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Ecological Site Assessment
What is it and why is it required?
An Ecological Site Assessment is a recommended site assessment to determine environmental issues prior to designing a development. It is to be used as a basis for all other reports.
A number of developments applications are received by Council that have conflicting reports.
Examples include:
- bushfire asset protection zones designated as the same areas and bushland conservation
- proposed waste water disposal or landscaping on the area of greatest environmental importance
- driveways and services marked in the same locations as trees to be retained etc
The Ecological Site Assessment allows the owner and consultants (architect, landscape designer, on-site waste water consultant etc) to have environmental information prior to designing. This understanding of the locations of high priority environmental values assists in designing a proposal that meets the requirements of development Controls and thus a rapid approval process.
An ecological site assessment is particularly useful where:
- a pre-lodgment meeting with an Environmental Assessment Officer has not occurred or
- the development is in an area classed as having high environmental values such as being in an Endangered Ecological Community or is in a high priority Wildlife Corridor or Core Bushland.
Ecological Site Assessment - What is required?
- A site visit to determine areas appropriate for developing. The site visit may indicate all areas are equally easy or difficult to develop and this should be noted on the plan.
- A site plan classed according to environmental considerations and preferably color-coded.
- Form 1 filled out by the consultant and attached to the front cover.
- A print out from the following maps showing the study site in the center of the print out
Where a development type requires an Ecological Site Assessment but does not require an Ecological Impact Assessment (such as where less than 25m2 of vegetation is being disturbed) the Ecological Site Assessment is to comment on the appropriateness of the location chosen for the proposed development.
Who can prepare an Ecological Site Assessment?
A member of the Ecological Consultants Association or a person with equivalent qualifications and experiences.
Forms
- FORM NO. 1 Ecological Site Assessment for development type A
- FORM NO. 1 Ecological Site Assessment for development types B - E