Before purchasing or developing a property, it’s important to know the site’s ecological values as state and federal law can often restrict or prohibit native vegetation clearing – impacting on property owners’ plans. Practical Ecology’s Rapid Ecological Assessments act as a ‘due diligence’ so our clients can make informed decisions.
State and federal vegetation laws need to be considered when planning to purchase or develop a property containing native vegetation. Victoria’s Planning and Environment Act requires a council permit to ‘remove, destroy or lop native vegetation’ on sites greater than 0.4 hectares, while the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act requires a Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) permit if the proposed work ‘may kill, injure or disturb’ a listed species. If a proposed development impacts on a ‘matter of national significance’ it may also need to be assessed by the Federal Government Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts. By being aware of the environmental significance of the site before making plans, our clients can be fully informed and avoid costly pitfalls.
Our ecologists initially review the existing information on the site, before walking the area recording plants and animals. We then compile a brief report clearly presenting this information along with the associated legislative implications, together with maps and GPS data if requested. For clients wanting to pursue a construction project, Practical Ecology can use this information as the basis of the more comprehensive report that accompanies the planning permit application.
Practical Ecology has over 15 years experience assessing native vegetation and interpreting environmental legislation, so we can identify problems before they become an issue for our clients.
Practical Ecology assessed the vegetation on a rural property APP were considering developing in the Surfcoast Shire.
Walking the site, Practical Ecology’s ecologists recorded plant species and took GPS readings for future inclusion on a vegetation map. Forty plants were identified, 63% of which were non-indigenous. No significant species were found, although one substantial patch of indigenous vegetation was recorded near a dam, including two mature coast manna gums.
Practical Ecology’s report indicated developing the site would only trigger environmental legislation if the manna gums were cleared. If the gums were to be removed, the client would need to satisfy council permit requirements to ‘offset’ the damage through environmental improvements elsewhere.
Practical Ecology recommended the bushland beside the dam be retained. Retaining the small patch would save the cost and complexity of offsetting the loss and preserve an environmental asset. Based on Practical Ecology’s report, APP bought the property.
A proposal to develop the Eastern Golf Course prompted Tree Logic to commission a report from Practical Ecology on the course’s vegetation and the associated implications under the Planning and Environment Act.
Practical Ecology’s ecologists assessed the vegetation on two visits to the course. More than half the site was found to contain non-indigenous species exempt from the Act. The remaining areas contained three Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) of high conservation significance: Valley Heathy Forest, Swampy Woodland and Swampy Riparian Complex. These areas were mapped and assessed in 27 blocks for easy analysis. Basic Habitat Hectare Assessments were undertaken for each block to measure vegetation quality. This information was presented in a table showing the conservation significance of each block. While the vegetation quality varied, they were all deemed to be of ‘high’ significance, and therefore subject to the Act’s requirements to ‘avoid, minimise and offset’ vegetation loss.
Practical Ecology’s ecological assessment clearly showed where the proposed development could occur without legislative implications and where it would trigger the Act.
Photo: Early Nancy
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