SHOALHAVEN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS

Are You Looking For An Environmental Consultant Or Ecologist In The Shoalhaven LGA?

East Coast Ecology is an expert environmental consultancy that services NSW’s south-eastern coast, including/particularly the Shoalhaven Local Government Area(LGA).

Talk to one of our ecologists today

Give us a call, send us an email or fill out the contact form and one of our experts will get back to you shortly.

SHOALHAVEN ENVIRONMENT

The Shoalhaven LGA is home to at least 16 ecological communities. listed as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW) (BC Act)

Shoalhaven also has over 150 threatened species listed under the BC Act and Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act).

Find out if your property contains a mapped Shoalhaven Threatened Ecological Community or threatened species by contacting East Coast Ecology today. This may be a significant constraint when developing your property.

When submitting a Development Application (DA) for the construction of a dwelling, shed, driveway, granny flat, subdivision, or landscaping, Shoalhaven City Council will assess your DA against key development standards and other relevant legislation. The two important Council documents include the Shoalhaven Local Environmental Plan 2014 and the Shoalhaven Development Control Plan 2014.

Your urban development project may require an environmental assessment to accompany the DA. This assessment will depend on the impacts of the proposed development on the environmental and ecological components of your property. Suitably qualified Ecologists, such as East Coast Ecology, can help you achieve DA approval in the Shoalhaven LGA.

SHOALHAVEN LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL PLAN 2014

The Shoalhaven Local Environmental Plan 2014 (LEP) guides council planning decisions when assessing a Development Application. The Shoalhaven LEP has various environmental and ecological provisions such as Terrestrial Biodiversity (Part 7.5) and Riparian Land & Watercourses (Part 7.6).

TERRESTRIAL BIODIVERSITY (PART 7.5)

This section of the Shoalhaven LEP sets out objectives and regulations to avoid, minimise, or mitigate adverse environmental impacts to biodiversity including:

  • Adverse impacts to native flora and fauna;

  • Adverse impacts to vegetation critical for habitat or survival of native fauna;

  • Potential fragmentation or disturbance to the structure, function, and composition of the land; and

  • Adverse impacts to the connectivity of the land

Part 7.5 applies to:

  • Land identified as containing ‘Terrestrial Biodiversity’ within the Terrestrial Biodiversity Map of the Shoalhaven LEP;

  • Land situated within 40m of a natural waterbody (measured from the top of bank).

Where Part 7.5 applies to your proposed development, an Environmental Impact Assessment will need to be prepared by a qualified environmental consultant.

RIPARIAN LAND AND WATERCOURSES (PART 7.6)

This section of the Shoalhaven LEP sets out similar objectives and regulations pertaining to adverse environmental impacts to riparian land and watercourses including:

  • Adverse impacts to:

    • water quality and flow

    • aquatic and riparian species, habitats, and ecosystems

    • bank stability

    • aquatic fauna passage

    • future rehabilitation of the watercourse and riparian areas

Part 7.6 of the Shoalhaven LEP applies to:

  • Land identified as containing ‘Riparian Land’ within the Riparian Lands and Watercourses Map of the Shoalhaven LEP; or

  • Land that is within 50 metres of a mapped ‘Watercourse Category 1, 2, or 3’ within the Riparian Lands and Watercourses Map.

Accordingly, an environmental assessment may be required for your urban development DA.

SHOALHAVEN DEVELOPMENT CONTROL PLAN 2014

The Shoalhaven Development Control Plan 2014 (DCP) sets out regulations and provisions for the use of land during a development. Chapter G5, Biodiversity Impact Assessment, outlines developmental controls to protect the biodiversity values of the Shoalhaven LGA.

SHOALHAVEN DEVELOPMENT CONTROL PLAN 2014

The Shoalhaven Development Control Plan 2014 (DCP) sets out regulations and provisions for the use of land during a development. Chapter G5, Biodiversity Impact Assessment, outlines developmental controls to protect the biodiversity values of the Shoalhaven LGA.

BIODIVERSITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT (CHAPTER G5)

This chapter aligns Shoalhaven LGA urban development with the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW). It applies to urban development and development applications involving the removal, modification, or potential indirect impacts to native vegetation (including grasses, shrubs, and trees) that may contain or provide habitat for threatened species.

One of the following Biodiversity Impact Assessments may have to accompany your DA:

Flora and Fauna Assessment Report (FFA) - including a 5-part Test of Significance

  • Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR) - following the Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM)

A BDAR will be required where the proposed development:

1. Is located on the Biodiversity Values Map (BV Map);

2. Exceeds the area clearing threshold (see below; or

3. Will have a significant impact.

In all other instances, an FFA (including a test of significance) may be required.

If clearing or impacts to native vegetation (including asset protection zone management) exceed the associated clearing threshold, a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report must be submitted with your Development Application.

NOT QUITE AT THE DA STAGE BUT WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE FEASIBILITY OF YOUR PROPERTY IN SHOALHAVEN FOR A DEVELOPMENT?

If you are thinking of purchasing a property in Shoalhaven or submitting a Development Application in the Shoalhaven LGA, we highly recommend an Ecological or Environmental Constraints Report, also known as a pre-construction constraints assessment.

This low-cost report can save you time and money by ensuring the development satisfies environmental constraints. This report identifies any threatened ecological communities, threatened flora, and threatened fauna species that are present on the property.

East Coast Ecology’s Ecological Constraints Assessment addresses all relevant Shoalhaven environmental constraints you may encounter during the DA stage. This report maximises your development potential whilst streamlining the DA approval process with Shoalhaven City Council.

  • “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

Contact us
for a free quote

We would love to hear from you.

Give us a call, send us an email or fill out the contact form and one of our experts will get back to you shortly.

Dr. JACK TATLER | Principal Ecologist
+61 405 675 304
jack.tatler@ececology.com.au

ALEX GRAHAM | Principal Ecologist
+61 491 684 624
alex.graham@ececology.com.au