Native Vegetation Management in the Earth Resources Industry

Understanding how the Native Vegetation Management Framework applies to the earth resources industry is a challenge at the best of times. In recognition of this DPI – Minerals & Petroleum are working with the DSE and industry to develop guidelines specific to the sector. SARAH ANDREW, CMPA Project Manager reports on this issue.

‘NATIVE Vegetation Management Guidelines for the Earth Resources Industries’ has been developed over the last year for two purposes. The first is to assist proponents and operators in the earth resources industry (that is the extractive industry, mining, pipelines and petroleum sectors), to understand and meet any requirements under Victoria’s Native Vegetation Management – A Framework for Action (NRE 2002) (known as the ‘Framework’).

The second purpose is to direct the DPI and the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) in the timely, equitable, consistent and transparent implementation of the Framework – in particular those aspects in which department policies specific to the earth resources sector apply.

Such goals are understandably difficult to articulate, and as such, the guidelines have taken considerably longer to develop than first anticipated. The document remains in draft form; however the following will provide an appreciation of the topics to be covered.

The guidelines go into considerable depth to detail what the Framework is, how it is utilised onsite and options available for offsets.

WHAT THE FRAMEWORK IS

This section discusses what the Framework is and how it applies to the earth resources industry. It outlines how to assess the ‘value’ of native vegetation within a particular area and provides definitions of key terms (such as ‘net gain’). In particular, native vegetation is defined as plants that are indigenous to Victoria, including trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses, and does not include plants from other countries or other parts of Australia.

HOW IT IS UTILISED

This section looks at how the Framework is utilised in calculating any net gain requirements a site may have. This step requires two pieces of information: quality and quantity.

Quality and quantity is established in most instances by an environmental consultant and this information is then utilised to establish the loss of vegetation in habitat hectares in turn establishing off set requirements for the site.

OFFSET OPTIONS

The guideline will outline the types of off sets available and how these need to be managed to comply with the expectations of the DSE.

SUMMARY

The native vegetation guidelines should provide some assistance to Work Authority holders who are working their way through an application, however will by no means (and it’s not intended to) provide an exhaustive guide.

Further refinement of the guideline is required before the CMPA supports its publication including the provision of clear envelopes (such as when talking about returning a site to its original landform); that requirements with long-reaching effects are clearly linked to a specific obligation within the Framework (such a the requirement for off sets to be protected in perpetuity); and that additional or unusual off sets are allowed for (such as a direct link to the rehabilitation bond or providing works in kind to the DSE).

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