The documents listed below are all ones I worked on that have been published since the start of 2019. I edited the text of all of them and worked on the styling and layout of most of them. Previous years would have a similar number and range of documents, stretching back to when I first began my freelance work in 2001.
The buttons are shortcuts to documents within my various areas of expertise.
Guidance to assist a decision-maker to determine a serious and irreversible impact
Serious and irreversible impacts of development on biodiversity
The concept of serious and irreversible impacts is fundamentally about protecting threatened entities that are most at risk of extinction from potential development. The Biodiversity Offsets Scheme recognises that there are some types of serious and irreversible impacts that the community expects will not occur except where the consent authority considers that this type of impact is outweighed by the social and economic benefits that the development will deliver to the State.
Biodiversity Assessment Method 2020
The Biodiversity Assessment Method 2020
The BAM is a scientific document that provides: a consistent method for the assessment of biodiversity values from a proposed development (including major projects), activity, clearing or biodiversity certification, as well as improvements in biodiversity values from management actions undertaken at a stewardship site guidance on how a proponent can avoid and minimise potential biodiversity impacts the number and class of biodiversity credits that need to be offset to achieve a standard of ‘no net loss’ of biodiversity.
Biodiversity Assessment Method Operational Manual Stage 1 and
Biodiversity Assessment Method 2020 Operational Manual – Stage 1
Biodiversity Assessment Method Operational Manual Stage 2
Biodiversity Assessment Method Operational Manual – Stage 3
Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) Calculator: User guide
Guidelines for estimating and evaluating species’ response to management
River Red Gum Ecological Thinning Trial: Monitoring report 2019
WildCount: Broad-scale, long-term monitoring of fauna in NSW national parks 2012–2016
NSW Survey Guide for Threatened Frogs
Saving our Species 2019–20: Year in review
Submissions Report: Stage 1 consultation on Biodiversity Offsets Scheme proposals 2021
Biodiversity credit pricing guide
Plot to PCT Assignment Tool User Guide
Plot to PCT Assignment Tool
PCTs are widely used to support biodiversity assessment and land management activities. For more information about PCTs visit the NSW PCT Classification webpage. Anyone can access the Plot to PCT Assignment Tool. The tool provides a standardised repeatable method for identifying quantitative PCTs using the floristic survey methods required under the NSW Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM).
Growth Centres Biodiversity Offset Program Annual Report
Saving our Species Annual Report 2017-18
Saving our Species Annual Report 2018–19
Office of Environment and Heritage Translocation operational policy
Flying-fox Camp Management Plan Template 2019
Flying-fox management
During the day, flying-foxes roost in trees. The places they roost are known as camps and may contain tens to thousands of individuals at a time. At night, flying-foxes disperse from camps to feed across the landscape. Flying-foxes are protected in New South Wales by the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.
Subsidies for products and services to assist communities living with flying-foxes
Biodiversity Offsets Payment Calculator: Methodology note
Managing vegetation with a Development Control Plan: Guidance for local government
Accredited Assessors Complaints and Feedback Management Policy
Accredited Assessor Continuing Professional Development Log Guideline
Guide for mapping threatened species for inclusion in the NSW regulatory framework
River Red Gum Ecological Thinning Trial: Monitoring report 2020
Wildlife and conservation bushfire recovery: Medium-term response plan
Guidance for the Biodiversity Development Assessment Report Template
Local Government Resource Manual: NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme
Evaluation of BioNet Plant Community Types 2018 of Eastern New South Wales
A Revised Classification of Plant Communities of Eastern New South Wales
Updating BioNet Plant Community Types: Eastern New South Wales PCT Classification Version 1.1 (2022)
Eastern NSW Plant Community Type Percentage Cleared Calculation Technical notes
NSW State Vegetation Type Map Technical Notes
How to access vegetation condition benchmark data from BioNet Quick Guide
BioNet Plant Community Types Benchmarks data Microsoft Excel power query
Vegetation Condition Benchmarks
Vegetation Condition Benchmarks are maintained within the BioNet Vegetation Classification data collection. The Benchmarks describe the reference state to which sites are compared to score their site-scale biodiversity values or set goals for management or restoration. The 3 primary attributes of biodiversity; composition, structure and function are described by benchmarks.
Net Zero Plan Stage 1: 2020-2030
Net Zero Plan | NSW Climate and Energy Action
The Net Zero Plan Stage 1: 2020-2030 is the foundation for NSW’s action on climate change and goal to reach net zero emissions by 2050. It outlines the NSW Government’s plan to protect our future by growing the economy, creating jobs and reducing emissions over the next decade.
North Coast Enabling Regional Adaptation: North Coast region report
North Coast | AdaptNSW
NSW’s North Coast region is one of the most ecologically diverse areas of NSW. It contains world heritage rainforests, 9 major river catchments, and vast beaches. The North Coast’s environments support iconic towns and thriving tourism and agricultural industries. Climate change is already affecting the North Coast, particularly through increased temperatures.
Shoalhaven and Illawarra Enabling Regional Adaptation report
Guide to Climate Change Risk Assessment for NSW Local Government https://climatechange.environment.nsw.gov.au/Adapting-to-climate-change/Local-government/Identify-risks-and-vulnerability
NSW Climate Change Fund Annual Report 2018-19
NSW Climate Change Fund Annual Report 2019–20
NSW Climate Change Fund Annual Report 2020–21
NSW Climate Change Fund | NSW Climate and Energy Action
Our vision is to ensure the heart of our State – the people and communities of NSW and the natural environment that they are a part of – can continue to thrive through our decisive leadership on climate change. The Climate Change Fund is a critical part of that commitment.
Annual Plan for the Snowy and Montane River Increased Flows 2019–20
Snowy Montane Rivers increased flows – Water in New South Wales
The Snowy Water Inquiry Outcomes Implementation Deed (SWIOID) also provides for environmental releases into a number of high altitude (montane) rivers whose flows are significantly affected by the operation of the Snowy Scheme.
Guideline for preparing a coastal zone emergency action subplan
Towards safer swimming – Rose Bay: Stormwater catchment audit
Rose Bay water quality audit
Over the last decade, the Poor water quality grade given to Rose Bay Beach in the annual NSW State of the Beaches report has led to considerable concern by local and State government, as well as beach goers, recreational swimmers, and the broader community seeking action to improve water quality.
Flood Risk Management Manual and 8 flood risk management guides
Flood Risk Management Manual update
It has been developed as part of the technical and policy advice provided by the Department of Planning and Environment to Local Councils that supports the delivery of the Flood Prone Land Policy through the Floodplain Management Program.
State of the Beaches 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 reports
Annual State of the beaches reporting
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SeaBed NSW – Standard operating procedures for multibeam surveying
Floodplain Risk Management Guide
Multiple reports from the Terrigal Water Quality Audit
Terrigal water quality audit
During the past decade, Terrigal Beach has been routinely graded as ‘Poor’ in the annual State of the Beaches Report. This has led to considerable concern by local and state governments as well as beach goers, recreational swimmers, surfers, fishers and the broader community.
Border Rivers Long-Term Water Plan
Border Rivers Long-Term Water Plan
The plan acknowledges the diverse range of human values and uses connected to local rivers and wetlands. It also recognises the important ecological values of the region and identifies the strategies for water use that will allow this system to survive and thrive into the future.
NSW Electricity Strategy: Overview
NSW Electricity Strategy | NSW Climate and Energy Action
The NSW Electricity Strategy is the NSW Government’s plan for a reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity future that supports a growing economy. We recognise the NSW electricity system must change. Traditional generators are aging and our transmission system is congested. Electricity prices are putting pressure on households and businesses.
Government Resource Efficiency Policy Office of Environment and Heritage Annual Report 2017–18
Energy Security Target and Safeguard Consultation Paper [670KB]
Energy Savings Scheme Statutory Review Report 2020 [774KB]
Energy efficiency in social housing: Literature and program review
Energy efficiency in social housing: Interview findings and policy recommendations [1.1MB]
Impact Statement for the Review of the Ambient Air Quality NEPM standards for SO2, NO2 and O3
Proposed variation to the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure standards for ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide
The public consultation period for the Impact Statement and draft varied measure is now closed. Documents remain available for reference only.
Guideline: Pollution Incident Response Management Plans consultation draft
Pollution Incident Response Management Plans
A Pollution Incident Response Management Plan (PIRMP) is a document that outlines what procedures are in place to minimise the risk of a pollution incident on a premises. This includes having clear and effective notification, action and communication procedures to ensure the incident is dealt with safely, and all relevant people and authorities are notified, and kept informed throughout the incident.
Risk-based Licensing Review: Proposal paper
risk-based-licensing
The EPA’s risk-based licensing system aims to ensure that all environment protection licensees receive an appropriate level of regulation based on the level of risk they pose. Moving to a risk-based system is an important and positive change to environment protection licensing in NSW.
Powers and Notices Guideline for Authorised Officers and Enforcement Officers consultation draft
Powers of authorised officers and Guide to notices
The final Powers and Notices Guideline for Authorised Officers and Enforcement Officers (PDF 756KB) has been released. This new guideline replaces the previous EPA guides Powers of Authorised Officers 2006 and the Guide to Notices 2009. The new guideline includes additional or changed content in response to feedback from councils, other regulatory authorities and relevant agencies and their officers where possible and appropriate.
Human health soil screening criteria for PFOS, PFHxS and PFOA
NSW Koala Research Plan
There is still a lot to learn about koalas in New South Wales, and improving our knowledge is key to informing effective conservation actions. To address knowledge gaps and better protect koalas in the wild, up to $5.7 million has been committed to fund koala-focused research.
NSW Koala Strategy 2018–19 Annual Report
Research under the NSW Koala Strategy: Call for proposals 2019
Framework for the spatial prioritisation of koala conservation actions in NSW
Koala Rehabilitation Training Standards for the Volunteer Wildlife Rehabilitation Sector
Sampling protocols
These protocols were developed with the support of the NSW Depertment of Planning Industry and Environment, and with broad consultation. They are intended to instruct and to facilitate standardised collection of quality material for research to maximise benefits from any interaction with koalas.
NSW Far South Coast post-fire koala survey 2020
Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus): Biodiversity Assessment Method Survey Guide
Wildlife Rehabilitation Sector Strategy: Consultation draft
Wildlife Rehabilitation Sector Strategy
The Department of Planning and Environment is implementing a 3-year strategy to help support volunteers and improve wildlife rehabilitation in New South Wales. The strategy will be implemented by the National Parks and Wildlife Service in partnership with the sector, the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife’s Wildlife Heroes program, and supported by the Environmental Trust.
Review of the NSW Volunteer Wildlife Rehabilitation Sector
Koala Rehabilitation Training Standards for the Volunteer Wildlife Rehabilitation Sector
Data Reporting Instructions for the Volunteer Wildlife Rehabilitation Sector
Initial treatment and care guidelines for rescued reptiles
Initial treatment and care guidelines for rescued native birds
Initial treatment and care guidelines for rescued birds of prey
Rehabilitation of protected animals policy
Fort Denison Conservation Management Plan
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Regional Advisory Committee Handbook
2018 Annual Report: New South Wales Commercial Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan 2017–21
NSW Commercial Kangaroo Management Program: 2022 Quota Report
NSW Alpine Resorts Environmental Performance Report 2016–19
Environmental management in NSW alpine resorts
The Kosciuszko National Park Plan of Management (2006) requires all lessees, licensees and other authorities operating in the park to have or be part of an environmental management system (EMS). An EMS is a tool to help manage an organisation’s activities to prevent pollution, protect the environment from the unintended effects of infrastructure and minimise any impacts from operations.
NSW Parks Eco Pass: Operator handbook
Parks Eco Pass program for commercial tour operators
Welcome to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) newly reformed Parks Eco Pass program. The program starts on 1 July 2021 and will provide added benefits for nature-based tour operators. The program will support operators to work with NPWS to offer exceptional visitor experiences across NSW national parks.
National Parks and Wildlife Service Pesticide Use Notification Plan
Pesticide use notification plan
Under the New South Wales Pesticides Regulation 2017 we are required to prepare a pesticide use notification plan (PUNP) to outline how we will notify the community of pesticide applications in outdoor public places. This notification allows community members to avoid contact with pesticides.