Why prepare a Strategy? Broulee assessment area Biodiversity values Planning issues Management issues Process from here

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1 Broulee Bio-certification Project Why prepare a Strategy? Broulee assessment area Biodiversity values Planning issues Management issues Process from here The Strategy has been developed as a strategic solution to ongoing planning, development and biodiversity issues in the Broulee and Moruya Airport areas. This approach enables practical decision making and a coordinated method to offset the impacts of development.

2 Broulee Biodiversity Certification The Study Area Voluntary alternate assessment pathway Planning conflict Sustainable development principles Legislative requirements History Replace developmentby-development assessment with landscape wide strategic assessment 1. Avoid impacts 2. Minimise impacts 3. Offset impacts EFFECT OF CERTIFICATION provide certainty to landowners streamline the development assessment/approval process save time and money spent on individual flora and fauna studies negotiating individual conservation outcomes is resource intensive & slow secure conservation outcomes for high value natural environments strategically target mitigation or offset efforts Reduction in cumulative impacts ensure consistency in assessment and survey standards

3 Broulee Biodiversity Certification The Study Area Longvale Swamp Candalagan Ck Tomaga River Broulee Waldrons Swamp Bengello Creek Williga Swamp Moruya River

4 Broulee Biodiversity Certification Bangalay Sand Forest

5 Broulee Biodiversity Certification Threatened Species 38 threatened species (threatened species tool Biometric) Threatened Species occurring within 3km of the site: 36 Birds, 1 Amphibian, 11 Mammals, 1 Plant (NSW Wildlife Atlas & fauna survey records)

6 Broulee Biodiversity Certification White Footed Dunnart Elizabeth Ashby Keystone Ecological the offset areas are overwhelmingly similar to the sites where Sminthopsis leucopus had been captured (it is my opinion) that they should occur in all of the habitats other than the riparian, wetland and estuarine areas and those patches dominated by weeds Threatened species profile database: White Footed Dunnart cant withstand further loss

7 Broulee Biodiversity Certification Assessment Area 69Ha development area 407Ha offset area Airport 33Ha Broulee 36Ha

8 Broulee Biodiversity Certification Indirect Impacts Fuel management zone - 30m OLS

9 Broulee Biodiversity Certification Indirect Impacts DCP Minor in nature Already in action Floristic and structural benchmarks for BSF are broad unlikely to detect via site value score change 10m interface zone used to calculate credit reduction White footed dunnart: Limited flexibility when assessing species credit species Exotic plant attribute reduced by 1

10 Broulee Biodiversity Certification Conservation Area To enable land in the biodiversity certification assessment area to be used as an offset area, the land is to be primarily managed for biodiversity conservation under effective and secure long-term management arrangements via a conservation measure including appropriate development controls. s8.1 Biodiversity Certification Assessment Methodology 2011 How much is enough to demonstrate improved management of site? Transition from broad statement to operational/measurable conditions Estimate of costings based on existing Property Vegetation Plan (plus some) Future threats?

11 Conservation measure: permanently managed (not funded) 90% Property Vegetation Plan Broulee Biodiversity Certification Management Actions Management actions: Management of grazing for conservation Weed control Management of fire for conservation Management of human disturbance Retention of regrowth Replanting or supplementary planting where natural regeneration will not be sufficient Retention of dead timber Erosion control Retention of rocks Additional Management actions : Threatened species profile database sminthopsis leucopus Control feral predators and rabbits Apply mosaic pattern hazard reduction techniques to ensure the same areas are not burned continuously Retain standing and fallen timber and other nest sites in areas of habitat Avoid overgrazing by stock in areas of habitat Apply forestry regimes that maintain floristic and structural diversity Prevent domestic cats and dogs from roaming in habitat areas Protect habitat and retain linkages across the broader landscape

12 Broulee Biodiversity Certification Credit Calculations Improve or maintain test met Impact on 69Ha 363Ha conservation land Red flag variation required Improve or maintain test met Impact on 69Ha habitat 372Ha conservation lands Red flag variation required

13 EXHIBITION (22 April 5 June 2013) Broulee Biodiversity Certification Public Exhibition 227 submissions received During the exhibition, Council staff responded to 34 phone calls attended 4 front counter enquiries attended 6 meetings by request In summary 120 submissions communicated some level of support provided certain conditions were met or concerns addressed (54%) 40 submissions supported the Strategy (18%) 36 submissions were not in support of the proposal (16%), and A further 28 made no direct statement or may have been general enquiries (13%)

14 Broulee Biodiversity Certification Community Feedback Key Messages Stronger commitment to manage and improve the offset is required Concern about degrading Bangalay Sand Forest further, incremental loss over time; Strategy is limited in its scope, and does not consider entire extent of Bangalay Sand Forest (private land as well) Concern with wholesale loss of vegetation within development areas, would like some retained/want inclusion of greenspace, corridors, naturals recreation areas Concern about loss of habitat and impacts on flora and fauna/wildlife Concerned about the transformation of the village, impacts on character, amenity and pressure on services Concern about traffic impacts and noise Want an indication of developer contribution and costs Concerns about monitoring of the offset lands and questions around penalties if offset is allowed to deteriorate and therefore not provide gains described. Appreciate the balance of development and conservation outcome Support jobs to keep youth here, support for local economy, business, industries Land zoned for urban development for decades - support this process to enable development to proceed

15 Cost of doing nothing? Land tax (1 landholder alone = $1M to date) Rates Loan servicing costs Land management costs Assessment costs (SIS?) Assessment costs (ESC) Assessment costs (OEH) Assessment times (12 months + SIS) Fees Location of suitable offset individually Negotiation of management; Biobanking? Loss of potential to develop village Under utilized infrastructure capacity Airport re-development compromised Commercial investment opportunity? Broulee Biodiversity Certification Costs Breakdown of costs? private:public 50:50 Cost per lot biodiversity certification? Means to collect funding? Penalties for not undertaking management? Risk Reduction to full costs exposes Council to risk, however, Its up to Council to make a decision on an acceptable level of risk in consideration of social, economic and environmental factors

16 Broulee Biodiversity Certification Toward Completion Finalise Strategy February Cost estimates February Convene residential landholders February Report to ESC (permission to make application & exhibit) March 26 Make application to enable exhibition March Explore funding arrangements & brief ESC on options March/April Exhibition (30 days) April/June Community meetings April/June Report to ESC on funding options August Amendments and submission report July Workshop with Council July Report to Council (report final application) August 27 Exhibition of amendments and costs???? Report to Council??? Refer final application to OEH for assessment??? Certification granted??? Planning agreement and establish fund???

17 Coastal Planning in Eurobodalla Shire The Setting Session 1: early July 2012 Session 2: August 2012 (3 additional pitfall lines - No elliot traps) Expert report: Comment on likely presence Estimate of number of individuals or area of habitat Demonstrate what info was considered in making a determination Engagement activities undertaken: updates landholders within the Development Area Local media releases, inclusive of radio interviews Webpage Facebook Online news Community newsletters and direct mailouts Community noticeboard flyers One on-one by appointment Alternate Do nothing Buy the land?