Our Biodiversity Offsets Scheme webinar series provides accredited assessors, local government, landholders, credit owners and anyone interested in the scheme with an opportunity to learn more about the scheme and Biodiversity Assessment Method.
- You can ask questions throughout the webinar, which we will address during the question and answer session.
- Your questions and feedback during our webinars will help shape future webinars and additional program resources.
Contact the BOS Help Desk to provide webinar suggestions, propose topics or offer recommendations on improving webinar delivery.
Webinar recordings
Webinar presentations are recorded and made available to view online as soon as possible after the live event.
- The question and answer session will not be included in the webinar recording. We will provide a separate document to capture questions and answers, including unanswered questions. Published questions will remain anonymous.
- Closed captions are available during BOS Support Webinars and webinar recordings. Closed captions on webinar recordings may take 5 to 10 business days to become available because of processing requirements. A written transcript is also available on request.
- For more information, view Biodiversity Offsets Scheme Help Desk and support.
2023 Webinars
A new interface for the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme public registers was published on 31 July 2023.
This informational webinar provides a background to the changes, the improvements made and the functionality of the new public registers.
It includes a demonstration of how to use the new features, such as searching, hiding and arranging fields, filters and data exports to find credit supply, demand and transaction information.
Note: This webinar is presented in PowerPoint format. To hear the audio, please play the slide show from the beginning. If you would like the information in an alternative format, please email [email protected].
BOS Support Webinar 33 – This webinar provides information about the changes to improve the delivery of Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements (BSAs) and boost supply of in-demand credits. The changes include fee waiver, a streamlined application form and opportunities for pre-submission meetings.
The webinar also covers how the Credit Supply Taskforce would like to work with assessors and landholders in the Taskforce’s review of a submitted application, opportunities to fast-track finalisation of an approved BSA and work underway to improve the layout and content of the management plan. The panel of speakers include staff from the Credit Supply Taskforce and the BCT.
This webinar will cover information relating to recent and planned major data updates in the BAM-Calculator and transitional arrangements. The topics covered include:
- updated BAM-C data and BAM assessments
- the transitional arrangements for eastern NSW PCTs update
- the transitional arrangements for Version 1.2 vegetation integrity benchmarks update
- information on how to apply the transitional arrangements
- where to find more information.
Previous webinars
This information webinar will provide further information on the release of the new Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR) template and an update on the Compliance and Assurance for Accredited Assessors. The webinar will be presented by the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme team.
A Biodiversity Development Assessment Report template and guidance have been published and can be found on the Assessors resources webpage.
An informational webinar that outlines the new system to estimate the cost of acquitting biodiversity offset obligations for proponents who pay into the Biodiversity Conservation Fund, called the Biodiversity Conservation Fund (BCF) Charge System.
This session explains the new method that was developed following a consultation period in 2021 and an independent review process. This new method has replaced the previous econometric modelling approach to implement the Biodiversity Offset Payment Calculator (BOPC).
The Biodiversity Conservation Fund Charge system was implemented in October 2022. You can read more about this update on the Biodiversity Conservation Fund Charge System on the Biodiversity Conservation Trust website.
The Compliance and Licensing Branch undertook a compliance audit of selected accredited assessors during 2020–21.
The audit focused on accredited assessors that had lodged a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR) as part of Councils Development Application (DA) process. The aim of the audit was to assess compliance, identify opportunities for education and ongoing improvement of the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme, as well as identify areas to target for future audits.
The webinar covers an overview of the accredited assessor audit, audit findings, key recommendations focused on improvements to the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme, processes, systems, and guidance for all stakeholders and the department response to the audit.
- BOS Support Webinar 26 – Handout (PDF)(5.32 MB)
- BOS Support Webinar 26 – Questions and answers (PDF)(187.72 KB)
The NSW State Vegetation Type Map (SVTM) represents the most complete and consistent information about the distribution of Plant Community Types (PCTs) across NSW, benefitting landholders, planners, and local communities.
Plant Community Types, or PCTs, are the finest level of classification in the NSW vegetation classification hierarchy. They identify and describe recurring patterns of native plant species assemblages in relation to environmental conditions; that is, sets of species that commonly occur together in association with combinations of soil, temperature, moisture, and other factors.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has taken a systematic approach to mapping PCTs based on vegetation plot data. The SVTM methodology applies a hierarchical approach where groups of co-occurring species are successively delineated into smaller subsets at progressively finer spatial scales.
Broad vegetation categories have been delineated using Aerial Photography Interpretation (API) and placed into Vegetation Photo Patterns (VPP) classes (e.g. wetlands, shrublands, rainforests). VPPs are based on the influence of large-scale environmental factors such as climate and geology. At finer levels, classification units become increasingly descriptive and are based on landform and topography (e.g. gullies, ridges, plateaus, depressions). PCTs were assigned at finer levels using machine learning and then checked by expert interpreters.
The SVTM utilised the best available aerial (ADS40/80) and satellite imagery (SPOT 5, SRTM, Landsat), a comprehensive collection of environmental variables, and existing vegetation mapping. It covers all of NSW and can be downloaded as a 5m resolution raster.
The SVTM was constructed from 100,000 vegetation plots, over 60 million polygons and 600 discrete species distribution models. All 800,000 square kilometres have been examined at between 1:10000 and 1:15000 by expert air photo interpreters.
The SVTM represents the best available information on the extent of plant communities in NSW. It was designed to be easy to update as new information becomes available.
- BOS Support Webinar 25 – Handout (PDF)(8.06 MB)
- BOS Support Webinar 25 – Questions and answers (PDF)(187.72 KB)
This webinar will provide an update from Science Economics Insights on the revised Eastern NSW Plant Community Type (PCT) Classification project. Science Economics Insights will also provide an overview of the State Vegetation Type maps (SVTM) mapping project for Eastern NSW, and information about their release. The BOS Branch will present on transitioning East Coast PCTs into the Biodiversity Offset Scheme (BOS).
- BOS Support Webinar 24 – Handout (PDF)(3.79 MB)
- BOS Support Webinar 24 – Questions and answers (PDF)(177.57 KB)
- BOS Support Webinar 24 – Presentation (PDF)(3.79 MB)
This webinar will provide an overview of the Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) Assessor Accreditation Process. Renewal training for current assessors will be described, as well as the newly released CPD guideline and template. Some frequently asked questions will be addressed to assist assessors plan for renewal and their ongoing engagement in the scheme.
This webinar introduces a proposed approach to establishing the developer charge for payments into the Biodiversity Conservation Fund (BCF) charge system to replace the Biodiversity Offset Payment Calculator (BOPC). This presentation provides an overview of what changes are proposed and why, and outlines the planned engagement with Biodiversity Offset Scheme stakeholders and participants to help build the new charge system.
Note: The new Biodiversity Conservation Fund charge system went live on 17 October 2022.
The presentation provides tips for best practice Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR) preparation and review. The presentation will cover the issues based on assessor feedback and other requests for support.
A Biodiversity Development Assessment Report template and guidance have been published since this webinar was produced and can be found on the Assessors resources webpage.
- BOS Support Webinar 21 – Handout (PDF)(5.1 MB)
- BOS Support Webinar 21 – Questions and answers (PDF)(174.33 KB)
- Biodiversity Assessment Method 2020 Operational Manual - Stage 1
- Assessors resources
The costs of developing a Biodiversity Stewardship Site Assessment Report (BSSAR) and Biodiversity Stewardship Agreement (BSA) application can be significant and present a barrier for landholders interested in establishing a BSA. A feasibility assessment and a business case assessment are optional steps a landholder may take to cost-effectively gather sufficient information to allow an informed decision about whether to proceed to a Biodiversity Stewardship Site Assessment Report and Biodiversity Stewardship Agreement application. In this webinar, the Biodiversity Conservation Trust’s (BCT) Biodiversity Offset Program Team will outline the intended purpose, key features and minimum information requirements of feasibility assessments and business cases when used by landholders to support an application to sell credits to the Biodiversity Conservation Trust.
Note: this webinar was made prior to the establishment of the Credit Supply Taskforce. As such, the Biodiversity Conservation Trust roles identified in this webinar may have changed.
- BOS Support Webinar 20 – Handout (PDF)(3.07 MB)
- Credit Supply Taskforce
The Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) Ecological Monitoring Module (EMM) has been developed to guide biodiversity outcome monitoring on all BCT agreement sites, including Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements (BSAs). The recently published EMM Operational Manual complements the Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) Stage 3 Operational Manual by providing detailed guidance on the development of a fit-for-purpose biodiversity response monitoring program for any given BSA, which will soon be a requirement of any new BSA application.
The BAM Operational Manual – Stage 3 was released in late 2020. We will also discuss key topics in the manual and the highlight the changes introduced by BAM 2020 to Stage 3.
This webinar will provide an overview of the Biodiversity Conservation Trust’s (BCT) delivery of biodiversity offsets, with a particular focus on the biodiversity credit open fixed price offer which was recently announced. This webinar explains the new Wanted Credits List as well as other guidance material to assist applicants in participating in the Open FPO.
Note: this webinar was made prior to the establishment of the Credit Supply Taskforce. As such, the Biodiversity Conservation Trust roles identified in this webinar may have changed.
- BOS Support Webinar 18 – Handout (PDF)(3.32 MB)
- BOS Support Webinar 18 – Questions and answers (PDF)(116.86 KB)
- Credit Supply Taskforce
Effective management of survey data is key to building knowledge, streamlining future environmental assessment and guiding government policy. This webinar examines initiatives underway to address limitations with the current state of biodiversity survey tools and supply lines.
- BOS Support Webinar 17 – Handout (PDF)(7.08 MB)
- BOS Support Webinar 17 – Questions and answers (PDF)(156.19 KB)
- BOS Support Webinar 17 – Presentation (PDF)(1.7 MB)
The Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) 2020 came into force on 22 October 2020. This presentation explains how the Biodiversity Assessment Method has been improved, changes assessors and decision-makers must be aware of, transitional arrangements and how to find more information.
- BOS Support Webinar 16 – Handout (PDF)(3.14 MB)
- BOS Support Webinar 16 – Questions and answers (PDF)(192.7 KB)
This is a video recorded by the Vegetation Classification and Ecology team of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water in September 2020 to provide an update on the major review of Plant Community Types (PCTs) in eastern NSW and the associated tools that have been developed to assist with Plant Community Type identification in eastern NSW.
This webinar introduces the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme and Land Management Framework: Biodiversity Assessment and Approval Pathways for Local Government, a set of flowcharts that provides guidance on when the BOS applies to development, an activity or vegetation clearing.
- BOS Support Webinar 15 – Handout (PDF)(5.38 MB)
- BOS Support Webinar 15 – Questions and answers (PDF)(174.8 KB)
- Flowcharts (PDF 1.0MB) (PDF)(1003.99 KB)
This webinar will present an overview of the Biodiversity Offset and Agreement Management System (BOAMS), focusing on use by consent authorities to review assessments. New system functionality now enables consent authorities to review submitted BAM assessments, including viewing calculations in the BAM Calculator and accompanying attachments.
Note: further system enhancements have been made since this webinar was produced.
- BOS Support Webinar 14 – Handout (PDF)(4.16 MB)
- BOS Support Webinar 14 – Questions and answers (PDF)(177.15 KB)
This webinar outlines the role of the Biodiversity Values Map and the types of land that are included. It will also describe use of the Biodiversity Values Map and Threshold (BMAT) Tool to view the map and generate a report to assist in determining whether a proposal will trigger entry into the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme (BOS).
- BOS Support Webinar 13 – Handout (PDF)(7.39 MB)
- BOS Support Webinar 13 – Questions and answers (PDF)(156.88 KB)
The Australian Government has formally endorsed the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme through the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) Condition-setting policy and finalised amendments to the Assessment Bilateral Agreement. This webinar steps through the implications for the biodiversity assessments for projects requiring approval under the EPBC Act and highlight the steps to achieve further streamlining of assessments.
A fact sheet, Aligning Biodiversity Assessments, on the topic has been published.
This introductory local government webinar provides an overview of the roles of stakeholder groups in the BOS and outlines the various resources available to support the work of local government.
Additional resources for local government have been developed since this webinar. Visit the Local government and other decision maker support webpage for more information.
- BOS Support Webinar 11 – Handout (PDF)(11.67 MB)
- BOS Support Webinar 11 – Questions and answers (PDF)(160.59 KB)
- Local government and other decision maker support
This webinar will outline when an assessment of reasonable equivalence of biodiversity credits may be necessary and provide an overview of the assessment for existing BioBanking credits and credit obligations.
- BOS Support Webinar 10 – Handout (PDF)(3.82 MB)
- BOS Support Webinar 10 – Questions and answers (PDF)(132.74 KB)
This webinar will provide background and explanation for the science and implementation of Vegetation Integrity estimates of gain at biodiversity stewardship sites, including consideration of how active restoration gains are estimated and those circumstances under which they may be most appropriate.
- BOS Support Webinar 9 – Handout (PDF)(18.08 MB)
- BOS Support Webinar 9 – Questions and answers (PDF)(140.14 KB)
This is a recording of the webinar on the NSW Biodiversity Offsets scheme.
The 'Guideline for applying the Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) at severely burnt sites (BDARs & BCARs)' defines severely burnt vegetation and provides technical guidance for application of the Biodiversity Assessment Method on proposed development and clearing sites impacted by catastrophic bushfires. This session provides an overview of this new guideline including key decision points regarding its application, key technical modifications in applying the Biodiversity Assessment Method, and the tools and support available to accredited assessors and local government.
- BOS Support Webinar 8 – Handout (PDF)(16.29 MB)
- BOS Support Webinar 8 – Questions and answers (PDF)(137.31 KB)
This webinar provides an overview of the methods used to map important areas and an update on the important area map viewer. This is followed by an explanation of the process used to consider landholder-initiated map reviews for property-scale refinements of the Biodiversity Values Map.
- BOS Support Webinar 7 – Handout (PDF)(4.58 MB)
- BOS Support Webinar 7 – Questions and answers (PDF)(115.23 KB)
This webinar provides an update from 2019 on progress of the Eastern NSW revised Plant Community Type (PCT) classification and tools to assist with Plant Community Type identification.
- BOS Support Webinar 6 – Handout (PDF)(5.68 MB)
This webinar provides an overview of a previous update to the Biodiversity Offsets Payment Calculator (BOPC) and the public release of the offsets market Spot Price Index.
Please note, the Biodiversity Offsets Payment Calculator is no longer available, and has been replaced with the Biodiversity Conservation Trust's new Biodiversity Conservation Fund (BCF) charge system.
This webinar provides an overview of vegetation integrity assessment and the development of vegetation condition benchmarks.
- BOS Support Webinar 4 – Handout (PDF)(3.39 MB)
This webinar provides guidance and troubleshooting tips for assessors in the use of the Biodiversity Offsets and Agreement Management System (BOAMS) and the BAM Calculator.
- BOS Support Webinar 3 – Handout (PDF)(5.55 MB)
This webinar covers 2 key topics. The first presentation outlines the proposed changes to the Biodiversity Assessment Method that were on public exhibition at the time of this webinar. The second presentation provides an overview of the data import from BioNet into the BAM Calculator that occurred on 27 September 2019 and guidance on how to update current assessments in the BAM Calculator.
BAM Support is a series of webinars hosted by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water to support the role of accredited assessors in the NSW Biodiversity Offset Scheme (BOS). It provides accredited assessors and other interested participants with a regular forum to learn more about the Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM), directly ask questions and stay up to date on new matters relating to the Biodiversity Offset Scheme.
This opening webinar provides an introduction to the BAM Support webinar series, updates on the roles and responsibilities within Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and the Biodiversity Conservation Trust, and an overview of how to access information and data on the Biodiversity Offset Scheme and Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM).
Note: this webinar was made prior to the establishment of the Credit Supply Taskforce. As such, the Biodiversity Conservation Trust roles identified in this webinar may have changed.