Biodiversity Assessment Method update: public consultation

The Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) underpins the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme, which is established under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. The BAM sets out how an accredited person assesses changes in biodiversity values from development and clearing activities, as well as from management actions at stewardship sites.

Reason for the proposed changes

Changes to the BAM are required to incorporate recent amendments to the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and proposed amendments to the Biodiversity Conservation Regulation 2017, and to respond to recommendations resulting from the 5-year review of the BAM.

These legislative reforms are part of the Government’s broader strategy to set biodiversity in NSW on a path to recovery, as outlined in the NSW Plan for Nature. 

The proposed changes to the BAM aim to:

• improve the biodiversity outcomes of the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme
• increase transparency in planning and decision-making
• reduce complexity for proponents and assessors.

Finalisation of the updated BAM

After the consultation period ends, the department will review all submissions. 

Public consultation is now closed for proposed changes to the Biodiversity Conservation Regulation 2017. The Government will look to align the outcomes from both processes.  

Once finalised, the updated BAM will be published on the department's webpage. 

Have your say

Your feedback is valuable, and we strongly encourage you to provide a submission as part of the consultation process.

Consultation documents

To guide your input, the following documents have been developed: 

• consultation paper identifying key focus areas and questions for consideration, outlining key changes, implications for biodiversity assessment reports (BARs) and section changes from BAM 2020
• updated Biodiversity Assessment Method
• remade BAM fact sheets: 
  • accredited assessor information
  • biodiversity stewardship agreements (BSAs) landholder information.

Providing feedback

Feedback is most effective when we understand your ideas and the outcomes you want.

Some suggestions to help you write your submission are:

• write clearly and be specific about the issues that concern you
• note which section of the BAM your comments relate to
• give reasoning that supports your points – this makes it easier for us to understand and consider your ideas
• tell us exactly what you agree or disagree with and explain why
• if you can, suggest solutions or other ways to manage the issue
• where possible, include relevant examples, data, and documentation in your submission.

Feedback form