1. Consider your project’s scope and the scheme’s entry requirements
You should consider whether your project is likely to meet the entry requirements for the scheme as early as possible when planning your project.
Find out When the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme applies.
To determine whether a proposed development exceeds the biodiversity threshold and activates the scheme, use the Biodiversity Values Map and Threshold Tool.
Note that the scheme applies to all major projects and biodiversity certification proposals.
In all cases, there are actions you can take to meet your biodiversity obligations and reduce costs, such as:
- locating your project on already cleared land, to reduce your biodiversity impacts on remnant native vegetation
- changing your project’s footprint to avoid or minimise impacting native vegetation and species habitat.
2. Redesign your project to avoid the impacts that activate the scheme
In some cases, it may be possible to redesign your proposed project to avoid the impacts that activate the scheme. For example:
- If your proposed project meets the ‘area clearing threshold’ for the scheme because of the extent of the proposed clearing, you could consider reducing or redesigning the project footprint and impacts to remain below the threshold.
- If your proposed project meets the ‘Biodiversity Values Map Threshold’ for the scheme, you could consider redesigning the project footprint to avoid impacting a biodiversity value that appears on the map.
- If your proposed project is likely to meet the ‘threatened species test of significance’, you can discuss with your consent authority whether it is possible to reduce your impacts so that they do not meet this threshold.
To consider project footprint options that avoid impacts:
- find out When the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme applies
- use the Biodiversity Values Map and Threshold Tool
- Threatened species test of significance guidelines [PDF 191KB].
3. Seek a Biodiversity Values Map review
If your proposed project activates the scheme because it is on land mapped on the Biodiversity Values Map, and you have reason to believe the map is incorrect, you can seek a map review.
You should first seek a Biodiversity Values Explanation Report for more information about values mapped on your property. If you believe that the mapping is incorrect, you can apply for a Biodiversity Values Map review.
If a Biodiversity Values Map review finds that the mapping is incorrect, you may be able to avoid activating the scheme.
There is no fee for these services.