Environmental Services from Sunshine Coast in Queensland to Nowra in NSW

Anderson Environmental is now servicing from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland to Nowra in NSW

Due to client requests and having worked in these areas for some time we thought it was time to let everyone know the areas we service.  We have been in the Environmental Consulting industry since 1992 and during this time have worked on residential subdivision development, mining, wind farms, road upgrades, industrial, subdivisions, local, state and federal government jobs for a broad range of environmental assessments.  We have also undertaken work for individual landowners for their housing builds and development applications.  Our range of assessments includes:

  • Ecological Assessments and Flora and Fauna Reports including 5-part Tests of Significance and Biodiversity Development Assessment Reports (BDAR), Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) Assessments and Reports;
  • Assessments for Land Contamination, Phase 1 and Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessments, Preliminary Site Investigations and Detailed Site Investigations (Stage 1 and Stage 2) including drilling with our Geotechnical Drill Rig;
  • Contaminated Lands Remediation and Remediation Action Plans (RAP) and Site Validation;
  • Vegetation Management Plans for any kind of development or offsetting as well as Ecological Restoration/Ecosystem Restoration and Bush Regeneration;
  • Effluent Disposal Reports/On-site Wastewater Reports and Soils Assessments including Salinity and Acid Sulfate Soil testing and reporting.

Please give us a call to discuss your project requirements.

Flora and Fauna Reports versus Biodiversity Development Assessment Reports Explained

Here we provide a brief explanation of the differences between a standard Flora and Fauna Report and the Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR).  We hope this assists with an understanding of these reports which councils often request to support development applications.

Development applications, (even in some resident areas) often require a Flora and Fauna Report.  These are often called an Ecological Assessment and 5-Part Tests of Significance.  These are often requested by council if native vegetation will be impacted or has the potential to be impacted.  As part of the assessment process council officers are trying to determine ecological impacts and how to limit them as part of the DA Assessment process.

A Standard Flora and Fauna Assessment Report (or Ecological Assessment Report) including the required Five Part Tests of Significance can be undertaken if the Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) is not triggered. A Flora and Fauna Report is a smaller report generally when compared to a BDAR Report.

If the BAM is however triggered then a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR) will be required.  These are undertaken in accordance with the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and the Biodiversity Assessment Method or BAM.  A BDAR Report is a very comprehensive report and must be undertaken in accordance with the BAM and other relevant guidelines and includes what is called the BAM Calculator. The BAM Calculator is where the field data is entered and forms a large part of the BDAR Assessment.  This is entered by the Certified BAM assessor through the government online portal.  Once the field data is entered the BAM Calculator populates a wide range of listed Ecological Vegetation Communities, Populations and Species which could occur based on known or potential habitat and database records. The BAM calculator determines any offsetting required and the number of Biodiversity Credits required for the level of impacts and clearing. Once finalised the BAM Calculator forms part of the BDAR Report indicating the type, class and number of credits required to be retired to offset the Ecological Impacts of the proposal.

Addressing the species populated in the BAM Calculator which have to be considered can require surveys at various times of the year as specified in the BAM survey requirements.  If the surveys do not detect the species then offsetting is not required for that species thus reducing the offset cost.  Due to the time it can often take to undertake these surveys some clients choose to “assume presence” of the species and pay the required offset cost.  This can be quite expensive for some species and it is generally a cost-benefit exercise based on timing and cost factors.  It is important to note however that the offset cost in relation to the Biodiversity Credit retirement is not required until development consent is granted and before the vegetation or habitat is able to be removed.

Please give Anderson Environmental a call with your project.  We have experience since 1992 and are registered BAM Assessors and Certified Practicing Ecologists.

Hornsby Quarry Restoration

Anderson Environmental is proud to be working with Hornsby Shire Council to provide Flora and Fauna Reporting, Impact Assessment and advice for the redevelopment and Ecological Restoration of the former Hornsby Quarry area. Being a significant feature of the Hornsby Local Government Area this old quarry is being master planned into a significant recreational and ecological facility for the community. The redevelopment of the area focuses on the use of existing disturbed areas and the ecological restoration of other disturbed areas which are degraded and contain weed infestations from previous use. The works involve formal development of some of the informal bike tracks along with the development of raised boardwalk areas thus reducing any Ecological and Environmental Impacts. As experienced Ecological and Environmental Consultants Anderson Environmental Pty Ltd has experience since 1992 assisting clients with a wide range of projects. We work for both private developers and government clients providing Flora and Fauna Reports, 5-part tests, Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR), Preliminary Site Investigations (PSI) SEPP 55 and Detailed Site Investigations (DSI) along with a range of Soils Assessments, Effluent Reports and Vegetation Management Plans. We assist clients to understand the requirements of Offsetting of Biodiversity Credits under the Biodiversity Offset Scheme (BOS). With experience since 1992 working with small to large developers, local and state government along with work on small projects right up to large scale critical infrastructure projects we have the knowledge and experience to assist our clients quickly and efficiently. Please give us a call today or send us you proposal and enquiry through our online portal and upload your plans and proposal information so we can promptly assist you with your project enquiry.

A video detailing this project on 7 News is provided below;

Biodiversity Certification and the Biodiversity Assessment Method

Anderson Environmental Pty Ltd is pleased to announce we have a staff member who has recently become Accredited as a Biodiversity Assessment Method Assessor, (BAM Accredited Assessor) under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 which came into force on the 25th of August 2017. As Biodiversity Assessment Method Accredited Assessors (BAM Assessors) we can undertake Biodiversity Development Assessment Reports (BDAR’s), Biodiversity Stewardship Site Assessment Reports (BSSAR’s), and Biodiversity Certification Assessment Reports (BCAR’s). All assessments undertaken under the BAM must be signed off by an Accredited BAM Assessor in accordance with the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage has prioritised the accreditation for the Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) for people who were previously registered Biobanking Assessors. The implementation of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2017 and the Biodiversity Assessment Method for Biodiversity Certification and Biodiversity Offsets is the most significant change in Ecological Assessment legislation since we have been undertaking Ecological and Flora and Fauna Assessments since 1992. This legislation and assessment method replaces Biobanking.

Transitional periods apply to the implementation of the BAM requirements. Local developments in the following western Sydney local government areas will have 12 months from 25 August 2017 to submit an application under the previous legislation.
Camden;

  • City of Campbelltown;
  • City of Fairfield;
  • City of Hawkesbury;
  • City of Liverpool;
  • City of Penrith; and
  • Wollondilly.

Local developments in all other areas will have three months from 25 August 2017 to submit a development application under the previous legislation.

We provide Accredited BioBanking, Biodiversity Certification and FBA Assessors under the repealed Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, and can assist with ongoing projects that fall within the transitional arrangements of the legislation. We can also assist with strategic planning for future land purchases for development and/or Biodiversity Stewardship Site Assessment Reports for the sale of credits. Our experience in Bush Regeneration and Ecosystem Restoration also enables us to assist clients in the management of Biodiversity Stewardship Sites by undertaking the management works required.
Call us to find out how we can assist you with any ecological assessments, flora and fauna assessments and the new 5-part test (the 7-part test has now been replaced with the 5 part test) under the BAM, by calling 1300 302 507.