Biodiversity

Timeframe: October 2010 and ongoing

Strategies and plans to protect Baw Baw Shire’s biodiversity assets and natural resources are identified within Council’s Community Vision – Baw Baw 2050, Environment and Climate Change Strategy (2011) and Corporate Plan (2011-2015). These strategies and plans reflect Council’s commitment to protecting and sustainably managing the Shire’s biodiversity assets and natural resources in the long-term.

Biodiversity initiatives identified for preparation and implementation include:

Identification of key biodiversity assets:

• Biodiversity assets and values within the future urban growth areas have been assessed and mapped. This information will be used to identify key biodiversity assets that should be retained and protected within future urban development
• Key nature reserves and their biodiversity assets and values have been identified and assessed. Management plans have been completed for Nangarra, Robin Hood, Rokeby Flora and Fauna and Thornels Reserves

Preparation of local and strategic plans to facilitate protection and management of biodiversity assets:

• Council’s new Environment and Climate Change Strategy was approved in October 2011. This strategy addresses themes on biodiversity, climate change, land and water management and transition to a low carbon economy. A formatted digital copy of this strategy will be available on Council’s website by mid 2012
• Council has assisted the Latrobe Catchment Landcare Network in completing a Biolinks Plan for individual Landcare groups in West Gippsland

Development of a Native Vegetation Offset Scheme:

• Council approved the trial of a native vegetation offset scheme by Baw Baw Shire Council and will establish a mechanism to allow permit holders to purchase native vegetation offset through Council’s Customer Service Centres.
• Establishment of a native vegetation offset scheme will provide several benefits to our community, including provision of quick access to vegetation offsets for developers, retaining native vegetation offsets within the municipality, locating offsets on sites with higher biodiversity significance and the provision of resources to establish and manage sites into the future
• Council has selected land at Trafalgar and Lardner Transfer Stations to trial the native vegetation offset scheme

Development of a Giant Gippsland Earthworm Environmental Significance Overlay:

• The Giant Gippsland Earthworm Overlay was Gazetted in May 2012.  This amendment incorporates a Giant Gippsland Earthworm Environmental Significance Overlay into the Planning Scheme. This overlay appears on the planning scheme maps as ESO4 - Environmental Significance 4
• To accompany the Overlay, Council has prepared a Planning Scheme Reference Document (Giant Gippsland Earthworm Environmental Significance Overlay June 2011), informing landholders, developers, planners and consultants about the Giant Gippsland Earthworm and use of the Environmental Significance Overlay. Council has also revised the Municipal Strategic Statement (Clause 21.07-2 – Biodiversity) to reflect the amendment

For Further Information:

Contact Strategic Planning on 5624 2411 or stf@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au

Baw Baw Shire Council can provide access to hard copies of these documents for sight impaired residents. Please call Strategic Planning on 5624 2411 to arrange a time to view the documents at a Council office or to have a copy sent to you.