Biodiversity/Bushland Management Plan (BMP)

What is a Biodiversity/Bushland Management Plan (BMP)?

A biodiversity management plan, or a bushland management plan (BMP) provides an assessment of the ongoing requirements for the management of native vegetation at a proposed development site.

Biodiversity management plans are designed to help the key stakeholders of a development understand the natural resources of within a site and offer insights for conserving or improving the biodiversity values of the bushland area.

Biodiversity management plans are also referred to as:

  • Vegetation management plans

  • Ecological sustainability plans

  • Conservation management plans

  • Vegetation rehabilitation plans

When is a Biodiversity Management Plan required?

Developers are required by most councils in Sydney and regional NSW to provide a BMP report as a part of the process to obtain Developmental Approval for any building or construction work that will be carried out on waterfront land, including:

  • Construction of new residential or commercial premises

  • Extensions to existing buildings

  • Development of tracks or roads

  • Subdivisions of land

Any development work carried out within 40 metres from the 'top of bank' of any shore, watercourse, creek, river, wetland, lake, or mapped drainage line are considered to “integrated developments” under the New South Wales Water Management Act 2000, and must submit a biodiversity management plan. 

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What is covered in a Biodiversity Management Plan?

Biodiversity management plans provide critical information on the condition and state of the ecological values of the proposed development area that contributes to the relevant council’s assessment of the accompanying Development Application (DA). 

A biodiversity management plan (BMP) will include:

  • An identification and definition of the site, including a detailed map of the proposed development work.

  • The aims and objectives of the BMP

  • An overview of the bushland resources

  • The breakdown of Management Zones within the assessed area, the specific challenges faced in each zone, and the management action that will be taken to address them. 

  • List of the key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of the BMP once it is implemented. 

  • Details of the methods that will be used to record the stated KPIs during monitoring

  • The timeline and estimated review period for the implementation of the BMP. Most councils request for a review period of 5 years, but it can vary from 3-10 years.

Prepared BMPs must comply with the requirements and standards set out in the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 for habitat restoration, species protection, and sustainable land management practices. 

Can a Biodiversity Management Plan be modified after approval?

Yes, a biodiversity management plan can be modified after approval but the modifications must continue to adhere to the standards set out in the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, as well as address any necessary objectives of the original BMP. 

Modified biodiversity management plans will require consultation with environmental experts and ecologists who can review the changes to ensure that they are in-line with NSW standards. Reviewed biodiversity management plans will then be subject to re-approval by the relevant council authority before the changes can be implemented.

Why work with East Coast Ecology?

A biodiversity management plan can only be prepared by a qualified ecologists like our team at East Coast Ecology. We have delivered clear and comprehensive biodiversity management plans for our clients in NSW, helping to fast track the process of obtaining Developmental Approval.

East Coast Ecology services all of New South Wales. This includes Western Sydney to Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Newcastle, Central Coast, Port Macquarie, North Coast, Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla, Hunter Valley, Wollongong, Illawarra, Southern Highlands, Central West, and the rest of regional New South Wales.

  • “Alex and his team have always been very diligent in their preparation for upcoming work and have been able to work with us to achieve sound outcomes for the project when programs change or we need personnel on site urgently” | Downer Seymour Whyte Joint Venture

  • "I have found Alex and his team to be client focused and knowledgeable. They have been responsive to requests, and provided clear and well written reports to assist us in achieving sound environmental outcomes for the project.” | CPB Contractors

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PHONE: 02 7813 6119

EMAIL: admin@ececology.com.au