Draft BioBanking Assessment Methodology (version 2)

The BioBanking Assessment Methodology is used to assess biodiversity values at development and biobank sites and sets the rules to measure the impacts on native vegetation, threatened species habitat and threatened species. Since its commencement in July 2008, some minor changes have been identified to improve the operation of the scheme.

The proposed changes:

• simplify assessment of ecosystem credit threatened species by deleting the threatened species sub-zone provision and the species association with site attributes equation
• simplify the credit profile for ecosystem credits
• broaden offset rules for ecosystem credits by allowing trading with the impacted vegetation type from the adjoining CMA sub-regions
• remove the minimum number of plot/transect requirements in favour of the requirements stipulated in the Native Vegetation Interim Type Standard
• improve clarity of the red flag variation criteria by introducing some minor edits.

Copies are also available from the Office of Environment and Heritage, Level 14, 59 Goulburn Street, Sydney.

Benefits of the changes

It is anticipated that the amended version of the methodology will provide benefits by:

• clarifying the assessment criteria
• simplifying the assessment process
• reducing costs of participation
• improving the operation of the biodiversity credit market.

A summary of proposed changes provides short explanation about the proposed changes in each relevant section of the methodology.

Public consultation

Consultation on this document is now closed. Issues raised are currently under consideration.

Page last updated: 24 May 2011