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Native Vegetation Home | Strategic and regional planning | Simpler regulations | Flexible offset arrangements

The new approach to implementation of Victoria's Native Vegetation Management - A Framework for Action (the Framework) focuses on the need to restore the health of the environment while at the same time building a sustainable and competitive economy.

The approach will improve the clarity and flexibility of native vegetation management reduce the administrative burden on local government, provide greater certainty for development, both urban and rural, and improve biodiversity outcomes.

Strategic and regional planning

The new approach focuses on achieving the objectives of the Framework at a regional level. New planning tools have been developed to assist this strategic approach. These will enable high value native vegetation to be identified earlier in the planning process, so that impacts to such sites are avoided wherever possible.

Precinct plans
A Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) sets the future structure for a suburb and are master plans for whole communities. PSP's show areas set aside for roads and public transport, shopping centres, schools and community facilities, parks, housing, employment, activity centres and natural features. They assist in strategic decision-making about the most important areas of native vegetation and biodiversity to be retained in larger predetermined areas, rather than on a site-by-site basis.

To preserve the most valuable native vegetation and biodiversity values, Precinct Structure Plans specify what vegetation and other biodiversity values can be removed and what vegetation and other biodiversity values are to be retained based on the values of the vegetation/biodiversity. This is specified in a Native Vegetation Precinct Plan (NVPP) and Biodiversity Plan which forms part of the Precinct Structure Plan.

Native Vegetation Precinct Plan
A NVPP identifies what vegetation will be retained and what vegetation may be removed within a precinct. The NVPP forms part of a Precinct Structure Plan and ultimately becomes incorporated into the local planning scheme.

A NVPP:

• enables the value of native vegetation in a precinct to be considered when planning ahead for new development
• guides the form of future development in a precinct by identifying the native vegetation to be protected and the native vegetation that can be removed
• streamlines approvals by removing the requirement for multiple planning permits for native vegetation removal.

Biodiversity Plan
The Biodiversity Plan sits within the Precinct Structure Plan. It identifies all biodiversity assets, including those that may not rely on the presence of native vegetation (eg habitat for Growling Grass Frogs, Golden Sun Moth and wildlife corridors) and ensures that they are considered and protected during the Precinct Structure Planning process.

Together, the Biodiversity Plan and the Native Vegetation Precinct Plan ensure that all biodiversity values are considered during the Precinct Structure Planning Process.

Biodiversity Precinct Structure Planning Kit
To assist in the production of the NVPP and the Biodiversity Plan, the Biodiversity Precinct Structure Planning Kit [PDF File - 2.5 MB] has been developed. The Kit provides clear direction about how biodiversity and native vegetation values are to be addressed during the Precinct Structure Plan process.

The Kit specifies the State and Commonwealth Government requirements for surveying biodiversity and reporting on biodiversity information to satisfy the standards mandated in the endorsed Program under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 for the area covered by the Delivering Melbourne’s Newest Sustainable Communities Program. Meeting these standards is a pre-requisite for the development to be approved under this program.

The Kit is a set of document templates that supports the Precinct Structure Planning process from initial on-ground biodiversity surveys to the final Precinct Structure Planning and Native Vegetation Precinct Plan.

The Kit includes 7 templates:

T1: Biodiversity Assessment Report
T2: Strategic Context (Biodiversity)
T3: Native Vegetation Net Gain Strategy
T4: Biodiversity Plan
T5: Native Vegetation Precinct Plan
T6: Schedule to the Urban Growth Zone
T7: Conservation Management Plans

The Kit will be updated periodically on the web.

An accessible version of the Biodiversity Precinct Structure Planning Kit (accessible version) [MS Word Document - 2.8 MB] is also available.

Property Vegetation Plans
Landholders can develop a property vegetation plan which sets out the future management of native vegetation for a property or farm. The plan identifies any native vegetation that may be removed and offset arrangements over a ten year period. It also identifies areas that may attract government incentives for better management of native vegetation.

Property Vegetation Plans will provide a whole farm approach for landholders managing native vegetation and avoid the need for planning permits for vegetation removal. This will provide greater certainty and flexibility for landholders while still ensuring compliance with native vegetation regulations.

Works Programs
Works Programs can identify how native vegetation will be managed in major capital works projects such as the construction or maintenance of roads, railway lines or public utility services.

Regional Native Vegetation Plans
Regional Native Vegetation Plans provide important information on regional direction and priorities for protecting and restoring native vegetation. They can identify particular natural assets that may be a priority for native vegetation in the region.

Copies of regional native vegetation plans for the following areas are available from the relevant Catchment Management Authority.

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Simpler regulations

The new approach has simplified the regulations governing native vegetation clearing.

A priority for implementing Net Gain is to avoid clearing. Since 1989, landholders wanting to clear native vegetation must have a planning permit from their local council, although there are some exemptions. Planning permits are issued in accordance with Local Council planning schemes.

The new approach includes reforms to the regulations that make them easier to understand and apply. The statewide provisions of all planning schemes have been rewritten to more clearly reflect the Framework and its three-step approach (avoid, minimise, offset). Information requirements for applicants have been standardised. Referral arrangements have changed so local councils will only assess minor applications and the Department of Sustainability and Environment will assess more complex applications. Councils can now use a streamlined assessment approach and standard offsets which avoids the need for complex calculations.

The changes reduce the administrative burden for local councils and result in quicker and simpler processing for applicants and local councils.

Flexible offset arrangements

BushBroker
The Victorian Government established BushBroker to help improve the quality and extent of native vegetation in the State.

BushBroker facilitates the location of sites that could generate Native Vegetation Credits. These could potentially be used as offsets, on different properties to where the native vegetation is being cleared (this is called a third party offset). Details of these sites are maintained on the BushBroker Database.

Offsets can often be generated on the permit holder’s own property. But there are situations where this is not possible. For example, where there is no suitable site on the property or the permit holder is not able to manage the native vegetation in the long-term.

In most cases the clearing of any native vegetation that requires planning approval must be offset by a gain elsewhere. Offsets are permanently protected and linked to a particular clearing site.

Incentive Programs
The government has introduced a range of incentive schemes to assist landholders with their native vegetation management efforts. These programs help landholders actively manage and improve native vegetation on their land, resulting in both environmental and commercial gains.

BushTender
Following a successful trial period, the Government is currently expanding the BushTender program. Under BushTender, landholders can receive payment for entering agreements that improve the quality and/or quantity of native vegetation on their land. The services are based on management commitments beyond those that are required by current obligations and legislation.

CarbonTender
CarbonTender involves purchasing management contracts from private landholders, for the permanent revegetation of land for carbon sequestration and biodiversity gains. Like BushTender the funding is allocated through a tender system. Projects are prioritised based on the amount of carbon they will absorb from the atmosphere.

Other programs
In addition, Catchment Management Authorities often have funding available on a regional basis for works, including those for native vegetation. Local Government may also have programs to support native vegetation managers, for example by offering rate rebates. For more information contact your local Catchment Management Authority or Council.

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