Biosis has extensive experience delivering complex biodiversity assessments across New South Wales, supported by a team of highly qualified and accredited Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) assessors. We have offices in Newcastle, Central Coast, Sydney, Penrith, Wollongong and Albury.
Biosis has successfully prepared numerous Biodiversity Development Assessment Reports (BDARs), Biodiversity Stewardship Site Assessment Reports (BSSARs), and Biodiversity Certification Assessment Reports (BCARs) for a wide range of infrastructure, renewable energy and development projects.
Biosis consultants are accredited biodiversity assessors using the Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) which sets the mandatory requirements for Biodiversity Development Assessment Reports (BDAR).
Our staff possess strong technical expertise in flora and fauna surveys, impact assessments, and application of the BAM and associated policy frameworks.
Biosis has worked closely with the BAM framework since its inception.
We have delivered 19,000 environmental impact assessments over four decades. Our clients trust that Biosis consultants will deliver a quality product and meet the state technical and compliance reporting requirements.
A BDAR is a formal assessment under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act) that evaluates the potential impacts of a development on native vegetation, threatened species, and their habitats.
Biosis consultants will provide you with helpful advice on avoiding impacts on biodiversity and an impact minimisation strategy.
- An assessment of the ecological values within the project area.
- Demonstrate how the environmental impact of a project can be avoided and minimised.
- Calculate any offset requirements under the Biodiversity Offset Scheme (BOS).
The BDAR forms a key part of the development approvals process, providing regulators and proponents with a clear, evidence-based assessment of biodiversity impacts to ensure compliance with NSW legislation.
A BDAR is required when a proposed development or activity is likely to significantly impact biodiversity. Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016
There are four main criteria that may trigger the requirements for a BDAR and to then enter the Biodiversity Offset Scheme (BOS):
- A proposed development or activity includes clearing of native vegetation that exceeds the area threshold.
- A proposed development or activity occurs on or affects land mapped as “Biodiversity Values” under the Biodiversity Values Map.
- A proposed development or activity is likely to have a significant effect on threatened species, populations, ecological communities, or their habitats.
- For State Significant Development (SSD), State Significant Infrastructure (SSI) and Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI) projects, participation in the BOS is mandatory, and a BDAR must be prepared unless a BDAR waiver has been granted under specific circumstances.
Biosis accredited assessors can determine if your project will trigger entry into the Biodiversity Offset Scheme and guide you through the process to ensure compliance with NSW biodiversity legislation.
To meet BDAR requirements, proponents must demonstrate that the project has been assessed using the Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM), that ‘avoid and minimise’ principles have been properly applied, that all required surveys have been completed in accordance with the guidelines, and that all residual impacts have been accurately calculated and offset.
Key steps include:
- Engage an Accredited Assessor
- Undertake Preliminary Constraints and Opportunities Assessment
- Initial Avoid and Minimise Principal Review
- Define the Development Footprint and Survey Area
- Conduct Field Surveys
- Apply the Avoid and Minimise Principles
- Assess and Quantify Impacts
- Determine Offset Requirements
A Biosis botanist would identify
Native vegetation types, including plant community types (PCTs), a specific vegetation classification required by the BAM.
Common and threatened plant species and ecological communities.
High-quality or mature trees, especially hollow-bearing trees (HBTs).
Areas with connectivity value, such as corridors linking patches of native vegetation.
Vegetation structure and condition, including understorey diversity, canopy cover, and weed invasion.
A Biosis zoologist would identify
Common and threatened fauna species, including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish.
Habitat features such as HBTs, fallen timber, rocky outcrops, watercourses, and ephemeral drainage lines.
Breeding, foraging, and roosting sites.
Connectivity features that facilitate movement of animals.
Species considered transitional or occasional visitors.
Avoidance and minimisation of biodiversity is the first key step of the Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM), particularly important at the pre-approval stage. Biosis will provide advice to help inform the design of your project and will attend a pre-Development Application meeting with Council and/or State and Commonwealth environmental regulators, to discuss the proposal and help ensure a smooth process at the Development Application (DA) stage.