Uses of the Biodiversity Values Map
The Biodiversity Values Map is one of the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme thresholds.
Developments, land clearing or activities proposed on land on the Biodiversity Values Map activate the scheme, and require the preparation of a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report.
Part 5 authorities may choose to undertake a test of significance and prepare a species impact statement instead of preparing a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report.
The Biodiversity Values Map and Threshold Tool can be used to determine whether a project will impact values on the Biodiversity Values Map or exceed the area clearing threshold.
Access the Biodiversity Values Map and Threshold Tool.
The Biodiversity Values Map can also assist local governments in updating their local environmental plan biodiversity maps.
How to use the Biodiversity Values Map for local environmental plans
The Biodiversity Values Map may be useful to local governments wanting to develop or update their local biodiversity maps.
- Local environment plans may contain biodiversity maps to identify locally important biodiversity.
- Councils may use the Biodiversity Values Map to inform the development and updates of their local environmental plan biodiversity maps.
- Local environment plans biodiversity maps are not required to match the Biodiversity Values Map, and councils can include land they consider important for biodiversity.
- Councils can access the current Biodiversity Values Map spatial data through the Sharing and Enabling Environmental Data (SEED) portal.
Local government nominations for the Biodiversity Values Map
The Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW) allows local governments to nominate land to add to the Biodiversity Values Map for consideration by the Minister for the Environment. The land must contain vegetation connectivity features or threatened species habitat and be of bioregional or state significance.
The department is developing guidelines for council proposed additions to the Biodiversity Values Map.