Test of Significance - Part 5 Assessment

What Is Included in a 5-Part Test from East Coast Ecology?

At East Coast Ecology our 5-Part Tests are prepared to a high standard and are easy to read and interpret for you and other stakeholders. This is why we breakdown our 5-Part Test into easy-to-manage sub-categories as follows:

INTRODUCTION

1. Identification and description of the site.

2. Description of the proposed development and references to plans and reports used for the Flora and Fauna Assessment Report.

3. The regional context and physical description of the study area including hydrology, geology, soils, landforms, climate and types and conditions of the habitat(s) in, and adjacent to, the land affected by the proposal.

4. Flora and Fauna context that included the animals and types of vegetation in the area.

LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES

It is crucial to provide an up-to-date context of the threatened species and vegetation in the proposed area.

The list of potential species should be provided to a consent authority/determining authority along with the test of significance. Reasons should be provided to show how the list was developed and why any threatened species recorded have been omitted.

A species does not have to be considered as part of the test of significance if recent and reliable data relating to the study area and site, derived from field surveys, are consistent with OEH guidelines, clearly show that the species:

• Does not occur in the study area

• Will not use on-site habitats on occasion

• Will not be influenced by off-site impacts of the proposal.

DETERMINING THE SIGNIFICANCE - 5-PART TEST

The following is to be taken into account to determine whether a proposed development or activity is likely to significantly affect threatened species or ecological communities, or their habitats:

Adverse Effects on the Life Cycle of a Species

In the case of a threatened species, whether the proposed development or activity is likely to harm the life cycle of the species.

Adverse Effects on Ecological Communities

In the case of an endangered ecological community or critically endangered ecological community, whether the proposed development or activity:

I. Is likely to have an adverse effect on the extent of the ecological community such that its local occurrence is likely to be placed at risk of extinction, or

II. Is likely to substantially and adversely modify the composition of the ecological community such that its local occurrence is likely to be placed at risk of extinction.

Adverse Effects on Habitats

In relation to the habitat of a threatened species or ecological community:

I. The extent to which habitat is likely to be removed or modified as a result of the proposed development or activity

II. Whether an area of habitat is likely to become fragmented or isolated from other areas of habitat as a result of the proposed development or activity

Adverse Effects on Areas of Outstanding Biodiversity Value

The importance of the habitat to be removed, modified, fragmented or isolated to the long-term survival of the species or ecological community in the locality,

I. Whether the proposed development or activity is likely to have an adverse effect on any declared area of outstanding biodiversity value (either directly or indirectly),

KEY THREATENING PROCESSES

Whether the proposed development or activity is or is part of a key threatening process or is likely to increase the impact of a key threatening process.

CONCLUSION

A statement summarising the overall direct, indirect, ongoing and cumulative impacts of the proposal to threatened entities and important wildlife habitat.