Biodiversity Assessments

A new Act under State legislation known as the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act) came into effect on the 25th August 2017 replacing the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and parts of other legislation. This means a number of developments in NSW will require an ecological assessment using the new Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM).

Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM)

The BAM is a streamlined methodology to assess the impacts that loss of native vegetation could have on biodiversity values. The BAM must be performed by an accredited assessor. Wildthing Environmental Consultants’ principal ecologist is a fully accredited assessor. Contact us at Wildthing Environmental Consultants today to determine if your development will trigger the BAM.

Biodiversity Offsets Scheme (BOS)

Under the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme (BOS) development or clearing that has a significant impact under the new Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) must be offset with credits. Also under the scheme landowners have the opportunity to establish a biodiversity stewardship site, generating credits to sell to developers or landowners if their activity requires credits.

Wildthing Environmental Consultants’ accredited assessor is able to assist developers and landowners requiring credits or seeking to enter into a stewardship agreement with the Conservation Trust.

Further information can be found at the following:

NSW Office of Environment & Heritage

NSW Local Land Services

NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust

NSW Department of Planning & Environment

NSW Environment Protection Authority