- Biodiversity Offset Scheme
- Flora & Fauna Impact Assessments
- Plans of Management
- Legal Representation
We complete assessments and prepare reports under the Biodiversity Offset Scheme (BOS). This includes Biodiversity Development Assessment Reports (BDARs) for DAs that trigger the BOS.
We assist developers design proposals to minimise their biodiversity offset obligation. By undertaking preliminary site assessments we identify areas of high biodiversity value that projects should avoid impacting. Below are some examples of BOS assessments we have completed.
2024 - Mallee Earthmoving & Excavations Pty Ltd
Biodiversity Assessment in accordance with the NSW Government’s Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) for a proposed gypsum mine in the Wentworth LGA.
2024 - Client: Private
Short-form BDAR (Streamlined assessment module) for new two-storey dwelling at Cowan in the Hornsby LGA .
2024 - Client: Private
Short-form BDAR (Streamlined assessment module) for subdivision of 2.3 ha property into six lots in the Goulburn LGA . The subdivision incorporated a Community Title Lot to protect habitat for the threatened Key’s Matchstick Grasshopper many of which had been observed on the property.
2023 - Client: Morello Earthmoving Pty Ltd
BDAR for Gypsum Mine extension covering 11 ha in the Wentworth LGA.
2023 - Client: Cityscape Planning + Projects
BDAR for subdivision of 242ha property into 6 lots including building envelopes, wastewater disposal areas, bushfire asset protection zones, driveways and boundary fences (Greater Lithgow Council).
2022- Client: Private
Scoping assessment of 20ha property in the Blue Mountains LGA to inform design of subdivision proposal to minimise biodiversity impacts and thereby minimise the Biodiversity Offset Obligation.
2022- Client: Private
Small Area BDAR in the Goulburn LGA for subdivision into two lots, each with a building envelope and driveway.
2022- Client: Franciscan Order of Friars Minor
BDAR for 58 lot subdivision in the Campbelltown LGA impacting Cumberland Plain Woodland and Koala habitat.
2021 - Client: Private
Floristic assessment of quadrats in accordance with the Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) to calculate the biodiversity offset obligation for a development proposal at Elallong in the Hunter Valley.
2021 - Client: Private
Preliminary site assessment to calculate the likely biodiversity offset obligation (i.e. cost of clearing) for a development proposal at Castlereagh in the Penrith Local Council area.
2021 - Client: Private
Preliminary site assessment to calculate the likely biodiversity offset obligation for a development proposal at Marulan in the Southern Highlands (Wingecarribee Shire Council).
2021 - Client: Private
BDAR for townhouses in the Sutherland LGA that triggered the BOS due to impacting vegetation shaded on the Government’s Biodiversity Values Map.
2021 - Client: Cityscape Planning + Projects
BDAR for new dwelling on vacant block in the Penrith LGA that triggered the BOS due to vegetation clearing exceeding the threshold.
2020 - Client: Private
Floristic assessment of quadrats in accordance with the Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) to calculate the biodiversity offset obligation for a development proposal at Tallong in the Southern Highlands.
2020 - Client: Private
BDAR (streamlined assessment module) for a development proposal with on-site wastewater disposal at Sussex Inlet on the NSW South Coast. The proposal triggered the BOS because the bushfire Asset Protection Zone (APZ) around the proposed dwelling would require the thinning of vegetation identified on the NSW Government’s Biodiversity Values Map.
2019 - Client: Private
BDAR for two lot subdivision with building envelope and on-site wastewater disposal in western Sydney (Penrith LGA). The proposal triggered the BOS because the proposed new lot was shaded on the Biodiversity Values Map.
2019 - Client: Private
BDAR for a forty-lot subdivision of a 42 ha property on the New England Tablelands including internal roads, building envelopes and stormwater detention basins. The proposal triggered the BOS because the area of native vegetation impacted exceeds the clearing threshold.
2018 - Client: Private
BDAR for a development proposal in the Wollongong City Council area impacting on the threatened Green and Golden Bell Frog. A Referral was also submitted to the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Energy under the EPBC Act. The proposal triggered the BOS because it was likely to have a significant impact on a threatened species.
Projects that don’t trigger the Biodiversity Offset Scheme (BOS) typically require a Flora & Fauna Impact Assessment. We have completed Flora & Fauna Impact Assessment reports for a wide variety of projects throughout NSW. Clients have included Governments agencies, utility providers, businesses, and private landholders. Below are examples of Flora & Fauna Impact Assessment reports we have completed.
2024 - Ausmon Resources Limited
Biodiversity assessment, including targeted surveys for the threatened Thick-billed Grass Wren and Bolam’s Mouse, for proposed mine site exploration at Broken Hill.
2024 - Client: NSW Public Works
Biodiversity Impact Assessment for project proposal (under Part V of the EP&A Act) at the Cessnock Correctional Complex (Cessnock Council).
2024 - Client: Private
Flora & Fauna Impact Assessment for new dwelling including driveway and wastewater disposal at Marulan in the Goulburn Mulwaree LGA.
2023 - NSW Public Works
Biodiversity Impact Assessment for Essential Water’s ‘Stephens Creek Dam to Last Grazier Water Supply Pipeline’ and for the ‘Menindee to Sunset Strip Water Supply Pipeline’.
2023 - Client: Private
Flora Fauna Impact Assessment report for new dwelling including driveway and wastewater disposal area at Boxers Creek in the Goulburn Mulwaree LGA.
2022- Client: Telford Consulting Pty Ltd
Flora Fauna Impact Assessment report for subdivision of 7.25ha property into 29 lots in the Wollongong LGA, with internal roads and a stormwater detention basin.
2022- Client: Private
Flora Fauna Impact Assessment report for new dwelling on vegetated lot including gully rainforest. Targeted fauna surveys were required to comply with the Central Coast Council assessment guidelines.
2021 - Client: Cityscape Planning + Projects
Flora and Fauna Assessment for Development Application to Penrith City Council for subdivision of property into 6 lots. Threatened plants and an endangered ecological community on the property were conserved as part of the proposal.
2021 - Client: AusGrid
Test of Significance (5-part test) for impact of new electricity substation on the endangered ecological community Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest at Cherrybrook.
2021 - Client: Private
Flora Fauna Assessment for home additions alongside a watercourse in the Ku-ring-gai Council area.
2020 - Client: Pitt&Sherry
Flora and Fauna Assessment report (including aquatic ecology) for RMS project to rehabilitate a bridge over Billabong Creek in far western NSW.
2019 - Client: ARTC
Flora and Fauna Assessment for 650m of drainage channel works at Sandgate in the Newcastle Council area. The assessment included targeted surveys for the threatened Green and Golden Bell Frog.
2019 - Client: NSW Water Ski Federation
Flora and Fauna Assessment for 300m of riverbank restoration works along the Hawkesbury River. The report assessed terrestrial, riparian and aquatic impacts. A Vegetation Management Plan was also prepared to restore, protect and manage the riverside vegetation into the future.
2018 - Pitt & Sherry
Prepared the Biodiversity component of Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMPs) for the NSW Government’s River Murray to Broken Hill Pipeline project.
2018 - Client: Private
Flora and Fauna Assessment for new dwelling at Dombarton in the Wollongong Local Council area.
2017 - Client: Arden Property Group
Three residential apartment buildings at Kellyville in The Hills Local Government Area.
2017 - Client: Private
Residential development at Mittagong in the Wingecarribee Shire including Tests of Significance for impacts on the Southern Highlands Shale Woodlands endangered ecological community and threatened species of fauna.
2016 - Client: Cityscape Planning + Projects
Development application to Penrith Council impacting on Cumberland Plain Woodland.
2016 - Client: Private
Terrestrial Biodiversity Report for DA to Northern Beaches Council to demolish existing dwelling and construct new dwelling. The report included Tests of Significance for potential impacts to threatened species recorded in the area.
2015 - Client: NBNCO
Optic Fibre Cables on the NSW Central Coast (Gosford City Council) within road reserve through Bouddi National Park, pictured above.
2015 - Client: Andrew Martin Planning Pty Ltd
Residential subdivision and development adjoining Environmental Conservation Zone in Sydney’s inner suburbs (Hunters Hill Council).
2015 - Client: NSW Public Works
New Rural Fire Station near Maitland in the Hunter Valley. The impact assessment report included a 7-part test for impacts to a grassland remnant of the “Lower Hunter Spotted Gum – Ironbark Forest” Endangered Ecological Community.
2015 - Client: Private
Subdivision into 5 Lots and development of townhouses near Gosford, on the NSW Central Coast. The assessment included a survey of tree hollows with late afternoon bird observation, nighttime spotlighting and bat call recording/analysis. 7-part tests were completed for impacts to the habitat of several threatened birds and bats.
2015 - Client: Private
Residential development on a 2ha property in south-western Sydney (Campbelltown City Council). The assessment included targeted surveys for the Koala and for the Cumberland Plain Land Snail that was found on site. Areas on the property of “Shale Sandstone Transition Forest” Endangered Ecological Community and Cumberland Plain Land Snail habitat were mapped.
2015 - Client: Legge Architects
Waterfront residential Development Application at Manly including 7-part tests for impacts to “Little Penguin at Manly Point” Endangered Population and “Long-nosed Bandicoot at North Head” Endangered Population.
2001 - Client: Ingrid Mather Design Landscape Architects
Subdivision and development of a 4ha property on Sydney’s northern beaches. A Bushland Rehabilitation Plan was prepared for the on-going protection and management of remnant “Swamp Mahogany Forest” Endangered Ecological Community.
2024 - Client: Demcon Group
Vegetation Management Plan for stormwater outlet into Nowra Creek as part of Industrial Development in South Nowra. The VMP was prepared in accordance with the DPE Fact Sheet ‘Controlled activities – Guidelines for Vegetation Management Plans on waterfront land’.
2023 - Client: Universal Property Group Pty Ltd
‘Weed Eradication & Management Plan’ for 9 ha property proposed for subdivision and residential development in accordance with the Hawkesbury City Council ‘Growth Centres Precinct DCP’.
2023 - Client: Tomog Developments
Vegetation Management Plan for stormwater outlet into creek as part of a residential subdivision at Kellyville. The VMP was prepared in accordance with the NSW Office of Water Guidelines for controlled activities.
2022- Client: Private
Integrated Bushfire and Vegetation Management Plan to restore and preserve native vegetation within a bushfire Asset Protection Zone surrounding a proposed new dwelling in the Hornsby LGA.
2022- Client: Moma Architects
VMP to control weeds and restore native vegetation along a creek passing through a property proposed for redevelopment in the Ku-ring-gai Council area.
2020 - Client: Private
Weed Management Plan for subdivision and development of property in the Blue Mountains Council.
2019 to Present - Client: Private
Vegetation Management Plan to restore critically endangered ecological community “Blue Gum High Forest” on a property at West Pennant Hills. We are currently managing implementation of the plan that includes fence construction, weed control and replanting.
2018 to Present - Client: Private
Engaged to manage implementation of a four-year Vegetation Management Plan over 6ha of bushland containing two Endangered Ecological Communities. Tasks include supervising weed control and replanting, monitoring vegetation quadrats and quarterly and annual reporting to Council.
2018 - Client: Private
2017 - Client: Raybal Constructions Pty Ltd
Prepared a Vegetation Management Plan for a NSW Office of Water Controlled Activity Approval to restore native vegetation along Prospect Ck in western Sydney (Fairfield Council).
2016 - Client: Mepstead & Associates Pty Ltd
2015 - Client: Andrew Martin Planning Pty Ltd
2001 - Client: Ingrid Mather Design Landscape Architects
2024 - Client: McKees Legal Solutions
Ecology Expert Witness in NSW Land and Environment Court Case appealing Parramatta City Council’s deemed refusal of Development Application for a 5 storey housing development at Carlingford. Part of the proposed site was mapped as having high biodiversity value.
2024 - Client: Downey Lawyers
Ecology Expert Witness in NSW Land and Environment Court Case prosecuting the illegal clearing of 575 ha of native vegetation at Collarenebri in North-Western NSW. Prepared Ecology Expert Report assessing the ecological value of land proposed to offsett the illiegal clearing.
2023 - Client: Innova Capital
Expert Ecology Witness in Land and Environment Court Case appealing the refusal of DA by Campbelltown City Council for subdivision of property into 57 lots. Impacts on the critically endangered ecological community Cumberland Plain Woodland was one of the main contentions. Prepared Joint Report and pacticipated in Conciliation Conference.
2023 - Client: Universal Property Group
Prepared a ‘Weed Eradication and Management Plan’ as part of an appeal in the NSW Land and Environment Court against Hawkesbury City Council deemed refusal of Development Application for subsivision and development of land at Vineyard.
2022 Client: Doyles Construction Lawyers
Ecology Expert Witness in NSW Land and Environment Court case appealing Blue Mountains Council’s deemed refusal of a Development Application. Unacceptable ecological impacts was one of the main contention. Prepared Joint Report, participated in Conciliation Conference, and then participated in the Final Hearing of the Court.
2020 - Client: Malcolm McDonald & Co Solicitors
2016 - Client: Private
Ecology Expert Witness in NSW Land and Environment Court case appealing Hunters Hill Council’s refusal of a development application for a residential dwelling. Contentions included the protection of urban bushland and an endangered saltmarsh community on the Lane Cove River. Prepared Joint Report and participated in a Conciliation Conference.
2016 - Client: Private