LG Regional Forum – Biodiversity Reforms Targeted Briefing Session

LG Regional Forum – Biodiversity Reforms Targeted Briefing Session

Biodiversity Reforms – Strategic Planning, Biodiversity Conservation and Rural Land Management

Thursday, 27 June 2019
Best Western Hunter Gateway
11 Denton Park Drive, Rutherford, NSW
9.00am – 4.30pm

REGISTRATIONS ARE CLOSED

Introduction

The Hunter Joint Organisation Environment Division invites you to attend the 2nd Biodiversity Reforms Local Government Regional forum to reconnect, share knowledge and collaborate on biodiversity and vegetation management issues arising from the reforms in the Hunter and Central Coast region.

This forum forms an important part of the Hunter Capacity Building program by providing an opportunity to collaborate with key State Government agencies and deliver detailed information on key focus areas identified by Councils during the baseline targeted sessions completed in the region between October 2018 to March 2019.

Key focus areas will include:

  • An update on the status of the State-wide Council Capacity Building Project and the next stage of the Hunter Region Biodiversity Reforms Capacity Building Project
  • A summary of key actions completed and support material available for Council officers implementing the Biodiversity reforms
  • An overview on how the NSW Biodiversity Reforms apply to Strategic Planning Projects
  • Better understanding of the biocertification process and use in the environmental planning context
  • An overview of the different types of conservation agreements
  • Balancing development and conservation – Biodiversity Stewardship sites and the Biodiversity Conservation Fund
  • Clearing on regulated rural lands and practical application of allowable activities and Code based clearing

Who Should Attend?

This forum builds on previous Biodiversity reforms targeted sessions provided to Councils and is relevant to Council roles involving conservation and natural resource management, environmental planning (development assessment and strategic planning), land managers and compliance.

AGENDA

8.45 – 9.00am Registrations
9.00 – 9:15am Welcome & Introductions

Carlie McClung – Hunter LG Support Officer (Biodiversity Reforms), Hunter JO
9:15 – 9.45am LG Biodiversity Reforms Capacity Building Project

Carlie McClung – Hunter LG Support Officer (Biodiversity Reforms), Hunter JO

Leesa Swan – Principal Project Officer (Biodiversity Reforms) NSW Office of Local Government (OLG)

Update on Capacity Building Project

1.    Status of Project

2.    Where to from here? Next stage of the Project
9:45 – 11.00am

 

 Session 1 – Strategic Planning

NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH)

This session will provide an overview on how the NSW Biodiversity Reforms apply to Strategic Planning Projects and will cover:

1.    Planning proposals – minimum considerations for biodiversity assessment

2.    Concept Design proposals – benefits of undertaking a BDAR

3.    What is a clause 34A exemption? – the OEH process, when this exemption can
be used and the DA biodiversity assessment requirements.
11.00 – 11.15am Break
11:15am – 12.15pm

 

 Session 2 – Biodiversity Certification

NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH)

The aim of this session is for OEH to provide an overview of the biocertification process, when it can be used and the two different types – strategic and standard.
12.15 – 1.00pm Lunch
1:00 – 2.30pm

 

 Session 3 – Conservation Agreements

NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT)

The aim of this session is for the BCT to provide an overview on conservation agreements. This session will explore the different types of agreements and how Biodiversity Stewardship Sites are established and operated.
2.30 – 2.45pm Break
2:45 – 4:15pm

 

 Session 4 – Rural Land Management

NSW Local Land Services (LLS)

This session aims to expand on the baseline session provided on the Local Land Services Act 2013 (LLS Act) with a practical scenario workshop run by LLS. This session will explore clearing on regulated rural lands and practical application of allowable activities and Code based clearing within the central and coastal zones.
4.15 – 4.30pm Forum wrap up and close
4.30pm Forum Close

For further information on this forum, please contact Carlie McClung, your LG Support Officer (Biodiversity Reforms) on 02 49784045 or email: carliem@huntercouncils.com.au