The NSW Department of Environment & Planning (DPE) engaged me to prepare Expert Reports for Acacia bynoeano, A. pubescens, Melaleuca deanei and Persoonia nutans as part of the assessment of ecological effects and offsetting obligations for large urbanisation projects in western and southwestern Sydney. I am now an BAM-certified Expert for those species https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/biodiversity/experts.htm
Expert Reports are an option under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act and are required to ‘fill the gap’ where conventional surveys under the Biodiversity Assessment Method cannot be conducted. In this instance, large areas proposed for rezoning to urban use could not be accessed by consultants working for DPE due to land owners not providing entry. Where survey data cannot be collected due to lack of access or because of other significant constraints, the BAM allows the use of an Expert Report to determine the likely presence of the species or ecological community, and the likely impacts of the proposal on it.
The reports entailed modelling potential habitat for these species and predicting which Plant Community Types they may occur in, and the probability of their being present and to what extent. This produces ‘species polygons’ (maps of potential presence) that are used to generate biodiversity offset calculations. The information can also drive the planning process, and in this case, most areas of remnant vegetation, other than those in low condition, were excluded from urbanisation. Only relatively small areas are proposed for clearing to accommodate major infrastructure such as main roads.
The first 4 Expert Reports form part of the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan.
Four other Expert Reports were prepared for Transport for NSW in relation to major road projects. The species involved are Pultenaea pedunculata, Callistemon linearifolius, Acacia flocktoniae, and Acacia meiantha.
