The reforms will take effect in September 2013 and will replace Victoria’s Native Vegetation Management Framework 2002.

In summary, Biosis understands the following key changes are proposed in September 2013:

The Victorian Planning Provisions (VPPs) will be amended removing all reference to Victoria’s Native Vegetation Management Framework 2002 and Net Gain.

• A new policy will be incorporated into the VPPs, this policy is called – Permitted clearing of native vegetation: Biodiversity assessment guidelines (The ‘Guidelines’).  The objective of the new policy is ‘No net loss in the contribution made by native vegetation to Victoria’s biodiversity’
• The Guidelines set out a risk-based approach to assessing permit application for clearing native vegetation and contain the information requirements, decision guidelines and offset requirements for permitted clearing.  Risk will be based on the extent of clearing and its location.
• Decision making by regulatory authorities will be informed by publically-available modelled native vegetation and threatened species information tools.
• Offsetting rules will change creating more flexibility for the type and location of vegetation offsets.

We also understand that current planning permit applications will be assessed under the existing system until the VPP amendments take place in September.

More information on the reforms package can be found here:

 Minister Ryan Smith’s announcement

Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) native vegetation website

For further information or to discuss the implications of these changes please contact Matt Looby (0400 263 235) or Nicola  Barnes (0427 551 105).

Date:   Thursday 6 June 2013    |    Time:  5.30pm – 8.30pm   |   Register here

Victoria’s Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (AHA) has been in operation since 2007 and provides for the protection and management of Aboriginal heritage.  The legislation and regulation introduced a systematic methodology for upfront assessment, management and protection, standing in contrast to the previous, back-ended heritage management system. The AHA requirements have often surprised proponents because of its associated costs and timeframes. This seminar will consider industry case studies and explore the difficulties, advantages and mechanisms of process and compliance from various perspectives (policy/regulator, indigenous community, archaeologists, and the proponent). Given the state government has recently reviewed the legislation there will also be a discussion of the proposed changes and the implications of these.

Speakers include:

• Dr Mark Eccleston  – Acting Manager Heritage Operations, Aboriginal Affairs Victoria (AAV)
• Darren Griffin – Manager Cultural Heritage, Wurundjeri Tribe Land & Compensation Cultural Heritage Council
• Dr Ilya Berelov – Team Leader Cultural Heritage, Biosis
• Maurice Stabb – Director of Infrastructure, Wyndham City Council

A panel session will follow to allow for questions and discussion.

Who should attend?

• Industry (developers including residential and industrial, energy, mining/quarries, etc.)
• Government (local and state – policy and infrastructure delivery)
• Environmental and planning professionals (e.g. planners, environmental scientists, archaeologists, etc.)

The Strategy will outline a new approach to the management of biodiversity in Melbourne’s growth areas and will have enormous significance for Victoria’s property industry and Melbourne’s growing communities.

At this exclusive industry briefing, sponsored by Biosis, the Strategy will be presented by its key architects from the Department of Environment and Primary Industries. A panel of industry representatives and subject matter experts will follow to delve into the detail of the Strategy and what it will mean for your business.

Date     :               Tuesday 28 May 2013

Venue  :               State Library of Victoria, 179 La Trobe Street, Melbourne

Time     :               8.00 am registrations  ||  8.30 am – 10.00 am

Spaces are limited – register now

Moderator:

Bryce Moore, Director, Moremac Property Group

Presenters:

Peter Betson, Executive Director Environment Programs and

Warrick McGrath, Manager, Native Vegetation Policy and Planning, Department of Environment and Primary Industries

Panel:

Aaron Harvey, Director – Consulting Services, Biosis

Greg Bursill, Manager Urban Planning – Residential Development Dennis Family Corporation

This year, Matt Looby, senior consultant botanist, will deliver a presentation to the Australian Alpine Resorts Forum to be held at Mount Buller on 1 and 2 May 2013.  With Matt’s combined ecological expertise and statutory planning experience, forum delegates will learn how strategic planning and management in Alpine Resorts can achieve business objectives and attract year-round visitation, whilst improving ecological outcomes for our unique alpine environments.

For more information, please call Rebecca Steer in our Wangaratta office on 0428 126 140.

Sustainable development rating systems such as Green Star (Green Building Council of Australia), EnviroDevelopment (Urban Development Industry of Australia) and Infrastructure Sustainability (Australian Green Infrastructure Council), are specifically aimed at assessing and rewarding projects that have gone above-and-beyond standard sustainability practices. We have staff experienced in:

• assessment of projects against ecological and heritage credit criteria, essential actions and scorecards;
• mapping of project sites in accordance with defined land use types and use of Ecology Calculators; and
• preparation of Eco-short reports and Wetland Management Plans.

One of our Senior Ecologists, Monica Campbell, plays a consultative role to the Green Building Council of Australia in relation to Green Star requirements for the management of wetlands. If you are planning on making a submission for a Green Star rating, Monica is well positioned to assist you with developing a robust Wetland Management Plan in accordance with the Green Star rating system.

Additionally, Botanist Rohan Simkin and Senior Zoologist Sally Koehler are registered EnviroDevelopment Professionals in assessing developments against aspects of the scheme.  The EnviroDevelopment scheme is administered by the UDIA and is a scientifically designed branding system that allows consumers to identify environmentally and socially responsible urban developments.  Biosis is able to assist in working towards EnviroDevelopment Certification for your project.

Local Buy Pty Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Local Government Association of Queensland Inc. (LGAQ).  Local Buy’s core business is the provision of comprehensive, value adding procurement services to Queensland Local Government and in this role, Local Buy has established a Register of Pre-Qualified Suppliers (RPQS) for a diverse range of Environmental Consultancy Services. Biosis has been successfully listed as a RPQS providing the following services:

• Riparian Issues / Corridors;
• Biodiversity (Flora & Fauna), Conservation Areas and Open Spaces;
• Ecological Consultancy Services,  Lands for Wildlife and Connectivity;
• Natural Resources Management – Land, Vegetation and Forestry Services; and
• Cultural Heritage assessment and management.

The objective of this register arrangement is to streamline and enhance the Government procurement process, thereby reducing procurement costs for both Local Government and other government entities.