The Interim Grasslands and other Groundcover Assessment Method was prepared by the former Office of Environment and Heritage in accordance with Part 5A of the Local Land Services Act 2013 and the amended Local Land Services Regulation 2014.
Mapping of conservation value
The Interim Grasslands and other Groundcover Assessment Method may be used to map land according to the conservation value of the grasslands or other groundcover on rural regulated land. The Local Land Services Act and Regulation provide for:
- ‘low conservation value’ grasslands and other groundcover to be mapped as category 1 exempt land (unless they are beneath the canopy or drip line of category 2 regulated land woody vegetation – in which case they are category 2 regulated land)
- land containing grasslands or other groundcover that are not low conservation value to be mapped as category 2 regulated land
- ‘high conservation value’ grasslands or other groundcover to be mapped as category 2 sensitive regulated land. Associated-use restrictions are described in the land management codes and allowable activities.
Assessment using the Interim Grasslands and other Groundcover Assessment Method
Since the commencement of Part 5A of the Local Land Services Act and the amended Local Land Services Regulation, the conservation value of grasslands and other groundcover on rural regulated land is determined by applying the Interim Grasslands and other Groundcover Assessment Method.
This assessment method and the Regulation also allow for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water to designate mapped areas of high conservation value grasslands and other groundcover in certain circumstances.
The method uses a 3-stage process through which qualified assessors will determine the conservation value of groundcover vegetation:
- Stage 1 specifies situations where it may not be appropriate to use the Interim Grasslands and other Groundcover Assessment Method.
- Stage 2 is a simple assessment of the cover of exotic perennial species.
- Stage 3 is a more in-depth survey of the floristic composition of the site, called Vegetation Integrity.
Interim Grasslands and other Groundcover Assessment Method Calculator
Field data from the 3 stages is entered into the Interim Grasslands and other Groundcover Assessment Method Calculator and the conservation value is calculated. The Interim Grasslands and other Groundcover Assessment Method Calculator is used by suitably qualified assessors as part of the map review application.
If you would like to use the Interim Grasslands and other Groundcover Assessment Method Calculator to assess the conservation value of grasslands and other groundcover, please contact the department’s native vegetation mailbox for guidance on how to submit an assessment: [email protected].
Go to the Interim Grasslands and other Groundcover Assessment Method Calculator.
Assessor prerequisites
Assessors are required to meet the following prerequisites:
- a minimum of 3 years’ experience in flora survey (must include vegetation community survey and plant community type allocation) or, if no tertiary qualifications are held, 5 years’ experience in flora survey (over the last 7 years prior to commencing the assessment) as demonstrated in a CV which covers the last 7-year period
- relevant tertiary qualifications in natural sciences, or additional work experiences.
Training on the Interim Grasslands and other Groundcover Assessment Method is not currently offered.