Biodiversity
Biodiversity regulation in NSW is complex. There are many layers of legislative requirements, regulations and codes that must be considered when proposing development that may impact on native flora and fauna. See Section 8 – Biodiversity and Native Vegetation Clearing for more information on obligations under the regulations.
Appropriate management of biodiversity means:
- Protection to ensure no net loss of local native vegetation or wildlife. Native vegetation includes all trees, shrubs, scrub, understorey plants, groundcover and plants in a wetland that are native to NSW. In some circumstances the definition of native vegetation extends to dead plants.
- No clearing of native vegetation on rural land, riparian zones or wetlands unless notified/certified/allowable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth), Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW), Local Land Services Act 2013 (NSW), or the Land Management (Native Vegetation) Code 2018 (NSW).
- No adverse impact upon local native flora or fauna, riparian zones or wildlife from loss of nutrients and sediment from point sources, and waste or fire encroachment.
- Increasing the quality of existing native vegetation areas (i.e. sensitive and vulnerable land) or revegetation of sensitive and vulnerable land through protection and planting of local native and structurally diverse species to improve wildlife habitat within the local catchment.
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