified
11/04/2013
Removal of 4.66 ha of moderate quality Cumberland Plain Shale Woodlands and Shale-Gravel Transition Forest Threatened Ecological Community – CE – a recovery plan is required to be prepared for this ecological community Removal of 5.87 ha of moderate quality Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain – CE - a recovery plan is required to be prepared for this ecological community
Protection and management of 40.5 ha of good quality Cumberland Plain Shale Woodlands and Shale-Gravel Transition Forest Threatened Ecological Community CE
Rehabilitation, weed control, access control
Biobanking Agreement under Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995
Offset management activities must commence prior to commence-ment of the action Protection mechanisms must be in place within 5 years of approval Offset Plan must be submitted within 12 months of approval Protection mechanisms must be in place within 5 years of approval Biobanking credits must be retired prior to commencement of construction
Protection and management of 23.5 ha of moderate quality habitat that will be rehabilitated to good quality through the implementation of management activities
Weed control, pest animal control, biomass/organic litter control and access control
Covenant under the Victorian Conservation Trust Act 1972
VIC
2009/5256
11/02/2013
NSW
2011/5923 NSW
2012/6360 NSW
2011/5946 VIC
23/04/2013
1
Implementation of offset prior to commencement of the action
Offsets required under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999* Threatened Ecological Communities EPBC Ref / State
Approval date
Impacted matter of national environmental significance
Offset description
Management actions
Legal protection mechanism
Date of offset implementation
2012/6292
13/05/2013
Removal of 0.5 ha of Natural Temperate Grassland of the Southern Tablelands of NSW and the Australian Capital Territory – E – this ecological community has a national recovery plan
Manage 0.5 ha of natural temperate grasslands that will be rehabilitated to moderate quality through the implementation of management activities
Biomass control, weed management and soil compaction mitigation
N/A
Offset Management Plan to be submitted before the 13 May 2014
19/08/2013
Removal of 3.52 ha of the Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain – CE - a recovery plan is required to be prepared for this ecological community
Total offset package of 14.08 ha, including:
Offset management plan to be provided; must include invasive species control, access control, biomass control and grazing management.
12.35 ha to be covenanted under a Section 69 agreement under the Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987 (Vic) 1.73 ha to be covenanted under a Section 173 agreement of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic) Legally binding conservation mechanism registered in perpetuity – still to be specified
Construction cannot commence until biodiversity offset package has been approved by the Minister.
ACT
2011/6057 VIC
Purchase of 12.35 ha within the Western Grassland Reserves for Spiny Rice-flower, Golden Sun Moth and the Natural Temperate Grassland ecological community in perpetuity. The protection in perpetuity of the 1.73 ha retained on site for Spiny Rice-flower, Golden Sun Moth and the Natural Temperate Grassland ecological community.
2011/6202
19/08/2013
Removal of 4.43 ha of good quality White box - Yellow box Blakely's red gum grassy woodland and derived native grassland – CE - this ecological community has a national recovery plan
Protection and management of 47 ha of White box – Yellow box - Blakeley’s red gum grassy woodland and derived native grassland that will be rehabilitated from moderate to good quality.
Rehabilitation, revegetation, weed control, feral animal control, fencing, access control and dieback management
13/09/2013
Removal of 7.9 ha of good quality White box – Yellow box – Blakeley’s red gum grassy woodland and derived native grassland – CE - this ecological community has a national
Protection and management of 49 ha of White box – Yellow box – Blakeley’s red gum grassy woodland and derived native grassland that will be rehabilitated from moderate to good quality.
Rehabilitation, revegetation, weed control, feral animal control and fencing,
NSW
2012/6560 NSW
2
Conservation agreement under S69 of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974,
The Biodiversity Offset Plan must be submitted to the Minister within 3 months of commencement; the approved plan must be implemented. The legal mechanism must be in place within 12 months of approval The action cannot commence until the Box Gum Woodland Management Plan has been approved by the Minister.
Offsets required under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999* Threatened Ecological Communities EPBC Ref / State
Approval date
Impacted matter of national environmental significance
Offset description
Management actions
Legal protection mechanism
recovery plan
2013/6778
23/10/2013
Removal of 17.52 ha of the Natural Temperate Grasslands of the Victorian Volcanic Plain – CE - a recovery plan is required to be prepared for this ecological community
19 December 2013
Removal of 43 ha of Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) – E - a recovery plan is required to be prepared for this ecological community
VIC
EPBC 2009/4747
The proponent must deliver offsets in accordance with the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for Melbourne’s Growth Corridors (DEPI, June 2013) and the Habitat compensation under the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy – Melbourne Strategic Assessment (DEPI, August 2013) for Natural Temperate Grasslands of the Victorian Volcanic Plain ecological community. For impact areas outside of the Melbourne Growth Boundary the offset proposal consists of a two reserves totalling 93 ha. The Ravenhall Grasslands Nature Conservation Reserve contains approximately 77ha of Natural Temperate Grasslands of the Victorian Volcanic Plain and will be protected in perpetuity by the Victorian Government. Provision of offsets of 199 ha of Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and codominant) ecological community.
3
Offset management plan to be provided. Management actions to include invasive species control and ecological fire management.
Protected as a Nature Conservation Reserve
Offset management plan to include rehabilitation, conservation and management measures for long-term protection, including input from appropriate expert. Provision of pool of funds of $100,000 for 10 years from commencement for research to reduce impacts on listed threatened species and communities, including Brigalow.
To be legally secured within three years of commencement of Stage 2 under relevant Queensland legislation
Date of offset implementation The proponent must provide evidence of lodgement of the conservation agreement application and ownership of the offset area prior to commencement. Agreements and management activities, including funding arrangements, for offset must be approved by the Minister prior to commencement.
Offsets to be legally secured within three years of commencement. Offset Management Plan to be provided to and approved by the Minister within 12 months of commencement.
Offsets required under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999* Threatened Ecological Communities EPBC Ref / State
Approval date
Impacted matter of national environmental significance
Offset description
Management actions
Legal protection mechanism
Date of offset implementation
EPBC 2010/5344
19 December 2013
Provision of offsets areas of 112 ha of Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) ecological community E and 30 ha of Coolibah – Black Box Woodlands of the Darling Riverine Plains and Brigalow Belt South Bioregions – E.
Offset Management Plan for each area that sets out management measures to improve the offset site for the community. Additional stages of construction may require additional offsets.
Provide a legal mechanism to secure offset sites in the Offset Management Plans.
Offset Management Plans to be peer reviewed by suitably qualified expert and provide to the Minister for approval. Action cannot commence prior to approval.
EPBC 2010/5741
17 April 2014
Removal of 106 ha of Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) – E and 8 ha of Coolibah – Black Box Woodlands of the Darling Riverine Plains and Brigalow Belt South Bioregions – E recovery plans are required to be prepared for these ecological communities Removal of 11.14 ha of Grassy Eucalypt Woodland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain – CE a recovery plan is required to be prepared for this ecological community
Provision of offset of 33.5 ha offset for Grassy Eucalypt Woodland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain – CE.
Trust for Nature covenant.
Offset Management Plan to be provided to Minister for approval within nine months of approval.
EPBC 2011/5808
18 March 2014
Removal of 9.8 ha of White box – Yellow box – Blakeley’s red gum grassy woodland and derived native grassland – CE - this ecological community has a national recovery plan
Provision of offset site of 36.8 ha for White box – Yellow box – Blakeley’s red gum grassy woodland and derived native grassland – CE
Secure within Isaacs Ridge Nature Reserve within 24 months of approval
Offset Management Plan to be provided to Minister for approval within six months of approval.
EPBC EPBC 2011/5850
28 January 2014
Removal of 0.82 ha of IronGrass Natural Temperate Grassland of South Australia – CE - this ecological community has a national recovery plan
Provision of offset site of 4 ha for Iron-Grass Natural Temperate Grassland of South Australia – CE
Heritage Agreement to be secured prior to commencement of action
Offset Management Plan must be approved by the Minister at prior to commencement of action.
EPBC 2011/5865
10 February 2014
Removal of 17.9 ha of Natural Temperate Grassland of the Southern Tablelands of NSW and the Australian Capital Territory - E - this ecological community has a national recovery plan
Provision of offset area of 65.41 ha for Natural Temperate Grassland of the Southern Tablelands of NSW and the Australian Capital Territory - E
Weed control, reduction in pest species, control of access, strategic fire and grazing management to improve condition of ecological community on offset site. Weed control, reduction in pest species, control of access, strategic fire and grazing management, as well both active and passive rehabilitation to improve condition of ecological community on offset site. Weed control, reduction in pest species, control of access, strategic fire and grazing management to improve condition of ecological community on offset site. Management actions to improve condition of ecological community, including rehabilitation and revegetation
Must provide protection under relevant conservation legislation
Natural Temperate Grassland Management Plan to be provided to Minister – action cannot commence prior to approval
4
Offsets required under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999* Threatened Ecological Communities EPBC Ref / State
Approval date
Impacted matter of national environmental significance
Offset description
Management actions
Legal protection mechanism
Date of offset implementation
EPBC 2011/5968
26 November 2013
Provision of offset area of 480 ha for Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) ecological community – E and 152 ha for Semi-evergreen vine thickets of the Brigalow Belt (North and South) and Nandewar Bioregions (SEVT) E
Offset Management Plan to include management measures for protection and long-term conservation of ecological communities in offset areas
Offsets to be secured under relevant Queensland legislation within three years of commencement
Offset Management Plan to be implemented no later than 12 months following commencement, once approved by the Minister
EPBC 2011/6213
10 December 2013
Removal of 204 ha of Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) – E - a recovery plan is required to be prepared for this ecological community; and 57 ha of Semievergreen vine thickets of the Brigalow Belt (North and South) and Nandewar Bioregions (SEVT) – E - this ecological community has a national recovery plan No removal but indirect impacts (degradation) upon 20 ha of Semi-evergreen vine thickets of the Brigalow Belt (North and South) and Nandewar Bioregions (SEVT) – E - this ecological community has a national recovery plan
Development of management measures to ensure protection of Semi-evergreen vine thickets of the Brigalow Belt (North and South) and Nandewar Bioregions (SEVT) E
Terrestrial Management Plan to include measures to protect and avoid impacts upon the ecological community
N/A
EPBC 2012/6523
3 April 2014
Impacts on 7.5 ha of White box – Yellow box – Blakeley’s red gum grassy woodland and derived native grassland – CE - this ecological community has a national recovery plan
Development of Biodiversity Offset Package, as per NSW approval conditions, including to compensate for impacts on White box – Yellow box – Blakeley’s red gum grassy woodland and derived native grassland – CE
To be detailed in the Biodiversity Offset Package
To be detailed in the Biodiversity Offset Package
Final Terrestrial Management Plan to be submitted to the minister for approval no more than 18 months following commencement of action and must be implemented once approved The White box – Yellow box – Blakeley’s red gum grassy woodland and derived native grassland component of the Biodiversity Offset Package must be submitted to the Minister for approval. No part of the action that may impact upon White box – Yellow box – Blakeley’s red gum grassy
5
Offsets required under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999* Threatened Ecological Communities EPBC Ref / State
Approval date
Impacted matter of national environmental significance
Offset description
Management actions
EPBC 2013/6788
13 February 2014
Removal of 46 ha of Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) Grassy Woodlands and Derived Native Grasslands of South-eastern Australia – E - a recovery plan is required to be prepared for this ecological community
Provision of 109 ha of offset area for Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) Grassy Woodlands and Derived Native Grasslands of South-eastern Australia - E
EPBC 2013/6812
20 March 2014
Removal of 69.1 ha of White box – Yellow box – Blakeley’s red gum grassy woodland and derived native grassland – CE - this ecological community has a national recovery plan
Provision of 55.5 ha of offset areas for White box – Yellow box – Blakeley’s red gum grassy woodland and derived native grassland – CE
EPBC 2013/6868
5 November 2013
Removal of 10.2 ha of Natural Grasslands of the Queensland Central Highlands and the northern Fitzroy Basin – E - a recovery plan is required to be prepared for this ecological community
Provision of offsets for Natural Grasslands of the Queensland Central Highlands and the Northern Fitzroy Basin community - E
EPBC 2013/6974
8 April 2014
Removal of 3.33 ha of Cumberland Plains Woodlands and Shale-Gravel Transition Forest – CE - a recovery plan is required to be prepared for this ecological community
Provision of 53 biobanking credits to be secured and retired, as per biobanking agreement, plus provision of additional 48 biobanking credits or additional offset site for Cumberland Plains Woodlands and ShaleGravel Transition Forest - CE
6
Development of management plan including management action to protect and improve the ecological community, such as weed and pest management, stock exclusion and ecological monitoring Biodiversity Offset Management Plan to include management measures to protect and enhance the ecological community, including weed management, fire management and fencing, as well as monitoring
Environmental Offsets Plan must include management measures, such as management of grazing, and the exclusion and control of weeds from the offsets site for the ecological community Offset site protection mechanism must include a conservation management plan with management actions to actively manage the site
Legal protection mechanism
Date of offset implementation
Permanent protection under relevant conservation legislation
woodland and derived native grassland may proceed until approval Action cannot commence until offset area is secured
Offset areas to be secured under covenant of relevant legislation
None mentioned, though the offsets must be maintained for the duration of the action
Offset site to be secured under relevant nature conservation legislation for permanent protection
The Biodiversity Offset Management Plan must be approved prior to commencement of the action. The offset areas must be secured within 12 months of the commencement of the action Environmental Offsets Plan to be approved by the Minister prior to commencement of the action
Initial 53 biobanking credits must be secured and retired prior to commencement of the action. The biobanking agreement must be
Offsets required under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999* Threatened Ecological Communities EPBC Ref / State
EPBC 2010/5457
Approval date
22 April 2014
Impacted matter of national environmental significance
Removal of 8.9 ha of Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) – E and 2.3 ha of Natural Grasslands of the Queensland Central Highlands and the northern Fitzroy Basin – E - recovery plans are required to be prepared for these ecological communities
Offset description
Management actions
Development of Biodiversity Offset Management Plan with offsets for Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and codominant) ecological community – E and 2.3 ha of Natural Grasslands of the Queensland Central Highlands and the Northern Fitzroy Basin community – E. Offsets must comply with EPBC Environmental Offsets Policy (October 2012)
Management measures to be undertaken on offset sites for ecological communities that comply with relevant Conservation Advices, Threat Abatement Plans and Recovery Plans, to be demonstrated in Biodiversity Offset Management Plan
Legal protection mechanism
Offsets to be legally secured for long-term protection, with details to be provided in Biodiversity Offsets Management Plan
Habitat descriptors based on assessed scores as outlined in the document titled How to use the offsets assessment guide located at: http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/publications/environmental-offsets-policy.html Very good: 9 – 10 Good: 7 – 8 Moderate: 4 – 6 Poor: 2 – 3 Very poor: 0 - 1
7
Date of offset implementation approved by the Department. The additional biobanking credits must be secured within 18 months of commencement of the action. The conservation management plan must be developed in consultation with the Department Biodiversity Offset Management Plan to be submitted to the Minister for approval within 12 months of commencement of the action. Once approved, the plan must be implemented
