Environmental Management Plans

Management Plans are crucial in the development application stage of a development, demonstrating the client's consideration to preservation of local flora and fauna and the safety concerns of any future residents.

A brief description of the types of Environmental Management Plans prepared by ecobiological is provided below.

Flora and Fauna Management Plan

A Flora and Fauna Management Plan may be required on sites that are identified through a Flora, Fauna and Threatened Species Assessment as having high biodiversity values, significant wildlife corridors or those providing habitat for threatened species.

ecobiological can develop this type of plan which involves ongoing management and monitoring of a site.

Examples of recommendations within such plans include: fencing of sensitive areas, nest box programs, weed and feral animal control, revegetation, and signage to discourage access by grazing stock and 4WD/trail bikes.

Vegetation Management Plan

Controlled activities carried out in, on or under waterfront land are now regulated by the Water Management Act 2000 (WMA).

The Department of Water and Energy is required to assess the impact of a controlled activity to ensure that minimal harm will be done to any waterfront land, i.e. the bed and a distance inland of 40 metres from a river, lake or estuary. This means that a controlled activity approval must be obtained from the Department prior to carrying out a controlled activity (NSW Department of Water and Energy, 2008).

A Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) which outlines the criteria for the establishment and management of a riparian corridor may be required to be prepared and submitted to the Department for assessment and approval prior to the issuing of a controlled activity approval for works in or within 40 metres of a river, lake or estuary.

A VMP is a document that provides a guideline for the management and rehabilitation of native vegetation communities. A VMP describes the strategic aims of the plan, existing condition of vegetation on-site and provides management guidelines for issues such as: weed control, native revegetation and/or regeneration, biodiversity conservation, aesthetic values, erosion and sedimentation control, pollution control, wildlife vegetation corridors and community involvement.

ecobiological has prepared numerous VMPs for riparian zones within proposed residential and industrial subdivisions, Aged Care and tourist developments.

Contact ecobiological now on 1300 881 869 or to discuss your needs.

Rehabilitation Management Plan

ecobiological has prepared Rehabilitation Management Plans for sites ranging from single residential lots to aged care facilities and large mining leases.

A recent rehabilitation management plan was undertaken for Avondale Retirement Village, which involved the provision of management recommendations for the regeneration of the riparian zone on the subject site.

The vegetation as a community had been adversely impacted by past land uses, including grazing, stormwater runoff, land filling and weed dumping.

ecobiological made recommendations to implement a weed control program, revegetate with locally endemic species and undertake ongoing monitoring to enable improvement in the biodiversity and aesthetic attributes of the site.

Subsidence Management Plan

The NSW Government subsidence management policy and approvals process requires mining operators to provide a Subsidence Management Plan (SMP) which must report on ecological issues such as:

• A full description of the area proposed to be impacted by mining activity, including areas of environmental, heritage or archaeological sensitivity
• A full assessment of the potential environmental, land use and other impacts
• Proposals to minimise impacts of surface subsidence, particularly in areas of environmental, heritage or archaeological sensitivity, or important built surface features
• Proposals for ground and surface water management
• Proposals for rehabilitation of subsidence impacts

ecobiological has undertaken flora and fauna assessments to form part of SMPs for projects such as a proposed subsidence area on 190 hectares of forested land for the Centennial Coal underground coalmine at Awaba.

Koala Management Plan

ecobiological is familiar with relevant State legislation, local government guidelines and techniques concerning the management, detection and conservation of Koala populations. State Environmental Planning Policy 44 (SEPP 44) - Koala Habitat Protection aims to encourage proper conservation and management of areas of natural vegetation that provide habitat for koalas to ensure a permanent free living population over their present range.

This is achieved by identifying areas of core koala habitat and by requiring the preparation of plans of management before development consent can be granted in relation to these areas.

Certain local governments such as Port Stephens Council have prepared their own guidelines for Koala Management (Port Stephens Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management 2002).

ecobiological uses the Spot Assessment Technique (SAT) published by the Australian Koala Foundation to establish koala activity on and around a site. Application of SAT is recommended for the purposes of Local Environmental Studies, Fauna Surveys, Fauna Impact Statements, Environmental Impact Statements and SEPP 44 assessments.

ecobiological has experience in the preparation of Koala Plans of Management for projects such as a proposed two-lot residential subdivision at Medowie, a proposed industrial subdivision at Heatherbrae and for a fully vegetated Great Lakes Shire Council property at Tea Gardens.

Contact ecobiological now on 1300 881 869 or for more information.