The applicant will need to employ an accredited assessor to apply the Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) to assess the biodiversity values within the biodiversity certification assessment area. Knowledge of biodiversity values is essential to inform decisions about the location of land proposed for certification and future development. Land proposed for certification will be located to avoid or minimise impacts on native vegetation and threatened species habitat.
The accredited assessor will then assess the impacts of proposed development within the area proposed for certification and identify the biodiversity credits needed to offset the impacts.
The BAM requires the assessor to produce a Biodiversity Certification Assessment Report (BCAR).
For standard biodiversity certification applications, the BCAR will reflect the credit requirement generated by the BAM. The BCAR must identify the credits proposed to be retired to offset the impact. In the case of a payment to the Biodiversity Conservation Fund, the proportion of the credit obligation to be satisfied by the payment is to be reflected in the BCAR.
For strategic biodiversity certification, the BCAR can propose a mix of conservation measures that includes credits to be retired, or payments into the Fund, as well as other measures.
When the BCAR is completed, applicants are encouraged to have it reviewed by the Department before formally consulting with council.
Read more about accredited assessors.
Read more about strategic biodiversity certification.