Interim Conservation Areas for Wyong Shire
Development Control Plan No. 13

Part 3 - Making Development Applications

3.1 Information Required to Accompany Development Applications
When this DCP applies, additional environmental information is required to be submitted to allow Council to properly assess the application.

Some of the matters required to be addressed as part of the Conservation Assessment (CA) would be required to be addressed by existing Council policies. One of the main purposes of addressing the matters outlined in Section 3.1 is to broaden the scope of considerations of relevance to conservation planning, as opposed to being specifically focused on a number of species which are listed in the Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995. The Conservation Assessment (CA) does not exempt proponents from addressing those matters which are outlined in Council's Flora and Fauna Guidelines for Development and the requirements of Section 5A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979. All proposals will be assessed to ensure that consistency with the environmental performance criteria which are outlined in Part 2 is achieved.

Development proposals within Potential Conservation Investigation Areas must be accompanied by a Conservation Assessment (CA) addressing:

1. Project Objectives and Alternatives

a. The relationship of a development or an activity to the objectives provided in Section 1.3 of this plan and the environmental planning principles which are outlined in Section 2.1.

b. An analysis of any feasible alternatives to the proposed development or alternatives to the site, having regard to its objectives, including an explanation of:

i. reasons justifying the carrying out of the development.

ii. the consequences of not carrying out the development; and

2. Description of Site and Locality

a. A site survey showing all natural features such as landform (contours), natural features (creeks, gullies, trees and other bushland),existing structures and uses and access points.

b. A locality map showing significant features in the surrounding area eg creeks which the land drains to, adjoining vegetation, wildlife corridors which run through the land.

3. A brief description of the proposed development

a. Plans showing the location of all proposed structures, roads and driveways, and other proposed uses of the land.

b. Any proposed associated works such as drainage, sewerage, landscaping, earthmoving or fill.

4. Environmental Information and Impact Analysis of the Proposed Development on Potential Conservation Areas

This shall include the following information, where relevant to the proposal, the following:

a. The size of the areas (in m2 or ha) proposed to be cleared or modified in any way by the proposal and distance (in metres) to nearby remnant patches of vegetation shall be provided.

b. A report describing the birds (both indigenous and migratory), reptiles, amphibians and mammals (including bats) which occur or have the potential to occur on the site and the occurrence of any animal listed under the Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995 or Fisheries Management Act, 1994 (if relevant) or any species which is known to have local, regional, state or national conservation significance.

c. Detailed studies are to be conducted where any regional vegetation community described in Appendix C is found to be impacted.

d. The role provided by vegetation in terms of linkage functions in the local and regional context is to be determined. Factors which are to be examined include:

•  species which are likely to utilise vegetation in the corridor for dispersal are to be  identified,
  
  
•  habitat quality and food resource availability, and
  
  
•  the restoration potential of degraded areas shall be documented.

e. Provide information on the disturbance history of the site. How long has the period of disturbance been occurring and what form has this taken (e.g. grazing, clearing of understorey, mowing, tree removal.

f. Faunal groups and specific species shall be identified which will experience disruption of habitat and corridors as a result of the development.

g. The hydrological conditions which exist on the site and whether the land has a direct association with plant communities which are reliant on the maintenance of existing hydrological conditions. Some ecosystems which are sensitive to hydrological modifications include wetlands, riparian and drainage line vegetation.

h. Identify ecological impacts associated with the proposal which are likely to adversely impact on wildlife corridor functions.

i. A description of remedial measures proposed to be taken to reduce actual and potential disturbances to vegetation, fauna, water quality and the hydrological regime during the construction and operational stages of the proposed development (eg replanting, collection and propagation of native seed stock, creek line rehabilitation, fencing off habitat with significant conservation values.

j. To establish whether the land makes a significant contribution to local amenity or is of cultural significance. Relevant factors include:

•  Does the land provide a link between existing public reserve, parcel of land owned by  a government authority or area of public open space?
  
  
•  Does the land contain, or provide a context or setting for, a heritage item, Aboriginal  landscape or site of Aboriginal archaeological significance?
  
  
•  Does the site contain visual features which contribute to local amenity?
  
  
•  Is the site located in a visually prominent location?
  

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Page last updated: 04/03/2002