Ecological assessment reports
Ecological assessment reports are submitted to Council to demonstrate that proposed development works will protect Brisbane's biodiversity network and comply with Brisbane City Plan 2014.
Ecological reports are generally required when a site is covered by the Wetlands overlay, Biodiversity areas overlay or when a subdivision is proposed. The Biodiversity areas planning scheme policy provides information and guidance to assist in:
- undertaking an ecological assessment and preparing an ecological assessment report, tree survey plan or vegetation management plan
- achieving the outcomes sought by the Biodiversity areas overlay code, Wetlands overlay code and the Subdivision code
- protecting, managing and restoring a network of biodiversity areas as depicted in the Biodiversity areas overlay map
- conserving koala habitat.
To assist applicants and consultants, Council has prepared a technical expert guide outlining the lodgement requirements for an ecological assessment report.
A detailed ecological assessment report incorporating the requirements of the Biodiversity areas planning scheme policy will aid in a quicker assessment process, help to mitigate adverse impacts from the proposed development and will assist in maintaining a consolidated and connected network of habitats across the city. The protection and restoration of ecological corridors is a key priority within Brisbane.
The Offsets planning scheme policy guides and provides advice for satisfying assessment criteria (assessment benchmarks) for the outcomes sought by the Biodiversity offset code. Offsets are used to replace the value of ecological features unavoidably lost as a result of development. It is an action taken to counterbalance unavoidable, negative ecological impacts that result from a development.
The Planting species planning scheme policy looks to promote urban landscapes that are consistent with Brisbane’s subtropical climate, its natural environment, the existing local character, and specific vegetation themes; and promote the use of local native and non-invasive introduced plant species in landscaping.