DRAFT Biodiversity Management Strategy for the Lismore Local … · 2015. 2. 15. · biodiversity management recommendations outlined in overarching regional strategies, research

DRAFT Biodiversity Management Strategy

for the Lismore Local Government Area 2015–2035

Lismore City Council

Lismore City Council DRAFT Biodiversity Management Strategy

© Lismore City Council 2014

This document may not be re-produced without prior written permission from Lismore City Council.

Lismore City Council (ABN 60 080 932 837)

43 Oliver Avenue Goonellabah NSW 2480 PO Box 23A, Lismore NSW 2480

Phone: 1300 87 83 87 Fax: 02 66 250 400 Email: [email protected] Website: www.lismore.nsw.gov.au

Requests for information regarding this document are best directed to:

Manager Integrated Planning or Environmental Strategies Coordinator Lismore City Council PO Box 23A, Lismore NSW 2480 Phone: 02 6625 0500

Disclaimer Any representation, statement, option or advice, expressed or implied in this publication is made in good faith but on the basis that Lismore City Council, its agents, consultant and employees are not liable (whether by reason of negligence, lack of care or otherwise) to any person for damage or loss whatsoever which has occurred or may occur in relation to that person taking or not taking (as the case may be) action in respect of any representation, statement or advice referred to above.

Recommended citation: Lismore City Council (2015). Draft Biodiversity Management Strategy for the Lismore Local Government Area 2015–2035. Lismore City Council, Goonellabah, NSW.

Editing: P. J. Higgins, Bronzewing Services, Sawtell.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/


DRAFT Biodiversity Management Strategy

for the Lismore Local Government Area 2015–2035

Lismore City Council


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Contents

1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 What is biodiversity?..................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Why is biodiversity important? ..................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Why do we need a biodiversity management strategy? .............................................................. 3

2 Biodiversity and the community vision................................................................................................. 5

2.1 The Imagine Lismore community strategic plan ........................................................................... 5 2.2 How was this Biodiversity Management Strategy developed? .................................................... 5

2.2.1 Phase 1: Developing the scope of the BMS .......................................................................... 5 2.2.2 Phase 2: Developing the Draft BMS ...................................................................................... 6 2.2.3 Phase 3: Seeking feedback on this Draft BMS ...................................................................... 6

2.3 Who is this strategy for? ............................................................................................................... 6 2.4 What are the objectives of this Strategy? .................................................................................... 7

3 Biodiversity snapshot of the Lismore Local Government Area ............................................................ 8

3.1 Biodiversity in Lismore Local Government Area ........................................................................... 8 3.1.1 The Border Ranges – an important biodiversity hotspot ...................................................... 8 3.1.2 The Big Scrub ......................................................................................................................... 8 3.1.3 Richmond River floodplain .................................................................................................... 8 3.1.4 High conservation value ........................................................................................................ 9

3.2 Pressures on biodiversity ............................................................................................................ 10 3.2.1 Clearing and fragmentation of native vegetation ............................................................... 10 3.2.2 Weeds ................................................................................................................................. 11 3.2.3 Pest animals ........................................................................................................................ 11 3.2.4 Water quality and hydrology .............................................................................................. 12 3.2.5 Urbanisation ........................................................................................................................ 12 3.2.6 Grazing of livestock in native vegetation and sensitive environments .............................. 13

3.3 Existing biodiversity work of Council .......................................................................................... 13 3.3.1 Habitat mapping ................................................................................................................. 13 3.3.2 Operational Plan for Roadside Vegetation Management (2005) ....................................... 14 3.3.3 Infrastructure Services Review (2011) ................................................................................ 14 3.3.4 Koalas .................................................................................................................................. 14 3.3.5 Bush regeneration in urban areas ....................................................................................... 15 3.3.6 Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens................................................................................... 15 3.3.7 Supporting community groups ........................................................................................... 15 3.3.8 Indian Myna Control Program ............................................................................................ 16 3.3.9 Natural stormwater treatment projects ............................................................................. 16 3.3.10 Education programs ............................................................................................................ 16

3.4 Existing biodiversity work of the Rural Community .................................................................... 17 3.5 Existing biodiversity work of the Urban Community .................................................................. 17 3.6 Management tools available to Council ..................................................................................... 18

4 Biodiversity strategies ......................................................................................................................... 20

4.1 Principles ..................................................................................................................................... 20 4.2 Strategies .................................................................................................................................... 20

4.2.1 Environmental management by Council ............................................................................. 23 4.2.2 Development assessment ................................................................................................... 33 4.2.3 Funding opportunities ......................................................................................................... 36 4.2.4 Rural Landholder Initiative .................................................................................................. 39 4.2.5 Urban Green Corridors Plan ................................................................................................ 42 4.2.6 Education ............................................................................................................................ 45

5 Governance ......................................................................................................................................... 49

6 Budget summary ................................................................................................................................. 51


7 References .......................................................................................................................................... 52

Appendix 1 Planning, policy and legislative context of the Biodiversity Management Strategy .......... 58

1.1 International conventions and treaties ...................................................................................... 58 1.2 National strategies and legislation.............................................................................................. 59

1.2.1 Commonwealth planning framework ................................................................................. 59 1.2.2 Commonwealth legislation ................................................................................................. 59

1.3 State planning and legislation ..................................................................................................... 60 1.3.1 The NSW planning framework ............................................................................................ 60 1.3.2 NSW legislation ................................................................................................................... 61

1.4 Regional plans and strategies ..................................................................................................... 62 1.5 Local plans and strategies ........................................................................................................... 62

Appendix 2 Communities, populations and species of high conservation value ................................... 64

Appendix 3 Listed key threatening processes ........................................................................................ 76

Appendix 4 Development Assessment Framework ............................................................................... 78

4.1 Development Assessment Framework ....................................................................................... 78 4.1.1 When is the Framework triggered? .................................................................................... 78 4.1.2 Aims & objectives ................................................................................................................ 78

4.2 Biodiversity Offsets Policy ........................................................................................................... 79 4.2.1 What is a Biodiversity Offsets Policy? ................................................................................. 79 4.2.2 How are offsets different to avoidance and mitigation measures? ................................... 79 4.2.3 When is it appropriate to apply habitat offsetting? ........................................................... 79 4.2.4 What form can offsets take? ............................................................................................... 79 4.2.5 Council’s Biodiversity Offsets Policy and its objectives ...................................................... 80

4.3 Planning exemptions for long-term biodiversity gains ............................................................... 81 4.3.1 Process ................................................................................................................................ 81 4.3.2 Examples of planning exemptions in NSW ......................................................................... 81 4.3.3 Conservation covenants and protection into perpetuity ................................................... 82

Appendix 5 Additional conservation actions ......................................................................................... 83

Appendix 6 Funding options .................................................................................................................. 86

6.1 Grant funding .............................................................................................................................. 86 6.2 Rate rebates ................................................................................................................................ 86

6.2.1 Under the Local Government Act 1993 .............................................................................. 86 6.2.2 Council-funded rebate policy .............................................................................................. 87

6.3 Options within existing Council budgets..................................................................................... 87 6.4 Novel funding options ................................................................................................................. 87 6.5 Special Rate Variation ................................................................................................................. 88

6.5.1 Advantages of a SRV ........................................................................................................... 88 6.5.2 Possible drawbacks of a SRV ............................................................................................... 89 6.5.3 SRV consultation process .................................................................................................... 89 6.5.4 SRV proposal ....................................................................................................................... 89 6.5.5 Other considerations .......................................................................................................... 90

Appendix 7 The Rural Landholder Initiative ........................................................................................... 91

7.1 Development of the program ..................................................................................................... 91 7.1.1 Design .................................................................................................................................. 91 7.1.2 Pilot projects ....................................................................................................................... 92 7.1.3 Implementation of the Rural Landholder Initiative ............................................................ 92

7.2 Incentives program ..................................................................................................................... 92 7.2.1 Aims..................................................................................................................................... 92 7.2.2 Education and extension ..................................................................................................... 93

Appendix 8 Council’s management toolkit explained ........................................................................... 97


8.1 Regulation ................................................................................................................................... 97 8.1.1 Local Environmental Plan (LEP) ........................................................................................... 97 8.1.2 Lismore LEP 2012 ................................................................................................................ 97 8.1.3 Growth management strategy .......................................................................................... 100 8.1.4 Development assessment ................................................................................................. 100 8.1.5 State and federal legislative obligations ........................................................................... 101

8.2 Non-regulatory .......................................................................................................................... 102 8.2.1 Incentive programs ........................................................................................................... 102 8.2.2 Education .......................................................................................................................... 102 8.2.3 Plans, policies and strategies ............................................................................................ 103

Appendix 9 Performance indicators ..................................................................................................... 104

Appendix 10 Stakeholder Reference Group for the BMS .................................................................. 105

Executive Summary

The Biodiversity Management Strategy (BMS) was prepared by the Lismore City Council in 2013-2015. Development of the BMS was in direct response to the community’s request for Council to provide environmental leadership, as expressed in the Imagine Lismore community consultation process,. The BMS covers the Lismore Local Government Area (LGA) and provides a pathway for Council to build partnerships with the community to protect and enhance biodiversity on public and private land in both urban and rural landscapes.

The BMS was developed in consultation with the community, environment groups and industry to ensure the BMS is well-informed, practical and in the interests of the community. The BMS also reflects biodiversity management recommendations outlined in overarching regional strategies, research and existing Council policies.

The BMS objectives are justified through identifying pressures to biodiversity in the Lismore LGA, as well as the various challenges the Lismore community and Council have in protecting and enhancing biodiversity in its active agricultural landscape. The BMS also provides some practical insight into the tools available to Council to address these pressures on biodiversity effectively.

The BMS sets out actions to be achieved based on prioritisation over the next 20 years, with a review every 4 years. Actions have been developed with the genuine aim of building on and developing new partnerships to manage biodiversity. Actions are broadly divided into three categories: Internal (within Council); Rural (working with the rural community); and Urban (working within the urban environment). Within these three categories there are six components:

1. Council’s environmental management – These actions will guide the review, update and development of Council processes, procedures and associated staff training to ensure best-practice environmental management. Actions also focus on supporting the community to improve biodiversity values in the Lismore LGA.

2. Development Assessment – These actions provide clear direction for developers and ensure more effective consideration, protection and enhancement of biodiversity in the development application and approval process. Actions largely focus on achieving ecologically sustainable development by developing a Biodiversity Development Assessment Framework.

3. Funding Opportunities – Council recognises that successful implementation of the BMS requires adequate, long-term and reliable funding. Through an analysis of funding options, the BMS proposes a Special Rate Variation (SRV) of an ongoing $500,000 to implement the BMS. However Council understands that any SRV would need to consider the community’s willingness and capacity to pay, and any SRV would require approval from the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal.

4. Rural Landholder Initiative –- The Rural Landholder Initiative is being developed in partnership with the Southern Cross University and Lismore’s agricultural community. The RLI will be a program based on creating incentives to assist and encourage landholders to manage biodiversity and ecosystem services on their properties.

5. Urban Green Corridors Plan – These actions focus on building and protecting biodiversity values in Lismore’s urban environment by linking existing bushland and riparian areas. Actions also promote biodiversity values and increase opportunities for the community to interact with biodiversity through a range of initiatives, such as the development of bushland walking tracks.

6. Education – These actions focus on providing a variety of education programs tailored to different levels of experience, exposure and interest, such as the general community, schools or industry groups. These actions focus on involving and supporting the community.

The main body of the BMS is supported by various Appendices and two Technical Appendices that provide more in depth discussion and detail to particular aspects of the BMS.

Questions & Answers

These Questions and Answers aim to provide proactive responses to expected questions regarding the Draft Biodiversity Management Strategy (BMS) and the proposed Special Rate Variation to implement the BMS.

Q: How does the BMS achieve what the community wants?

A: In the Imagine Lismore consultation process the community said it wanted Council to provide environmental

leadership and develop a Biodiversity Management Strategy (BMS). Council is now asking the community if the

BMS is what they wanted, and if they are willing to invest in what they said they wanted in Imagine Lismore. The

BMS will achieve what the community wants if you (the community) guide Council by providing comments on the

Draft BMS and a proposed SRV.

Q: How can the community get involved?

A: At this early stage you can provide comment and feedback on the Draft BMS in the public exhibition period

between 26 November 2014 and 24 February 2015.

Q: Is Council trying to increase rates?

A: No. Council is offering the community a BMS, which the community asked for, and asking if the community

want to pay for it. Council cannot increase rates if the Community is not supportive (see below).

Q: Can Council decided to increase rates?

A: No. Even if the Lismore community wants a rate increase, and Council applies for a rate increase, it is up to the

NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) to make the final decision to increase rates.

Q: How much would the rate increase be?

A: The rate increase would be an ongoing $500,000 per annum which equates to a 1.9% increase in Council’s

current annual rates revenue.

Q: Who would have to pay?

A: Only three rating categories of ratepayers would pay the rate: Farmland, Residential/Rural, and Residential.

Businesses would be excluded as they incurred the Special Business rate rise in 2013.

Q: How much will it cost landowners?

A: The cost depends on which rating category you are in and the value of your land. Land value is based on the

NSW Valuer Generals land value, and does not include assets (buildings etc.) on your land. The following table

shows the approximate cost for each rating category based on land value:

NSW Valuer General Land Value

Rating Category $100,000 $250,000 $500,000 $1000,000

Farmland $13.50 $33.75 $67.50 $135.00

Residential/Rural $16.50 $41.25 $82.50 $165.00

Residential $22.50 $56.25 $112.50 $225.00

Note the average land values for each rating category: Farmland = $375,000; Residential/Rural = $192,000; and

Residential = $113,000.

Q: When would people start to pay?

A: The rate increase could start in July 2016, at the earliest. However this would only happen if the community

supports the rate increase, Council applies to IPART in February 2016, and IPART approves the application.

Q: What will the community get for its money?

A: Besides benefiting biodiversity, the community will get: cleaner roadsides; confidence that Council is

undertaking best environmental management practice in its activities; recognition for your work and community

achievements; assistance to landholders and community groups to manage pests and weeds; opportunities to gain

knowledge; assistance to manage bushland and riversides in on rural land; more opportunities to get involved

through community events, workshops and field days; well-managed urban bushland reserves; and more

recreational opportunities in the urban setting, such as walking tracks.


Q: What will the community have to do?

A: Nothing, if you don’t want to - but Council would appreciate your submission on the Draft BMS. The Council will

make sure you (the community) are informed on how you can get involved in programs of your interest. This will

be done in Council’s door-to-door ‘Local Matters’ distribution, council website, and other media.

Q: Why can’t it be covered in the existing Council budget?

A: Council’s resourcing strategy, in Council’s Imagine Lismore 10 Year Plan, shows what Council has done to tighten

its belt to increase efficiencies; however no budget has been available to implement the BMS. It has been decided

that an SRV is necessary to make sure existing council services are not impacted and the BMS receives reliable

long-term funding.

Q: What will change?

A: This is up to you. The BMS provides an array of opportunity for the community to get involved in the benefits of

managing biodiversity in the urban and rural landscapes. Your comments on the BMS will help guide Council on

what you want to see changed. Please consider this when compiling your submission.

Q: How can we see if the BMS is working?

A: The BMS will be reviewed every 4 years and the community will be informed of Council’s progress in achieving

the objectives of the BMS within that time. Key achievements of the BMS will be regularly broadcast to the

community to keep you informed.

Q: Will it mean more regulation?

A: No. The BMS will actually provide clearer direction for developers and the community regarding Council’s

expectations of sustainable development. Council will do this by developing a Biodiversity Development

Assessment Framework that formalises what Council already implements when it assesses developments. In terms

environmental protection zones, see below.

Q: How will this affect E-zones?

A: The BMS has looked at E-zones as just one of a range of tools it can use to protect and enhance biodiversity in

the Lismore LGA. The BMS points out that in many cases there may be more benefit in encouraging and assisting

landholders to manage biodiversity on their land through a well-funded incentive and education program, than

applying E-zones which in the past has created conflict and division. However this relies on there being enough

funding to make incentives programs meaningful to Council and landholders.

Q: How much funding is Council getting and why?

A: The 10 year BMS budget has allocated just 11% of the annual $500,000 to upgrade Council’s planning, processes

and operation procedures and training for best practice. However 5% of this would go towards addressing weeds

in council’s road reserves, particularly in areas of high conservation value. Another 5% will go towards making sure

that changes are actually implemented on the group, through education, training and change management

processes.

Q: Why is the rural community getting more money than the urban environment where most rate payers live?

A: Put simply, in the Lismore LGA most areas of important biodiversity are in rural areas and largely on private

land. The BMS includes a Rural Landholder Initiative, where most of the investment lies. This initiative aims to

assist and encourage landholders to manage areas of important biodiversity value on their land. To actually make a

meaningful difference in rural areas, the program needs to be supported by a sufficient budget.

Q: Why are we encouraging biodiversity in urban areas?

A: Lismore has a large amount of important biodiversity, much of which is on the riverbanks and in the urban

bushland. However these areas are largely fragmented and riddled with weeds. The BMS seeks to improve these

areas and make them accessible to the community through walking tracks and signage. The BMS wants to improve

the enjoyment and aesthetic values of biodiversity in the Lismore urban environment.

Credits & Acknowledgements

The Lismore City Council recognises that we all have a responsibility to secure our natural environment and resources for future generations. Council wishes to acknowledge the involvement and thanks everyone who has contributed to the development of the Lismore City Council Biodiversity Management Strategy, including:

Members of the Stakeholder Reference Group who gave their time and energy to the project (see Appendix 10).

Council staff who significantly contributed to the development of the strategy: Theresa Adams, Steven Denize, Peter Jeuken, Damian Licari, Paula Newman and Vanessa Tallon.

Council staff from Assets, Commercial Services, Community Services, Corporate Services, Finance and Works who provided valuable input and peer review of the strategy.

Community members who took the time to prepare a submission on the Discussion Paper – How to we protect and manage biodiversity in an active rural region?, as well as the Draft Biodiversity Management Strategy.


List of abbreviations

BMS Biodiversity Management Strategy

BRR Border Ranges Rainforest Biodiversity Management Plan – NSW & Queensland (DECCW 2010a)

CAP2 Draft Northern Rivers Catchment Action Plan 2 – 2013–2023 (CAP2; NRCMA 2013)

CFG Councillor Feedback Group

CMA Catchment Management Authority

CZMP Coastal Zone Management Plan for the Richmond River Estuary (Hydrosphere Consulting 2011)

DEC NSW Department of Environment and Conservation

DECC NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change

DECCW NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water

EPA Act Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW)

EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth)

Fotk Friends of the Koala

HCV high conservation value

Imagine Lismore Imagine Lismore 10 Year Plan 2013–2023 (Lismore City Council 2013b)

KPoM Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management for South-east Lismore (Lismore City Council 2013c)

LCC Lismore City Council

LG Act Local Government Act 1993 (NSW)

LGA Local Government Area

NRCMA Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority

NRR Northern Rivers Regional Biodiversity Management Plan (DECCW 2010b)

NSW New South Wales

OEH NSW Office of Environment and Heritage

SEPP State Environmental Planning Policy

SRG Stakeholder Reference Group

TSC Act Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (NSW)

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1 Introduction

The Lismore Local Government Area (LGA) is located within the Northern Rivers Region recognised for its amazing biodiversity – the diverse flora and fauna and their associated habitats of the region. This high biodiversity is a result of the region’s position in the Macleay–McPherson Overlap, an area where a combination of climatic and geographical conditions has resulted in the co-occurrence of both temperate and tropical species (Burbidge 1960). The Northern Rivers Region contains a large number of endemic species and while the region occupies just 6.3% of New South Wales (NSW), it supports over 40% of the State’s threatened species, including around 70% of threatened frogs, 75% of threatened birds, 60% of threatened mammals and 40% of threatened plants. In addition, one-fifth of the State’s threatened ecological communities are known to occur in the Northern Rivers Region (DECCW 2010b).

Along with its outstanding biodiversity, the Northern Rivers also supports a large and growing human population. The Lismore LGA has a number of large urban areas and is an active rural region with agriculture contributing significantly to employment, as well as the local, national and international economy. In the Lismore LGA there is a growing interest in biodiversity in the community and among tourists to the area, and there are an increasing number of organisations and volunteers participating in biodiversity management projects. This increased interest provides good opportunities for partnerships between Council, the community, government agencies and non-government organisations to implement biodiversity management.

As a community, the challenge we face is determining how to protect and manage Lismore’s biodiversity while also maintaining a productive agricultural sector and continued urban development and tourism. However it is clear that conserving the rich biodiversity of the Lismore LGA, and the Northern Rivers Region, requires ongoing coordinated and strategic involvement of agencies, organisations and individuals across all land tenures and landscapes (DECCW 2010b). One of the many challenges is the limited availability of resources and targeting actions where the greatest possible benefit to species, populations and ecological communities can be achieved. To meet these challenges, this Draft Biodiversity Strategy (BMS) takes a partnering approach, proposes various means of securing reliable resourcing, and echoes the actions recommended in regional biodiversity management plans.

Two visions for the Lismore LGA – identified by the Lismore community as part of the Imagine Lismore 10 Year Plan 2013–2023 (‘Imagine Lismore’ hereafter; Lismore City Council 2013b) – are for Lismore to show environmental leadership and to improve the state of the Wilsons River and its river banks. To this end, Lismore City Council has developed this Draft BMS to effectively manage biodiversity in this productive agricultural region. This BMS has been prepared in consultation with the community and industry groups to provide an effective guide to Council, industry and the wider community.

Council has both regulatory and non-regulatory roles in the management of biodiversity within the LGA. The regulatory role comes from Council’s charter under the Local Government Act 1993 (LG Act) and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EPA Act). This charter requires that Council properly manage, develop, protect, restore, enhance and conserve the environment of the area for which it is responsible. As a regulator of development under the EPA Act, Council is also required to:

Encourage the protection of the environment, including the protection and conservation of native animals and plants, including threatened species, populations and ecological communities, and their habitats.

Encourage the proper management, development and conservation of natural and man-made resources.

Typically, regulation includes land-use planning, zoning and development approval processes. However, Council does not regard regulation as its default position. Council can also offer non-regulatory incentives and other supporting mechanisms to encourage private landholders to protect, manage and enhance biodiversity on their land.


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In consultation with the community, the Council has developed a mixture of regulation and non-regulatory incentives and actions to achieve effective protection and management of the environment and biodiversity in the Lismore LGA. This mix has been developed and implemented by Council to create a balanced platform from which to achieve effective environmental outcomes. Council understands engagement with both industry and the community provides a critical component of achieving this balance.

1.1 What is biodiversity?

Put simply, biodiversity (or biological diversity) is the variety of all life forms (Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council 2010). It includes all living species, the genes they possess and the ecosystems and landscapes that make up our living world. Biodiversity is constantly changing and can be increased (positive change) through genetic changes or decreased (negative change) through extinctions of species, subspecies or even local populations.

Biodiversity occurs in all environments, including terrestrial, aquatic and marine environments. Biodiversity is both our store of natural capital and a major contributor to the services provided by ecosystems. Ultimately, it provides all of our food, the clean air and fresh water we breathe and drink, biological pest control, and inputs to soil fertility and structure. Biodiversity provides opportunities for economic growth through farming, tourism, research and education and improves our quality of life through recreation, relaxation and spiritual connections, and reconnections. (Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council 2010)

The concept of biodiversity also emphasises the interconnectedness and interdependence of all life and is generally considered at three levels:

Genetic diversity: The range of genetic information contained in individual plants, animals and micro-organisms.

Species diversity: The number of different species in existence within a given area. It is the most common way that people think about biodiversity.

Ecosystem diversity: The variety of habitats, ecological communities and ecological processes.

1.2 Why is biodiversity important?

Conserving biodiversity is an essential part of safeguarding the biological life-support systems of our planet. For example, we need oxygen to breathe, clean fresh water to drink, fertile soil for food production and physical materials for shelter and fuel. These necessities that are fundamental to our physical, social, cultural and economic well-being are collectively known as ‘ecosystem services’ (DECCW and Industry and Investment NSW 2010).

Ecosystem services are produced by the functions that occur in healthy ecosystems. These functions are supported by biodiversity and its attributes, including the number of individuals and species, and their relative abundance, composition and interactions. Ecosystem services can be divided into four groups (see Table 1):

Provisioning service: Any type of benefit to people that can be extracted from nature.

Regulating service: The benefit provided by ecosystem processes that moderate natural phenomena.

Supporting service: The most fundamental services the natural world provides that sustain basic life forms, ecosystems and people, such as photosynthesis, nutrient cycling, the creation of soils and the water cycle.

Cultural service: A non-material benefit that contributes to the development and cultural advancement of people.


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It is estimated that Australia is home to as many as 560,000 different species, most of which are found nowhere else on Earth. Australia‘s biodiversity resources, like those of most countries worldwide, are under threat. There are more than 1,700 species and ecological communities known to be at risk of extinction in Australia and this is likely to be only the tip of the iceberg of the real level of threat to our biodiversity (Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council 2010).

Existing long-term pressures continue to be the main causes of biodiversity loss. These include direct loss of habitat for the development of land; increased fragmentation of areas of habitat; increasing pressure from weeds, pest animals and other organisms; and incompatible land-management practices. These effects will only be magnified by the broad-scale environmental change that is predicted to occur with climate change.

1.3 Why do we need a biodiversity management strategy?

Local government, and thus Lismore City Council (LCC), has a specific charter with regard to biodiversity conservation set out in the LG Act. Section 8 of the Act requires Council:

To properly manage, develop, protect, restore, enhance and conserve the environment of the area for which it is responsible, in a manner that is consistent with and promotes the principles of ecologically sustainable development.

Then, in its role as a regulator of development under the EPA Act, Council is required to encourage:

The protection of the environment, including the protection and conservation of native animals and plants, including threatened species, populations and ecological communities, and their habitats.

Ecologically sustainable development.

In addition, local government is increasingly being asked by the community to take a greater role in the management, protection and enhancement of the natural environment (see section 2.1 The Imagine Lismore community strategic plan, below). Although some of the environmental and planning issues faced by the LCC are common to local governments in NSW, many in the Lismore LGA are unique and

Table 1. The four main types of ecosystem services.

PROVISIONING SERVICES o Food, including bushtucker, fibre, fuel and many

medicines o Genetic resources o Biochemicals o Fresh water

REGULATING SERVICES o Resistance to invasion by weeds o Herbivory o Pollination of crops and natural vegetation o Seed dispersal of crops and natural vegetation o Climate regulation o Pest regulation o Disease regulation o Natural hazard protection o Moderation of extreme weather and its impacts o Regulation and protection from erosion and flood

damage o Mitigation of the impacts of drought and flood o Water purification

CULTURAL SERVICES o Tourism and recreation resources o Enhancement of landscape and aesthetic amenity o Spiritual and religious values o Knowledge system o Education and inspiration o Sense of place o Improvement of the overall health of the

community

SUPPORTING SERVICES o Primary production – maintaining industry viability

(e.g. agriculture, forestry and fisheries) o Provision of habitat o Nutrient cycling o Soil formation and retention o Decomposition of wastes and cycling of nutrients o Production of oxygen and maintain air quality o Water cycling


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require individual and strategic responses. Consequently, a locally focused BMS aims to help ensure that local ecosystems, species and genes survive in their natural habitat, so that the local ecosystem services can continue to provide their environmental benefits (see Table 1).

Ecologically sustainable development in the Lismore LGA is a product of the wise use and stewardship of the natural environment. To this effect Council aims to act to move our community towards building resilience and sustainability, by maintaining the productive capacity of Lismore’s landscapes while conserving biodiversity and improving ecosystem resilience. The latter is the capacity of an ecosystem to respond to pressures resulting from changes and disturbances yet retain the basic functions that provide ecosystem services. The way in which the community manages its terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems directly affects the underlying capacity of biodiversity to be resilient to pressures and provide invaluable ecosystem services. The resilience of ecosystems in the Lismore LGA is currently being reduced by a number of pressures (see Section 3.2 Pressures on biodiversity).

Building resilience in our ecosystems means enhancing their capacity to adapt to, survive and recover from changes and disturbances. For ecosystems to be resilient to these and other threats, they need a healthy diversity of individuals, species and populations.

This BMS provides Council with a strategic and practical approach to undertaking its roles and responsibilities for the protection, enhancement and conservation of the natural values of the region while ensuring compliance with State legislation. The BMS also demonstrates Council’s ongoing commitment to biodiversity conservation and provides a concise working document for staff in a range of departments to implement actions over the next 4 years (before a scheduled 4-yearly review).

By adopting this BMS, and directing adequate resources in a timely manner towards the identified objectives and actions, LCC aims to reconcile biodiversity conservation with future urban growth and meet its legislative requirements under the NSW LG Act and EPA Act. Although it is a 20-year strategy, it will be reviewed every 4 years before Council’s 4 yearly review of its delivery plans. This will ensure that BMS priorities can be considered during Council’s delivery plan review process. It will also ensure Council is on track to deliver the required outcomes and to ensure that the BMS continues to deal with the priority issues in local biodiversity management using best available knowledge and techniques. The specific governance actions required of Council are summarised in section 5 – Governance. This includes establishing a BMS Implementation Panel to oversee the implementation of management activities identified in the BMS, as well as the four yearly BMS review.


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2 Biodiversity and the community vision

2.1 The Imagine Lismore community strategic plan

As part of the development of the Imagine Lismore community strategic plan (Imagine Lismore 10 Year Plan 2013–2023, Lismore City Council 2013b), in 2012–13 Council undertook an extensive and representative community engagement over 14 months. Through this process the community identified a comprehensive community vision for the future of the Lismore Local Government Area (LGA). The community collectively rated the environment as the most important aspect of life in Lismore and it was the community’s vision that Council provide environmental leadership by:

Providing education to increase understanding of biodiversity in the Lismore LGA.

Enhancing protection of biodiversity in the Lismore LGA.

Fostering partnerships with environment groups and landholders through the Rural Landholder Initiative (see section 4.2.4 and Appendix 4).

Seeing everyone working together to ensure we have a healthy environment for future generations.

Improving the state of the Wilsons River, including its riverbanks and water quality.

2.2 How was this Biodiversity Management Strategy developed?

Consultation with the community and industry was a key component of the development of this Biodiversity Management Strategy (BMS). It consisted of three consultative phases.

2.2.1 Phase 1: Developing the scope of the BMS

Council convened a Stakeholder Reference Group (SRG) for the duration of the development of the Draft BMS, which was composed of representatives of the agricultural industry and environmental and ratepayer interest groups within the Lismore community. Members of this group were identified through an expression of interest process and selected based on the following criteria:

Affiliation and endorsement by a recognised industry or environmental interest group.

Previous involvement in community affairs.

Ability to provide feedback to the stakeholder network represented.

A list of the members of the SRG and the organisations they represented, can be found in Appendix 10.

The SRG met through a series of five workshops at key points in the development of the BMS: on commencement, BMS Discussion Paper, BMS Framework, Draft BMS and the Final Draft of the BMS. During consultation members of the SRG expressed a wide range of opinions on the potential scope of the BMS.

After consultation with the SRG, Council first developed a BMS Discussion Paper (Lismore City Council 2013d), which was then exhibited for 20 business days (4 October – 1 November 2013), to seek feedback from the broader community on the potential scope of the Strategy. A total of 25 submissions was received, eight from associations or organisations and 17 from individuals.

Most of the 25 submissions were generally supportive of the proposed BMS, with 21 being openly supportive, three unsupportive and one inconclusive. Both supportive and unsupportive submissions provided various comments and suggestions regarding the options identified in the Discussion Paper. Of the 21 supportive submissions, 20 supported a mixture of regulation and incentive approaches and one was opposed to regulation. Of the three unsupportive submissions, none was supportive of a regulatory approach and only one was supportive of incentives for biodiversity management.


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2.2.2 Phase 2: Developing the Draft BMS

After preparation and exhibition of the discussion paper, Council convened a Councillor Feedback Group (CFG) made up of five councillors (Clrs Clough, Ekins, Marks, Ritchie and Scheibel) to provide additional input and feedback on the drafting of the BMS. The involvement of Councillors during the development of the Draft BMS ensured that decision makers were familiar with the project, understood staff proposals, and were clearly informed of the views of the SRG members.

Following exhibition of the Discussion Paper, a BMS Framework was developed, which provided a template of actions to be developed further in a Draft BMS. This broad Framework took into account all previous deliberations and comments provided by the public and relevant stakeholders, including that of the SRG and public submissions on the BMS Discussion Paper.

In March and September 2014, two combined SRG and CFG workshops were conducted at which the broad BMS Framework and then the Draft BMS were presented for discussion. This process provided members of the SRG and CFG with an opportunity to examine and give feedback on the Draft BMS to Council staff as it was being developed.

In addition to SRG and CFG consultation, Council also reviewed feedback from other relevant consultation processes, such as the Imagine Lismore strategic plan and the Draft Growth Management Strategy (Lismore City Council In draft [Sep 2014]).

2.2.3 Phase 3: Seeking feedback on this Draft BMS

Following the completion of this Draft BMS, it is to be placed on exhibition for a formal round of public consultation for approximately 3 months between November 2014 and February 2015. This will provide ample time for the community to provide additional feedback into the development of a final BMS. Following exhibition of the Draft BMS, a report on submissions will be compiled and presented to Councillors for their consideration. Staff will then revise the Draft BMS to consider submissions and Councillor feedback. This revised BMS will then be presented to the elected Council for potential final adoption.

2.3 Who is this strategy for?

The simple answer is that this BMS is for all individuals and businesses living, working and operating in the Lismore LGA. If we as a community want to continue to enjoy the benefits that biodiversity provides for us, then we all need to accept and fulfil our role in its management and protection. The BMS is intended for:

The people of the Lismore LGA that aspired to LCC providing environmental leadership as a key value in the Imagine Lismore community strategic plan. The BMS is designed to engage the community in biodiversity management, to demonstrate Council’s commitment to this aim and to create a plan to achieve it.

Council staff, to assist in developing policy and to inform strategic planning and development approval as well as improving Council’s management activities and procedures.

Land managers across all tenures. Most of the land within the Lismore LGA is privately owned and the role for Lismore‘s community is therefore large and very significant. This BMS is designed to involve landholders, the agricultural industry, Landcare, Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders and environmental and other community interest groups in on-ground biodiversity management.

Government and non-government agencies and funding bodies with a role in biodiversity management, to ensure clear direction for these partnerships. The LCC will take the lead role in managing the natural values on public land.


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The BMS is applicable only to the Lismore LGA but has been developed within the context of wider frameworks, including those of the neighbouring local government areas (Byron, Tweed and Ballina Shires), broader catchment areas (the Northern Rivers Region), as well as state and national contexts. The planning, policy and legislative contexts in which this BMS has been developed are summarised in Appendix 1.

2.4 What are the objectives of this Strategy?

This BMS reflects the aims of a range of overarching documents that guide biodiversity management in the broader region and that are relevant to the Lismore LGA (see section 4.2 – Strategies, Figure 1). These objectives are underpinned by performance indicators listed in Appendix 9, however note that these indicators will be refined over time to ensure delivery of BMS actions can be measured for success. Individual BMS projects/actions will also be develop with their own measurable outputs.

The objectives of Lismore City Council’s Biodiversity Management Strategy:

1. To maintain or increase biodiversity and sustain ecological processes by developing a greater

understanding of the flora and fauna, habitats and ecological processes of the Lismore LGA and

improving community awareness of biodiversity through education.

2. To foster partnerships with, and develop opportunity for, rural landholders, industry, indigenous

and community groups to improve the management of biodiversity across the Lismore LGA.

3. To promote a landscape connectivity approach as the basis for biodiversity management.

4. To contribute to the identification and mitigation of the pressures on biodiversity values.

5. To provide a framework of targeted management priorities to maintain and improve biodiversity

in the Lismore LGA.

6. To build capacity and increase opportunities for landholders and community groups to enhance

and manage biodiversity values on their land across all land tenures in the Lismore LGA.

7. To provide for ecologically sustainable development.


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3 Biodiversity snapshot of the Lismore Local Government Area

3.1 Biodiversity in Lismore Local Government Area

3.1.1 The Border Ranges – an important biodiversity hotspot

The Lismore Local Government Areas (LGA) is within the Border Ranges Rainforest region (as delineated in the Border Ranges Rainforest Biodiversity Management Plan – NSW & Queensland; DECCW 2010a). This area spans north-eastern New South Wales (NSW) and south-eastern Queensland – it extends along the coast from Beenleigh in the north to Evans Head in the south and as far west as Killarney. The region is an area of particularly high biodiversity as it is an area of overlap of the southernmost limit for many tropical species and the northernmost limit for many temperate ones – an area known as the MacPherson–Macleay Overlap (DECCW 2010a).

The Border Ranges region has been recognised by the Australian government as one of 15 Australian National Biodiversity Hotspots (Department of Environment 2014). The Border Ranges Hotspot is one of Australia’s most biologically diverse, and is the most diverse hotspot in NSW.

Biodiversity hotspots are areas that support large numbers of endemic native species not, or only rarely, found in other areas. Such hotspots also sustain relatively unaltered natural ecosystems in which associated native species and habitats are well represented. In most of the Lismore LGA only fragments of the ecosystems and habitat that existed before European settlement remain.

3.1.2 The Big Scrub

Supported by fertile, basalt-derived soils and substantial rainfall, the Big Scrub was Australia’s largest tract of lowland subtropical rainforest. Covering an area of approximately 75,000 hectares before European settlement, the almost continuous tract of rainforest extended from the Nightcap Range in the north to Meerschaum Vale in the south and from Ballina on the coast to Lismore in the west.

Historical accounts suggest that only a small part of the Big Scrub rainforest was cleared in the mid-1880s but, by the 1920s, the Big Scrub had been almost entirely cleared. The Big Scrub now covers an area of about 700 hectares in small, scattered remnants that represent less than 1% of the original area of rainforest before European settlement.

3.1.3 Richmond River floodplain

Floodplains and estuaries are dynamic environments that support a rich biodiversity that performs a range of important ecosystem services. In addition to the Big Scrub rainforest, the floodplain and estuaries of the Richmond River and its tributaries supported vast areas of estuarine and freshwater wetlands, swamp sclerophyll forest, mangroves and lowland rainforest before European settlement.

Undertaken or funded by both local and the State governments, there was extensive drainage of coastal floodplains on the NSW north coast for flood mitigation during the 1950s and 1960s. Construction of drains enabled quicker removal of floodwaters, drained groundwater and prevented tidal water from entering creeks. Rural, urban and industrial land-uses, as well as poor historical management of floodplains, have had an adverse impact on water quality and the function of floodplain ecosystems.


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3.1.4 High conservation value

It is obvious that since European settlement the Lismore LGA has been substantially altered from its natural state and that it will never return to this state. However, the natural assets of the Lismore LGA still support a particularly significant biodiversity, much of which is considered of high conservation value (HCV).

The Lismore LGA supports large numbers of native species, including more than 1,160 vascular plants and approximately 60 species of mammal, 236 species of bird, 33 species of amphibian and 55 species of reptile. Based on records from the Atlas of NSW Wildlife (Office of Environment and Heritage, Sydney; available at http://www.bionet.nsw.gov.au/), 82 terrestrial vertebrate species of conservation priority have been recorded in the Lismore LGA (Milledge 2012). Of these high-conservation value flora/fauna, 51 species are listed under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act), nine are also listed under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and 31 are of local conservation priority (Milledge 2012).

The Lismore LGA also contains a diverse range of significant ecosystems and habitats, including subtropical, warm temperate and dry rainforests, wet sclerophyll forests, swamp forests and wetlands. The LGA supports two threatened ecological communities listed under the EPBC Act and seven ecological communities listed as endangered under the TSC Act (see Appendix 2).

The LGA contains areas of high biodiversity value that are not conserved within the NSW National Parks Estate, including remnants in riparian areas, the Big Scrub rainforest remnants, and the Richmond River floodplains and its tributaries. Estuarine and freshwater wetlands on the Richmond River floodplain provide habitat for a large number of threatened migratory waders and other species of birds (see Appendix 2). Further, remnant swamp sclerophyll forest and rainforest frequently fringe the banks of the larger waterways in narrow bands providing a variety of habitat for birds and other fauna.

Within the Lismore LGA, land that supports elements of HCV (such as threatened fauna, flora or key habitats, as above) is categorised as HCV land, as follows (see Appendix 2 for details):

(a) Areas of land identified as containing threatened species or populations listed under the TSC Act or EPBC Act or of local conservation priority. See Appendix 2: Table A1 – Terrestrial vertebrate fauna; Table A2 – Migratory birds; and Table A3 – Flora.

(b) Areas of land identified as containing endangered ecological communities (EECs) listed under the TSC Act or EPBC Act. See Appendix 2: Table A4 – Endangered ecological communities; and the HCV mapping layer shown in Maps 1 to 7 includes mapped EECs.

(c) Areas of land identified as key habitat for threatened species under the TSC Act or EPBC Act or for species of local conservation priority (as identified by Milledge 2012). See Appendix 2: Table A5 – Key habitats; and the HCV mapping layer shown in Maps 1 to 7 includes mapped key habitats.

(d) Mapped coastal wetlands under State Environmental Planning Policy No. 14—Coastal Wetlands (SEPP 14). See Appendix 2: the HCV mapping layer shown in Maps 1 to 7 includes mapped SEPP 14 wetlands.

(e) Areas of land identified as providing very high habitat corridor values. See Appendix 2: Maps 1 to 7, which show areas of ‘Very High Priority Wildlife Corridors’.

(f) Areas of land identified as preferred or core Koala habitat as defined under the Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management for South-east Lismore (KPoM; Lismore City Council 2013c). See Appendix 2: Maps 1 to 7 which shows the HCV areas that include mapped Koala habitat – noting that koala habitat mapped as ‘forestry’ (e.g. windrows) was not included in the HCV layer.

(g) Areas of land identified as supporting riparian, wetland and estuarine native vegetation other than SEPP 14 mapped wetlands.

http://www.bionet.nsw.gov.au/


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Such lands are not mapped, and stakeholders will need to assess the occurrence of this HCV on a case-by-case basis.

(h) Areas of land identified as supporting any type of rainforest. See Appendix 2: Maps 1 to 7 which shows the HCV areas that include areas identified as rainforest by Stewart et al. 2011.

(i) Areas of land identified as supporting native vegetation defined as old-growth forest. See Appendix 2: Maps 1 to 7 which shows the HCV areas that include areas identified as old-growth by Stewart et al. 2011.

3.2 Pressures on biodiversity

Human land-uses and populations exert a range of pressures on biodiversity, which in turn almost inevitably change its state or condition. Council can respond to such pressures by implementing policies that influence those activities and thereby change or manage the pressure on biodiversity.

Both historical and existing land-uses can have current and future impacts on biodiversity. Impacts on biodiversity from historical land-uses can last for decades or even centuries. Identifying these historical land-use legacies is not about placing blame – people have always used resources from the land to build industries and prosperous communities and result in the societies we have today. However, identification of such legacies is often needed to help conserve biodiversity for the future.

Below, we discuss a range of pressures on biodiversity in the Lismore LGA, some of which relate directly to key threatening processes (KTPs) listed under the TSC Act or EPBC Act (see Appendix 3). A threatening process is defined as a KTP if it threatens or may threaten the survival, abundance or evolutionary development of a native species or ecological community. For example, invasive species listed as key threatening processes are predation by the European Red Fox, Rabbits or unmanaged feral Goats. Through separate assessment processes, KTPs in NSW can be listed under the Commonwealth’s EPBC Act or the NSW TSC Act or both. Once a KTP is listed under the TSC Act or EPBC Act, a threat abatement plan can be put into place if it is shown to be ‘a feasible, effective and efficient way’ to abate the threatening process.

Some KTPs are unique to the EPBC Act or TSC Act, while many are shared. There are 21 KTPs listed under the EPBC Act, of which 16 are expected to occur in the Lismore LGA. Under the TSC Act there are 37 KTPs, of which 34 are expected to occur in the Northern Rivers Region. Appendix 3 provides a full list of KTPs expected to occur in the Lismore LGA.

3.2.1 Clearing and fragmentation of native vegetation

The results of the historical clearing of the Big Scrub, of the Richmond River floodplain and of native vegetation elsewhere in the LGA is the principal pressure on biodiversity in the Lismore LGA today. The direct impact of historical clearing includes the loss of individuals and habitat and has led to significant fragmentation of the remaining native vegetation in small and isolated remnants. The fragmentation of native vegetation disrupts ecosystem function, increases habitat for invasive species and isolates individuals and populations.

Clearing of native vegetation is listed as a key threatening process under both the TSC Act and EPBC Act. Currently within the Lismore LGA, small-scale clearing for urban and rural residential development predominates. Secondary clearing associated with these activities also occurs (e.g. under-scrubbing of rural residential blocks and maintenance of asset protection zones for bushfire control). On rural land native vegetation can be removed without consent through various routine agricultural management activities permitted under the Native Vegetation Act 2003 (NSW). Illegal clearing of vegetation may also occur.


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The relationship between clearing of vegetation and the other types of pressure discussed below is evident in that many of the activities below may cause or be caused by vegetation clearing and fragmentation.

3.2.2 Weeds

A weed is a plant that requires some form of action to reduce its effects on the economy, the environment, human health or amenity (Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council 2006). Weeds are often classed into broad groups depending on their characteristics and impacts. Weeds are among the most significant and costly environmental threats in Australia (Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council 2006) and, once established, pose an ongoing challenge to government, industry and the community.

The main groups of weeds are:

Noxious weeds, as listed under the Noxious Weeds Act 1993 (NSW).

Weeds of National Significance, as listed under the National Weeds Strategy (Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council 2006).

National Environmental Alert List weeds, as listed under the National Weeds Strategy.

Environmental weeds, which are weeds that affect the structure and function of land and aquatic ecosystems and have a negative impact on native fauna and flora.

Agricultural weeds, which are weeds that reduce the quantity and quality of agricultural production and that affect both industry and consumers.

Weeds are a problem in the Lismore LGA because they place significant and ongoing pressure on biodiversity, and the fragmentation of native vegetation makes it more susceptible to invasion by weeds. Currently there are more than 100 weeds that have been declared noxious in the Lismore region. Indeed, a number of weeds that occur in the LGA are listed as key threatening processes under the TSC Act, including the invasion and establishment of exotic vines and scramblers and Lantana.

There are numerous characteristics that plants can have that increase their weediness potential. The Department of Agriculture developed a Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) system that assesses the weed potential of plants proposed for import to Australia (available at: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/ba/plant/wra/form-a-interpreting-qs-wra-system.pdf). Although developed to minimise the import of plants that could become weeds in Australia, the WRA provides a view into the characteristics that increases a plant’s weediness potential.

Once plants become weeds there are a range of direct and indirect effects that adversely impact biodiversity. For example, weeds can:

Invade native vegetation and habitats by out-competing native plants for light, nutrients and water.

Destroy or degrade native habitats placing pressure on native plants and animals.

Disrupt the effective function of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Provide habitat for animal pests.

Cause or influence bank erosion along waterways.

The effective control of weeds, including those identified as key threatening processes under the TSC Act, requires long-term management based on a coordinated and consistent approach.

3.2.3 Pest animals

Australia's native plants and animals have evolved and adapted to life in isolation over millions of years. Since European settlement, a range of exotic animals have been deliberately or accidentally introduced and have become pests. Exotic animals that become established in the wild and have become pests typically have a history of doing so in many places. These species often have attributes that pre-adapts them to new environments, such as high reproductive rates, generalised diets and an ability to live in

http://www.agriculture.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/ba/plant/wra/form-a-interpreting-qs-wra-system.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/ba/plant/wra/form-a-interpreting-qs-wra-system.pdf


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modified landscapes in varying climatic conditions. Pest animals also typically have few natural predators or fatal diseases in their new habitats (Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council 2007). Consequently, their populations can multiply rapidly if conditions are favourable.

In the Lismore LGA a range of pest animal species are well established and place pressure on biodiversity. For example:

Common, or Indian, Mynas can compete with native species for food, and roosting and nesting sites. Native mammals and birds that depend on tree-hollows for nesting are particularly at risk.

Cane Toads eat a wide range of native species and compete with others for habitat, food and shelter. These amphibians can also kill native predators through the toxic effects following their ingestion.

Foxes and both feral and domestic Cats and Dogs hunt and kill native birds, mammals, reptiles and insects and threaten the survival of many threatened native species.

Rabbits and Hares graze or burrow heavily, degrading vegetation and habitat for native animals.

Many of the species above can also spread parasites and disease.

Some of the above pest animals are expanding their distribution within the LGA (e.g. the Cane Toad) and others have the potential to become established (e.g. feral Pigs).

3.2.4 Water quality and hydrology

The historical draining of extensive areas of the Richmond River floodplain and the clearing of the Big Scrub rainforests and native floodplain vegetation has caused a range of current impacts that place pressure on the biodiversity of aquatic habitats. Furthermore, increased urbanisation and a range of current rural land-uses and agricultural management practices also affect water quality and hydrological systems. For example, a lack of ground cover in many Macadamia plantations contributes to soil erosion and increased sediment and nutrient loads in runoff that then enters water catchments.

These effects are evident in a range of aquatic ecosystems within the Lismore LGA, including rivers, streams, floodplains, wetlands and estuaries. Impacts, which occur broadly across a catchment and at specific locations, include:

Alteration to natural flow regimes.

Alteration of groundwater hydrology.

Increased nutrient load and turbidity of runoff.

Sedimentation.

Pollution via runoff.

Activation of acid sulphate soils.

Fish kills resulting from floods.

3.2.5 Urbanisation

Urbanisation is the general increase in human population and its associated habitation and industrialisation, resulting in increases in the extent and density of human settlements in urban and peri-urban areas. Human population density is greater in urban and peri-urban areas than rural and unsettled areas. The activities of more people in a small area can have a range of direct and indirect impacts on local biodiversity.

Apart from direct impacts on biodiversity resulting from loss of habitat owing to clearing for urban development, the pressure of many human activities in urban areas can adversely affect biodiversity, particularly in urban and peri-urban bushland. Activities that fall within this category include:

The effects of roads and traffics (i.e. road kills or injuries).

Predation on native animals by domestic pets.


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Illegal dumping of rubbish and green waste in urban and peri-urban bushland creating habitat for pest animals and facilitating the spread of weeds.

Inappropriate fire regimes (i.e. too frequent or too infrequent) altering the species composition and structure of vegetation.

Unmanaged recreational activities in urban and peri-urban bushland (e.g. trail bikes and off-road vehicles) compacting soils, degrading vegetation and facilitating the spread of weeds.

3.2.6 Grazing of livestock in native vegetation and sensitive environments

The grazing of livestock in environmentally sensitive areas and in native vegetation communities can adversely affect biodiversity. In native vegetation, selective grazing by livestock can change the species composition, diversity and structure of native plant communities. Trampling by livestock can also physically damage plants and compact soil.

In environmentally sensitive areas, such as watercourses and freshwater wetlands, livestock can adversely affect native riparian vegetation, change the shape, composition and structure of the stream banks and the channel of watercourses, and reduce water quality. This can adversely affect habitat essential for the survival of fish and other aquatic species that are vital to the healthy functioning of aquatic ecosystems.

This said, the grazing of livestock also has the potential to provide a management tool that can have positive impacts on biodiversity. In the Lismore LGA grazing by domestic livestock can be a useful management tool to control woody weeds or to create open habitats suitable for native plants and animals that cannot persist beneath a shrubby understorey or tall, thick grass. However, using this management tool in sensitive areas or for extended periods may have adverse impacts on those habitat values.

3.3 Existing biodiversity work of Council

This Draft BMS is building on many other projects focused on biodiversity that Council has conducted. Listed below are just some examples of the important projects that LCC has implemented over recent years.

3.3.1 Habitat mapping

Vegetation mapping (Technical Appendix 1) In 2011, LCC engaged Landmark Ecological Services Pty Ltd (Landmark) to conduct fine-scale mapping of vegetation, including Endangered Ecological Communities (EECs) and Koala habitat across the Lismore LGA (Stewart et al. 2011). Although a primary reason for this mapping was to guide LCC’s Biodiversity Management Strategy, the mapping only covers about two-thirds of the LGA (labelled the Blue and Grey Zones). The area not mapped was the ‘Green Zone’, which covers most of the north-west portion of the LGA. This was not mapped at the time primarily owing to a lack of resources, and priority was given to more developed areas where vegetation was potentially more at risk. This remains a gap in the baseline information for the LGA, but completion of this mapping is an action in this Draft BMS.

Mapping of key habitats and corridors (Technical Appendix 2) In 2013, LCC again engaged Landmark to identify a system of key habitats and corridors for the Lismore LGA. Vertebrate fauna and their habitat were used as surrogates to determine overall biodiversity values and to identify and rank key habitats and corridors. Key habitats were identified using vegetation mapping developed in 2011, mapping of watercourses and soils, vertebrate records from the Atlas of NSW Wildlife (OEH, Sydney) and previous corridor mapping undertaken for the LGA. Key habitats were identified and ranked on the basis of their known or potential value as habitat for threatened species and for other conservation-priority species with core habitat in the Lismore LGA. This mapping will inform the determination of priorities and implementation of strategies and actions in this Draft BMS.


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3.3.2 Operational Plan for Roadside Vegetation Management (2005)

In 2005, Council developed an Operational Plan for Roadside Vegetation Management (Lismore City Council 2005). This Plan aimed to enhance routine roadside maintenance, maintain a balance between asset maintenance, traffic safety and environmental protection, and conduct training of outdoor staff and contractors. The Plan identified 200 roadside sites supporting plants listed as threatened under State or Commonwealth legislation. The project was funded through the NSW Roads and Environment Committee and received an Environmental Award in the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (NSW) Excellence Awards in 2007, and the overall award for Environmental Excellence in the Biodiversity Management Category from the Local Government and Shires Association in 2007.

In 2012 Council was successful in obtaining $50,000 under the Roadside Vegetation Implementation Program administered by the Local Government & Shires Association. The grant funded vegetation management and habitat restoration work at three roadside sites containing threatened plant species. Under this grant vegetation at these sites was managed by qualified bush regenerators to control weeds affecting sight-distances and table drains.

3.3.3 Infrastructure Services Review (2011)

For continual improvement of its services, Council undertook a review of its infrastructure division in 2011, primarily to examine ‘value for money’ and environmental issues (Complete Urban 2011). This review made various recommendations associated with improving environmental management plans for projects, planned audits of environmental controls and monitoring and reporting. However this report commended Council for the information and input it provides in the designs as related to Part V – Review of Environmental Factors (REFs) for roadworks.

An REF is an environmental assessment under Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EPA Act) that is required as part of the assessment of activities needing approval under NSW legislation. An REF examines the significance of likely environmental impacts of a proposal and the measures required to mitigate any adverse impacts to the environment.

3.3.4 Koalas

Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management for South-east Lismore (2013)

In 2013, LCC adopted the Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management for South-east Lismore (KPoM; Lismore City Council 2013c). The KPoM was drafted in response to the State Environment Planning Policy (SEPP) No. 44–Koala Habitat Protection, which encourages councils to adopt comprehensive plans of management to effectively meet the aims of SEPP No. 44 and to facilitate the processing of development applications. The purpose of the KPoM is to:

Ensure that activities threatening Koalas and their habitat in the south-east of the Lismore LGA are avoided, minimised, mitigated and where necessary, compensated for.

Maintain or improve Lismore’s Koala population and their habitat by working with landholders and industry and pursuing appropriate partnerships and funding opportunities.

Provide a transparent and consistent development assessment framework for Council and developers for proposals that have the potential to adversely affect Koalas and their habitat.

Other Koala projects

The LCC has been involved in many projects aimed at the protection of Koalas and restoration of their habitats in the Lismore LGA. These include:

In 2014, LCC provided land to Friends of the Koala (Fotk) for the purposes of establishing four Koala food-tree plantations. These plantations provide foliage for Koalas in care at the Koala hospital/care centre operated by Fotk in East Lismore. Plantations of Koala food trees have been established at


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Allambie Drive Reserve (Goonellabah), Nesbitt Park, South Lismore and Lismore Albert Park (Lismore).

In 2013, LCC received funding of $100,000 (over 3 years) from the NSW Environmental Trust to improve genetic flow between Lismore Koala populations in the LGA. This project worked with landholders to restore and connect Koala habitat, with an emphasis on facilitating movement between northern and southern populations in the Lismore LGA. Through this project, habitat restoration occurred on 22 properties, most of which were in the Rosebank to Lismore Koala corridor. Approximately 1800 trees were planted and 30 hectares of Koala habitat was restored.

In 2013, LCC also converted its old waste landfill site into Koala habitat. The Wyrallah Road Phytocap Rehabilitation Site project covers approximately 1.3 hectares and is planted predominantly with Koala food trees.

In 2013 the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage provided LCC with $90,000 to undertake on-ground habitat restoration works in priority Koala habitat, as part of the implementation of the LCC KPoM. This project focused on bush regeneration works in Koala habitat on private land. Approximately 20 hectares of Koala habitat on 20 properties was restored, more than 2,200 Koala food trees were planted, and about 5.2 hectares of land was fenced and protected from stock.

In 2010, LCC received $99,500 from the NSW Environment Trust to rehabilitate and connect Koala habitat in the Richmond Catchment. Stage 1 of the project studied the historical distribution of Koalas in the Catchment to identify changes over time and priority areas for restoration. Stage 2 of the project partnered with 40 landholders in the Lismore and Richmond Valley LGAs to manage weeds in about 6 hectares of Koala habitat and to plant 2,960 Koala food trees over almost 7 hectares.

3.3.5 Bush regeneration in urban areas

LCC manages 29 Council-owned urban bushland reserves. As Council as limited resources, 15 of these have been determined as priorities for bushland regeneration, including management of environmental weeds. Council is investing $80,000 annually to undertake intensive initial restoration works in ten of these reserves and follow-up works in the other five. The LCC undertakes an annual update and redetermination of priorities for these restoration and regeneration works.

3.3.6 Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens

The LCC, in conjunction with the not-for-profit Friends of Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens volunteer group, established and currently maintain the Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens. The Gardens were established on waste land that, until the late 1990s, was part of an old rubbish dump and were officially opened in December 1998. The Gardens grow only native plants, most of which are rainforest species endemic to an area within 200 kilometres of Lismore city. The Gardens contain an important gene pool of many of the endangered species that are under threat from land clearing, weed infestation, increased human population and climate change.

3.3.7 Supporting community groups

Over the years LCC has supported various community groups undertaking vegetation regeneration in the Lismore area. For example, in the past 2 years, LCC has supported Landcare groups undertaking bush regeneration works along the Wilsons River, Upper Tucki Tucki Creek, South Lismore and the Duck Pond. The Council contribution is approximately $15,000, including $2,000 worth of trees planted along the Wilsons River in the CBD area.


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3.3.8 Indian Myna Control Program

The Lismore Indian Myna Control Program started in 2009 in partnership with the Lismore Men and Community Shed. The Shed make all the Myna traps and there are over 40 community volunteers, including farmers, actively involved in trapping this pest species on private properties. Council staff also conduct year-round trapping at various locations, including Council's Waste Facility and Sewage Treatment Plants within Lismore City and the Nimbin village. In 2013, LCC partnered with the Tweed Council and Lismore Men and Community Shed to create an innovative ’super-size’ Indian Myna trap to catch large numbers of India Mynas.

3.3.9 Natural stormwater treatment projects

In 2000, LCC adopted a Stormwater Management Plan (Lismore City Council 2000). The overall aim is to improve and maintain the quality of urban runoff in order to protect the natural, ecological and aesthetic values of Lismore’s waterways while enhancing the recreational and economic opportunities for our community. Since then, Council has constructed or installed a range of biofilters throughout the Lismore urban area, including artificial wetlands, and vegetated natural channels and swales, which use natural and physical processes to treat polluted stormwater, and create diverse habitats for wildlife within the Lismore urban catchments. In 2013, Council constructed a stormwater treatment wetland in North Lismore to improve water quality flowing from the Slaters Creek catchment into the Wilsons River. The wetland, featuring aquatic reeds, rushes, sedges and accompanying edge plantings of native trees and shrubs – will complement the extensive restoration of the surrounding areas undertaken by the Banyam/Baigham Landcare Group.

3.3.10 Education programs

Wilsons River Restoration and Education Project (2013–14) In 2013–14, Council partnered with Rous Water to coordinate the Wilsons River Restoration and Education Project over 2 years. This has involved working with six Lismore schools to undertake outdoor education events focusing on riparian restoration within the school grounds or a nearby riverbank. Students rotated through a range of activities designed to improve their knowledge of issues relating to catchment health, including environmental restoration, biodiversity, water quality, waste management and recycling among others. This project was funded by the Environmental Trust ($88,000) and has planted thousands of trees on Wilsons River and Tucki Tucki Creek.

LCC has also contributed funding to prepare weed infested stormwater gullies on school grounds at Trinity College and Albert Park with camphor laurel pruning/chipping.

Weedbuster Week For the past 11 years, LCC has partnered with Richmond Landcare Inc., EnviTE and Far North Coast Weeds, to hold the national event, Weedbuster Week. LCC provided environmental weed education using shopping centre displays and providing take-home resources.

Stormwater education projects LCC has undertaken various stormwater education projects, including:

Healthy Creeks Path in Kadina Park, which focused on the impacts of urban runoff and the wildlife of Tucki Tucki Creek.

River Poles, in which power poles in the CBD were painted with anti-litter messages and river health and biodiversity themes.

Heritage Park Train Carriage, a street-art mural on catchment health.

Catchment Activity Model, which is an interactive trailer model that contains a miniature rural and urban landscape with a running river to explore the impacts of various land uses on river and catchment health, water quality and biodiversity. It explores land management by showing both out-dated and innovative practices. LCC uses this catchment activity model at events and shows and in schools across the region.


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3.4 Existing biodiversity work of the Rural Community

This Draft BMS recognises and aims to build on the many achievements of rural landholders, community groups and industry groups in enhancing and protecting biodiversity in the Lismore LGA. Many of these achievements have been undertaken by volunteers, in partnership with grant funding bodies and motivated out of good will and land management practices. This section provides a brief view into the significant contributions of the Lismore rural community in managing biodiversity in the Lismore LGA. It does not attempt to cover the large extent and scale of contributions by the community, as these are too numerous to account for here.

There are many active Landcare groups in Lismore’s rural areas that contribute significantly to the management of biodiversity. Groups work mainly on private land with both primary producers and lifestyle landholders, including multiple occupancies. For example, in 2012 the Jiggi Catchment Landcare Group, in partnership with Nimbin Rocks Cooperative Landcare Group, Mulvena Road Landcare Group, as well as Goolmangar School and Jiggi School Landcare groups, received a $250,000 grant over six years from the NSW Environmental Trust (NSW ET). This project aimed to rehabilitate and link High Conservation Value (HCV) areas, such as habitats and corridors for threatened species. Similarly in 2013 the Tregeagle Landcare Group received a NSW ET grant for $100,000 over three years to primarily work on enhancing koala habitat on 10 properties, including those of macadamia growers, cattle graziers and lifestyle landholders.

Many primary producers are also working actively to manage biodiversity, some in partnership with Council. For instance, in 2013 the Office of Environment and Heritage provided Council with $90,000 to partner with landholders to restore priority koala habitat. Council worked with 20 landholders (mostly cattle graziers and cane growers) to restore and protect native vegetation along riverbanks and streams on 20 properties. For this project regeneration and revegetation works were conducted over an area of 20.0 ha, over 2200 koala food and habitat trees were planted and regeneration of native vegetation and revegetation was conducted in eight riverbank areas, which has also led to positive outcomes for bank erosion and water quality.

There are also various voluntary conservation and land management groups which operate in the Lismore LGA. One such organisation is SoilCare which is a community organisation that works with primary producers to address soil issues such as sustainability and productivity. SoilCare works with soil professionals and students with special interests in soil health, soil function and biological farming systems. SoilCare also provides a means for primary producers to access and share current information on sustainable soil management through educational seminars, workshops and field trips.

Industry groups in operating in the Lismore LGA have also made a considerable effort to contribute towards biodiversity management that complement their industry. For example the Australian Macadamia Society developed and is the trustee of the Macadamia Conservation Trust. This conservation trust aims to protect and conserving wild, native macadamia trees in their native habitat for future generations. In their conservation efforts the Australian Macadamia Society also developed the Southern Macadamia Species Recovery Plan (Costello et al. 2009). This was the first conservation plan developed by a farming body to receive formal recognition from the Australian Government. This Plan is implemented under the project name Wild About Macadamias.

3.5 Existing biodiversity work of the Urban Community

This Draft BMS is also building on the many achievements and projects that the urban community has undertaken in Lismore’s urban environment to protect and enhance biodiversity. Listed below are just some examples of the important urban projects implemented over recent years.


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This Draft BMS recognises and aims to build on the many achievements of urban landholder and community groups in enhancing and protecting biodiversity in the Lismore urban area. Many of these achievements have been borne by volunteers, in partnership with grant funding bodies and motivated out of good will. This section provides a brief view into the significant contributions of the Lismore urban community in managing biodiversity. It does not attempt to cover the large extent and scale of contributions by the community, as these are too numerous to account for here.

Landcare groups have contributed greatly to the management of native vegetation at important sites located on both private and Council owned land in the urban area. Landcare in urban areas has a long history in Lismore. For example:

For 20 years Wilsons River Landcare Group has actively managed rainforest on both private and Council owned land along both sides of the Wilsons River between Fawcett Bridge and Simes Bridge.

In South Lismore the Duckpond Landcare manages riparian and wetland vegetation on Council reserve at Hollingsworth Creek and on private land at The Duckpond.

In North Lismore the Aboriginal landcare group, Banyam-Baigham Landcare, is restoring riparian vegetation on Council land at Slaters Creek.

In Goonellabah the Upper Tucki Tucki Landcare manages riparian rainforest at various sites within the Tuck Tucki Creek Recreation Park.

Friends of the Koala (Fotk) is a Lismore based community group that for the last 20 years has worked to conserve koalas in the Northern Rivers region. Run completely by volunteers, Fotk operates a care centre in Lismore that cares for sick and injured koalas. They also operate a nursery dedicated to raising koala food tree seedlings that are available, at no cost, for the community to plant.

EnviTE, a not-for-profit community group based in Lismore is also a significant contributor to biodiversity restoration in Lismore’s urban area. In 1993 EnviTE was established to assist long term unemployed and disadvantaged job seekers by providing opportunities to participate in conservation and environmental restoration projects. EnviTE still provides this, however it has evolved to also provide environmental services and related training. LCC has partnered with EnviTE since the group’s inception on a range government funded work programs including Jobskills, New Work Opportunities, Work for the Dole, Job Services Australia, Green Corp and National Green Jobs Corp. Most recently LLC partnered with EnviTE to implement on-ground vegetation restoration works in three significant natural stormwater treatment sites in Lismore’s urban catchments.

3.6 Management tools available to Council

There are a wide range of management and planning ‘tools’ available to local government for the implementation of biodiversity conservation policies and practices. For each tool it is important to assess its ability to achieve the objectives of the BMS. This may vary between landscapes, and existing controls and requirements. The tools available to Council (Table 2) can be broadly divided into regulatory and non-regulatory, keeping in mind that non-regulatory tools generally rely on funding support. A more detailed description of each of these management tools and a discussion of their input into the objectives of the BMS are given in Appendix 8.

Table 2. Planning and management tools available to Council.

Regulatory

Local Environmental Plan Control of the location of land-uses and, sometimes, the impact of land-uses


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Growth Management Strategy

Identify constraints that define location of future development

Development assessment Includes development control plans, state environmental planning provisions

State and federal legislative obligations

Legislation such as the Native Vegetation Act 2003 (NSW) and TSC Act (some legislative obligations are not the responsibility of Council but are considered in the context of Council’s application of available tools)

Non-regulatory

Incentives Such as providing landholders with assistance to manage areas of high conservation value

Education Community activities, such as field days and workshops

Policies and strategies These guide Council’s operations and works, e.g. roadside operations


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4 Biodiversity strategies

4.1 Principles

The following principles have been developed to guide the entire Biodiversity Management Strategy (BMS) and Council’s long-term goals and the vision of the community.

Council will focus on ‘keeping its own house in order’ to provide an effective example to the community.

Strategies will be developed with rural partners to form effective partnerships with the rural community and to recognise landholder achievements.

Strategies will include the urban community, to support public health, employment opportunities, recreation and the activities of community groups.

Council will develop strategies based on the management tools available to Council, including regulation, to achieve the objectives of the BMS.

Strategies and actions will be linked to overarching strategies, research and existing Council policies, including Technical Appendices 1 and 2.

The BMS will be action-based and adaptive so as to incorporate lessons over time.

Council will seek innovative ways to attract reliable funding for implementation.

4.2 Strategies

The strategies and actions developed in this BMS are linked to other, existing Council policies and have been guided by various overarching strategies and plans. The flowchart below (Figure 1) shows these interrelationships.

Figure 1. Interrelationships of Lismore City Council plans and policies. Overarching documents for the development of the Lismore Biodiversity Management Strategy (BMS) are the Imagine Lismore 10 Year Plan 2013–2023 (Imagine Lismore; Lismore City Council 2013b), the Draft Northern Rivers Catchment Action Plan 2 – 2013–2023 (CAP2) (NRCMA 2013) and the two regional biodiversity strategies – the Border Ranges Rainforest Biodiversity Management Plan – NSW & Queensland (DECCW 2010a) and Northern Rivers Regional Biodiversity Management Plan (DECCW 2010b). The BMS is subservient to these four strategies as actions in the BMS reflect those in these four strategies. Relevant actions in the Coastal Zone Management Plan for the Richmond River Estuary


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(CZMP; Hydrosphere Consulting 2011) and the Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management for South-east Lismore (KPoM; Lismore City Council 2013c), which were developed before the BMS, are incorporated in the BMS. However, these plans are subservient to the BMS as actions from these strategies contribute to the BMS. See Appendix 1 for further details of the planning, policy and legislative context of the BMS at international, national, regional and local scales.

The strategies and actions outlined in the BMS include an approximate budget needed to complete those actions. Where there is no funding allocation, it is likely that the action can be completed under existing Council service levels and recurrent budget. Although funding has yet to be secured for the implementation of actions given funding allocations, the BMS discusses various options for funding actions of the BMS in Appendix 6. These options include the consideration of and consultation with the community for, a special rate variation for the purposes of an environment levy.

Figure 2 shows a broad representation of the biodiversity strategies and actions outlined in this Draft BMS

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Figure 2. Broad structure of biodiversity strategies and actions.

(Section references identify where these strategies are discussed in detail).

Governance actions (section 5)

RURAL Working with rural landholders

URBAN Working in the urban environment

4. Rural Landholder Initiative (section 4.2.4; table 6) o Working with farmers to develop

incentives and education that are mutually beneficial for biodiversity and agricultural production

o Creating incentives and rewards for biodiversity stewardship

2. Development assessment (section 4.2.2; table 4) o Updating and formalising existing regulatory practices to develop a Biodiversity Development Assessment

Framework, Control Plan and Offsetting Policy o Developing innovative ways to provide incentives for the protection of high conservation value (HCV) biodiversity o Provide landscape-scale biodiversity management input for the Growth Management Strategy

INTERNAL Getting our house in order

5. Urban Green Corridors Plan (section 4.2.5; table 7) o Mapping and planning to connect and restore our

urban bushland and riparian areas

o Creating bushland tracks and low impact recreation

1. Council’s environmental management (section 4.2.1; table 3)

o Reviewing and updating LCC’s relevant strategies and procedures

o Updating LCC’s operations for best practice

o Improving LCC's current partnerships and developing further strategic partnerships

o Ensuring internal initiatives and partnerships are effectively integrated into operations and planning and implemented effectively

3. Funding opportunities (section 4.2.3; table 5) o Pursuing a range of funding options to support effective implementation of this BMS

6. Education (section 4.2.6; table 8) o Linking the community and landholders with information, opportunities and resources


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4.2.1 Environmental management by Council

To fulfil the community’s vision of environmental leadership by Council, Lismore City Council (LCC) will review and update its planning, processes and operations to ensure best-practice environmental management. LCC will also act to ensure that updated strategic directions within Council are integrated effectively into all operations of Council. Council also aims to equip staff with the skills necessary to be able to apply operational changes effectively, through training and further education.

Council will try to provide a good example of effective management of land and will work to develop genuine and effective partnerships with the community so that together we can improve biodiversity values in the Lismore LGA. Council has developed a range of actions to ensure biodiversity is managed on many levels. Over time Council will monitor, report on and continually improve its strategies to ensure ongoing improvement of its environmental management.

Table 3 summarises the detailed actions and strategies that Council will undertake to build and enhance its own operations and to support the community in relation to environmental management by the LCC.

Table 3. Environmental management by Lismore City Council. The table details the internal management actions of Council associated with its environmental management.

KEY TO TABLES 3–9 ID# is the unique number given to each action in the BMS so that it can be easily identified and referred to consistently throughout this report. Priority: Given as High (H), Medium (M) or Low (L), and colour-coded in the table. Note that the priority assigned to strategies is not a reflection of the importance of each action, but rather an indication of Council’s capacity to undertake the actions with available resources. For example High (H) priority actions are the most important and will be undertaken sooner than those of a lower priority. Links: Refer to the actions within overarching policies, strategies and plans (as abbreviated), with the numbers referring to sections within those documents: CAP2 – Draft Northern Rivers Catchment Action Plan 2 – 2013–2023 (CAP2); BRR – Border Ranges Rainforest Biodiversity Management Plan – NSW & Queensland; NRR – Northern Rivers Regional Biodiversity Management Plan; CZMP – Coastal Zone Management Plan for the Richmond River Estuary; KPoM – Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management for South-east Lismore (for further details and references, see section 4.2). Partners (and elsewhere in table): BFMPC – Bushfire Risk Management Plan Committee; DPI – Department of Primary Industries; FNCW – Far North Coast Weeds; IPART – Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal; KIG – KPOM Implementation Group; LLS – Local Land Services; NCLHPA – North Coast Livestock Health and Pest Authority; NLLSS – Northern Local Land Support Services; NRCMA – Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority; NRWC – Northern Rivers Wildlife Carers Inc.; OEH – Office of Environment and Heritage (NSW); RFS – Rural Fire Service (NSW); RMS – Roads & Maritime Services (NSW); RRCC – Richmond River County Council; SCU – Southern Cross University; WIRES – Wildlife Information, Rescue & Education Service Inc. (NSW). Indicative duration: Refers to the estimated time to accomplish the action. Actions may be one-off with a predicted duration, others may be ongoing. Indicative budget: Refers to the monetary resources required to achieve the action. Note that if the action requires ongoing budget then the amount stated is the maximum per year, as it may vary slightly from year to year. Funding Source: Potential funding options for a given action (see Appendix 6 for the discussion of funding options for the BMS). Responsible party: Refers to the sections within LCC responsible for coordinating and delivering an action or that need to be consulted. Other abbreviations: EEC – endangered ecological community; GIS – geographic information system; KPI – key-performance indicator; LCC – Lismore City Council; LEP – local environmental plan; LG Act – Local Government Act; POM – plan of management; SOP – standard operating procedure; SRV – special rate variation.


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ID #

Action Priority Links Partners Indicative

duration Indicative budget

Funding source

Responsible party H M L

Planning and processes

1. Conduct review of roadside vegetation

Review LCC guidelines relevant to roadside vegetation, including:

(a) LCC’s Operational Plan for Roadside Vegetation Management (Lismore City Council 2005) to:

i. Facilitate the staged management of areas of high conservation value (HCV) areas within the Lismore LGA road reserves. Priority should be given to areas containing or adjoining HCV vegetation or habitat.

ii. Develop best-practice on-ground methods to manage roadside weeds.

(b) Develop mapping of roadside HCV areas using the most up-to-date vegetation mapping.

(c) Roadside conservation value area markers. This update will consider opportunities for multi-purpose markers, which may include interpretive signage.

M

CAP2: 3.2.2; BRR: 10.1.3, 12.4.8; NRR: 3.3.5, 12.4.3, 12.4.8

As required 1 year $20,000 Special Rate Variation (SRV), existing LCC budget or external grant funding (see Appendix 8 for a discussion of funding options)

LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Roads & LCC Parks

2. Implement roadside weed management in HCV areas

Implement staged roadside weed management in HCV areas in Council-managed road reserves. This will be informed by the most current Operational Plan for Roadside Vegetation Management (Eco-Connections 2005).

M

CAP2: 3.2.2; BRR: 10.1.3, 12.4.8; NRR: 3.3.5, 12.4.3, 12.4.8

As required Ongoing/ Annual

Up to $40,000

SRV, existing LCC budget or external grant funding (see Appendix 8 for detail on funding options)

LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Roads & LCC Parks

3. Reduce maintenance costs of Council managed land

(a) Identify areas of community, operational and other land owned or managed by Council that require intensive high-cost maintenance that could be converted to a less-intensive lower cost maintenance regime that would also yield biodiversity benefits (e.g. converting lawns, which require intensive maintenance at a high cost, into biodiverse native plantings that require less intensive maintenance at a lower cost).

(b) Investigate the feasibility of options identified in (a) and, where appropriate, update any plan of management.

(c) Implement feasible measures identified in (a) and (b) above.

(d) Develop a work plan to update relevant LCC Parks strategic documents, including the Public Land Plan of Management (Lismore City Council 1995).

(e) Update LCC Parks strategic documents in an effort to reduce maintenance costs and benefit biodiversity in the LGA.

L

CAP2: 3.2.2; BRR: 5.7.4, 5.7.5; NRR: 3.3.5, 5.4.30

As required 6 months LCC (under existing recurrent budget)

LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Parks


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ID #



Funding source


4. Review LCC Landscape Guidelines (2007)

(a) Review LCC Landscape Guidelines (Lismore City Council 2007) to make it more user friendly for developers and members of the community not familiar with plant species and vegetation associations. For example, include:

i. Grouping of local, native plant associations suited for particular soil types, aspect or slope, along with maintenance requirements of particular vegetation associations.

ii. Coloured pictures to provide visual examples of recommended plantings.

CAP2: 2.1.6; 4.3.2; BRR: 2.2.2 NRR: 1.3.2

As required 6 months LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Parks

5. Minimising clearing for essential infrastructure

Minimise the clearing of vegetation for the construction of essential infrastructure, by:

(b) Identify areas of HCV in areas of land identified in the Lismore Strategic Road Review May 2013; relevant capital works planned for in the Strategic Business Plan for Water Supply and Waste Water Services; and the Rous Water 30-year Capital Works Program.

(c) Investigate options for alternative location of infrastructure to avoid or minimise impacts on HCV areas (e.g. locate proposed infrastructure on cleared land or within existing infrastructure corridors).

(d) Investigate the feasibility of options identified in (b) above at the time proposed new infrastructure is designed.

L

NRR: 3.3.10 Rous Water; As required

6 months; ongoing as necessary

LCC (under existing recurrent budget)

LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Strategic Planning

6. Licencing

Ensure that relevant sections within LCC have appropriate expertise and licences to work in threatened species habitat or endangered ecological communities (EECs). This should be extended to arrangements with contractors working in areas of HCV.

M

NRR: 2.1.5 Relevant external contractors; As required

3 months LCC (under existing recurrent budget)

LCC Environmental Strategies

7. Development Application Conditions of Consent

Develop a process to monitor and report on:

(a) Long-term compliance of Conditions of Consent associated with Development Applications.

(b) The effectiveness of biodiversity offsets or compensation measures associated with Conditions of Consent for Development Applications, to achieve desired outcomes.

M

CAP2: 3.6.1; KPoM: 3, 7


LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Development and Compliance

8. Mapping

Review Council mapping system (including the public mapping resource; see http://mapping.lismore.nsw.gov.au/Exponare/PublicApplication2_1400X1050.aspx) to consider new and updated information. This should include, but not be limited to:

H

CAP2: 2.2.5; BRR: 1.1.9; NRR: 1.1.4, 2.1.5, 1.4.8

OEH; As required


LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Information Services (GIS

http://mapping.lismore.nsw.gov.au/Exponare/PublicApplication2_1400X1050.aspx


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ID #



Funding source


(a) Updating mapping of records of HCV species, habitats and communities using the Atlas of NSW Wildlife database (OEH).

(b) Simplifying the mapping records in Council’s mapping system by removing old mapping data or clearly defining it for efficient use of the system. This should be applied to the internal and external mapping systems.

(c) Undertaking regular updates of Council’s mapping resources, as relevant information becomes available and otherwise every 5 years to include records from external sources, such as the Atlas of NSW Wildlife.

Analyst)

9. s Input into reviews of asset management plans

Provide input into the regular review of Council’s assets management plans to ensure that biodiversity values are considered. These plans include:

(a) Transport Assets Management Plan (e.g. includes roadside maintenance and areas of HCV within Council’s road reserves; Lismore City Council 2013e).

(b) Buildings Assets Management Plan (Lismore City Council 2012a).

(c) Wastewater Systems Assets Management Plan(Lismore City Council 2013f).

(d) Land Improvement and Other Structures Assets Management Plan (Lismore City Council 2012b).

(e) Stormwater Drainage Assets Management Plan (Lismore City Council 2012c).

M

CAP2: 2.1.3, 3.2.2, 3.6.4

As required Ongoing / Annual


LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Assets Management

10. Review Street Tree Master Plan 2008

This review should include, but not be limited to:

(a) Transition to all locally native street trees and urban plantings.

(b) For exotic trees that are heritage listed or in street or public open-space plantings, use long-term planning to transition to all locally native species (e.g. introducing native strangler figs to mature Camphor Laurel trees to replace these in the long term).

L

CAP2: 2.2.9, 3.2.2; BRR: 5.7.4, 5.7.5; NRR: 5.4.30

As required 1 year LCC (under existing recurrent budget)


11. Information gaps and creating a baseline

To inform biodiversity management in the Lismore LGA, continually seek:

(a) To identify gaps in knowledge of biodiversity in the LGA and add to baseline data on biodiversity, especially to identify areas of HCV.

(b) Opportunities to work with community partners to increase knowledge of biodiversity and identify areas of HCV.

H

BRR: 1.1.9; NRR: 2.1.9

As required Ongoing LCC (under existing recurrent budget)


12. Mapping of vegetation and bushfire hazard

(a) Council will consult with the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and the Bushfire Risk

M

BRR: 1.1.9; NRR: 2.1.9

RFS; BFMPC; external

1 year $80,000 SRV, existing LCC budget or external grant



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ID #



Funding source


Management Plan Committee (BFMPC) regarding:

i. Update the Bushfire Risk Management Plan for the Lismore LGA to take into account the location and significance of areas of HCV, including Koala habitat.

ii. RFS to provide a GIS layer of fire history for the Lismore LGA.

iii. Extend detailed vegetation mapping into the ‘Green Zone’ (as identified in Stewart et al. 2011) to directly inform bushfire hazard mapping for the Lismore LGA.

(b) Provide any updated vegetation mapping to the RFS and BFMPC to inform bushfire hazard mapping.

contractors funding (see Appendix 8 for detail on funding options)

working with external partners

13. Roads and traffic management for wildlife

(a) For existing roads, Council will:

i. Work with relevant community groups to identify road-kill hotspots within the Lismore LGA.

ii. Audit existing wildlife road safety measures that will inform the following action.

iii. Develop an integrated program of works for the implementation of a ‘toolbox’ of wildlife road-safety measures (e.g. speed reduction, wildlife signage, wildlife care group signage, lighting, road verge maintenance, exclusion fencing, underpasses, glider poles, and rope crossings) to target road-kill hotspots identified in point i. above.

iv. Ensure the proper maintenance and management of any infrastructure developed in line with the above actions.

(b) For any Road & Maritime Services (RMS)-funded road programs within the Lismore LGA, Council will incorporate a ‘toolbox’ of wildlife road-safety measures (e.g. speed reduction, signage, lighting, road-verge maintenance, exclusion fencing and underpasses) in the design and construction of these roads.

L

BRR: 10.5.3; NRR: 3.5.4, 12.1.1, 12.1.2, 12.1.3,12.1.4, 12.1.5; KPoM: 24, 25, 26

Friends of the Koala; WIRES; North Coast Wildlife carers; RMS; KPoM Committee

Alternative 2 years and ongoing

$15,000 SRV, existing LCC budget or external grant funding (see Appendix 8 for detail on funding options)

LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Roads, LCC Infrastructure Services & external partners

14. Management actions detailed in the KPoM

(a) Council will continue to implement the management actions detailed in Table 1 of the KPoM for the Lismore LGA. This includes:

i. Ongoing habitat restoration works.

ii. A study of density and population of Koalas in the planning area.

iii. Implement the KPoM Implementation Group (KIG), as described in the KPoM (Lismore City Council 2013c).

(b) Where appropriate, Council will integrate management actions identified in the KPoM into the BMS (e.g. Action 14 could be undertaken in unison with KPoM

M

NRR: 3.1.4 KIG Ongoing Action 14(a)i: $30,000 (ongoing); Action 14(a)ii: $15,000 (every 3 years); Action 14(a)iii: $1,000 (ongoing)


LCC Environmental Strategies working with external partners


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ID #



Funding source


Actions 24–26).

15. Council emissions offsetting

Investigate opportunities to offset emissions associated with Council’s sale of renewable energy certificates, to implement relevant qualifying BMS actions.

L

BRR: 3.1.2 NRR: 3.1.1


LCC Environmental Strategies working with external partners

16. Lismore Local Environment Plan (LEP)

(a) Assist LCC Strategic Planning area to resolve deferred matters in Lismore’s 2012 LEP, as discussed in Appendix 8.

(b) Work with LCC Strategic Planning and provide advice on the strategic use of zoning for effective land-use planning associated with areas of HCV.

M

BRR: 3.2.5 NRR: 3.3.7

DPE; As required

As required LCC (under existing recurrent budget)


Operating procedures and training

17. Standard Operating Procedures

(a) Update or develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for best-practice environmental management. SOPs should include, but not be limited to:

i. Management of roadside weeds to avoid and reduce the spread of environmental and noxious weeds.

ii. Work in sensitive environmental areas, such as wetlands, regenerating native vegetation, wildlife corridors, wildlife habitat, bridge roosts, Special Environmental Areas (within Roadside Conservation Areas).

iii. Vehicle and equipment hygiene. iv. Soil erosion and sediment control. v. Stripping, stockpiles and dump sites.

(b) Work with Infrastructure Services to identify opportunities to update and/or develop other SOPs for their operations.

(c) Implement operational changes, such as those mentioned above.

(d) Review SOPs every 5 years to ensure currency with best-practice.

(e) Develop measurable key-performance indicators (KPI) for updated or new SOPs (as identified in Action 17 (a)) to evaluate their success and to improve actions.

M

CAP2: 2.2.6, 2.2.7, 3.2.2, 5.4.4; BRR: 5.3.4, 10.1.4, 10.1.6; NRR: 1.4.12, 3.3.5, 5.3.2, 5.4.5, 12.4.5, 12.4.6

As required 1 year $81,000 (Actions 16 & 17 combined)


LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Infrastructure Services, LCC Roads, LCC Parks & LCC Works

18. Training

(a) Incorporate new or updated SOPs into inductions, other workplace training and ongoing professional development to ensure consistent implementation of procedures. This will likely include:

i. Integration of new provisions into existing workplace training systems.

ii. Integration of provisions into monitoring and reporting of biodiversity

L

CAP2: 2.2.6, 2.2.7, 3.2.2, 5.4.4; BRR: 5.3.4, 10.1.4, 10.1.6; NRR: 1.4.12, 3.3.5, 5.3.2,

As required 3 years LCC (under existing recurrent budget)

LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Infrastructure Services, LCC Roads, LCC


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ID #



Funding source


management to ensure compliance and improvement over time.

(b) Develop internal LCC training alongside the start of any new or updated planning, procedural or operational policies, as soon as possible after their implementation.

(c) On-going monitoring to be undertaken to ensure new and relevant policies are being effectively implemented and improvements made where possible.

(d) Engage a change-management officer to develop SOPs and implement associated training, to ensure Council’s updated operational strategies are transferred effectively into on-ground operations.

5.4.5, 12.4.5, 12.4.6

Parks & LCC Works

19. Recruitment criteria

Update recruitment criteria for staff of Council’s Roads and Parks sections to include a minimum of Certificate 3 in Conservation Land Management or equivalent qualification as ‘Desirable criteria’. M

BRR: 5.9.1


LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Human Resources & LCC Infrastructure Services

20. Staff Training

Where relevant, promote participation by Council’s current and future employees in:

(a) Conservation and land-management certificate courses.

(b) Training in accredited weed hygiene practices (e.g. the equivalent to the Victoria Government’s WeedStop training).

(c) Conduct training in identification of weeds for field staff.

L

CAP2: 3.7.1; BRR: 5.9.1, 5.9.4; NRR: 5.2.5, 5.3.3, 5.4.5

As required Regular intervals

To be confirmed on investigation


LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Human Resources & LCC Infrastructure Services

21. National Tree Day

Continue to undertake Council’s annual Corporate Sustainability Staff Tree Planting Day. This will assist staff to fulfil ‘volunteer hours’ and build Council staff’s understanding of the natural values in the Lismore LGA and to promote the efforts of community volunteer groups.

M

Planet Ark; 2 days/year $1,000 Existing LCC Environmental Strategies budget(Catch Administration) and Fleet Carbon Offset fund

LCC Environmental Strategies & Council staff

22. Partnering with the community to conduct works on Council land

(a) Develop policies and procedures to enable the Roads and Parks departments of LCC to work with the community to manage native vegetation and weeds on Council-managed land.

(b) Develop and implement a Roads and Parks partnering program, whereby:

i. LCC Roads and Parks work with private landholders and community groups to undertake management of weeds in roadside reserves in exchange for

M

BRR: 14.1.3; NRR: 2.1.2; 3.4.6; 19.1.3

Community groups; landholders


LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Roads, LCC Infrastructure Services & LCC Occupational Health & Safety Committee


30

ID #



Funding source


management of weeds on adjacent private land. Priority should be given to areas of HCV.

ii. A landholder register is developed in which community members can request weeds be managed on their adjoining public road reserve. Priorities would be determined based on the landholder undertaking management of weeds on ‘their side of the fence’ and whether the road reserve or adjoining property contains areas of HCV.

(c) Develop documentation for environmental volunteers that:

i. Provides the means for volunteer groups or individuals to work safely on Council owned or managed land, including road reserves.

ii. Aims to support environmental volunteers by providing information to help them continue their work in the best and safest way possible.

iii. Includes information on a range of important topics, including Council support for volunteers, the roles and responsibilities of members of volunteer groups, and essential information regarding insurance and workplace health and safety.

(d) In association with Actions 21(a),( b) and (c) above, consider the option of developing an ‘adopt a road’ or ‘adopt a road reserve’ program, whereby community members or groups can voluntarily manage weeds within a given road or road reserve.

Devolved regulatory responsibilities and county councils

23. Devolved regulatory responsibilities

(a) Audit and review Council’s governance and agreements associated with existing environmental management service providers, including Council’s devolved responsibility arrangements with relevant county councils. This will aim to:

i. Assess the effectiveness of Council fulfilling its legislated obligations.

ii. Improve efficiencies and ensure value for money.

iii. Ensure any additional county council programs, beside those associated with Council’s developed responsibilities, align with Council’s related strategies and policies.

iv. Reduce duplication and improve efficiencies with Council’s related activities.

v. Undertake collaborative actions, such as education and joint events.

vi. Ensure ongoing communication and sharing of information between LCC and county councils for strategic planning. This should be undertaken quarterly with each county council.

(b) Review Council’s agreement with Far North Coast Weeds (FNCW) to fulfil aims in

M

CAP2: 2.2.2, 2.2.3, 2.2.9, 3.2.2, 3.7.2, 5.4.3; BRR: 5.1.1, 5.1.3; NRR: 1.1.2, 6.3.1; CZMP: 1b, 7b

FNCW; RRCC; Rous Water (Lismore); and as required


LCC Environmental Strategies working with external parties


31

ID #



Funding source


Action 23(a) and to ensure any New Pest Invader Alert and Rapid Response Plan for the region has been developed and is implemented.

(c) Review Council’s agreements with Richmond River County Council (RRCC) to fulfil aims in Action 23(a) and to ensure effective implementation of the Coastal Zone Management Plan for the Richmond River Estuary (CZMP) (Hydrosphere Consulting 2011) and related education programs.

24. Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP; Hydrosphere Consulting 2011)

(a) Continue commitments and involvement with the CZMP Implementation Committee, including:

i. Input into any review of the progress of the CZMP and monitoring of KPIs and the 10-year review.

ii. Involvement in initiatives to retain, rehabilitate and conserve existing native floodplain vegetation.

Also see Action 48 (Table 6, below) for Council’s contributions to on-ground implementation of the CZMP for riparian restoration.

M

CAP2: 5.4.3; CZMP: 1a, 3d, 7a

RRCC; CZMP Implementation Committee

Ongoing To be confirmed on investigation


LCC Environmental Strategies working with RRCC & other external parties

Supporting the community

25. Community contribution to biodiversity

(a) Council will develop initiatives to recognise and celebrate the achievements, contributions and stewardship of landholders, and other groups or individuals in managing biodiversity in the Lismore LGA.

(b) Council will consider the following options:

i. Developing annual awards for biodiversity achievements in various representative categories, within the rural and urban environments.

ii. Hosting an annual event (e.g. morning tea) for National Volunteer Week to acknowledge the significant contributions of volunteers to the LGA and its residents. This could extend to all volunteer groups or individuals across the whole LGA and will be collaboratively run within Council across all departments.

(c) Council will recognise and promote the biodiversity management achievements identified in point (a) above in relevant forums and publications (e.g. the Council website, Facebook and the Local Matters publication).

L

CAP2: 3.5.2, 4.3.1; BRR: 3.3.7; NRR: 3.4.1

Community groups; industry groups

Ongoing / Annual

$5,000 SRV, existing LCC budget or external grant funding (see Appendix 8 for detail on funding options)

LCC Environmental Strategies & LCC Communications

26. Plants of local provenance

In order to promote the use of plants, seedlings and seed of local providence, Council will:

(a) Develop a register of local nurseries that propagate seedlings from seed that is of

M

BRR: 12.1.2; NRR: 1.3.2, 17.1.1; KPoM: 17, 18

As required Ongoing - LCC (under existing recurrent budget)



32

ID #



Funding source


local provenance.

(b) Ensure that seedlings used in restoration or revegetation projects are propagated from seed that is of local provenance.

27. Non-financial incentives

Council will seek partnering opportunities to implement non-financial incentives, such as:

(a) Provision of discounted or free native plants or materials for weed control to qualifying landholders. This partnership would be developed along with eligibility criteria. This may involve Council partnering with local native nurseries.

(b) Council biodiversity stewardship product labelling incentives, whereby Council partners with and/or develops a product label and eligibility criteria to reward biodiversity stewardship in agricultural retail.

L

CAP2: 2.2.3, 2.2.9; BRR: 3.3.7, 9.1.5; NRR: 3.4.1, 3.4.4

Subtropical Farm Forestry; others as required

6 months To be confirmed on investigation – will be incorporated under the Rural Landholder Incentive program


LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Communications & external parties

28. Biodiversity conservation projects

Seek, on an ongoing basis, to work with the community, including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, and related organisations, to implement biodiversity conservation projects (see Appendix 5).

M

CAP2: 2.2.3, 2.2.9; BRR: 13.1.4; NRR: 18.1.4

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community

Ongoing Up to $20,000


LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Community Services & external parties

29. Creating employment and training opportunities

Seek partners to support training and employment opportunities for community members, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, in management and control of weeds. For example, forming partnerships to collaboratively apply for funding or assistance from regional, state or Commonwealth bodies to support these actions, including use of the Green Army Program to implement weed management in the Lismore LGA.

H

CAP2: 2.2.3, 3.7.2; BRR: 5.1.6, 5.4.7, 5.9.6, 13.1.3, 13.1.4; NRR: 5.2.5, 6.2.4, 18.1.1, 18.1.3

EnviTE; other relevant service providers

Ongoing Grant funding LCC Environmental Strategies working with external parties


33

4.2.2 Development assessment

Conservation of biodiversity is a priority goal at national and state levels and is integral to achieving ecologically sustainable development (NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service 2001). Biodiversity conservation requires cooperative efforts by all spheres of government, including local government. Loss of biodiversity is closely associated with development and changes in land-use. Equally, substantial conservation opportunities also exist on private land. Consequently, the private sector has a crucial role in biodiversity conservation (NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service 2001).

With local knowledge and close community links, local government has the capacity not simply to respond to legislative requirements, but to take positive initiatives that set new directions for the future. Consequently the LCC proposes to formalise development assessment processes through the actions set out in Table 4. These actions provide clear direction for developers and ensure better strategic planning for biodiversity consideration, protection and enhancement in the process of development application and approval.

Table 4. Development assessment actions. Actions associated with Council’s development assessment policies that affect biodiversity management in the

LGA.

For the key to definitions and abbreviations used below, see Table 3.

ID #


duration Indicative

budget Funding source


Development assessment

30. Formalise a development assessment framework

Develop a Biodiversity Development Assessment Framework that formalises current development assessment processes (consistent with details provided in Appendix 4) and which includes:

a) Development of a Biodiversity Development Control Plan (DCP) consistent with regional biodiversity management plans. For example, such a DCP will include provisions that ensure:

i. Likely impacts of developments and activities adjacent to rainforest and related vegetation are fully assessed and appropriate buffers included.

ii. Asset protection zones for new developments are included within the development proposal area and do not affect, or require clearing of, adjacent rainforest or related vegetation.

iii. Flora of local provenance is selected for revegetation and rehabilitation projects.

iv. Flying-fox camps are appropriately buffered to minimise land-use conflicts.

v. Riparian areas have appropriate buffer zones surrounding them.

b) Development of a Biodiversity Offsets Policy to formalise current LCC practices

H

CAP2: 2.1.3, 3.2.2, 3.6.1, 3.6.4; BRR: 3.2.4, 3.2.2, 3.2.5, 4.1.6, 4.1.7, 4.1.20, 4.1.21; NRR: 1.3.2, 3.1.2, 3.1.4, 3.3.2, 3.3.3, 3.3.4, 3.3.8, 3.5.14; CZMP: 6b


LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Development and Compliance & LCC Strategic Planning


34

ID #


duration Indicative



(consistent with provisions set out in Appendix 7).

c) Amend the Lismore Local Environment Plan (LEP) to activate the Development Assessment Framework.

Council intends to initiate this action within 6 months of adoption of this BMS.

31. Review Development Control Plans

Review other DCPs to consider the objectives of the BMS and the Biodiversity DCP (Action 30). These include reviewing and updating:

(a) The Tree Preservation Order DCP, which will be updated to be consistent with regional biodiversity management plans, for example including provisions that ensure:

i. Hollow-bearing trees and recruitment trees are retained to ensure hollow-bearing trees are available into the future.

ii. Protection of important remnant native vegetation and significant trees (e.g. threatened ecological communities and Koala habitat).

M

CAP2: 3.2.2, 3.6.4; BRR: 3.2.7; NRR: 3.3.2, 3.3.6; CKPOM: 9


LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Development and Compliance & LCC Strategic Planning

32. Update internal procedural documents

Update procedural documents for LCC staff to reflect updates to any DCPs (Action 31) and the Biodiversity DCP (Action 30). These include, but are not limited to:

(a) Internal Development Application Guidelines.

(b) Application assessment checklists.

(c) Standard development approval conditions.

H

CAP2: 2.1.3, 3.2.2, 3.6.1, 3.6.4; BRR: 3.2.4, 3.2.2, 3.2.5, 4.1.6, 4.1.7, 4.1.20, 4.1.21; NRR: 3.1.2, 3.1.4, 3.3.2, 3.3.3, 3.3.4, 3.3.8, 3.5.14; CZMP: 6b


LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Development and Compliance

33. Review of Growth Management Strategy (Lismore City Council In draft [Sep 2014])

Provide input into the review of Council’s Growth Management Strategy, including input into development constraints, such as areas of HCV and priority habitat and corridors.

H

CAP2: 2.2.5, 3.2.2, 3.6.4; BRR: 1.1.2, 2.1.2; NRR: 1.4.8

As required As necessary LCC (under existing recurrent budget)


34. Review of Section 94 Contributions Plan

Identify future opportunities under the Section 94 Contributions Plan, and provide input and comment where necessary. This may include the inclusion of bushland tracks associated with the implementation of a Trails Strategy within the Lismore Sport and Recreation Strategy.

L

CAP2: 3.6.4 As required 2 months LCC (under existing recurrent budget)



35

ID #


duration Indicative



35. Regulatory incentives

Council will investigate and pursue, where relevant, the use of regulatory incentives for the long-term protection of biodiversity on private land. See Appendix 4: Section 3 for further detail.

M

CAP2: 3.6.4 As required 3 months LCC (under existing recurrent budget)


36. Development assessment training

Undertake Council staff training to ensure consistent use and application of the

development assessment frameworks associated with Action 30 of the BMS and the

KPoM.

M

As required 6 months $10,000 SRV, existing LCC budget or external grant funding (see Appendix 8 for detail on funding options)

LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Development and Assessment


36

4.2.3 Funding opportunities

The successful implementation of the biodiversity conservation measures in the BMS requires an adequate revenue base, so it is important to consider carefully the financing of biodiversity conservation initiatives at the outset of the planning process.

Councils have a wide range of sources of revenue, including rates, annual charges, user charges, fees, financial assistance grants, special purpose grants, developer contributions, borrowings and investment income. LCC has reviewed its existing financial arrangements and investments in environmental programs and has developed a number of proposed actions to raise funds for biodiversity actions in this BMS (see Table 5).

Table 5. Funding opportunities. Actions for funding options to implement the BMS.


ID #


duration Indicative



Special Rate Variation

37. Special Rate Variation (SRV)

Seek community feedback and any subsequent approval from the NSW State Government for a SRV, to implement the BMS in accordance with the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) process. The iterative application process involves:

(a) Council’s resolution to:

i. Include consideration of a SRV to fund the implementation of the BMS with this document for public exhibition and comment.

ii. Consult the community on the proposed rate increase, as well as the need and magnitude of an increase; alternatives that have been investigated; intended community benefits and any other consequences; and to assess the community’s capacity and willingness to pay additional rates.

(b) Based on Council’s consideration of submissions to the BMS and specific community consultation on a proposed SRV, Council resolved whether to apply, or not, to IPART for a SRV to implement actions in the BMS.

(c) Should Council resolve to apply to IPART, Council will prepare an application to IPART in line with the IPART Guidelines.

(d) Should Council resolve to apply to IPART, Council will review its strategic planning documents to include the intention of applying for a SRV.

Council’s proposal for a SRV is for an ongoing $500,000 to implement actions under the BMS, which will apply to three rating categories: Farmland, Res/Rural and Residential. See a ten year Budget Summary at Section 6.

At the earliest, the SRV could start in July 2016. However this would only happen if the

H

CAP2: 2.2.5, 2.2.9, 3.1.2

IPART; Lismore community

1.5 years $25,000 (for independent community consultation)


LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Community Services & LCC Finance


37

ID #


duration Indicative



community supports it, Council applies to IPART, and IPART approves the application.

See Appendix 6 Funding Options for further detail.

Rate rebates

38. Rate rebates

(a) Council will develop and implement, where deemed effective, a rate rebates policy that complements other incentive programs. For further detail, see Appendix 6: Section 2.

(b) Continue to provide and promote opportunities, as described under the Local Government Act 1994 (LG Act), for landholders to apply to Council for rate exemptions on land protected under eligible covenanting agreements. For further details see Appendix 6: Section 2.



LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Finance

Grant funding and partnerships

39. External funding

Continue to seek grant funding as opportunities arise, to fund actions of the BMS. Where possible Council will also strive to:

(a) Use any budget allocation for the BMS (including from a SRV), as well as Council in-kind support, to leverage external grant funding, giving Council greater return on its investment.

(b) Develop strong partnerships to share project management, monitoring and evaluation and other administrative responsibilities associated with grant funding.

(c) Collaborate and form cost-sharing partnerships with community organisations and other government agencies to undertake projects. An example is the current project with Southern Cross University (SCU). Also see Appendix 7 for the design of the Rural Landholder Initiative.

H

CAP2: 3.7.2; BRR: 14.1.3; NRR: 5.2.5, 19.1.3

SCU; community organisations; other government agencies; others as required

Ongoing LCC (under existing recurrent budget)


Other funding opportunities

40. Seek alternative funding options

(a) Continue to seek novel methods to attract funding for investment into biodiversity conservation and management.

(b) Consider development and management of a perpetual fund through philanthropic investment, seeking partnerships with organisations and community groups to do so. See Appendix 6.4 for further detail.

L

CAP2: 3.5.2, 3.7.2



41. Seek funding within Council budget M

As required Ongoing LCC (under existing

LCC Environmental


38

ID #


duration Indicative



Where possible or necessary, seek funding from Council’s existing budget. This is especially important should other reliable funding sources (including a SRV) be unsuccessful and before any successful SRV is implemented.

recurrent budget)

Strategies working with LCC Community Services & LCC Finance


39

4.2.4 Rural Landholder Initiative

The Rural Landholder Capacity Building Program (the Rural Landholder Initiative) is a specific project set out in Council’s Imagine Lismore Partnering Strategy. The aim of the Rural Landholder Initiative is to broaden Lismore’s capacity to develop and maintain a sustainable environment through partnerships with rural land managers and primary producers, other private sector businesses, Landcare groups and natural resource managers to deliver two key outcomes:

Improve environmental outcomes through genuine partnerships with Lismore’s rural landholders.

Initiate and support best-practice land management and thus improve profitability of land and land-uses.

Although the Rural Landholder Initiative was a standalone project in Imagine Lismore, it has been incorporated into the BMS, as there are clear synergies with the objectives of the BMS. The Rural Landholder Initiative has therefore become the delivery mechanism for the rural components of the BMS. Table 6 summarises the actions to be taken within the BMS under the Rural Landholder Initiative.

Table 6. The Rural Landholder Initiative. Management actions to be conducted within the Council’s Rural Landholder Initiative under the BMS.


ID #

Action Priority H/M/L

Links Partners Indicative duration

Indicative budget

Funding source

Responsible party

Program design

42. Design phases

With Southern Cross University (SCU) and other stakeholders, Council will design a long-term Rural Landholder Initiative. The initiative will be developed in phases (see Appendix 7 for details):

Phase 1: Design and conceptualisation of the initiative.

Phase 2: Consultation with rural landholders across five major sectors.

Phase 3: Identification and development of incentives and policies.

Phase 4: Design of pilot project(s) and preparation of funding application(s).

H

CAP2: 2.1.3, 2.2.5, 2.2.6, 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.1.5, 3.5.1, 3.6.2, 3.7.2, 5.4.4; BRR: 3.3.1; NRR: 3.4.1, 19.1.3; CZMP: 5b, 5c

SCU; community groups; LLS; RRCC; landholders; agricultural industry bodies

8 months $30,000 LCC ($15,000) and external grant funding (SCU: $15,000)


43. Implementation of pilot projects

(a) Based on the design phase (Action 42), pilot projects will be used to test and improve the proposed incentives and policies underpinning the Rural Landholder Initiative.

(b) Council will seek further partnerships to implement, monitor, report on and improve these pilot projects. See Appendix 7 for details of the proposed pilot projects.

M

CAP2: 2.2.5, 2.2.6, 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.1.5, 3.5.1, 3.6.2, 3.7.2; BRR: 3.3.2, 3.3.5; NRR: 3.4.1, 19.1.3; CZMP: 5b, 5c

SCU; community groups; LLS; RRCC; landholders; agricultural industry bodies;; contractors; EnviTE; NLLSS

2 years $100,000 Existing LCC budget or external grant funding

LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Media Coordinator


40

ID #



Indicative budget

Funding source

Responsible party

Implementation

44. Program rollout

Council will then implement a full rollout of financial and non-financial incentives as tested and adjusted.

(a) Without pre-empting the outcomes of Actions 42 and 43, Appendix 7 provides a summary of possible financial and non-financial initiatives based on similar programs around Australia.

(b) Education and incentives will increase the capacity of landholders and the community to conduct best-practice land management with the aim of benefitting biodiversity and, in turn, ecosystem services and sustainable agriculture. The Initiative will provide easy-to-use information and resources tailored to industry sectors (see Appendix 7).

(c) Council will seek partnerships and funding opportunities to deliver the educational initiatives and incentives in the BMS.

M

CAP2: 2.1.3, 2.2.5, 2.2.6, 2.2.7, 2.2.9, 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.1.5, 3.5.2, 3.6.2, 3.7.1; BRR: 2.1.1, 2.2.2, 2.2.3, 3.1.7, 3.3.1, 3.3.2, 3.3.5, 3.3.7, 5.4.5, 5.5.3, 5.7.3, 5.9.2, 9.1.1, 9.1.4, 9.1.5, 9.1.6; NRR: 1.1.2, 1.3.2, 1.4.12, 3.4.1, 9.2.3, 10.1.5, 10.2.1, 10.3.1, 13.1.1, 13.1.2, 13.1.8; CZMP: 5b, 5c

Community groups; LLS; RRCC; landholders; agricultural industry bodies, SCU; contractors; EnviTE; NLLSS



LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Finance, & LCC Media Coordinator

45. On-ground extension service for rural landholders

As identified in the Imagine Lismore 4 year Plan 2013–2017 (Lismore City Council 2013a), Council will employ a Natural Resource Management Officer to deliver extension services and support activities under the Rural Landholder Initiative (see Appendix 7).

M

CAP2: 2.1.3, 2.2.9, 3.1.5, 3.5.1, 3.7.1; BRR: 14.1.2, 14.1.5, 14.1.6, 14.1.7, 14.1.7, 14.1.8; NRR: 1.3.2, 3.4.6, 3.4.7, 3.4.8, 3.5.6, 19.1.2, 19.1.4, 19.1.6, 19.1.7; CZMP: 8a

Community groups; LLS; RRCC; FNCW; landholders; agricultural industry bodies; contractor

Ongoing $86,000 SRV, existing LCC budget or external grant funding (see Appendix 8 for detail on funding options)

LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Human Resources & LCC Community Services

46. To-the-door information for rural landholders

(a) In collaboration with stakeholders, Council will develop and distribute an annual biodiversity and land-management information pack to all rural and rural residential landholders within the Lismore LGA.

(b) The above distribution of information will ensure:

i. Landholders are aware of land-management incentives, resources and related opportunities.

ii. Landholders are encouraged to take up land-management practices that are beneficial for effective management of their ecosystem services.

iii. Minimisation of duplication of educational resources between local government organisations (e.g. FNCW, RRC and Rous Water).

L

CAP2: 2.1.3, 2.2.5, 2.2.6, 2.2.9, 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.1.5, 3.7.1; BRR: 2.1.1, 2.2.2, 2.2.3, 3.1.7, 3.3.1, 3.3.5, 3.3.7; NRR: 3.5.7; CZMP: 5b, 5c, 8a

Rous Water; RRCC; FNCW; WIRES; NRWC


LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Media Coordinator, LCC Community Services, & LCC Administration

Partnerships


41

ID #



Indicative budget

Funding source

Responsible party

47. Partnerships with industry

Council will seek partnerships with agricultural industry groups to:

(a) Develop and implement on-ground programs that benefit biodiversity conservation or ecosystem service management and sustainable agriculture. For example, LCC will investigate partnerships with the Australian Macadamia Society to:

i. Identify, protect and enhance areas containing wild Macadamia populations to protect genetic stocks for the future.

ii. If possible, provide access to Council chipped green waste and a level of access to chippers to assist Macadamia growers to manage soil erosion and associated impacts.

(b) Develop and implement land-management initiatives associated with delivery of the BMS (e.g. education and incentives).

M

CAP2: 2.2.5, 2.2.6, 2.2.9, 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.1.5, 3.5.2, 3.7.1; BRR: 5.4.5; CZMP: 5b, 5c

Landholders; agricultural industry bodies; community groups; LLS; RRCC; FNCW



LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Media Coordinator; LCC Community Services.

48. Partner for rural riparian restoration

Work with RRCC on the implementation of the CZMP (Hydrosphere Consulting 2011) and on-ground riparian restoration projects in rural areas of the Lismore LGA.

M

RRCC; EnviTE; FNCW; others as required

10 years $460,450 (over 10 years)




42

4.2.5 Urban Green Corridors Plan

The Urban Green Corridors Plan is focused on building and protecting biodiversity values in the urban environment through effective planning for, and implementation of, connectivity of habitat. Actions (see Table 7) concentrate on promoting biodiversity values in the community and increasing opportunities to interact with and appreciate biodiversity through a range of initiatives.

Table 7. Urban Green Corridors Plan. Management actions to be conducted under the Council’s Urban Green Corridors Plan associated with the BMS.


ID #


duration Indicative



Planning

49. Urban Green Corridors Plan

Develop an Urban Green Corridors Plan in collaboration with stakeholders to:

(a) Develop GIS mapping using existing resources to identify:

• Existing habitat and bushland areas in the Lismore urban area. • Existing habitat linkages throughout the Lismore urban area, including the

Wilsons River, wetlands, rehabilitation areas and riparian areas. • Priority areas for bush regeneration and plantings to create habitat

connectivity. • Priority riparian corridors and stormwater areas for rehabilitation or

revegetation.

(b) Identify areas of high-conservation value within the urban environment for protection and enhancement, e.g. Platypus habitat along Tucki Tucki Creek.

(c) Develop a detailed bush regeneration plan to connect and enhance existing bushland, riparian corridors and wildlife habitat for priority species.

(d) Identify and determine priorities for management action throughout the mapped urban green corridors area to reduce existing threats to biodiversity values and to determine priorities for future investment.

(e) Identify areas in the current Section 94 Contributions Plan and areas for future consideration for inclusion in the Contributions Plan.

(f) Identify potential priority environmental offset sites for future developments that are required to offset their adverse environmental impacts.

(g) Work with relevant stakeholders to integrate and share existing mapping and information, including:

• Integrated RRCC mapping of priority restoration sites. • Wilsons River Reach Plan. • Plan of Management for the Tucki Tucki Creek Recreation Reserve.

M

CAP2: 2.2.3, 2.2.5, 2.2.9, 3.6.4; BRR: 5.4.3; NRR: 1.3.3, 1.4.12, 3.3.5; CZMP: 6a

EnviTE; county councils; SCU; Fotk; Landcare groups

1 year LCC (under existing recurrent budget)

LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Parks, LCC Community Services, LCC Administration, LCC Strategic Planning & LCC Development and Compliance


43

ID #


duration Indicative



• LCC Bushland Restoration Report.

50. Good Neighbourhood Program

Develop a Good Neighbourhood Program whereby:

(a) Urban landholders adjacent to bushland reserves or other important habitats, such as riparian sites, are rewarded for undertaking bush regeneration and weed management on their properties. Rewards would likely be LCC undertaking bush regeneration on ‘Council’s side of the fence’.

(b) Landholders are recognised as in Action 25 (above).

(c) Council collaborates with stakeholders to develop and implement a green-waste dumping awareness campaign and, where possible, an incentives program to encourage use of the Council waste facility.

(d) Council develops partnerships to construct and distribute wildlife nest-boxes (e.g. for birds, possums and microbats) to willing landholders adjacent to urban bushland areas. This would involve investigating partnerships with the Lismore Men’s Shed and wildlife and Landcare groups.

M

Landcare; Lismore Men’s Shed; landholders; community and community groups; neighbours; Landcare groups


LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Waste Services, & LCC Parks

Implementation

51. Supporting community groups

(a) Develop partnerships with and support community groups to implement priority bush regeneration and biodiversity conservation activities in both urban and rural settings, including:

i. Bush regeneration works in priority HCV areas.

ii. Riparian restoration.

(b) Undertake a community pilot project to provide a working example of this initiative and to test the procedures for partnering with community group.

M

CAP2: 2.2.3, 2.2.9; BRR: 5.4.3, 5.4.5; NRR: 1.3.3, 5.4.1, 5.4.2

Landcare groupscommunity groups; WIRES; NRWC; Fotk; RRCC; EnviTE; NLSS



52. Restoration of urban bushland reserves

(a) Continue to invest in the restoration of Lismore’s urban bushland reserves through weed management and bush regeneration. Current investment will be increased where funding permits.

(b) Continue to seek partnerships and funding opportunities to undertake priority weed management and bush restoration in Lismore’s urban bushland areas.

(c) Continue to report on and determine priorities for urban bushland restoration works annually (also considering connectivity priorities in Action 49).

(d) Continue to apply and promote best-practice weed-control management.

M

CAP2: 2.2.3, 2.2.9; BRR: 5.4.3, 5.4.5; NRR: 1.3.3, 5.4.1, 5.4.2

EnviTE; NLSS; contractors

Ongoing $115,000 Existing LCC budget ($80,000); plus, up to $35,000 from a SRV, existing LCC budget or external grant funding (see Appendix 8 for detail on funding options)



44

ID #


duration Indicative



53. Connectivity management

Implement, in stages, the priority actions to improve connectivity identified in Action 49. This will include weed management and bush regeneration in urban riparian areas.

EnviTE; NLSS; county councils; SCU; Fotk; Landcare groups




54. Community participation in biodiversity

Promote community health and well-being associated with biodiversity and green spaces, including:

(a) Development of a Feel Blue? Touch Green! program as described in Beyond Blue to Green: The Benefits of Contact with Nature for Mental Health and Well-being (Townsend and Weerasuriya 2010). The program will:

i. Promote the benefits of green spaces for the mental health and well-being of the whole community, including the elderly and young.

ii. Increase access to natural environments to improve the quality of life in neighbourhoods.

iii. Promote volunteering in natural areas as a means of increasing health and well-being.

iv. Promote the integration of natural green, open spaces in future urban renewal and development projects.

(b) Input into the LCC’s Sport and Recreation Strategy to:

i. Develop or restore, and connect, walking tracks in the Lismore bushland reserve system and in the Lismore urban area, to encourage safe, low-impact recreational opportunities for the community.

ii. Promote the appreciation of urban biodiversity values.

iii. Develop a Trails Strategy to incorporate the above points.

(c) Develop interpretation signage and educational materials to increase the community’s knowledge and appreciation for Lismore’s urban biodiversity values. This may be associated with walking track initiatives.

(d) Promote and increase the use of Lismore’s reserves, for example through educational programs and updated maps of walking tracks.

(e) Seek opportunities to develop, implement and promote programs highlighting the benefits to human health and well-being of biodiversity and green spaces.

M

CAP2: 3.7.1, 4.2.1, 4.2.3, 4.2.1

Landcare groups; community groups; community; Lismore Botanic Gardens

Ongoing $5,000 (ongoing); up to $25,000 (Sport & Recreation Plan actions)


LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Parks, LCC Community Services, LCC Media Coordinator, & LCC Strategic Planning


45

4.2.6 Education

Biodiversity resources and values are available for all to experience and appreciate, and the best way to deliver the goals of the BMS – improved biodiversity outcomes – is through the support and involvement of the local community. Generating and harnessing community support and involvement requires:

The development and delivery of education and training to improve the general level of understanding of complex biodiversity issues in the community.

The use of incentives to encourage beneficial changes of behaviour and, conversely, to discourage environmentally damaging behaviours.

The recognition and reward of good environmental outcomes by the community.

Up-to-date and accessible data to show progress towards identified goals and to be able to monitor that progress.

Opportunities for community engagement need to be tailored to the levels of experience, exposure, interest and availability of the local community, while focusing on the overall goal of improving local biodiversity values in the Lismore LGA. New ways of interacting with all sectors of our community need to be developed to ensure that vital messages remain relevant and accessible.

Lismore City Council has a role in both the development and provision of educational resources, as well as through partnerships with others to deliver the best outcomes on the ground. Particular aspects of biodiversity values that need improved knowledge in our community include the concepts of ecosystem services, protection and management of habitat components, the presence of threatened species and their management, and activities incompatible with maintaining and improving biodiversity values. The key focus will be to share information and provide resources to engage and build the communities capacity relating to natural resources management and other management issues. Table 8 summarises the education actions to be undertaken as part of this BMS.

Table 8. Education. Education actions of Council under the BMS.


ID #


duration Indicative



Education

55. Up-to-date information

Regularly provide up-to-date information to the community through Council’s communication mediums, including:

(a) Social media, e.g. Council’s Facebook page and Twitter feed.

(b) Council’s fortnightly Local Matters publication (available at http://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-NYS-33-27-08).

H

CAP2: 2.1.3, 3.7.1 As required Ongoing LCC (under existing recurrent budget)

LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Community Services & LCC Media Coordinator

56. Website

(a) Inform the community through the development of an Environment &

H

CAP2: 2.1.3, 2.2.4, 2.2.9, 3.1.5, 3.7.1;

As required Ongoing LCC (under existing recurrent


http://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-NYS-33-27-08

http://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-NYS-33-27-08


46

ID #


duration Indicative



Sustainability webpage on Council’s website. This website will be divided into intuitive and easy to follow themes.

(b) On the website, provide resources and links for the community on how to manage biodiversity on their land and, where possible, gain assistance to do so. For example, the website will include links to:

i. Opportunities for Council funding and external grants, including opportunities to lodge an expression of interest in Council incentive programs (e.g. incentive payments for managing and enhancing ecosystem services through the Rural Landholder Initiative).

ii. FNCW resources and events (e.g. Look Learn Act website). iii. Rous Water initiatives and events. iv. Local Landcare groups, including Soil Care Inc. v. Opportunities to pursue environmental product labelling and

promotion of environmental stewardship, such as Land for Wildlife. vi. Voluntary land acquisition and revolving funds (e.g. Nature

Conservation Trust of NSW). vii. Relevant educational programs and resources, including the Weed

Warriors and Weed Web school programs. viii. Pest management websites.

ix. Best-practice farming management practices for biodiversity and commercial productivity benefits.

x. Key research findings relevant to the Lismore LGA.

BRR: 5.1.5, 5.9.5, 5.9.7, 7.1.6, 9.1.5, 14.1.9; NRR: 3.5.9, 5.2.4, 5.4.6; CZMP: 13b

budget) working with LCC Community Services & LCC Media Coordinator

57. Community education programs

(a) Actively seek partnerships to develop, implement and promote education programs. Priorities for programs should be reviewed annually and aligned with related actions within the BMS. Possible partnerships include:

i. EnviTE’s Employment and Training program.

ii. Richmond Landcare Inc. workshops and events.

iii. My Native Garden (Byron Bay initiative).

iv. Carp muster event (Bogan Shire Council initiative) and promotion of commercial fisheries targeting Carp for on-sale through organisations such as the Ballina Fishing Cooperative.

v. Partnership with the Australian Macadamia Society for conservation and erosion prevention programs.

vi. Rous Water schools program.

vii. Council’s Arts Hub (as outlined in Imagine Lismore).

viii. Agricultural industry events.

ix. Urban cultural and environmental educational programs that reflect

M

CAP: 2.1.3, 2.2.6, 2.2.7, 2.2.9, 3.1.2, 3.1.5, 3.7.1; NRR: 3.5.9, 5.3.3, 5.3.5, 10.1.1, 10.1.15, 12.3.1, 12.3.13, 16.1.3, 16.1.4, 6.5.37

Richmond Landcare Inc.; Byron Shire Council; Bogan Shire Council; Australian Macadamia Society; other agricultural industry groups; Rous Water; FNCW; RRCC; EnviTE; NLSS; agricultural industry groups; Fotk; WIRES; NRWC; community groups; community; landholders; schools; Wetland Care


LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Community Services & LCC Media Coordinator


47

ID #


duration Indicative



urban initiatives in the BMS.

(a) In addition to rural education actions described in section 4.4, seek partnerships to develop and promote community and landowner awareness of:

i. The ecosystem services provided by and biodiversity values of hollow-

bearing trees, dead trees, isolated paddock trees, fallen timber and

hollow logs.

ii. Identification and management of weeds.

iii. The negative effects of dumping garden waste in urban and rural

residential bushland remnants. This campaign may include incentives

such as vouchers providing discounted or free dumping of green waste.

iv. Best practice management of wetlands.

v. Conservation of the iconic and threatened Black-necked Stork (Jabiru)

Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, including conservation of its habitat,

especially floodplain wetlands, and abatement of key threats.

Inc.

58. Continue existing education programs

Council will continue to build and maintain its existing partnerships to collaborate on the following educational programs:

(a) Council will promote and participate in the 2-day National Tree Day event with partners such as the Wilsons River Landcare group and sponsors including the Lions Club, Planet Ark and City Toyota, providing resources and catering.

(b) Promote Council’s environmental strategies and initiatives at the North Coast National Lismore Show.

M

CAP2: 2.1.3, 2.2.9, 3.7.1

Wilsons River Landcare; varying parties depending on event’s theme

6 days per year, ongoing

$3,000 Existing LCC Environmental Strategies budget (catchment administration funding)


59. Tourism and biodiversity

(a) Review the tourism resources and interpretation displays relating to biodiversity in the Lismore LGA, particularly at the Lismore Visitor Information Centre, to include:

i. Biodiversity values and specific biodiversity attractions in the Lismore LGA.

ii. Visitor impacts on conservation reserves.

iii. Up-to-date maps of walking tracks.

(b) Develop a sustainability and environment display at Council’s administrative centre in Goonellabah, also inviting partners to display

L

CAP2: 2.1.3, 3.7.1, 4.2.1, 4.2.3

As required. 3 months LCC (under existing recurrent budget)

LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Tourism, LCC Administration, LCC Information Centre staff, LCC Community Services & LCC Media Coordinator


48

ID #


duration Indicative



relevant information and resources.

60. Responsible pet ownership

(a) Build on existing responsible pet ownership initiatives, including the promotion of:

i. Microchipping and registration of pets. ii. The use of collars and tags. iii. Desexing pets at an early age to reduce wandering and prevent

unwanted breeding. If possible Council will investigate options to subsidise desexing of Cats.

iv. Keeping Cats indoors at night. v. The threats to wildlife, including Koalas, posed by domestic pets.

(b) Review and identify current open space areas, and other Council managed habitat areas, with significant biodiversity values, such as Koala habitat, to exclude dogs under the Companion Animals Act 1998 (NSW).

(c) Work with the Council’s compliance department to identify areas suitable for fenced off-leash dog areas in Lismore’s urban areas.

Where relevant, this initiative will be undertaken in conjunction with Action 26 of the LCC KPoM and the Companion Animals Act 1998.

M

CAP2: 3.7.1, BRR: 10.5.1, 10.5.2; NRR: 12.1.13, 12.1.16

Community groups; veterinary facilities; community; Fotk

3 months $2000 LCC (under existing recurrent budget)

LCC Environmental Strategies working with LCC Development and Compliance & LCC Media Coordinator


49

5 Governance

Lismore City Council (LCC) seeks to continually improve its management of biodiversity in the Lismore Local Government Area (LGA). Although this Biodiversity Management Strategy (BMS) is a plan for 20 years, it will be reviewed every 4 years to ensure that Council is delivering the expected outcomes and to ensure that the BMS continues to address the priority issues in local and regional biodiversity management using the best knowledge and methods available. This 4 yearly review will be done in time to inform the Council 4 yearly delivery plan review processes. Council has developed a range of governance actions to ensure these reviews see the continual oversight and improvement in the BMS.

Table 9. Governance actions under the BMS.


ID #

Action Priority Links Partners Duration Indicative

budget Funding Source

Responsible Party H M L

Governance

61. Review of the Biodiversity Management Strategy (BMS)

(a) Review the BMS every 4 years, including: i. Update of mapping and biodiversity databases of flora, fauna, vegetation,

ecological communities and areas of high conservation value (HCV), incorporating current listings.

ii. Review of on-ground actions in all sections of the BMS (including those in Appendix 5) and incorporate management actions or projects associated with new regional priorities or listings of species, communities or ecological communities.

iii. Review of actions and priorities of actions based on any new science and research or other information that will improve the ability of the BMS to meet its objectives.

iv. Review actions based on management of potential new biosecurity threats.

(b) Undertake community consultations as required.

H

CAP2: 5.4.3; BRR: 1.1.10, 1.1.11, 15.1.2, 15.1.6; NRR: 2.1.10, 20.1.2

As required Ongoing $2,000 (to implement actions 61 and 62)


LCC Environmental Strategies working with internal stakeholders

62. BMS Implementation Panel

(a) Establish a BMS Implementation Panel to oversee the implementation of management activities identified in the BMS, as well as the four yearly BMS review, as identified in action 61.

CAP2: 5.4.3; BRR: 1.1.10, 1.1.11, 15.1.2, 15.1.6; NRR: 2.1.10, 20.1.2



63. State reporting

Clearly report biodiversity outcomes and successes as part of Council’s reporting H

CAP2: 5.2.3; BRR: 15.1.2; NRR: 20.1.5

As required Ongoing $5,000 Regulatory obligation (under Council’s



50

ID #

Action Priority Links Partners Duration Indicative

budget Funding Source

Responsible Party H M L

obligations under the 5-yearly Regional State of the Environment Report. existing recurrent budget)


51

6 Budget summary

The BMS has been based on a $594,000 annual budget that would be needed to implement key actions. This funding is made up of the recurrent $94,000 that Council has already allocated towards biodiversity related activities, as well as a proposed $500,000 which may be achieved through a Special Rate Variation (See Table 5, action 37; and Appendix 6).

Note: the ‘indicative budget’ stated in Tables 3 to 9 refers to the maximum amount of funding allocated to that action, whether it is a one-off or ongoing investment. Given funding allocates for ongoing actions vary slightly from year to year, Table 10 provides a 10 year budget summary for all funded actions in the BMS from 2014/2015 (design phases) to 2023/2024. The first two years of the 10 year budget does not include the proposed SRV (annual $500,000). These two years are made up of the $94,000 already allocated by Council, additional one-off project funding committed by Council, and grant funding already achieved.

Table 10: Funding allocations to deliver key BMS actions over 10 years from 2014/15 to 2023/24.

Funding allocations in the Biodiversity Management Strategy Action Number

10yr Budget

% Budget

Council keeping its house in order

Planning and Processes

Review and update Operational Plan for Roadside Vegetation Management 2005 1 $20,000 0.4

Staged weed management in road reserve HCV areas 2 $250,000 4.8

Complete vegetation mapping for the Lismore LGA 3 $80,000 1.5

Operational procedures and training

Internal operational procedures and training - engage Change Management Officer 17; 18. $243,000 4.7

Tree planting day 21 $10,000 0.2

Supporting the community

Recognition of community achievements 25 $45,000 0.9

Strategic conservation projects (e.g. wild dogs) 28 $200,000 3.9

Community consultation for SRV 37 $25,000 0.5

Education actions 57; 58. $155,000 3.0

Subtotal $1,028,000 19.9

Working with rural landholders

Program design

Program design - SCU landholder study 42 $30,000 0.6

Rural landholder capacity building - pilot projects 43 $133,400 2.6

Implementation

Rural landholder capacity building - project implementation 44 $747,900 14.5

Rural landholder capacity building - extension officer/s 45 $688,000 13.3

Rural and rural residential collaborative information pack 46 $40,000 0.8

CZMP implementation - riparian restoration in rural areas 48 $460,450 8.9

Community and industry group partnerships 47 $240,000 4.6

Rate rebate program 38 $75,000 1.4

Subtotal $2,414,750 46.7

Working in the urban environment Implement components of Council's Sport and Recreation Plan 54 $175,000 3.4

Wellbeing and tourism initiatives 54 $40,000 0.8

Weed management in urban bushland 52 $1,055,000 20.4

Weed management in priority urban riparian areas 53 $147,000 2.8

Road and traffic management for wildlife 13 $54,000 1.0

KPoM Implementation

Advisory Group 14 $10,000 0.2

Training program for development assessment 36 $10,000 0.2

Koala habitat restoration program 14 $180,000 3.5

Study: koala density and population in koala planning area 14 $60,000 1.2

Subtotal

$1,731,000 33.5

TOTAL: $5,158,750 100%


52

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Lismore City Council (2000) Stormwater Management Plan. Lismore City Council, Goonellabah, NSW. Available at http://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-IKW-32-25-07 (verified 4 Sep 2014).

Lismore City Council (2005) Operational Plan for Roadside Vegetation Management. Lismore City Council, Goonellabah, NSW.

Lismore City Council (2007) Landscape Guidelines. Lismore City Council, Goonellabah, NSW. Available at http://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/file.asp?g=RES-WGA-46-31-12 (verified 4 Sep 2014).

Lismore City Council (2012a) Buildings Assets Management Plan. Lismore City Council, Goonellabah, NSW. [Adopted by Lismore City Council 11 Dec 2012.]

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Lismore City Council (2012d) Lismore Local Environment Plan 2012. Lismore City Council, Goonellabah, NSW. Available at http://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-OOP-14-07-60 (verified 8 Sep 2014).

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/186812/impact-of-road-crossingsnorthern-rivers.pdf

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http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/236900/nsw-invasive-species-plan.pdf

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/236900/nsw-invasive-species-plan.pdf

http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/national-wildlife-corridors-plan-framework-landscape-scale-conservation

http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/national-wildlife-corridors-plan-framework-landscape-scale-conservation

http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/12630bb4-2c10-4c8e-815f-2d7862bf87e7/files/offsets-policy.pdf

http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/12630bb4-2c10-4c8e-815f-2d7862bf87e7/files/offsets-policy.pdf

http://www.edonsw.org.au/a_guide_to_private_conservation_in_nsw

http://www.parksleisure.com.au/documents/item/1189

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Lismore City Council (2013a) Imagine Lismore 4 Year Plan 2013–2023. Lismore City Council, Goonellabah, NSW. Available at http://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-ZXD-57-42-13 (verified 5 Sep 2014).

Lismore City Council (2013b) Imagine Lismore 10 Year Plan 2013–2023. Lismore City Council, Goonellabah, NSW. Available at http://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-ZXD-57-42-13 (verified 27 Aug 2014).

Lismore City Council (2013c) Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management for South-east Lismore. Lismore City Council, Goonellabah, NSW. Available at http://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-GVH-41-35-06 (verified 27 Aug 2014).

Lismore City Council (2013d) Discussion Paper: How do we protect and manage biodiversity in an active rural region? Lismore Biodiversity Management Strategy 2013–2033. Lismore City Council, Goonellabah, NSW.

Lismore City Council (2013e) Transport Assets Management Plan. Lismore City Council, Goonellabah, NSW. [Adopted by Lismore City Council 14 May 2013.]

Lismore City Council (2013f) Wastewater Systems Assets Management Plan. Lismore City Council, Goonellabah, NSW. [Adopted by Lismore City Council 11 Jun 2013.]

Lismore City Council (2013g) Imagine Lismore 10 Year Plan 2013-2023 Partnering Strategy. Lismore City Council, Goonellabah, NSW. Available at http://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-ZXD-57-42-13 (verified 8 Sep 2014).

Lismore City Council (In draft [Sep 2014]) Draft Growth Management Strategy. Lismore City Council, Goonellabah, NSW.

Males, N. (2012) Midlands Conservation Fund – an innovative conservation tool developed in response to the social, economic, and ecological conditions of the Tasmanian Midlands. Pp 180–185 In: Innovation for 21st century conservation. (Edited by Figgis, P., Fitzsimons, J. & Irving, J.) Australian Committee for IUCN Inc., Ultimo (Sydney), NSW. Available at http://www.natureaustralia.org.au/news/innovation-for-21st-century-conservation.xml (verified 27 Aug 2014).

Milledge, D.R. (2012) Lismore Local Government Area Key Habitats and Corridors System: Development and Application of a Methodology to Identify Key Habitats and Corridors for Terrestrial Vertebrate Species to Inform Planning for Biodiversity Conservation in the Lismore Local Government Area. Unpublished report to Lismore City Council. Landmark Ecological Services, Suffolk Park, NSW.

National Biodiversity Strategy Review Task Group (2009) Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010–2020, Consultation Draft. Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra, ACT. Available at http://www.environment.gov.au/node/14486 (verified 5 Sep 2014).

Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council (2006) Australian Weeds Strategy – A National Strategy for Weed Management in Australia. Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Water Resources, Canberra, ACT. Available at http://www.weeds.org.au/docs/The%20Australian%20Weeds%20Strategy.pdf (verified 27 Aug 2014).

Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council (2007) Australian Pest Animal Strategy – A National Strategy for the Management of Vertebrate Pest Animals in Australia. Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Water Resources, Canberra, ACT.

Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council (2010) Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010–2030. Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra, ACT.

http://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-ZXD-57-42-13


http://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-GVH-41-35-06


http://www.natureaustralia.org.au/news/innovation-for-21st-century-conservation.xml

http://www.natureaustralia.org.au/news/innovation-for-21st-century-conservation.xml

http://www.environment.gov.au/node/14486

http://www.weeds.org.au/docs/The%20Australian%20Weeds%20Strategy.pdf


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NCWAC (2009) Northern Rivers Invasive Plants Action Strategy 2009–2013. North Coast Weeds Advisory Committee, Grafton, NSW. Available at http://www.northcoastweeds.org.au/documents/regional-plans-strategies/ (verified 5 Sep 2014).

NRCMA (2013) Draft Northern Rivers Catchment Action Plan 2 – 2013–2023 (CAP2). Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority, Grafton, NSW. Available at http://www.nlss.com.au/files/nrcma-draft-cap-2013-23.pdf (verified 5 Sept 2014).

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2001) The Biodiversity Guide for NSW Local Government. Land & Environment Planning and Environs Australia, Hurstville (Sydney), NSW.

NSW Premier & Cabinet (2013) Guidelines for the preparation of an application for a special variation to general income for 2014/15. NSW Division of Local Government, Department of Premier and Cabinet 2013, Sydney South, NSW. Available at http://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/Home/Industries/Local_Govt/Application_Forms_Guidelines/Special_Variations (verified 8 Sep 2014).

OEH (2012) Regional Pest Management Strategy 2012–17: Northern Rivers Region. A New Approach for Reducing Impacts on Native Species and Park Neighbours. Office of Environment and Heritage, Sydney South NSW. Available at http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/pestsweeds/20120365nrrpms.pdf (verified 27 Aug 2014).

Scotts (2003) Key habitats and corridors for forest fauna. A landscape framework for conservation in north-east New South Wales. Occasional Paper 32. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Sydney, NSW.

Stewart, B., McKinley, A., & Hall, P. (2011) Vegetation Mapping for the Lismore Local Government Area. Unpublished report for Lismore City Council. Landmark Ecological Services Pty Ltd, Suffolk Park, NSW.

Townsend, M. and Weerasuriya, R. (2010) Beyond Blue to Green: The Benefits of Contact with Nature for Mental Health and Well-being. Beyond Blue Ltd, Melbourne. Available at http://www.hphpcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/beyondblue_togreen.pdf (verified 5 Sep 2014).

UN (1992) Rio Declaration on Environment and Development 1992. United Nations, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Available at http://www.jus.uio.no/lm/environmental.development.rio.declaration.1992/portrait.a4.pdf (verified 5 Sep 2014).

UN (1998) Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. United Nations, Paris, France. Available at http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php (verified 5 Sep 2014)

UNESCO (1993) United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Paris, France. [Ratified by Australia 1993.] Available at https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVII-8&chapter=27&lang=en (verified 5 Sep 2014).

UNESCO (1994) Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat. Ramsar (Iran), 2 February 1971. UN Treaty Series No. 14583, as amended by the Paris Protocol, 3 December 1982, and Regina Amendments, 28 May 1987. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Paris, France. Available at http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-documents-texts-convention-on/main/ramsar/1-31-38%5E20671_4000_0__ (verified 5 Sep 2014).

Wagner, E., Wellman, L. & Lloyd, H. (2009) Northern Rivers Indian Myna Action Plan 2009–2015. Department of Department of Environment and Climate Change (NSW), Sydney. Available at

http://www.northcoastweeds.org.au/documents/regional-plans-strategies/


http://www.nlss.com.au/files/nrcma-draft-cap-2013-23.pdf

http://www.nlss.com.au/files/nrcma-draft-cap-2013-23.pdf

http://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/Home/Industries/Local_Govt/Application_Forms_Guidelines/Special_Variations

http://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/Home/Industries/Local_Govt/Application_Forms_Guidelines/Special_Variations

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http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-documents-texts-convention-on/main/ramsar/1-31-38%5E20671_4000_0__


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http://www.indianmynaproject.com.au/sites/default/files/media/docs/IndianMynaActionPlan-%20Northern%20region.pdf (verified 27 Aug 2014).

http://www.indianmynaproject.com.au/sites/default/files/media/docs/IndianMynaActionPlan-%20Northern%20region.pdf

http://www.indianmynaproject.com.au/sites/default/files/media/docs/IndianMynaActionPlan-%20Northern%20region.pdf

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Appendix 1 Planning, policy and legislative context of the Biodiversity Management Strategy

The Biodiversity Management Strategy (BMS) has been developed within a framework of national, state and regional biodiversity agreements, legislation, plans and other initiatives. These are described below.

1.1 International conventions and treaties

International treaties, conventions and agreements to which Australia is a signatory are of special importance for the protection of fauna, flora and biodiversity, as these provide a context for Commonwealth and state government legislation. These agreements are not binding on local government but they demonstrate Australia’s commitment to conserving biodiversity as a global resource.

The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNESCO 1993; ratified by Australia in 1993) deals with the conservation of biodiversity at the levels of genes, species and ecosystems. It is primarily a framework for international and national conservation measures and the sustainable use of biological resources. Importantly, the Convention emphasises the need for biodiversity conservation to extend across the entire landscape, rather than being restricted to places or issues. The Convention requires that environmental impact assessments should be prepared for projects that are likely to have a significantly adverse effect on the environment. As a signatory nation, Australia is bound to develop and implement strategies that will ensure the conservation and sustainable use of its biological resources.

The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance as Waterfowl Habitat (UNESCO 1994) – the Ramsar Convention – provides a framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their associated resources. It aims to promote the conservation of wetlands and waterfowl, to establish suitable nature reserves and to provide wetlands with adequate protection. The Convention incorporates the principles of ecologically sustainable development and identifies specific requirements for wetland management (e.g. the preparation of management plans for protected sites). There are no Ramsar sites in the Lismore Local Government Area (LGA).

The Japan–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA; DFA 1995), China–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA; DFAT 1995) and Republic of Korea–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (ROKAMBA; DFAT 2007) are bilateral agreements between the government of Australia and the respective governments of the treaties – Japan, China and the Republic of Korea – that provide for co-operation to protect birds that migrate between Australia and the respective treaty countries and the habitats of the birds. There are 76 species listed under JAMBA and 114 under CAMBA, many of which are threatened with extinction. See Appendix 2 (Table A2) for the migratory birds listed under the treaties and that are known to occur in the Lismore LGA.

Both the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (UN 1992) and Agenda 21, entered into at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, are important international statements of intent and reflect Australia’s commitment to ecologically sustainable development and biodiversity conservation. Chapter 28 of Agenda 21 is devoted to the role of local government. Numerous ‘Local Agenda 21’ (LA21) sustainability programs have been developed by councils across Australia and throughout the world. The Commonwealth has supported the LA21 approach through its production of Our Community Our Future: A Guide to Local Agenda 21 (Environs Australia 1999). The role of indigenous cultures in biodiversity conservation is also recognised in these agreements.

The Kyoto Protocol (UN 1998) is a major international agreement requiring developed countries to meet national targets for greenhouse gas emissions to address the threat of global climate change. These targets amount to an average of 5% decrease in emissions of greenhouse gases against 1990


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levels over the 5-year period 2008–12. Australia ratified the Kyoto Protocol in December 2007, joining 177 other nations.

1.2 National strategies and legislation

As a result of being signatory to the international treaties and conventions detailed above, the Commonwealth has taken significant steps to develop a planning and legislative framework to meet its obligations under these treaties.

1.2.1 Commonwealth planning framework

Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment (Commonwealth of Australia 1992). In 1992 all Australian governments and the Australian Local Government Association signed the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment. This agreement provides for a cooperative approach to environmental management and it recognises the coordinating role of the Commonwealth in matters of national environmental significance. The agreement also specifically recognises the role of local government in developing and implementing environmental policies.

Draft National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010–2020 (National Biodiversity Strategy Review Task Group 2009). This replaces the National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia's Biological Diversity, which was agreed in 1996. This Strategy provides a new approach to addressing biodiversity conservation in a rapidly changing world. It sets a national direction for biodiversity conservation over a decade and asks all Australians to contribute. This strategy is still in a consultation draft.

National Local Government Biodiversity Strategy 1998 (Australian Local Government Association 1998). The Biological Diversity Advisory Council worked with local governments from each state and the Northern Territory to develop a strategy for local governments to include biodiversity management as a core activity of local government. The National Local Government Biodiversity Strategy was endorsed by unanimous vote at the National Local Government General Assembly in November 1998. The document represents an agreed local government position at the national level on the management of biodiversity.

Other national strategies. A number of other national strategies and policies are relevant to the management and conservation of biodiversity such as the National Wildlife Corridors Plan (DSEWPAC 2012a), Commonwealth Wetlands Policy (Biodiversity Group of Environment Australia 1997), National Water Quality Management Strategy (Australian & NZ Environment and Conservation Council 1994), the National Forest Policy Statement (Commonwealth of Australia 1995) and the National Weeds Strategy (Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council 2006). Most of these identify broad policy statements outline principles for the management of biodiversity.

1.2.2 Commonwealth legislation

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) provides a national scheme for environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. It incorporates referral mechanisms and environmental impact assessment processes for projects of national significance. Triggers for referral to the Commonwealth include the occurrence of endangered ecological communities (EECs) and critically endangered ecological communities (CEECs), threatened species and migratory species listed under the JAMBA, CAMBA or ROKAMBA.


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1.3 State planning and legislation

1.3.1 The NSW planning framework

NSW Biodiversity Strategy 1999–2003. This was the first NSW biodiversity strategy and was released in 1999. In it, the NSW Government recognised not only the importance of biodiversity conservation but also the collective responsibility of the community in bringing this about. The Strategy advocates a collaborative approach involving local government. It highlights broad principles for biodiversity conservation, including recognition of the association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with components of biodiversity.

Key actions in the Strategy are the importance of local planning by local government and the role that planning can play in bringing about biodiversity conservation outcomes. The Strategy provides a framework for preparation and implementation of plans that achieve biodiversity conservation objectives by local government.

The NSW Biodiversity Strategy has been supported by the Biodiversity Guide for NSW Local Government (NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service 2001). This publication was prepared to assist Councils in implementing the NSW Biodiversity Strategy. It includes guidelines on planning and facilitating biodiversity conservation.

A new Draft NSW Biodiversity Strategy 2010–2015 (DECCW and Industry and Investment NSW 2010) was released for public consultation in November 2010. This updated version has not yet been finalised and may never be, given the Strategy will be due for a further update in 2015. However this Draft Strategy is relevant in that it provides a revised framework to coordinate and guide investment in biodiversity conservation and could be considered more up-to-date than the 1999 version.

NSW Biodiversity and Climate Change Adaptation Framework 2007–2008 (DECC 2007c). The NSW Government developed this Framework to set out how NSW agencies can tackle climate change. The then Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW, now Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH)) also developed an Adaptation Strategy for Climate Change Impacts on Biodiversity (DECC 2007c), which sets out how NSW public sector agencies can address climate change through raising awareness, conducting research, monitoring, and implementing actions to help protect biodiversity, including threatened plants and animals. Priority areas are building and managing the reserve system, conservation planning to link public and privately owned land, managing wildlife, using climate-change adaptation science, research and modelling, managing natural resources, environmental planning, and communication, awareness raising and capacity building.

NSW Priorities for Biodiversity Adaptation to Climate Change 2010. This document was developed as a statement of intent in response to the listing of Anthropogenic Climate Change as a Key Threatening Process under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act). This document outlines priority measures that the environment authority (then DECCW, now OEH) will undertake to help biodiversity adapt to a changing climate. It focuses on four key areas:

Enhancing our understanding of the likely responses of biodiversity to climate change and readjusting management programs where necessary in light of this information.

Protecting a diverse range of habitats by building a comprehensive, adequate and representative public reserve system in NSW, with a focus on under-represented bioregions.

Increasing opportunities for species to move across the landscape by working with partners and the community to protect habitat and create the necessary connections.

Assessing adaptation options for those ecosystems most at risk from climate change in NSW.

Other plans. The NSW Invasive Species Plan 2008–2015 (DPI 2008) identifies actions that aim to prevent and effectively manage the introduction and spread of invasive species so that this significant threat is minimised. The NSW Wetlands Policy 2010 (DECCW (2010d) recognises the shared goals of government and the community in promoting the sustainable conservation, management and wise use of wetlands


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in NSW and the need for all stakeholders to work together to protect wetland ecosystems and their catchments.

1.3.2 NSW legislation

There is a range of other NSW legislation that has implications for biodiversity conservation at State and local government levels.

Local Government Act 1993 (LG Act). This Act has recently been amended and now incorporates ecologically sustainable development, including biodiversity conservation, as a key aspect of local government operations. Other changes to the Act also require the preparation of plans of management (POM) for all land owned by local government and provides for the classification of land into, among other things, natural areas and various subcategories. Additionally, this Act has a range of other provisions that allow for appropriate management of operational land and infrastructure, provision of educational services, setting of rates and charges, issuing of orders and a range of enforcement powers.

Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EPA Act). This Act is the principal planning legislation for NSW, providing a framework for the overall environmental planning and assessment of development proposals. The Act provides for the preparation of a number of environmental planning instruments (including SEPP and LEP). This Act guides the proper management, development and conservation of natural resources, including agricultural land, natural areas, forests, minerals, water, cities, towns and villages. It also provides for the protection of the environment, including the protection and conservation of native animals and plants, including threatened species, populations and ecological communities and their habitats, and ecologically sustainable development.

Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act). This Act requires that local governments consider the impact on threatened species when assessing development proposals under the EPA Act. It also provides for the preparation of Species Recovery Plans, which set out the research and management actions necessary to stop the decline of, and support the recovery of, listed threatened species or ecological communities.

Catchment Management Act 2003. This Act introduced the concept of ‘Total Catchment Management’ (management at a catchment scale) and aims to achieve coordinated and sustainable management of natural resources on a water catchment basis.

National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. Provides for the establishment and management of national parks and other conservation reserves (including through voluntary conservation agreements) as well as the protection of flora and fauna.

Native Vegetation Act 2003. Regulates the clearing of native vegetation on all land outside of the National Park Estate, State Forests and urban areas.

Noxious Weeds Act 1993. Identifies noxious weeds, control measures for them, public and private responsibilities for control and provides a framework for the management of noxious weeds across NSW.

Fisheries Management Act 1994. This Act aims to preserve fish stocks, habitats and species and to maintain and promote ecologically sustainable development while ensuring the commercial viability of fisheries in the state. It provides for listing of threatened species, habitat, communities and processes in a similar manner to the TSC Act.

Water Management Act 2000. This Act controls the extraction of water, how water can be used, the construction of works such as dams and weirs, and the carrying out of activities on or near water sources in NSW.

Rural Fires Act 1997. Requires the preparation of bushfire management plans.


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1.4 Regional plans and strategies

Border Ranges Rainforest Biodiversity Management Plan – NSW & Queensland (DECCW 2010a). The NSW Government, in partnership with the Commonwealth Government, developed this plan to guide the recovery of threatened species and communities in the Border Ranges North and South (Queensland and NSW) Biodiversity Hotspot (Department of Environment 2014). This plan constitutes the formal national recovery plan for those rainforest species (flora and fauna) that are endemic to this hotspot. The plan identifies actions to be taken to ensure the long-term viability of rainforest, related vegetation and associated threatened species. It also emphasises the importance of collaborative actions involving agencies, landholders and local communities for successful implementation of the plan. This plan is a guiding document for the BMS for the Lismore LGA.

Northern Rivers Regional Biodiversity Management Plan (DECCW 2010b). This plan was developed by the NSW Government with assistance from the Commonwealth. The plan, in association with the approved Border Ranges Rainforest Biodiversity Management Plan (above), sets out an overall strategy for the conservation and restoration of biodiversity in the Northern Rivers Region. Combined, these plans constituent the formal national recovery plan under the EPBC Act for threatened species and ecological communities principally distributed in the Northern Rivers Region of NSW. It helps guide investment by government and non-government authorities in the region. This plan is a guiding document for the BMS for the Lismore LGA.

Northern Rivers Catchment Action Plan 2 – 2013–2023 (CAP2) (NRCMA 2013). This plan is an all-of-government and all-of-community plan to guide the sustainable management of natural resources in the Northern Rivers Region. As such, CAP2 is a guiding document for the BMS for the Lismore LGA. This plan reflects the shared vision that our community has for the Northern Rivers:

Healthy landscapes and seascapes managed to be sustainable, resilient and productive by viable industries and vibrant, prosperous local communities.

CAP2 provides the overarching, regional strategic direction for NRM to achieve this vision:

Setting priorities to maintain and improve the health, resilience and productivity of the region’s natural resources.

Building the capacity of our communities to contribute to these priorities.

Building the capacity of our communities and natural resources to cope with change, shocks and uncertainty.

1.5 Local plans and strategies

Imagine Lismore 10 Year Plan 2013–2023 (Lismore City Council 2013b) and the Imagine Lismore 4 Year Plan 2013–2017 (Lismore City Council 2013a). Under the LG Act, Council has a legislated role in initiating, preparing and maintaining the community strategic plan on behalf of the Lismore LGA. The Imagine Lismore plans and partnering strategy are the highest level of planning that Council prepares. The purposes of these plans are to identify the community’s priorities and aspirations for the future and to plan strategies for achieving these goals.

The Imagine Lismore 10 Year Plan 2013–2023 is a key guiding document for the BMS for the Lismore LGA. As outlined in section 2.1, these documents reflect the community’s vision for environmental leadership and improving the Wilsons River, and the BMS is a strategy for achieving the community’s vision.

Coastal Zone Management Plan for the Richmond River Estuary (CZMP; Hydrosphere Consulting 2011). The CZMP is a 10-year plan that details key actions needed to address management of the Richmond River estuary. The primary goal of the CZMP is to develop integrated and balanced methods to restore and maintain the ecological sustainability of the estuary as well as the associated recreational and commercial activities. The Richmond River estuary extends approximately 90 kilometres from the mouth


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of the Richmond River to the tidal limit near Boat Harbour. The CZMP was prepared for local governments operating on the estuary – Ballina Shire Council, Lismore City Council, Richmond Valley Council and the Richmond River County Council.

Although the CZMP is a guiding document for the BMS, it is considered subservient to the BMS as it only applies to a small portion of the Lismore LGA.

Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management for South-east Lismore (KPoM; Lismore City Council 2013c). This plan of management is a 15-year plan made under the auspices of State Environmental Planning Policy No. 44–Koala Habitat Protection (SEPP 44). The KPoM applies to land in the Koala planning area in the south-east portion of the Lismore LGA. The KPOM identifies a regulatory Development Assessment Framework that details how development applications that potentially affect preferred Koala food trees are assessed. The KPoM also details a non-regulatory framework of management activities designed to increase habitat for Koalas and address a range of threats.

The KPOM is considered subservient to the BMS, as it only applies to a subset of the Lismore LGA and relates to only one species.

Other relevant strategies

Northern Rivers Invasive Plants Action Strategy 2009–2013 (NCWAC 2009)


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Appendix 2 Communities, populations and species of high conservation value

The concept of high conservation value (HCV) can be applied to species, populations, habitats or communities, or areas of land that support these HCV elements (see section 3.1.4). In the Lismore LGA 9 classes of HCV land (HCV–1 to HCV–9) are identified based on the HCV elements that it supports (summarised in section 3.1.4). This Appendix provides further details and maps of HCV land and the species, populations and communities of HCV in the Lismore LGA.

Areas of land containing mapped HCVs in the Lismore LGA have been amalgamated into one mapping layer. Attributes that constitute the HCV layer were presented this way as many of the HCVs overlap each other. For example a mapped Endangered Ecological Community (Table A4) may also encompass another mapped HCV such as old-growth forest. As proposed in action 12, Table 3 of the BMS, detailed attribute layers which make up this HCV layer will become available to the public once finalised.

The LGA has been split into a series of seven maps (Maps 1 to 7 in this Appendix) which provide a closer view of these HCV areas. The maps contained in this Appendix are indicative maps of HCV areas. The purpose of these maps is to provide a landscape scale context for the location of HCVs within the Lismore LGA area.

It is intended that these maps be used to inform management activities associated with the conservation, restoration and management and community education regarding HCVs. It is also intended that these maps be employed as an initial guide for where HCVs occur. However, the mapping is subject to detailed field verification within the area concerned to confirm the accuracy of vegetation boundaries and vegetation community types. Detailed field verification is required because mapping may not have been verified by ground inspection.

A large portion of lands in the North Western portion of the Lismore LGA, identified in the maps as the ‘Green Study Area’ have not been classified (i.e. mapped) due to the lack of accurate mapped information for this area. This area was not mapped during the Landmark mapping exercise conducted by Stewart et al. in 2011 (Technical Appendix 1) due to Council’s budgetary constraints at the time. However action 12, Table 3 of the BMS identifies the need to map this area as a matter of high priority.

HCV–1: Areas of land identified as containing threatened species or populations listed under the TSC Act or EPBC Act or of local conservation priority.

Threatened species or populations listed under the TSC Act or EPBC Act or of local conservation priority occurring in the Lismore LGA are shown in the following tables: A1 – HCV terrestrial vertebrate fauna; A2 – Migratory birds of HCV; and A3 – HCV flora.

Species of terrestrial vertebrate fauna (Table A1) and flora (Table A3) were considered HCV species if they were formally listed as threatened under the EPBC Act (Australia) or the TSC Act (NSW). Terrestrial vertebrate fauna were further considered HCV species if they were of local conservation priority. These are species with either (1) low dispersal capacity and that are considered most at risk from habitat fragmentation, isolation and degradation and other landscape-scale threatening processes such as climate change; or (2) with core habitat for that species in the Lismore LGA (Milledge 2012). Listed migratory birds known or likely to occur in the Lismore LGA (see Table A2) are also species of HCV.

Table A1. High conservation value terrestrial vertebrates recorded in the Lismore LGA.

Status: E – Endangered; V – Vulnerable (under both TSC Act (NSW) and EPBC Act (Australia)). Dispersal capacity (based on Milledge 2012) is the capacity of an individual or multiple individuals to move away from or between populations. Anthropogenic and natural barriers modify the dispersal capacity and affects population dynamics, genetic structure and the vulnerability of individuals or populations. Milledge (2012) assessed and ranked dispersal capability of species into five categories (low, low–moderate, moderate, moderate–high and high) based on known behavioural characteristics including overall mobility (which ranges from widely dispersing, migratory or nomadic species, like many birds and flying-foxes, to typically small and sedentary species, such as frogs and reptiles with restricted movement ability), and the capacity to cross habitat gaps.


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Core habitat (based on Milledge 2012) is an area of relatively intact habitat that is sufficiently large to support and maintain a sustainable and viable population of a given species, even at a small subregional level. Milledge (2012) identified 50 species as having core habitat in the Lismore LGA.

Status Dispersal capacity

Core habitat in LGA TSC Act EPBC Act

Amphibians

Green-thighed Frog Litoria brevipalmata V low

Pearson’s Tree Frog Litoria pearsoniana low

Whirring Tree Frog Litoria revelata low–moderate

Pouched Frog Assa darlingtoni V low

Fletcher’s Frog Lechriodus fletcheri low

Fleay’s Barred Frog Mixophyes fleayi E E low

Giant Barred Frog Mixophyes iterates E E low

Loveridge’s Frog Philoria loveridgei E low

Reptiles

Southern Leaf-tailed Gecko Saltuarius swainii low

Scute-snouted Calyptotis Calyptotis scutirostrum low

Three-toed Snake-toothed Skink Coeranoscincus reticulatus

V low

Major Skink Bellatorius frerei low–moderate

Land Mullet Bellatorius major low–moderate

McPhee’s Skink Bellatorius mcpheei low–moderate

Martin’s Skink Eulamprus martini low–moderate

Blue-speckled Forest-skink Eulamprus murrayi low–moderate

Short-limbed Snake-skink Ophioscincus truncates low

Orange-tailed Shadeskink Saproscincus challengeri low

Rose’s Skink Saproscincus rosei low

Gully Shadeskink Saproscincus spectabilis low

Southern Angle-headed Dragon Hypsilurus spinipes low

White Crowned Snake Cacophis harriettae V moderate

Dwarf Crowned Snake Cacophis krefftii low–moderate

Stephen’s Banded Snake Hoplocephalus stephensi V moderate

Rough-scaled Snake Tropidechis carinatus moderate

Birds

Wompoo Fruit-dove Ptilinopus magnificus V high

Superb Fruit-dove Ptilinopus superbus V high

Rose-crowned Fruit-dove Ptilinopus regina V high

Topknot Pigeon Lopholaimus antarcticus high

Marbled Frogmouth Podargus ocellatus V moderate

Black Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis V high

Little Eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides V high


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Pale-vented Bush-hen Amaurornis moluccana V moderate–high

Glossy Black-cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami V high

Black-necked Stork (Jabiru) Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus

Little Lorikeet Glossopsitta pusilla V high

Little Bronze-cuckoo Chalcites minutillus high

Powerful Owl Ninox strenua V high

Barking Owl Ninox connivens V high

Sooty Owl Tyto tenebricosa V moderate–high

Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae V high

Albert’s Lyrebird Menura alberti V moderate

Regent Bowerbird Sericulus chrysocephalus high

Eastern Bristlebird Dasyornis brachypterus E E moderate

Regent Honeyeater Anthochaera phrygia E E high

Little Shrike-thrush Colluricincla megarhyncha moderate–high

Paradise Riflebird Ptiloris paradiseus moderate

Pale-yellow Robin Tregellasia capito moderate

Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis V moderate–high

Varied Sittella Daphoenositta chrysoptera V moderate–high

Barred Cuckoo-shrike Coracina lineata V high

Olive Whistler Pachycephala olivacea V moderate

White-eared Monarch Carterornis leucotis V moderate–high

Mammals

Spotted-tailed Quoll Dasyurus maculatus V E moderate–high

Subtropical Antechinus Antechinus subtropicus low–moderate

Common Planigale Planigale maculata V low–moderate

Koala Phascolarctos cinereus V V moderate–high

Yellow-bellied Glider Petaurus australis V moderate–high

Squirrel Glider Petaurus norfolcensis V moderate–high

Greater Glider Petauroides volans moderate

Long-nosed Potoroo Potorous tridactylus V V moderate

Parma Wallaby Macropus parma V moderate

Red-legged Pademelon Thylogale stigmatica V moderate

Red-necked Pademelon Thylogale thetis moderate

Eastern Blossom-bat Syconycteris australis V moderate–high

Eastern Tube-nosed Bat Nyctimene robinsoni V moderate

Black Flying-fox Pteropus alecto high

Grey-headed Flying-fox Pteropus poliocephalus V V high

Eastern Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus megaphyllus moderate–high


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Yellow-bellied Sheath-tailed Bat Saccolaimus flaviventris

V high

Beccari’s Free-tailed Bat Mormopterus beccarii V high

East-coast Free-tailed Bat Mormopterus norfolkensis

V high

Little Bent-winged Bat Miniopterus australis V high

Eastern Bent-winged Bat Miniopterus schreibersii V high

Golden-tipped Bat Kerivoula papuensis V moderate

Eastern Long-eared Bat Nyctophilus bifax V moderate

Large-eared Pied Bat Chalinolobus dwyeri V V moderate–high

Eastern False Pipistrelle Falsistrellus tasmaniensis V high

Southern Myotis Myotis adversus V high

Greater Broad-nosed Bat Scoteanax rueppellii V

Central-eastern Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens sp. high

Eastern Forest Bat Vespadelus pumilus moderate–high

Fawn-footed Melomys Melomys cervinipes low–moderate

Table A2. Migratory birds known or likely to occur in the Lismore LGA. These species are of HCV as they are listed under one or more of: the China–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA; DFAT 1995), Japan–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA; DFA 1995) or Republic of Korea–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (ROKAMBA; DFAT 2007), or are listed as migratory and marine under the EPBC Act.

Records of migratory species were acquired from: (1) Atlas of NSW Wildlife database (OEH BioNet, Sydney), extracted 3 Apr 2014. Search criteria were: records of CAMBA listed, JAMBA listed or ROKAMBA listed Animals in the Lismore LGA. (2) EPBC Act Protected Matters Report Tool (administered by Commonwealth Department of Environment, athttp://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/pmst/index.html), report generated on 3 Apr 2014 summarising matters of national environmental significance that may occur in, or may relate to, the Lismore LGA.

Key: C –listed in CAMBA; J –listed in JAMBA; K – listed in ROKAMBA; M – migratory and marine under the EPBC Act.

Listed

White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus C, J, K, M

Cattle Egret Ardea ibis C, J, M

Great Egret (White Egret) Ardea alba C, J, M

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus C, M

White-bellied Sea-eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster C, M

Latham’s Snipe Gallinago hardwickii C, J, K, M

Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus J, M

Black-faced Monarch Monarcha melanopsis M

Spectacled Monarch Monarcha trivirgatus M

Satin Flycatcher Myiagra cyanoleuca M

http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/pmst/index.html


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Rufous Fantail Rhipidura rufifrons M

Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis (sensu lato) C, M


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Table A3. High conservation value (HCV) flora recorded in the Lismore LGA.

Flora records were acquired from: (1) Atlas of NSW Wildlife database (OEH BioNet, Sydney) extracted 24 Apr 2014. Search criteria were: records of plants in Lismore LGA. (2) EPBC Act Protected Matters Report Tool (administered by Commonwealth Department of Environment, at http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/pmst/index.html), report generated on 24 Apr 2014 summarising matters of national environmental significance that may occur in, or may relate to, the Lismore LGA).

Status: CE – Critically Endangered; E – Endangered; V – Vulnerable (under both TSC Act (NSW) and EPBC Act (Australia)).

Status

TSC Act EPBC Act

Acalypha Acalypha eremorum E

Amyema scandens E

Arrow-head Vine Tinospora tinosporoides V

Austral Toadflax, Toadflax Thesium australe V V

Axe-Breaker Geijera paniculata E

Ball Nut, Possum Nut, Big Nut, Beefwood Floydia praealta V V

Banyabba Grevillea Grevillea banyabba V V

Basket Fern Drynaria rigidula E

Blotched Sarcochilus Sarcochilus weinthalii V V

Border Mallee Eucalyptus microcodon E

Border Ranges Daisy Brachyscome ascendens E

Border Ranges Nightshade Solanum limitare E

Bordered Guinea Flower Hibbertia marginata V V

Box Mistletoe Amyema plicatula E E

Brown Butterfly Orchid Sarcochilus dilatatus E

Brown Fairy-chain Orchid Peristeranthus hillii V

Brush Cassia Cassia brewsteri var. marksiana E

Brush Sauropus Phyllanthus microcladus E

Brush Sophora Sophora fraseri V V

Byron Bay Diuris Diuris sp. aff. chrysantha E

Cameron'’s Tarenna Triflorensia cameronii E

Clear Milkvine Marsdenia longiloba V

Cliff Sedge Cyperus rupicola V

Coast Euodia Melicope vitiflora and Micromelum minutum E

Coast Headland Pea Pultenaea maritima V

Coastal Fontainea Fontainea oraria E E

Corokia whiteana V V

Cryptic Forest Twiner Tylophora woollsii E E

Crystal Creek Walnut Endiandra floydii E E

Dark Greenhood Pterostylis nigricans V

Dwarf Heath Casuarina Allocasuarina defungens E E

http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/pmst/index.html


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Status

TSC Act EPBC Act

Fine-leaved Tuckeroo Lepiderema pulchella V

Flat Fork Fern Psilotum complanatum E

Floyd’s Walnut Endiandra floydii E

Four-tailed Grevillea Grevillea quadricauda V V

Giant Fern Angiopteris evecta E

Giant Ironwood Choricarpia subargentea E

Giant Spear Lily Doryanthes palmeri V

Glenugie Karaka Corynocarpus rupestris subsp. rupestris V V

Green-leaved Rose Walnut Endiandra muelleri subsp. bracteata E

Gympie Stinger Dendrocnide moroides E

Hairy Melichrus Melichrus hirsutus E E

Hairy Quandong Elaeocarpus obovatus E E

Hairy-joint Grass Arthraxon hispidus V V

Hartman’s Sarcochilus Sarcochilus hartmannii V V

Heart-leaved Bosistoa Bosistoa selwynii V

Heath Wrinklewort Rutidosis heterogama V V

Horned Greenhood Pterostylis bicornis E V

Isoglossa Isoglossa eranthemoides E E

Knicker Nut Caesalpinia bonduc E

Lady Tankerville’s Swamp Orchid Phaius tancarvilleae E E

Leafless Tongue-orchid Cryptostylis hunteriana V

Lemon-scented Grass Elyonurus citreus E

Lesser Swamp-orchid Phaius australis E

Macadamia Nut Macadamia integrifolia V

Magenta Lilly Pilly, Magenta Cherry, Pocket-less Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry, Creek Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry Syzygium paniculatum

V

Marbled Balogia, Jointed Baloghia Baloghia marmorata V V

Marblewood Acacia bakeri V

Mason’s Grevillea Grevillea masonii E E

McPherson Range Pomaderris Pomaderris notata V

Milky Silkpod Parsonsia dorrigoensis V E

Miniature Moss-orchid, Hoop Pine Orchid Bulbophyllum globuliforme V V

Minyon Quandong Elaeocarpus sedentarius E E

Missionary Nutgrass Cyperus semifertilis E V

Monkey Nut, Bopple Nut, Red Bopple, Red Bopple Nut, Red Nut, Beef Nut, Red Apple Nut, Ivory Silky Oak Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia

V V

Mt Merino Waxberry Gaultheria viridicarpa subsp. merinoensis V

Narrow-leaf Finger Fern Grammitis stenophylla E

Narrow-leaf Melichrus Melichrus sp. Gibberagee E E

Native Jute Corchorus cunninghamii E E


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Status

TSC Act EPBC Act

Native Milkwort Polygala linariifolia E

Needle-leaf Fern Belvisia mucronata E

Netted Bottle Brush Callistemon linearifolius V

Nightcap Oak Eidothea hardeniana E CE

Nightcap Plectranthus, Silver Plectranthus Plectranthus nitidus E E

Noah’s False Chickweed Lindernia alsinoides E

Northern Clematis Clematis fawcettii V V

Onionwood, Bog Onion, Onion Cedar Owenia cepiodora V V

Orara Boronia Boronia umbellata V V

Panicum Paspalidium grandispiculatum V V

Peach Myrtle Uromyrtus australis E E

Pink Nodding Orchid Geodorum densiflorum E

Pointed Trefoil Rhynchosia acuminatissima V

Pretty Eyebright Euphrasia bella V V

Purple-leaf Muttonwood, Lismore Muttonwood Myrsine richmondensis E

Pygmy Bishop’s Hat Mitrasacme pygmaea E

Queensland Xylosma Xylosma terrae-reginae E

Rainforest Cassia Senna acclinis E

Ravine Orchid Sarcochilus fitzgeraldii V V

Red-flowered King of the Fairies Oberonia titania V

Red-fruited Ebony Diospyros mabacea E E

Ripple-leaf Muttonwood Myrsine richmondensis E E

Rock-face Bluebell Wahlenbergia scopulicola E

Rose Apple, Coolamon, Robby, Durobby, Watermelon Tree, Coolamon Rose Apple Syzygium moorei

V V

Rough Maidenhair Adiantum hispidulum and Adiantum silvaticum P

Rough-shelled Bush Nut, Macadamia Nut, Roughshelled Macadamia, Rough-leaved Queensland Nut Macadamia tetraphylla

V V

Rupp’s Wattle Archidendron hendersonii E E

Rusty Plum, Plum Boxwood Niemeyera whitei V

Rusty Rose Walnut, Velvet Laurel Endiandra hayesii V V

Sand Spurge Chamaesyce psammogeton E

Sandstone Rough-barked Apple Angophora robur V V

Scented Acronychia Acronychia littoralis E E

Scrambling Lily Rotala tripartita E

Short-footed Screw Fern Lindsaea brachypoda E

Siah’s Backbone, Sia’s Backbone, Isaac Wood Streblus pendulinus E

Silverbush Sophora tomentosa E

Slaty Red Gum Eucalyptus glaucina V V

Slender Marsdenia Marsdenia longiloba


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Status

TSC Act EPBC Act

Slender Screw Fern Lindsaea incisa E

Small-leaved Hazelwood, Shrubby Hazelwood Symplocos baeuerlenii V V

Small-leaved Tamarind Diploglottis campbellii E E

Smooth Darling Pea Tephrosia filipes V

Smooth Davidsonia, Smooth Davidson’s Plum, Small-leaved Davidson’s Plum Davidsonia johnsonii and Davidsonia jerseyana

E V

Smooth Tuckeroo Cupaniopsis serrata E

Smooth-bark Rose Apple, Red Lilly Pilly Syzygium hodgkinsoniae V V

Sophora fraseri V

Southern Fontainea Fontainea australis V V

Southern Lawyer Cane Calamus muelleri P

Southern Ochrosia Ochrosia moorei E E

Southern Swamp Orchid Phaius australis E E

Spider orchid Dendrobium melaleucaphilum E

Spiny Gardenia Randia moorei E E

Spiny Mint-bush Prostanthera spinosa V

Square-fruited Ironbark Eucalyptus tetrapleura V V

Square-stemmed Olax Olax angulate V V

Square-stemmed Spike-rush Eleocharis tetraquetra E

Stinking Cryptocarya, Stinking Laurel Cryptocarya foetida V V

Stream Clematis Clematis fawcettii V

Swamp Foxglove Centranthera cochinchinensis E

Swamp Mint-bush Prostanthera palustris V V

Sweet Morinda Oldenlandia galioides E

Sweet Myrtle, Small-leaved Myrtle Gossia fragrantissima E E

Tall Knotweed Persicaria elatior V V

Thorny Pea Desmodium acanthocladum V V

Three-leaved Bosistoa Bosistoa transversa V

Tinospora Vine Tinospora smilacina E

Tree Guinea Flower Hibbertia hexandra E

Walking-stick Palm Linospadix monostachyos P

Water Nutgrass Cyperus aquatilis E

Waterwheel Plant Aldrovanda vesiculosa E

Waxy Sarcochilus, Blue Knob Orchid Sarcochilus hartmannii V

Weeping Paperbark Melaleuca irbyana E

White Lace Flower Archidendron hendersonii V

White-flowered Wax Plant Cynanchum elegans E E

Wollumbin Dogwood othamnus vagans E V

Wollumbin Zieria Zieria adenodonta E


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Status

TSC Act EPBC Act

Woodrush Maundia triglochinoides V

Yellow Satinheart Bosistoa transversa V V

HCV–2: Areas of land identified as containing endangered ecological communities (EECs) listed under the TSC Act or EPBC Act.

Table A4 lists EECs known to occur in the Lismore LGA. The HCV mapping layer shown in Maps 1 to 7 of this Appendix includes EECs identified in Stewart et al. 2011 mapping (Technical Appendix 1).

Table A4. Endangered Ecological Communities (EEC) listed under the EPBC Act (Australia) or NSW TSC Act (NSW) that occur in the Lismore LGA. Links are to profiles (EPBC Act) or determinations of the NSW

Scientific Committee (TSC Act) for each EEC.

EPBC Act

Lowland Rainforest of Subtropical Australia

(http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicshowcommunity.pl?id=101)

Subtropical and Temperate Coastal Saltmarsh

(http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicshowcommunity.pl?id=118)

TSC Act

Coastal Saltmarsh in the New South Wales North Coast, Sydney Basin and South East Corner Bioregions

(http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?id=10866)

Freshwater Wetlands on Coastal Floodplains of the New South Wales North Coast, Sydney Basin and South East Corner Bioregions


Lowland Rainforest in the New South Wales North Coast and Sydney Basin Bioregions

(http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/determinations/LowlandRainforestEndCom.htm)

Lowland Rainforest on Floodplain in the New South Wales North Coast Bioregion


Subtropical coastal floodplain forest of the NSW North Coast bioregion


Swamp Oak Floodplain Forest of the New South Wales North Coast, Sydney Basin and South East Corner Bioregions


Swamp Sclerophyll Forest on Coastal Floodplains of the New South Wales North Coast, Sydney Basin and South East Corner Bioregions


HCV–3: Areas of land identified as key habitat for threatened species under the TSC Act or EPBC Act or for species of local conservation priority (as identified by Milledge 2012).

Table A5 lists key habitats identified in the Lismore LGA. The HCV mapping layer shown in Maps 1 to 7 of this Appendix includes key habitat mapping developed by in Milledge 2012 (Technical Appendix 2).

In 2013, LCC engaged Landmark Ecological Services Pty Ltd (Landmark) to identify a system of key habitats and corridors for the Lismore LGA. Terrestrial vertebrate fauna and their habitats were used as surrogates to identify and rank key habitats and corridors based on their known or potential value as

http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicshowcommunity.pl?id=101

http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicshowcommunity.pl?id=118

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?id=10866


http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/determinations/LowlandRainforestEndCom.htm






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habitat for threatened species and for other conservation-priority species with core habitat in the Lismore LGA. Key habitats were identified using vegetation mapping developed in 2011, also by Landmark (Stewart et al. 2011), mapping of watercourses and soils, vertebrate records from the Atlas of NSW Wildlife (OEH, Sydney) and previous corridor mapping undertaken for the LGA.

The identification of the key habitats by Landmark was dependent on the underlying vegetation mapping across the Lismore LGA. The fine-scale 2011 vegetation mapping in the Lismore LGA (Landmark; Stewart et al. 2011) covers only about two-thirds of the LGA (labelled the Blue and Grey Zones). The remaining area (the Green Zone), covering most of the north-west portion of the LGA, and mapping is confined to older data vegetation mapping (and community labelling) by the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority (NRCMA).

Key habitats were identified by Milledge (2012; Technical Appendix 2). Milledge (2012) used records of HCV terrestrial vertebrate species (Table A1) to determine the distributions of species within the LGA and important blocks of habitat for each species, which were combined with previously identified habitats and corridors within the LGA. Using conservation-priority species with core habitat in the LGA, a series of assemblages of species were then derived and ranked in order of perceived risk from the threatening processes to enable their preferred habitats to be identified as a set of ranked key habitats (Milledge 2012).

Milledge 2012 also used vegetation mapping undertaken by Stewart et al. in 2011. This vegetation mapping (Technical Appendix 1), as mentioned in section 3.3.1, divided the Lismore LGA into three discrete zones based on the quality of data available – Blue Zone, Grey Zone and Green Zone. Stewart et al. undertook detailed mapping for the Blue and Grey Zones and undertook ground-truthing. For the Green Zone limited work was done and ground-truthing was not undertaken due to Council’s budgetary constraints.

Table A5. Key habitats supporting priority vertebrate assemblages in the Lismore LGA.

See Figure 1 of Technical Appendix 1)). In Table A5, Landmark mapping refers to identification of key habitats based on current fine-scale mapping in two-thirds of the Lismore LGA (the Grey and Blue Zones); NRCMA mapping comprises key habitats identified using older mapping in the remaining third of the LGA (the Green Zone). The vegetation mapping prepared by Landmark in 2011 is available on Council’s mapping database (http://mapping.lismore.nsw.gov.au/Exponare/PublicApplication2_1400X1050.aspx). Note that the key habitats in each column are not aligned as equivalent communities.

Key habitats

Landmark mapping (Grey and Blue Zones) NRCMA mapping (Green Zone)

Flooded Gum-Tallowwood–Brush Box

Brush Box tall moist forest

Subtropical Rainforest

Blackbutt–Tallowwood

Riparian rainforest – lower reaches

Riparian rainforest – mid reaches

Dry Rainforest

Forest Red Gum grassy open forest

Forest Red Gum–Tallowwood

Forest Red Gum–Swamp Box

Forest Red Gum–River Oak

Paperbark

Paperbark–Swamp Oak

River Oak

Sub-Tropical Rainforest Sub-Tropical and Warm Temperate Rainforest Coastal Flooded Gum Wet Flooded Gum–Tallowwood Northern Wet Tallowwood–Blue Gum Wet Bangalow–Brushbox Northern Moist Blackbutt Warm Temperate Rainforest Turpentine Escarpment Red Gum Grey Box–Northern Grey Gum Northern Ranges Dry Tallowwood Open Shrubby Brushbox–Tallowwood River Oak Wet Bloodwood–Tallowwood

http://mapping.lismore.nsw.gov.au/Exponare/PublicApplication2_1400X1050.aspx


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Swamp Oak

Swamp Oak–River Oak

HCV–4: Mapped coastal wetlands under State Environmental Planning Policy No. 14—Coastal Wetlands (SEPP 14).

Areas mapped under SEPP 14 in the Lismore LGA have been included in the HCV layer identified in Maps 1 to 7 of this Appendix. For further discussion on SEPP 14 refer to Appendix 8.

HCV–5: Areas of land identified as providing very high habitat corridor values.

Mapping of areas of very high habitat corridor values is based on Milledge (2012; Technical Appendix 2), which also provides mapping of high and moderate habitat corridors. The Key Habitats and Corridors system contains 26 sectors, comprising five blocks and 21 connectors or corridors, together with riparian links. Sectors are ranked in order of significance according to conformity with the regional system of key habitats and corridors proposed by Scotts (2003) and suitability as habitat for the highest ranked assemblages, and the connectors are ranked on the basis of their provision of links to significant blacks of habitat.

Areas of HCV–5 are shown as ‘Very High Priority Wildlife Corridors’ on Maps 1 to 7 of this Appendix.

OTHER CLASSES OF HCV LAND

HCV–6: Areas of land identified as preferred or core Koala habitat as defined under the Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management for South-east Lismore (KPoM; Lismore City Council 2013c). Details of this HCV land is discussed in detail and mapped in the KPoM, noting that this HCV does not include koala habitat mapped as ‘forestry’ (e.g. windrows).

Areas of HCV-6 have been included in the HCV layer identified in Maps 1 to 7 of this Appendix.

HCV–7: Areas of land identified as supporting riparian, wetland and estuarine native vegetation other than SEPP 14 mapped wetlands. These HCV areas are not mapped and occurrence of this HCV will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

HCV–8: Areas of land identified as supporting any type of rainforest.

Rainforest, of varying types, was included in mapping undertaken by Stewart et al. 2011 (Technical Appendix 1). This information has been included in the HCV mapping layer identified in Maps 1 to 7 of this Appendix.

HCV–9: Areas of land identified as supporting native vegetation defined as old-growth forest.

Old-growth forest was included in mapping undertaken by Stewart et al. 2011 (Technical Appendix 1). This information has been included in the HCV mapping layer identified in Maps 1 to 7 of this Appendix.

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Appendix 3 Listed key threatening processes

A threatening process is something that threatens, or could potentially threaten, the survival or evolutionary development of a species, population or ecological community. A threat can be listed as a key threatening process (KTP) under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act) or the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) or both. KTP are assessed and determined by separate scientific committees operating under the EPBC and TSC Acts.

Under the EPBC Act, priority nominations of KTPs are assessed by the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC), which makes nominations available for public and expert comment. After assessment, the advice of the TSSC is forwarded to the Minister, who decides whether a threatening process is eligible for listing under the EPBC Act. It can be listed under the EPBC Act if it:

Causes a native species or ecological community to become eligible for inclusion in a threatened listing (other than the conservation dependent category).

Causes an already listed threatened species or threatened ecological community to become more endangered.

Adversely affects two or more listed threatened species or threatened ecological communities.

Under the TSC Act, nominations of KTPs (from organisations or individuals) are assessed by the NSW Scientific Committee. The Scientific Committee make a preliminary determination to either support or not support the proposal and this is placed on public exhibition. The Scientific Committee then considers public comments and makes a final determination about the matter.

Once a KTP is listed under the TSC Act or EPBC Act, a threat abatement plan can be put into place if it is shown to be a feasible, effective and efficient way to abate the threatening process.

Although some KTPs are unique to either the EPBC Act or TSC Act, many are shared. There are 21 KTPs listed under the EPBC Act, of which 16 are expected to occur in the Lismore LGA. There are 37 KTPs listed under the TSC Act, of which 34 are expected to occur in the Northern Rivers Region. A full list of KTPs expected to occur in the Lismore LGA is given in Appendix 3.

Table A6. Key threatening processes identified under the TSC Act and EPBC Act that are expected to occur in the Lismore LGA.

The names used below follow those of the TSC Act (available at http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedSpeciesApp/). The equivalent key threatening processes under the EPBC Act are available at http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicgetkeythreats.pl (and can also be reached via the “Commonwealth status: Key Threatening Process” link on the TSC Act listing for individual process pages).

Key threatening process TSC Act EPBC Act

1. Alteration to the natural flow regimes of rivers and streams and their floodplains and wetlands

2. Anthropogenic Climate Change

3. Bushrock removal

4. Clearing of native vegetation

5. Competition and grazing by the feral European Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.)

6. Competition and habitat degradation by Feral Goats Capra hircus Linnaeus 1758

7. Competition from feral honey bees, Apis mellifera L.

8. Forest eucalypt dieback associated with over-abundant psyllids and Bell Miners

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedSpeciesApp/

http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicgetkeythreats.pl

http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicgetkeythreats.pl


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9. Herbivory and environmental degradation caused by feral deer

10. High frequency fire resulting in the disruption of life cycle processes in plants and animals and loss of vegetation structure and composition

11. Importation of Red Imported Fire Ants Solenopsis invicta Buren 1972

12. Infection by Psittacine Circoviral (beak and feather) Disease affecting endangered psittacine species and populations

13. Infection of frogs by amphibian chytrid causing the disease chytridiomycosis

14. Infection of native plants by Phytophthora cinnamomi

15. Introduction and establishment of Exotic Rust Fungi of the order Pucciniales pathogenic on plants of the family Myrtaceae

16. Introduction of the Large Earth Bumblebee Bombus terrestris (L.)

17. Invasion and establishment of exotic vines and scramblers

18. Invasion and establishment of Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius)

19. Invasion and establishment of the cane toad (Bufo marinus)

20. Invasion of native plant communities by African Olive Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata (Wall. ex G. Don) Cif.

21. Invasion, establishment and spread of (Lantana camara L. sens. Lat)

22. Invasion of native plant communities by Chrysanthemoides monilifera

23. Invasion of native plant communities by exotic perennial grasses

24. Invasion of the Yellow Crazy Ant, Anoplolepis gracilipes (Fr. Smith) into NSW

25. Loss and degradation of native plant and animal habitat by invasion of escaped garden plants, including aquatic plants

26. Loss of Hollow-bearing Trees

27. Loss or degradation (or both) of sites used for hill-topping by butterflies

28. Predation by Gambusia holbrooki Girard, 1859 (Plague Minnow or Mosquito Fish)

29. Predation and hybridisation of Feral Dogs Canis lupus familiaris

30. Predation by the European Red Fox Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758)

31. Predation by the Feral Cat Felis catus (Linnaeus, 1758)

32. Predation, habitat degradation, competition and disease transmission by Feral Pigs, Sus scrofa Linnaeus 1758

33. Removal of dead wood and dead trees

34. Novel biota and their impact on biodiversity


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Appendix 4 Development Assessment Framework

4.1 Development Assessment Framework

As proposed in Table 4 of the BMS, Council will develop a Development Assessment Framework (the Framework) that provides developers, consultants, Council staff and the public with a clear understanding of Council’s expectations for biodiversity management in the development assessment process. To ensure biodiversity assessment and reporting for development applications are consistent, the Framework will be consistent with the following guiding documents:

Threatened Biodiversity Survey and Assessment: Guidelines for Developments and Activities. Working Draft (DEC 2004).

Threatened Species Assessment Guidelines: The Assessment of Significance (DECC 2007b).

Guidelines for Developments Adjoining Department of Environment and Climate Change Land (DECC 2008).

4.1.1 When is the Framework triggered?

The Development Assessment Framework will apply to development activities anywhere within the LGA that require a development application under the Lismore Local Environment Plan 2012 (Lismore LEP; Lismore City Council 2012d). The Framework will be triggered when a development application is received by Council.

Currently, development activities that are permitted without consent under the Lismore LEP do not require a development application, such as activities listed as exempt and complying development in any environmental planning instrument. Such developments will not trigger the Framework and will not need to comply with the Framework.

4.1.2 Aims & objectives

The aim of the Development Assessment Framework is to ensure that development applications meet the following objectives:

To identify, maintain and improve ecological and biodiversity values in the Lismore LGA through the development process.

To implement provisions of regional management plans (e.g. Border Ranges Rainforest Biodiversity Management Plan – NSW & Queensland (DECCW 2010a); Northern Rivers Regional Biodiversity Management Plan (DECCW 2010b); Draft Northern Rivers Catchment Action Plan 2 – 2013–2023 (CAP2) (NRCMA 2013)) and the Lismore LEP dealing with biodiversity conservation and the natural environment.

To implement the Biodiversity Management Strategy (BMS) through the development process.

To specify criteria and standards for investigations, assessments, reports and plans addressing the natural environment and ecological and biodiversity issues associated with development applications.

To provide landscape-level enhancement and repair of biodiversity assets for long-term sustainability.

To avoid, minimise or mitigate environmental impacts as a result of development.

To provide clear guidance for proponents, the community, Council staff and other stakeholders regarding assessment of development applications and minimum expectations regarding biodiversity when developments are proposed.


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4.2 Biodiversity Offsets Policy

4.2.1 What is a Biodiversity Offsets Policy?

Biodiversity offsets refer to a range of measures that compensate for the adverse impacts of development activities on the environment. Offsets provide environmental benefits in an attempt to counterbalance unavoidable or residual impacts that remain after avoidance and mitigation measures have been undertaken (DSEWPAC 2012b).

Offsets can help to achieve long-term environmental outcomes, especially for HCV features while providing flexibility for proponents seeking to undertake development activity that will have impacts – from residual to highly significant – on conservation values in the Lismore LGA. However, offsets do not mean proposals with unacceptable impacts will be approved. They simply provide an additional tool that can be used during the development assessment process.

4.2.2 How are offsets different to avoidance and mitigation measures?

Avoidance and mitigation measures are the primary strategies for managing the potential impacts – either direct (e.g. clearing of trees) or indirect (e.g. increased runoff associated with hard surfaces) – of a proposed development or activity. These measures directly avoid or minimise the scale and intensity of the potential impacts of a proposed development.

Avoidance of impacts on biodiversity may be achieved through comprehensive planning and suitable site selection, for example by changing the route of an access road to avoid an endangered ecological community. After all reasonable avoidance measures have been put in place, mitigation of any remaining significant impact must be undertaken, for example putting in place measures to reduce sediment runoff from a development site that may otherwise affect a threatened fish species.

Avoidance and mitigation measures can reduce and, in some cases, remove the need for offsets if the residual impact is not significant. Offsets will not be considered until all reasonable avoidance and mitigation measures are considered, or acceptable reasons are provided as to why avoidance or mitigation of impacts is not reasonably achievable.

4.2.3 When is it appropriate to apply habitat offsetting?

The Biodiversity Offsets Policy of LCC will be applied to land that contains high conservation values in the Lismore LGA (see section 3.1.4).

Offsetting will only be used where there are good prospects that the offset action will lead to an overall improvement in environmental values. Where an offset action is not feasible or there is a high risk that it may fail, offsets will not be considered.

Offsets are not necessarily appropriate for dealing with all the effects of clearing on all environmental values because the effect of clearing may be considered too great to be satisfactorily compensated for by minimisation, mitigation and offsetting actions. In these cases clearing is likely not be allowed to occur.

4.2.4 What form can offsets take?

An offset can include a suite of actions that compensate for the impact of a project. Offsets should align with the conservation priorities that are affected by the proposal and be tailored specifically to those attributes affected so as to deliver a conservation gain. For instance, if a proposed action is likely to have impacts on foraging habitat for a particular species, then the offset should create, improve, protect or manage foraging habitat for that species (DSEWPAC 2012b).


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Conservation gain is defined as the benefit that an offset delivers towards the conservation matter that is being affected by a proposal, and which maintains or increases its viability or reduces any threats of damage or destruction (DSEWPAC 2012b). A conservation gain for a matter of conservation priority could be achieved by:

Improving existing habitat.

Creating new habitat.

Reducing threats.

If an offset is proposed the LCC Offsets Policy would consider:

On the site of the impact

The presence or conservation status of species, habitat or communities likely to be affected by a proposal.

Specific attributes of species, habitat or communities being affected at a site, for example the quality of habitat, population attributes (such as recruitment or mortality), or landscape attributes (such as habitat connectivity).

The scale and nature of the impacts of the proposed action, including direct and indirect impacts.

Duration of the impact (not of the action).

At the offset site

The extent to which the proposed offset actions correlate with, and adequately compensate for, the impacts.

The conservation gain to be achieved by the offset, including through positive management that improves the viability of the species, habitat or community.

The current land tenure of the offset and the proposed method of securing and managing the offset for the life of the impact.

The time it will take to achieve the conservation gain.

The level of certainty that the proposed offset will be successful.

The suitability of the location of the offset site. In most cases this will be as close to the impact site as possible. However, it may be that a greater conservation benefit could be achieved by providing an offset distant to the impact site.

4.2.5 Council’s Biodiversity Offsets Policy and its objectives

As proposed in Action 30 (Table 4) of the BMS, Council will develop a Biodiversity Offsets Policy. This policy will be directly linked to the proposed Development Assessment Framework and will formalise current practices within Council.

Objectives of the Biodiversity Offsets Policy will be to:

Ensure the efficient, effective, timely, transparent, proportionate, scientifically robust and reasonable use of offsets for developments in Lismore LGA.

Provide proponents, the community, Council staff and other stakeholders with greater certainty and guidance of Council and community expectations, how offsets are determined and when they may be considered.

Deliver improved environmental outcomes by consistently applying the Offsets Policy.

Outline the appropriate nature and scale of offsets and how they are determined.


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4.3 Planning exemptions for long-term biodiversity gains

Council will investigate options for the use of regulatory incentives for the long-term protection of biodiversity on private land. This would involve developing a list of planning exemptions to provisions of the development control plan (dispensation agreements) as trade-offs where there is an acceptable level of biodiversity protection. For example only, where there are clear long-term biodiversity gains, planning exemptions could include relaxing provisions for minimum lot-sizes, which could allow for excision of one or more housing lots (i.e. subdivision).

Nevertheless, standard development constraints would apply, including, but not limited to, the preservation of State or regionally significant farmland.

4.3.1 Process

Council will investigate the viability of planning exemptions as an incentive and, if viable, will develop this regulatory incentive for effective biodiversity protection. This will entail:

Developing eligibility criteria to enter into these dispensatory agreements based on the type of activity proposed, and the extent and level of biodiversity protection proposed. For example only, this may include exception to normal development density provisions where a level of biodiversity protection will be achieved.

Developing dispensation parameters that provide a balance between responsible or reasonable development planning and net gains in biodiversity outcomes in the long-term.

Investigating options for biodiversity protection associated with eligibility criteria for dispensation agreements (e.g. conservation agreements, transfers to National Park Estate, voluntary rezoning, transfers to public land with management plans).

Working with the Department of Planning and Environment to develop and refine a dispensations clause to be included in a review of the Lismore LEP.

4.3.2 Examples of planning exemptions in NSW

Tweed City Council: LEP – Clause 6.10 Design excellence. This Clause in the LEP provides floor-space ratio and building height exemptions (to a limited degree) to developers that are able to provide sufficient evidence that their design exhibits design excellence (as prescribed and described in the Clause). Although this example does not relate directly to biodiversity gains, it provides a good example of how planning exemptions can be applied.

Great Lakes Council: Draft LEP 2013 – Clause 4.1B Exceptions to minimum lot sizes for ecological protection. This Clause provides proposed subdivision exemptions that result in the improvement and protection of HCV land for ecological and ecosystem services. Although this Clause provides a good example of planning exemptions for biodiversity gains, advice from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment indicates that this particular clause is likely to provide substantially more gains for the developer than biodiversity. However, it does provide an excellent example of a dispensations clause.

Wyong Council: LEP – Clause 4.1A Exceptions to minimum lot size for certain split zones. This Clause provides incentives, of lot averaging (density provisions), where lots are intersected by conservation lands. This map-based method is not proposed within the BMS, but it provides a good example of legislated incentives.

Armidale Dumaresq Council: LEP – Clause 4.1B Subdivision in Zone E3 and Zone E4. This Clause provides exemptions to subdivision patterns within certain mapped zones. Again, this map-based method is not proposed within the BMS, but the example provides a good example of legislative incentives around biodiversity.

From investigations so far it is clear that any planning exemptions proposed will need to:


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Provide an appropriate balance between gains for proponents (exemptions) and long-term gains for biodiversity. For example, should a dispensation be on relaxing density provisions, the density allowed would need to consider the long-term impacts of that density on the biodiversity gains provided.

Provide eligibility criteria for dispensations that are based on the conservation of HCV areas of a minimum size and an appropriate level of protection and management in perpetuity.

Be consistent with objectives of a given zone in the Lismore LEP (e.g. that there are no land-use conflicts).

4.3.3 Conservation covenants and protection into perpetuity

Private conservation mechanisms differ in a number of ways. They range in the level of legal commitment required of the landholder and the targeted ecological outcomes. There are five that are legally binding on the title of properties and provide a high level of legal protection for the conservation of land (EDO 2011):

Trust agreements under the Nature Conservation Trust.

Voluntary Conservation Agreements with the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH).

In-perpetuity Property Vegetation Plans (PVP) with the Local Land Services (LLS).

Biobanking with OEH (under the TSC Act).

Biodiversity Certification with OEH (under the TSC Act).

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Appendix 5 Additional conservation actions

The following table provides a list of on-ground projects that are a component of implementing action 28, Table 3. Actions 28.1 to 28.8 are directly linked to priorities regional biodiversity plans (see Links in table A7) and will be prioritised for their implementation over time. Council will continually seek opportunities to work in partnership with indigenous community organisations and other community and industry groups and organisations to implement the conservation measures described below.

Table A7. Specific actions relating to conservation management in the Lismore LGA

ID# is the unique number given to each action in the BMS so that it can be easily identified and referred to consistently throughout this report. Numbering of actions is continuous with those of sections 4 and 5 (Tables 3–9). Links: Refer to the actions within overarching policies, strategies and plans (as abbreviated), with the numbers referring to sections within those documents: CAP2 – Draft Northern Rivers Catchment Action Plan 2 – 2013–2023 (CAP2); BRR – Border Ranges Rainforest Biodiversity Management Plan – NSW & Queensland; NRR – Northern Rivers Regional Biodiversity Management Plan; CZMP – Coastal Zone Management Plan for the Richmond River Estuary; KPoM – Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management for South-east Lismore (for further details and references, see section 4.2). Other abbreviations: DPI – Department of Primary Industries; HCV – High Conservation Value (see Appendix 2).

ID # Action

Links

Detailed actions for determination of annual priorities

28.1 Removing barriers to movement of wildlife

Council’s biodiversity management team will work with internal stakeholders to develop a staged program to upgrade or remove barriers that restrict the movement and dispersal of fauna and flora, including aquatic species, where possible.

This will include the priority road crossings identified for remediation by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) (available at: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/habitat/threats/barriers). This initiative aims to reduce the impact of road crossings on aquatic habitats in coastal waterways. Priority road crossings are available through the Northern Rivers Local Land Services.

CAP2: 2.2.5, 2.2.12; BRR: 2.1.5, 2.1.2; NRR: 1.1.4, 10.1.4, 12.3.11

28.2 Camphor Laurel

Council will work with relevant organisations and institutes to implement a Camphor Laurel management and education program in priority HCV areas. This would be undertaken to encourage the staged removal of Camphor Laurel on public and private land. The program will aim to implement a campaign in line with the North Coast Advisory Committee Camphor Laurel Kit (available at http://www.northcoastweeds.org.au/documents/regional-plans-strategies/).

CAP2: 2.2.2, 2.2.3, 2.2.9, 3.7.1; BRR: 4.1.16, 5.4.15, 5.7.3, 5.7.5; NRR: 5.4.31

28.3 Flying-foxes

Council will work with stakeholders to:

(a) Protect and rehabilitate flying-fox camps through management actions that include revegetation and removal of weeds. Note, however, to ensure the well-being of flying-foxes, no work will be undertaken during the breeding season or extremely hot or cold weather. Priority will be given to known maternity camps. This will be undertaken in accordance with OEH’s Flying-fox Camp Management Policy (DECC 2007a).

CAP2: 2.2.2, 2.2.3, 2.2.9, 3.7.1; BRR: 4.1.22; NRR: 1.3.2, 3.5.13, 3.5.15, 3.5.18

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/habitat/threats/barriers



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ID # Action

Links

(b) Undertake community and neighbour awareness programs on the importance of camps to the long-term survival of these species; the importance of bats for ecosystem services such as pollination and seed dispersal; and the importance of flying-foxes in maintaining healthy rainforest and sclerophyll vegetation communities.

28.4 Big Scrub rainforest remnants

For Big Scrub rainforest remnants in the Lismore LGA, Council will work with stakeholders to:

a) Identify priority management actions within remnants.

b) Seek funding opportunities to implement these actions.

c) Implement the priority actions, including the staged removal of Camphor Laurel, within remnants.

d) Take part in or promote, where feasible, collaborative educational activities (e.g. Big Scrub Rainforest Day).

CAP2: 2.2.2, 2.2.3, 2.2.9, 3.7.1; BRR: 4.1.16, 5.7.1, 5.7.5; NRR: 5.4.29

28.5 Indian Mynas

Council will seek partners to review and continue implementation of its successful Indian Myna trapping program. This will include:

(c) Continuing to inform the community.

(d) Facilitating the management of Indian Mynas on private land through the current loan system, or other methods deemed suitable.

This program will be implemented in line with the Regional Pest Management Strategy 2012–17: Northern Rivers Region (OEH 2012), the Northern Rivers Indian Myna Action Plan 2009–2015 (Wagner et al. 2009) and Council’s current Indian Myna Control Project (http://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-PCL-74-68-40).

CAP2: 2.2.2, 2.2.3, 3.7.1; BRR: 7.4.25, 7.4.26; NRR: 6.4.8, 6.4.11

28.6 Feral Cats

Council will seek partnerships to implement the strategic control of feral Cats in priority areas. This will include:

(a) Collaboratively identifying areas and species most at risk from feral Cats and implementing on-ground control at significant sites on land owned or managed by Council. (b) Informing the community of the effects of Feral Cats and responsible Cat ownership (also see Action 60), as well as encouraging the control of Feral Cats by landholders.

This program will also consider relevant actions in the national Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by Feral Cats (DEWHA 2008) and Regional Pest Management Strategy 2012–17: Northern Rivers Region (OEH 2012).

CAP2: 2.2.2, 2.2.3, 3.7.1; BRR: 7.5.1, 7.5.4, 7.5.6; NRR: 6.5.7, 6.5.10, 6.5.11, 6.5.15

28.7 Red Foxes

Council will seek partners to implement the strategic control and management of European Red Foxes in priority areas, including:

(a) Collaboratively identifying and investigating areas and species most at risk from Foxes and implementing on-ground control at identified significant local sites on land owned or managed by Council.

(b) Informing the community of the effects of Foxes on biodiversity and measures prescribed under regional pest strategies.

This action will consider the relevant actions in regional pest strategies, such as the current NSW Fox Threat Abatement Plan (DECCW 2010c) and the Regional Pest Management Strategy 2012–17: Northern Rivers Region (OEH 2012).

CAP2: 2.2.2, 2.2.3, 3.7.1; BRR: 7.5.7, 7.5.8; NRR: 6.5.1, 6.5.2, 6.5.3, 6.5.4

28.8 Wild Dogs

Council will seek to work with stakeholders to implement the strategic control and management of Wild Dogs in priority areas, including the Koala Planning Area (KPoM). This will

CAP2: 2.2.2, 2.2.3, 3.7.1; BRR: 7.5.13, 7.5.14; NRR: 6.5.44, 6.5.45;

http://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-PCL-74-68-40


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ID # Action

Links

include:

(a) Collaboratively identifying areas and species most at risk from Wild Dogs and implementing on-ground control at identified significant local sites on land owned or managed by Council.

(b) Informing landholders of the effects of Wild Dogs and measures prescribed under relevant regional pest strategies.

(c) Implement a Wild Dog control program on rural lands within priority areas.

(d) Lobby the NSW Government to advocate suitable Wild Dog control methods on private land.

This program will be undertaken in conjunction with Action 26 of the KPoM and the Regional Pest Management Strategy 2012–17: Northern Rivers Region (OEH 2012).

KPoM: 26

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Appendix 6 Funding options

6.1 Grant funding

Grant funding can be an effective means of obtaining funding outside of Council budgets, although there are drawbacks, including:

Grant funding generally does not provide a reliable, long-term funding stream.

Most applications for grant funds involve a competitive process.

Grant applications require a significant investment of time and resources by staff of Council or our partners but without a guaranteed outcome for that investment.

The administration of grants also requires significant investment of time and resources by Council staff.

Council is usually required to provide in-kind or cash contributions for all or a proportion of the funds being applied for.

Despite this, the BMS is a strong case for attracting grant funding, given it has been developed with strategic links to overarching regional biodiversity management plans (Border Ranges Rainforest Biodiversity Management Plan – NSW & Queensland (DECCW 2010a); Northern Rivers Regional Biodiversity Management Plan (DECCW 2010b); Draft Northern Rivers Catchment Action Plan 2 – 2013–2023 (CAP2) (NRCMA 2013)), which are the strategic documents of potential grant funding bodies. In addition to this, any Council budget invested into implementing the BMS will provide a strong case to leverage matching grant investment, therefore providing a greater return on Council’s budget allocations.

Council will also continue to seek partnerships to share the costs and burden of managing any successful grant applications. For instance, Council is collaborating with Southern Cross University (SCU) to develop the Rural Landholder Initiative, which is an adopted delivery mechanism of the BMS (see Appendix 7).

6.2 Rate rebates

Council has two options for implementing rate rebates.

6.2.1 Under the Local Government Act 1993

The NSW Local Government Act 1993 (LG Act) provides Councils with the means to offer rate rebates for eligible applicants located within their LGA. Applicants can apply to Council for no rates to be applied to land that is protected under eligible covenanting agreements, such as:

Land that is vested in, owned by, held on trust by or leased by the Nature Conservation Trust of NSW.

Conservation agreements under the National Park and Wildlife Act 1974 (NSW).

Land acquired under an environmental planning instrument for a specific public purpose.

The advantages of this mechanism are that the loss of revenue for Council by exempting land from rates is spread across all ratepayers in the LGA, and ensures a high level of protection for high conservation value areas.

The weakness of rate rebates under the LG Act is that the strict covenants required for eligibility for rebates are usually not attractive to landholders. This may be one reason why there are only two


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landholders within the Lismore LGA that have applied for and receive a rebate under the LG Act even though this mechanism has been available for some time.

See BMS Actions 38 for actions relating to rate rebates.

6.2.2 Council-funded rebate policy

Council has the option of developing a rate-rebate program underpinned by Council policy rather than the legislation of the LG Act. Council could develop eligibility criteria that appealed to a broader range of landholders and could thus attract greater participation.

One weakness of this option is that it requires Council expenditure in order to reimburse landholders for eligible rebated land. Any rate rebate is generally calculated as a direct proportion of the total land area of the property to which a rebate would apply. For example if a landholder pays $1500 in rates per year on her 30-ha property and wants to undertake bush regeneration for 1 year on 1 ha (3%) of the property, she could apply to Council for a 3% rate rebate on that land for 1 year which amounts to only $45. This alone is unlikely to provide an effective standalone incentive. However Council could develop a Council-funded rebate policy where rate rebates not only consider the proportion of land to which a rebate may apply (in this case 3%) but also assess the biodiversity values and gains, with the rebate then calculated as a multiple of the land area. In the above example, the 3% could be multiplied by 5 or 10 (depending on biodiversity values and gains) so that the final rebate is $225 or $450.

6.3 Options within existing Council budgets

There is little scope for sufficient ongoing funding to implement the BMS within Council’s existing budget. However, the Council’s Partnering Fund may provide some funding opportunities. This fund is a recurrent annual allocation of approximately $200,000 that provides funding opportunities for Council projects in partnerships with social, economic and environmental initiatives.

Given the amount needed to implement key BMS projects, if the BMS relies heavily on this Partnering Fund it will take away from other important partnering opportunities for Council, such as Village Plans.

If the BMS is unable to secure ongoing and reliable funding for implementation it will fall heavily on this Partnering Fund for implementation of key BMS actions. However, seeking funding from the Partnering Fund is a competitive process and cannot be considered a reliable source of ongoing funding.

6.4 Novel funding options

Council will continually seek novel and alternative ways to attract investment to implement key projects under the BMS. For example, Council will seek to work with other organisations and stakeholders to develop and manage a perpetual fund that provides funding to rural landholders to manage and conserve HCV areas on private land into perpetuity. This will be modelled on the Tasmania Midlands Conservation Fund (see Males 2012), which seeks philanthropic investment into a perpetual fund, the interest from which is provided to landholders through a stewardship agreement for conservation management.

It should be noted that philanthropic investment is a highly competitive area and building such a program will require substantial investment to set up and to maintain. However, once established this program would provide a solution to the need of continually seeking new funding opportunities to achieve conservation goals. It would provide a means to fund conservation management on private land in the Lismore LGA into perpetuity.


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6.5 Special Rate Variation

A special rate variation (SRV) allows councils to increase general income above the rate peg, under the provisions of the NSW Local Government Act 1993 (LG Act). Local government can seek special variations to levels of rates (above the pegged rate) through submission to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for review and assessment.

Although IPART sets local council rates, council applications for SRVs are assessed against criterion in the Guidelines for the Preparation of an Application for a Special Variation to General Income for 2014/15 (NSW Premier & Cabinet 2013). These guidelines states that councils must provide:

Evidence that the community is aware of the need for and extent of a rate rise. This should be clearly spelt out in Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) documentation [council’s strategic documents] and the council must demonstrate an appropriate variety of engagement methods to ensure opportunity for community awareness/input. The IP&R documentation should canvas alternatives to a rate rise, the impact of any rises upon the community and the council’s consideration of the community’s capacity and willingness to pay rates. The relevant IP&R documents must be approved and adopted by the council before the council seeks IPART’s approval for a special variation to its general revenue.

IPART assess whether council’s application satisfies the community awareness and engagement criterion, and considers the following principles:

That the council clearly communicated the full impact of the proposed rate increases to ratepayers.

That the council clearly communicated what the SRV will fund.

Specifically, IPART considers whether:

The council’s adopted IP&R documents demonstrate that the community is aware of the need for, and extent of, the rate rise.

The council has demonstrated an appropriate variety of engagement methods to ensure community awareness and input into the SRV process.

The council’s adopted IP&R documents canvas: o Alternatives to a rate rise o the impact of any rate rises upon the community o The council’s consideration of the community’s capacity and willingness to pay.

6.5.1 Advantages of a SRV

A SRV for the purposes of an environmental levy could provide sufficient recurrent funding to implement the BMS effectively.

Council would not have to exhaust its current budgets for other worthy programs (i.e. the Partnering Fund, which is intended to provide partnering opportunities for social, economic and environment projects).

The community may be supportive given it wanted a BMS and it was the community’s vision that the LCC be an ‘environmental leader’. This cannot occur without the effective implementation of this BMS.

The availability of funding is likely to provide sufficient leverage to attract external grant funding, as most State and Commonwealth grants require like-for-like cash contributions from Council.


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6.5.2 Possible drawbacks of a SRV

Any increase in rates has the potential to be controversial and unwanted by at least parts of the community, but thorough community consultation is required before application to IPART for a SRV (see below).

Application for a SRV is a lengthy process through the IPART.

The community may not be willing or able to afford a rate increase, although this would be determined via obligatory community consultation.

6.5.3 SRV consultation process

If Council were to seek the community’s willingness and capacity to pay a SRV, it would be required to develop and implement a community engagement strategy to consult with the community on its proposal. The IPART criteria state that Councils should use an appropriate variety of engagement methods to ensure community awareness raising and input. This strategy would likely involve the following:

Mail outs to ratepayers

Media releases

Online surveys

Factsheets available on Council’s website

Independent review of the effectiveness of the Draft BMS

Independent community consultation to undertake: telephone interviews, and online surveys

A Community Forum (similar to a citizen’s jury) with 30-50 participants from relevant rating categories would also be conducted to give the broadest possible feedback to Council

As specified under IPAR T guidelines, Council would consult with the community on the need for and extent of a rate rise and any alternatives and resulting consequences of a rate rise, or not, as well as ascertain the community’s capacity and willingness to pay additional rates. Key findings from this consultation would assist Council’s decision to proceed with an SRV funded BMS and the necessary application to IPART.

If any SRV application were approved by IPART then the rate variation would commence at the beginning of the next financial year.

6.5.4 SRV proposal

If Council resolves to seek community feedback and any subsequent approval from the NSW State Government for a SRV, council has prepared what it would propose to the Lismore community for any proposed SRV to support the BMS:

What? The proposed SRV would raise an ongoing $500,000 per annum to implement the BMS which equates to a 1.9% increase in Council’s current annual rates revenue. Table 10, Section 6 provides a view into the funding allocations to deliver key BMS actions over 10 years.

Who? Businesses would be excluded from the proposed SRV, as most incurred the Special Business rate rise in 2013. Consequently the proposed SRV would only apply to three of Council’s rating categories: Farmland, Res/Rural and Residential.

Under IPART guidelines an SRV for the purposes of implementing a BMS would not qualify for a fixed-rate service. This means that the cost of the SRV would vary amongst ratepayers based on the NSW Valuer General land value of the rateable land and rating category. Table 1 below shows indicative annual costs per rateable property for a $500,000/1.9% rate increase.


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Table A8: Indicative annual cost per rateable property for a $500,000/1.9% rate increase by NSW Valuer General land value and rating category.

NSW Valuer General Land Value

Rating Category $100,000 $250,000 $500,000 $1000,000

Farmland $13.50 $33.75 $67.50 $135.00

Res/Rural $16.50 $41.25 $82.50 $165.00

Residential $22.50 $56.25 $112.50 $225.00

Note: the median land values for each rating category: Farmland = $375,000; Res/rural = $192,000; and Residential = $113,000.

When? As per the proposed project schedule, in May 2015 Council would decide, based on community consultation results, whether to apply, or not, to IPART for an SRV to support the BMS. If approved by IPART, the SRV would commence July 2016.

6.5.5 Other considerations

Additional considerations for any SRV to fund the implementation of the BMS include:

Identifying a SRV in the BMS does not mean Council can or will apply for a rate increase. The BMS simply seeks community views on an SRV to deliver key actions in the BMS. The consultation and IPART application process, including all community consultation, must be followed.

The intention to raise a SRV would need to be included in the review of LCC strategic documents in 2015 for public disclosure of the intention.


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Appendix 7 The Rural Landholder Initiative

The Rural Landholder Initiative is a project of Council to develop a capacity building program for rural landholders, as outlined in the Imagine Lismore Partnering Strategy (Lismore City Council 2013g).

The project design phase began in April 2014 in partnership with Southern Cross University (SCU). Development of the program is being designed with the input and assistance from rural landholders and other stakeholders. It is expected the project design will be completed by the end of 2014, in time to inform the implementation of on-ground pilot projects in mid-2015.

7.1 Development of the program

The development of this program involves consultative design and pilot projects, which aim to:

Provide direction for the successful development and on-ground implementation of a Rural Landholder Initiative as a delivery mechanism of the BMS.

Design biodiversity conservation and management tools for effective management of biodiversity on private land.

Guide Council toward best-practice land management for effective biodiversity management.

Provide policy tools and initiatives that maximise the cost–benefit of investment into rural land management and biodiversity and maximise landholder participation and support.

Provide sufficient guidance and eligibility to develop a strong grant submission under the Australian Research Council Linkage project for further investment in the implementation of a pilot project in the Lismore LGA.

7.1.1 Design

The initiative is being designed in partnership with the Southern Cross University (SCU). SCU are conducting a collaborative research study to design and develop targeted biodiversity management policies and incentives for implementation across the Lismore LGA. This study includes the following phases:

Phase 1 – Project design and conceptualisation. Consists of creation of an ABCD biodiversity management framework similar to the Canegrowers ABCD framework which was developed in Queensland (DEEDI 2010) to improve water quality being discharged to the Great Barrier Reef. This framework defines management practices from innovative (A), best (B) or common (C) to dated (D), and aims to guide incentive and educational programs to achieve incremental change in land management.

Phase 2 – Rural Landholder consultation. Consultation with 75 landholders across five major landholder sectors (beef farmers, dairy farmers, orchardists/Macadamia growers, floodplain cropping/cane growers, and lifestyle landholders) to further inform the development of effective biodiversity management incentive and educational programs targeted towards enhancing or creating ecosystem services that are mutually beneficial for agricultural production and biodiversity.

Phase 3 – Development of incentive and policy tools. Identification and development of policy tools, including financial incentives and education measures, which encourage best-practice land management with positive biodiversity outcomes.

Phase 4 – Pilot project design and funding application. Consists of design of on-ground pilot projects for implementation to test the effectiveness and efficiencies of policy tools developed during Phases 1–3.


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7.1.2 Pilot projects

Council will conduct pilot projects to test the implementation of the Rural Landholder Initiative, as identified in the design of the project above. Council plans to conduct 10 or more on-ground projects with rural landholders across the five major landholder sectors to test and improve the initiatives developed in the design phases. The pilot projects will also provide a means of demonstrating the on-ground benefits of the program and thus further promote the program.

Council will also seek additional partnerships at local, regional and state levels to conduct the pilot projects, including applying for funding and, if successful, entering into an agreement with the Australian Research Council.

7.1.3 Implementation of the Rural Landholder Initiative

Once the design of the Rural Landholder Initiative is completed, Council plans to proceed to a full rollout of the program, provided Council can secure reliable funding. As described in Table 6, action 44, this rollout will include incentives for ecosystem services management by landholders and educational materials and forums in the Lismore LGA.

The full incentive program will consider options to link with landscape-scale planning, including priority habitats and corridors. This may be in the form of eligibility criteria for specific management actions within key habitat corridors identified by Milledge (2012).

Council will also continue to seek partners to implement this program fully and will promote partnerships between government and non-government agencies to deliver incentive options.

7.2 Incentives program

Conservation incentives encourage or motivate people to participate in biodiversity conservation or management activities. Incentives can be financial or non-financial, including education, and are a popular tool of environmental programs.

Based on community consultation, a study of incentives programs from around Australia (see Table A9) a list of possible incentives will be developed. These incentives will be presented to landholders during the design phases to determine the preferences of landholders. The feedback, with an analysis of the effectiveness of the incentives will be considered to ensure there is greatest uptake of the Rural Landholder Initiative and that biodiversity outcomes are maximised.

Any incentives program will also be guided by regional biodiversity plans, such as the Border Ranges Rainforest Biodiversity Management Plan – NSW & Queensland (DECCW 2010a), the Northern Rivers Regional Biodiversity Management Plan (DECCW 2010b), and the Draft Northern Rivers Catchment Action Plan 2 – 2013–2023 (CAP2) (NRCMA 2013).

7.2.1 Aims

Incentives, including educational incentives, will be industry relevant and easy-to-use. They will aim to:

Increase the capacity and commitment of landholders and the community to conduct best-practice land management for improvement of ecosystem services.

To work with landholders to create corridors or stepping stones between existing remnant patches of vegetation, aiding the movement of animals through the landscape.

Reduce or end the effects of grazing by stock on remnant vegetation through exclusion fencing.


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Increase knowledge of ecosystem services provided by native vegetation and biodiversity, and increase skills and sustained changes in behaviour that lead to best-practice management of those ecosystem services, including protection of aquatic and marine systems.

Promote incremental change from current practice to best-practice land management through property management planning and promotion of the Biodiversity ABCD Framework (see section 7.1.1 of this Appendix).

Promote private land covenants and land acquisition within identified linkages and other priority areas.

Promote the incremental establishment of vegetation linkages across cleared landscapes through the use of mixed-species timber plantations, vegetation rehabilitation, shelterbelts and targeted revegetation programs.

Promote options for grants to private landholders for protection of rainforest and related vegetation and rehabilitation in priority areas.

Promote best-practice weed removal and management techniques to minimise impacts on native habitats and the agricultural environment.

Promote the importance of wetlands and riparian vegetation and the rehabilitation of these, including the promotion of off-stream watering points.

7.2.2 Education and extension

Council will actively provide information to rural landholders through a number of ongoing educational programs that take account of outcomes and recommendations from the design phases of the Rural landholder Initiative (above). These may include:

Field days at demonstration sites managed by landholder champions to enable knowledge sharing of knowledge, development of practical skills and development of skills to apply best practice management of ecosystem services.

Development and distribution of resource kits tailored to each agricultural industry and lifestyle landholders, to communicate specific best-practice management methods of ecosystem services tailored to their industries.

Facilitation of a reference group of industry and community stakeholders to provide advice on implementation of the education program. These should be champions from each of the five landholder categories, who will employ and advocate for best-practice land management.

Facilitate property management planning, project management and follow-up support for effective property and project management.

Council will also employ a Natural Resource Management Extension Officer to deliver biodiversity extension services to the community and landholders. These could include training forums and workshops, field days, and individual consultations. Specific extension activities could include:

Support the implementation of voluntary conservation, restoration and management of Koala habitat by individuals and community groups by assisting with the search for grant funding and providing technical support.

Education programs and provision of on-ground advice.

Property-based biodiversity assessments to inform incentive program eligibility or farm management plans.

Advice on threatened species and conservation management, and provision of background information.

Advice and information on effective management of ecosystem services.

Advice on weed identification, weed management, bush regeneration, revegetation and animal pest control.

Information and training on developing community partnerships (e.g. encouraging landholder to seek effective community and neighbour partnerships to achieve positive biodiversity and ecosystem service outcomes).


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Property planning advice provision of available data and assistance in the preparation of property management plans.

Advice on forms of assistance available to manage biodiversity values.

Information of ecosystem services and biodiversity, including best-practice management of wetlands and the values of hollow-bearing trees, dead trees, fallen timber and hollow logs.


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Table A9. Examples of incentive programs from around Australia. These programs will be used to assist with development of Lismore’s Rural Landholder Initiative by the Southern Cross University. Name of program

Where Description Type of financial incentive

(mechanism)

Program focus Management focus

Environmental enhancement rate rebate

Melton Shire Council, Victoria

Rural properties >2 ha are eligible for annual rate rebates up to 38% of total rate bill for a resident landholder, and up to 78% for an absentee landholder. In March each year, eligible landholders can submit a proposal for environmental works on their property. The landholder has until September to complete the works, when they will be inspected by council.

Rate rebate Environmental improvement

Control of: Noxious weeds; Soil erosion; Pest animals

Logan City EnviroGrants

Logan City Council, Queensland

Grants provided for environmental projects on private land, which must demonstrate long-term commitment and environmental benefits beyond the property boundary. The grant is open annually in February and landholders can apply for up to $5,000 per project per year. Funding typically covers materials and tools associated with bush rehabilitation, including native plants, fencing, herbicides, mulch, shovels, rakes, spray equipment and the like.

One-off grant Native vegetation Vegetation planting; Weed control; Erosion control

River Health Grants

Tweed Shire Council, NSW

River Health Grants attempt to improve the quality of drinking water by targeting works on river- and creek-banks. There is a particular focus on restricting access of livestock to waterways. Funding is typically provided for stock drinking troughs, fencing, weed control and erosion stabilisation, as well as revegetation. To be eligible, landholders typically have to be part of the Tweed or Oxley River Catchment as well as incorporate a minimum of 100 m of stream bank on their property.

One-off grant River health and water quality

Erosion control; Weed control; Vegetation planting

Green Graze Goulburn Broken and North Central Catchment Management Authorities, Victoria

The Green Graze pilot project focused on improving native vegetation by improving the livestock production system at the farm level. The project targeted commercial farms ≥500 ha. Funding was typically for changes in pasture management, application of fertilisers or grazing regimes as well as installing strategic fencing and watering points to improve native pastures, scattered trees and remnant native vegetation. Management contracts were for 3 years with a substantial upfront payment as well as annual payments.

Competitive tender Native vegetation Pasture management; Grazing management

Habitat Tender – Red-tailed Black-cockatoo & Buloke

Wimmera Catchment Management Authority,

The program focuses on improving and protecting the habitat of the Red-tailed Black-cockatoo. Remnant vegetation or scattered paddock trees are targeted for regeneration activities such as fencing, grazing and pest management. Management contracts are for 5 years.

Competitive tender Red-tailed Black Cockatoo

Grazing management Pest control


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woodland Victoria

Bucks for Bush – The Next Generation

South East Natural Resource Management Board, South Australia

The program broadly focuses on biodiversity through improving native habitat in the region, including remnant vegetation, windbreaks of native tree, wetlands and wildlife corridors, as well as protecting endangered plants and animals. Management actions incorporated include planting vegetation to create buffers or corridors and fencing as well as pest animal and weed control. Activities are completed over 12 months.

One-off grant Biodiversity Planting vegetation; Pest control; Weed control

Cassowary Coast Conservation Covenant Rate Reduction Scheme

Cassowary Coast Regional Council, Queensland

The program focuses on protecting core habitat and corridors of the Southern Cassowary on private properties. Council provides a reduction on property rates and landholders either enter an ongoing conservation agreement that can be revoked or a perpetual covenant. Rate reductions depend on the proportion of the property protected and condition of the habitat. The program is ongoing and rates are reduced annually.

Rate rebate Cassowary Habitat protection

Desert Uplands Landscape Linkage Program

Burdekin Dry Tropics

The program focused on improving connectivity of vegetation corridors between properties. This was achieved through reductions in cattle grazing pressure in strategic paddocks with significant biodiversity values. There were three bidding rounds, in which the cost of each participant’s proposals was revealed. This was to improve the competitiveness of individual bids. Over the 2-year agreement, 40% of the payment was upfront and 30% at the end of each year.

Competitive tender with multiple bidding rounds

Biodiversity Remnant protection

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Appendix 8 Council’s management toolkit explained

This Appendix discusses the management tools available to Lismore City Council (LCC) to enhance and protect biodiversity as well as the ability of these tools to achieve the objectives of the BMS within the context of the community and environment in the Lismore LGA. This discussion directly informs the mix of regulation and non-regulatory incentives adopted by Council to achieve the objective of the BMS.

8.1 Regulation

8.1.1 Local Environmental Plan (LEP)

A Local Environmental Plan (LEP) is a legal instrument that controls the location and impact of land-uses through zones and development standards. The purpose of a LEP is to achieve the objects of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EPA Act), which is the principal planning legislation for NSW. The EPA Act guides the management, development and conservation of natural resources, including agricultural land, natural areas, forests, minerals, water, and cities, towns and villages.

8.1.2 Lismore LEP 2012

The Lismore LEP (Lismore City Council 2012d) controls and guides proposed development in the Lismore LGA. It contains land-use zones, development standards and other matters to consider when assessing potential development. A particular aim related to biodiversity in the Lismore LEP is:

(e) to protect, sustain and enhance Lismore’s natural environment, particularly native fauna and flora.

The Standard Instrument (Local Environmental Plans Order 2006 (under the EPA Act; see http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/planning_reforms/p/2006-155.pdf) sets out 35 standard zones for councils to use when preparing new principal LEPs. From those 35 zones, 20 land-use zones applicable to the Lismore LGA were selected for the Lismore LEP. For each zone, the Standard Instrument sets out ‘core’ objectives for development, and certain mandated permitted or prohibited land-uses. The majority of land in the Lismore LGA (87%) is zoned as RU1– Primary Production, which reflects the Council and community desire to support agriculture.

In its draft form, Lismore LEP 2012 included Zone E1 – National Parks and Nature Reserves, Zone E2 – Environmental Conservation, and Zone E3 – Environmental Management. In September 2012, before finalising the draft Lismore Local Environmental Plan 2012, the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure announced a review into the way environmental zones (not including E1) and overlays were applied to land on the Far North Coast (Lismore, Ballina, Byron, Kyogle and Tweed Local Government Areas (LGAs)), and in December 2012 the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) engaged consultants Parson Brinckerhoff to undertake the review. The Lismore LEP was approved on 22 February 2013 but with lands zoned E2 and E3 identified as ‘Deferred Matters’, as the future of these remained in the hands of the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. Such lands are currently zoned in accordance with the previous Lismore LEP 2000.

The ministerial review culminated in the release of the Northern Councils EZone Review Interim Report, which was exhibited for public comment. This report made no comment or recommendations about the future application of environmental protection zones in the Lismore LGA. The ‘Deferred Matters’ thus remain and Council is still awaiting direction from the DPE.

In the meantime, through the development of the BMS, staff have explored the regulatory and non-regulatory tools available to Council to manage biodiversity in the Lismore LGA. Through a series of three workshops with the BMS Councillor Feedback Group (CFG: Councillors Clough, Ekins, Marks,

http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/planning_reforms/p/2006-155.pdf


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Ritchie and Scheibel; see section 2.2.2) it was accepted that some form of E-Zones would be available to Council in the future, even though the Review is yet to be completed and provided to Council, and that the BMS should discuss the use of zones, including E-zoning, as a possible tool for conserving biodiversity in the Lismore LGA.

What zones can do:

Apply the objectives and intended outcomes set by the DPE. For example zones can be applied to areas meeting criteria set by the DPE.

Control the location of development and land-uses, and specify what is permitted (with or without approval) or prohibited.

‘Segregate’ what are seen as incompatible land-uses (e.g. housing and heavy industry, forestry and vegetation conservation) and enable compatible uses to occur (e.g. housing and small medical centres).

Assist to implement Council’s strategic policy intentions of councils (e.g. restrict the subdivision of good agricultural land, and restrict development in areas of conservation significance)

Provide ‘incentives’ (such as the heritage conservation clause and planning exemptions)

What zones cannot do:

Make development and land-uses happen. For example zoning land for housing development will not, of itself, put houses on the land.

Make land owners manage, improve or conserve their land or buildings (e.g. manage areas of conservation significance such as endangered ecological communities or maintain a heritage home).

Environmental protection zones and the BMS

Council staff conducted a series of three workshops with the CFG to discuss the use of E-zones in the context of the BMS and considering the final DPE review is yet to be released (also discussed above).

The CFG decided that even though the DPE review is yet to be finalised and released, the BMS should discuss the use of E-Zones in the Lismore LGA, as the BMS provides Council with the best strategic context for establishing its position on the use of E-Zones.

The first CFG workshop (9 July 2014) discussed the management tools available to Council for use in the BMS and the pros and cons of each. There was general agreement that:

The strategies of the BMS should use a mix of regulatory and non-regulatory management tools available to Council to maximise the on-ground benefits for biodiversity.

The capacity of the management tools to achieve on-ground change and enhancement of biodiversity should be assessed, and the most appropriate tool to achieve this should be used (e.g. the use of Zones E2 or E3 on farms may not achieve as many biodiversity benefits as a well-funded biodiversity management incentives program could; see below).

This is consistent with best-practice models for biodiversity management, which recommends the use of a mixture of regulation and non-regulatory incentive tools informed by the context of Lismore’s community and environment (NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service 2001).

The second CFG workshop (23 July 2014) discussed the ability of E-Zoning to achieve on-ground biodiversity gains in the Lismore LGA and the use of non-regulatory incentives and education where appropriate. Council provided some working examples where other management tools may achieve better on-ground biodiversity gains than the application of environmental protection zones.


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In some cases greater on-ground biodiversity benefits may be achieved through a well-funded incentives and educational program, as proposed in the Rural Landholder Initiative (see actions in Table 6 and summary of the program in Appendix 7). The mixture of tools considers the following:

The need to apply zones in accordance with the future desired outcome for that area, land and site, i.e. if agriculture is the future desired outcome then the Primary Production zone may be the most appropriate zone.

A zone such as an E-Zone cannot make landholders manage or conserve areas of High Conservation Value (HCV) areas on their land.

There was much opposition to and controversy around the proposition of E-Zones in the Draft Lismore LEP 2012. It was seen as Council imposing restrictions on landholder’s ability to manage their farm and business into the future. E-zones may thus be counterproductive if Council and landholders want to cooperate to improve management of HCV areas on private land.

In some cases E zones were supported as a tool to restrict ‘inappropriate’ land-uses such as large tourist facilities that can impact adversely on flora and fauna.

Further, in many rural areas of HCV are often used for ongoing grazing or for refuge grazing during floods. With the provision of ‘Existing Use rights’1 (section 106 of the EPA Act) E-zone restrictions on land-uses that were regarded as having an adverse impact on the HCVs would only apply if there was a change of land-use in that area, which seldom happens in the agricultural context. Therefore, an E-zone would not achieve any intended biodiversity conservation outcomes and would at the same time cause uncertainty and confusion for farmers.

The implementation of an incentives program requires a reliable and long-term funding source that is large enough to provide effective incentives for landholders throughout the LGA. See Appendix 6 for discussion on funding options to support the BMS).

During this second CFG workshop it was also agreed that if it was up to Council’s discretion as to where, and if, to apply E-Zones, then it would be appropriate for the BMS to discuss a consistent and strategic approach to the use of E-zones in the Lismore LGA. It was also agreed it should be clear this would not pre-empt any directive from DPE. On that basis, it was agreed that the following considerations could be used to assess, on a case-by-case basis, the effective use of E-Zones:

Consideration of context (e.g. the predominant land-use on the site and in the area, such as farming or urban bushland).

Future intentions of Council or the community for an area (e.g. farming).

Compatible land-uses (e.g. there may be land-uses that are not compatible with the objectives of E-zones and biodiversity management).

Quality and the viability (size) of a patches for the specific ecological function proposed and viability of that HCV area.

Proximity to protected areas (e.g. National Park) and other E-Zones.

Adequate representation of that specific HCV attribute in protected areas within the Lismore LGA or region (e.g. a particular EEC).

Location within a key habitat or corridors, as mapped by Landmark in 2012 (Milledge 2012; Technical Appendix 2).

The third CFG workshop (13 August 2014) discussed funding options for the Implementation of the BMS (see Appendix 6). It was agreed that the full Council should be informed of these options and a decision be made regarding the way forward. It is expected that this will be taken to a formal Council meeting on 14 October 2014.

LEP overlays and development standards and clauses

1 An existing use is a use that is lawfully commenced but subsequently becomes a prohibited use under a new local

environmental plan (LEP) or other environmental planning instrument (EPI). The EPA Act (and the EPA Regulation 2000) makes provisions for the continuance of existing uses.


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LEP overlays and development standards do not permit or prohibit development; but rather control the effects of permitted uses through:

Development standards (e.g. minimum lot-size, building height, floor-space ratios etc.)

Clauses that prescribe matters to be considered when assessing a development application. Note these only apply when a use requires consent (e.g. the Drinking Water Catchment map and clause, rural land sharing community development).

See LEP Practice Note PN 06-002 and Planning Circular PS 06-008 for further information on the use of planning overlays (available at http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/en-us/planningyourlocalarea/leppracticenotesandplanningcirculars.aspx).

Overlays may be used to delineate areas according to their significance for biodiversity protection (e.g. map of HCV areas, including habitat corridors). These may overlap conventional boundaries of zones, which may include land in several different zones. The DPE states that planning overlays are the appropriate mechanism for managing multiple natural resource values requiring different planning responses.

Overlays can also provide certainty to developers, landholders and Council staff about when and what needs to be considered in a development application.

It should be noted that the use of overlays for environmental considerations is also being reviewed by DPE.

8.1.3 Growth management strategy

Council is in the process of preparing a new Growth Management Strategy (GMS) for the Lismore LGA for the next 20 years. A GMS is a key strategic document for Council and the community as it helps define the spatial growth of a place. A GMS ensures that development is planned and in areas that have minimal constraints (e.g. not on flood-prone land or areas of HCV) and can be serviced with necessary and appropriate infrastructure. The GMS achieves this through identifying constraints (using maps) that define the locations for future development.

Interaction of the BMS and the development of GMS constraints is necessary to inform Council of areas of HCV (see Table 4; action 33.

8.1.4 Development assessment

The EPA Act provides for the preparation of a number of environmental planning instruments (EPI), including State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPP) and LEP (as discussed above), which include Development Control Plans (DCP).

SEPP are developed by the DPE and approved by the Minister for Planning and the State Government. They are part of all NSW local government development assessment frameworks. SEPPs deal with issues significant to the state and people of NSW. SEPP primarily related to biodiversity protection in the Lismore LGA include:

SEPP No. 44 – Koala Habitat Protection. This SEPP encourages the conservation and management of natural vegetation that provides habitat for koalas to ensure persistence of permanent free-living populations throughout their present range. Local councils cannot approve development in an area affected by the SEPP without an investigation of core koala habitat. The policy provides the state-wide approach needed to enable appropriate development to continue, while ensuring there is ongoing protection of koalas and their habitat. LCC’s KPoM (Lismore City Council 2013c) was developed in response to this SEPP. The BMS links various actions identified in the KPoM with implementation of the BMS.

http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/en-us/planningyourlocalarea/leppracticenotesandplanningcirculars.aspx

http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/en-us/planningyourlocalarea/leppracticenotesandplanningcirculars.aspx


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SEPP No. 14 – Coastal Wetlands. This SEPP ensures coastal wetlands are preserved and protected for environmental and economic reasons. The policy applies to LGAs outside the Sydney metropolitan area that front the Pacific Ocean. The policy identifies over 1300 wetlands of high natural value from Tweed Heads to Broken Bay and from Wollongong to Cape Howe. The BMS identified these as HCV areas (see section 3.1.4, and Appendix 2).

DCPs provide a similar function to overlays and LEP clauses as they control the impacts of permitted uses. However, a DCP provides specific and more comprehensive guidelines for certain types of development, or requirements for specific localities. They can be map-based or linked to a zone, or both. However, they have lesser legal status than LEPs.

The BMS proposes in Table 4, action 31 to develop a Biodiversity DCP of which a Biodiversity Development Assessment Framework will form a component. The Biodiversity DCP will provide developers, consultants, Council staff and the public with a clear understanding of Council’s expectations for biodiversity management in the development assessment process.

8.1.5 State and federal legislative obligations

As described in Appendix 1 there are many state and federal legislative provisions that apply to the management of biodiversity at the level of local government. There are a few of these that also relate directly to the management of biodiversity on private land including, but not limited to, the Native Vegetation Act 2003 (NSW; NV Act) and the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (NSW; TSC Act).

However, some of these legislated provisions are not within Council’s portfolio, but it is necessary to consider them in the context of Council’s application of available tools.

Native Vegetation Act 2003

As an example of the application of State or Commonwealth legislation, the NV Act frames the way native vegetation is managed in NSW by preventing broad-scale clearing, unless it improves or maintains environmental outcomes. Under the NV Act, landholders can negotiate Property Vegetation Plans (PVPs) with local Catchment Management Authority (now Local Land Services). Councils may also require approval under the NV Act for some vegetation removal.

It is a common argument that any local government regulation that controls the impacts of clearing on native vegetation on private land duplicates the NV Act and presents additional regulatory burden on landholders. In regards to this, there are a few aspects that the NV Act does not address in regard to native vegetation protection at a local scale. For example:

The NSW Government is reforming native vegetation management in NSW, which involves introducing new codes of practice for vegetation clearing, including self-assessable codes of practice for certain low-risk clearing activities. These self-assessment tools largely rely on landholder knowledge, and assume the good faith of landholders to self-assess and self-regulate when required.

The NV Act does not provide mapping-based guidance showing areas of HCV to inform landholders of the biodiversity values on their land. However local government generally does provide such mapping-based guidance to landholders, therefore providing better protection and monitoring of vegetation on private land.

Compliance under the NV Act is often reactive to impacts (e.g. illegal clearing), as opposed to acting proactively, which map-based guidance can provide.

The NV Act provides generous clearing provisions through Routine Agricultural Management Activities (RAMAs), which reduces the effectiveness of the Act.

Although the NV Act fills a function in preventing broad-scale clearing, local government policy and regulation fills a necessary gap in operations at a finer scale.


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8.2 Non-regulatory

8.2.1 Incentive programs

As discussed in Appendix 7, the use of incentives can be an effective means of encouraging and motivating people to participate in biodiversity conservation management. Incentives can be financial or non-financial (including educational activities), and are a popular management tool of environmental programs. Incentives can assist landowners to offset the time and financial cost of managing areas of bushland and biodiversity.

There are many advantages of using incentives to encourage biodiversity management. For example:

An incentive approach is non-regulatory, and less controversial than regulation.

Encouraging voluntary participation can often attract those who would otherwise not be willing to participate.

Incentives can provide positive and tangible on-ground biodiversity outcomes.

The drawbacks of incentive programs are:

They are dependent on funding to support the program and the level of funding is often directly linked to the level of biodiversity outcome achieved (see a discussion on funding options in Appendix 6). Incentive programs rely on the voluntary participation of landholders, regardless of the importance of biodiversity assets on private land.

If not carefully designed, an incentives program can train landholders to expect payment for stewardship of the land, as opposed to instilling changed land management practices which is more viable in the long term.

The BMS proposes to implement an incentives based Rural Landholder Initiative (see Table 6 and Appendix 7).

8.2.2 Education

There are many benefits in using education programs as a tool to improve biodiversity outcomes. For example:

Education generates and harnesses community support and involvement which is a fundamental element in achieving biodiversity outcomes.

Education provides a means of achieving sustained behavioural change.

Undertaking hands-on educational forums (e.g. field days) can increase awareness of the co-benefits of appropriate land management practices for biodiversity and agricultural production.

Educational forums provide opportunities for landholders to make contact with and learn from peers, which provides a great incentive to attend these forums and can encourage effective land management practices for biodiversity.

Education forums and knowledge gained can provide links for landholders to access funding opportunities to assist them to manage biodiversity on their land.

Although few, there are some drawbacks to investing in educational programs. For example:

There are often long delays between implementation of education and the desired on-ground outcomes, largely as a result of the need for landholders to build trust and confidence in the material provided.

Educational programs generally require financial support (see Appendix 6 for a discussion on funding options for the BMS).

Forums often attract audiences that are already educated in the management of biodiversity.


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Given the number of advantages of implementing educational programs, particularly to achieve sustained behavioural change, the BMS proposes various educational actions. In addition to the educational actions related to the Rural Landholder Initiative (see Table 6), the BMS proposes many more education actions be implemented over time (see actions in Table 8).

8.2.3 Plans, policies and strategies

Plans, policies and strategies provide clear documented guidance for Council and its operations. These documents often provide a strategic context for the matter concerned and provide council with informed and consistent approaches to its business over time.

Biodiversity management plans (BMP) provide a central management tool for councils to determine and describe its strategic direction and policy implementation in the short-to-medium term. Accordingly, they can play a crucial role in identifying biodiversity conservation as a key goal, and set out how this is to be achieved. In particular BMPs including this BMS can:

Provide ‘principal activities’ proposed to be undertaken within given timeframes.

Specify objectives for biodiversity conservation in a given area.

Outline the means by which Council intends to achieve these objectives.

As outlined in the proposed actions identified in Table 3, Council will review and update its relevant planning, processes and operations policies and strategies to ensure it applies best-practice environmental management consistently.


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Appendix 9 Performance indicators

Note that these indicators will be refined over time to ensure delivery of BMS actions can be measured

for success. Individual BMS projects/actions will also be develop with their own measurable outputs.

Table A10 Members of the SRG members consulted during the drafting of the BMS.

Performance Indicators

1. Projects delivered under the BMS have measurable indicators of success including, but not limited

to: hectares of priority areas regenerated and revegetated; kilometres of riverbank protected;

area of HCV areas restored and protected.

2. Council has signed agreements with a minimum of 25 landholders per annum to engage in the

Rural Landholder Initiative (RLI).

3. Annual surveys shows a minimum of 80% satisfaction by RLI participants with the program’s

delivery.

4. 80% of attendees to selected education programs are satisfied

5. Each year Council has a minimum of 5 active partnerships with relevant stakeholder groups,

including community conservation groups and industry groups.

6. Once a Biodiversity Development Control Plan is in place, there are no examples of relevant

development applications not being assessed for impacts on biodiversity.

7. Council delivers all outstanding KPoM actions within 2 years (aside from ongoing actions).

8. All ongoing actions in the KPoM and CZMP are carried out.

9. Riparian areas on the western side of the Wilsons River, between the two bridges are regenerated

and restored within 10 years.

10. A annual random surveys of rate payers and residents identifies an increased awareness of BMS

related actions.


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Appendix 10 Stakeholder Reference Group for the BMS

Lismore City Council formed a Stakeholder Reference Group (SRG) for the development of the Draft BMS (; see Section 2.2.1). This group included representatives of the agricultural industry and environmental and ratepayer interest groups within the Lismore community.

Table A11 Members of the SRG members consulted during the drafting of the BMS.

Member Representation

Mr Andrew Gordon Ratepayers Association of Lismore Inc.

Dr David Newell Southern Cross University (SCU)

Mrs Emma Stone Richmond Landcare Inc. and Whian Whian Landcare Inc.

Mr Jeffrey Zanette Richmond River Banana Growers

Mr Jolyon Burnett Australian Macadamia Society

Mrs Kath Robb NSW Farmers

Mr Kel Graham Coo-eeEE Property Rights Inc.

Ms Leigh Shearman Norco Co-operative Ltd

Mr Michael Delaney EnviTE Inc.

Mr Paul Cheeseman Northern Rivers Wildlife Carers Inc.

Ms Donna Graham then Dr Roslyn Irwin

Friends of the Koala (Fotk)

Ms Sharon McGrigor WIRES Northern Rivers