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Native Vegetation & Biodiversity

Guidelines for a Native Vegetation Significant Environmental

Policy for the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Industry

The purpose of these guidelines is to generally inform persons involved with activities under the Mining Act 1971 and Petroleum Act 2000, of important changes to the law with respect to the clearance of native vegetation under the Native Vegetation Act 1991 (NVA), and the new government policies as a result of the amended legislation.

As a majority of mining, petroleum, geothermal and exploration activities involve some degree of clearance of native vegetation, operators should become familiar with the new requirements. The guidelines provide information on the concepts behind the new requirements, and on the processes for assisting applicants to comply with those requirements.

The guidelines have been subject to a public consultation process in accordance with Section 25 of the Native Vegetation Act 1991. Subject to this section of the Act, draft guidelines are submitted for comment to designated bodies, and by public advertisement, invitations are extended to any member of the public to comment on the guidelines.

This version of the guidelines has been developed following input from organizations and individuals during the consultation process. In accordance with Section 25 of the Native Vegetation Act 1991, the Native Vegetation Council resolved to endorse the adoption and implementation of the “Guidelines for a Native Vegetation Significant Environmental Benefit Policy for the Clearance of Native Vegetation Associated with the Minerals and Petroleum Industry”.

Dowload the Native Vegetation SEB Guideline (PDF: 600kb).

Visit the Department of Environment and Heritage EPBC website.

 

The Value Of Native Vegetation

The absence of an economic value for biodiversity and many biological resources means that they fail to compete on a level playing field with the forces that are driving their decline (OECD 2002). Biodiversity defies easy description and quantification. One of the reasons for this is the different type of associated values.

The provisions under the Native Vegetation Act now ensure that proposed developments recognise that native vegetation has a value, and encourage developers to determine whether there is a practicable alternative that would involve no clearance, or the clearance of less native vegetation or less significant native vegetation.

The change to the legislation accords with the State Strategic Plan:

Objective 3: Attaining Sustainability – Native Vegetation: Any clearance of native vegetation being offset by significant biodiversity benefit by 2005.

 

Further Information

Persons interested finding out more information on the status of the guidelines are encouraged to contact:

The Native Vegetation Council Secretariat
GPO Box 2834
Adelaide 5001

or email the Native Vegetation Council at: nvc@saugov.sa.gov.au.