Native Vegetation Mapping Report

Native Vegetation Mapping Project & Review of the Vegetation Protection Overlay 1

The City of Ballarat adopted the Native Vegetation Mapping and review of the Vegetation Protection Overlay Report  (PDF - 2374KB) on 14 September 2005.

The Report has identified native vegetation that is significant at a regional and state level in a study area that included the southern two thirds of the municipality.

What are the objectives of the study?

• Develop selection criteria for the identification of significant vegetation
• Identify and map areas of significant native vegetation on private land within the urban area of Ballarat and immediate surrounds
• Review the existing Vegetation Protection Overlay (VPO1) areas and identify changes or additions to the Overlay

What are the key results of the Study?

The current Vegetation Protection Overlay 1 covers 2,901 hectares of land mainly in the Buninyong, Mt Helen, Invermay, Nerrina and Durham Lead areas. There are 3,693 hectares within the City of Ballarat with vegetation of significance on private land and roadsides. There are eight different class types of significant vegetation. Seven of these are considered to be vulnerable or endangered. The report discusses class types, extent of areas and the assessment criteria.

The study found that the vegetation extends from Sulky, Glen Park, and Warrenheip through to the Canadian valley and extending to Buninyong and Garibaldi.

The report also shows the areas where the Vegetation Protection Overlay should apply.

Recommendations

The recommendations of the study are:

• Update VPO1 schedule to include the revised statement of vegetation significance (see section 2.1)
• Update VPO1 schedule to include revised vegetation protection objectives (see section 2.2)
• Develop an information package for applicants which will include background information on native vegetation of the region, description of the VPO1 including statements of significance and objectives, and permit application guidelines including a description of the information required from the applicant. The existing information kit, Native Vegetation Conservation in the City of Ballarat (Schembri 2004), could be revised and expanded as part of the information package.
• Use the vegetation significance criteria for determining the type and significance of native vegetation as part of the assessment of planning permit applications relating to the VPO1.
• Develop a system for tracking and storing information from site vegetation assessments undertaken for planning permit applications under the VPO1 and any resulting conditions associated with granted permits. The system could also be used to store information on habitat hectare assessments and on vegetation planting or protection offsets required due to clearance of native vegetation on a site in accordance with the State Governments Native Vegetation Framework.
• Develop a map layer of revegetation works and offset plantings within the City of Ballarat using existing mapping and databases, and new mapping as required. This would include revegetation works funded under Local, State and Commonwealth initiatives. The report suggested that this be undertaken in partnership with Catchment Management Authorities, which are the primary agencies for facilitating revegetation projects, and the Department of Sustainability and Environment which is the agency responsible for the Native Vegetation Framework and the associated vegetation removal offset process.
• Develop a new VPO category for the protection of revegetation works with a focus on those works funded by Local Government, State and Commonwealth funds and offset plantings resulting from clearance of native vegetation.
• Periodically update the native vegetation map with information on the location, class and significance of native vegetation from planning permit applications and other relevant site assessments.

What happens next?

Amendment C95  has been prepared to implement the recommendations of the Native Vegetation Mapping Project & Review of the Vegetation Protection Overlay 1 as described above.