46Identifying reference ecosystems

46 Identifying reference ecosystems

Note: See section 10 of the BAI.

(1) This section sets out how the project proponent must assign reference ecosystems to an activity area for ecosystem assessment in accordance with section 30. (2) The assignment of reference ecosystems must be undertaken at a maximum scale of 3 hectares, with a minimum width of 50 metres for linear features. (3) The project proponent must set out the justification for making the selection, which must include any available evidence of historic ecosystems for the activity area. (4) The ecosystem must be identified and described consistently with: (a) the IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology, as it exists at the time the SSA is undertaken, at the functional group level; and (b) the National Vegetation Inventory System (NVIS), as it exists at the time the SSA is undertaken, at both the association level and sub-association level.

Note 1: At time this instrument was made:

(a) the IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology was available at  
https://global-ecosystems.org/; and
(b) the NVIS was available on the Department’s website at https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/native-vegetation/national-vegetation-information-system.

Note 2: The association level and sub-association level correspond to levels 5 and 6 of the NVIS respectively.

Selection—prescribed vegetation map appears accurate (5) The project proponent must access and examine the prescribed vegetation map for the activity area on PLANR. (6) If the activity area is shown by the prescribed vegetation map to have a single native vegetation type, that vegetation type must be assigned to the activity area. (7) If the activity area is shown by the prescribed vegetation map to have a mixture of 2 or more native vegetation types, the project proponent must divide the activity area into parts (the sub-areas of the activity area), based on the distribution of the vegetation types, so that: (a) each sub-area is assigned to a single native vegetation type; and (b) the native vegetation types assigned to the sub-areas are all in the same major vegetation group, according to the NVIS classification.

Note: If a proposed activity area has native vegetation types from more than one major vegetation group, the proposed stratification will have to be adjusted.

(8) The project proponent must, using: (a) a virtual assessment; and (b) a field survey (as part of the initial field survey); verify that the prescribed vegetation map is likely to be correct. (9) If the project proponent is satisfied that the prescribed vegetation map is accurate, the native vegetation types assigned under subsection 46(6) or (7) are the reference ecosystems for the activity area or sub-areas. Selection—prescribed vegetation map does not appear accurate (10) If it appears that the prescribed vegetation map is likely not to be correct, the project proponent must use the Prescribed Vegetation Classification System to determine the eligible native vegetation type or types that were most likely to be present on the land prior to it being cleared or pre‑1750 (whichever is later), having regard to the biophysical characteristics of the land and the type of ecosystem it is currently likely to support. (11) For subsection (10), a native vegetation type is eligible if it occurs, or previously occurred, within the relevant eligible region in which the land is located, or an adjacent IBRA subregion. (12) The project proponent must assign: (a) a single eligible native vegetation type to the activity area; or (b) 2 or more eligible native vegetation types to different parts of the activity area (the sub-areas of the activity area) in accordance with paragraphs (7)(a) and (b); (13) The native vegetation types so assigned are the reference ecosystems for the activity area or the sub-areas. Exception—changes since clearing too great (14) If there is compelling evidence that the biophysical attributes of an activity area, of a part of a proposed activity area, have changed to such an extent that revegetation towards the pre-clearing (or pre‑1750) reference ecosystem is not likely to be feasible, the project proponent may designate an alternative eligible native vegetation type as the reference ecosystem for the activity area, or for the part of the activity area (a sub-area of the activity area). (15) For subsection (14), a native vegetation type is eligible if it occurs, or previously occurred, within the relevant eligible region in which the land is located, or an adjacent IBRA subregion; and (a) is suited to the biophysical attributes of the land and the type of ecosystem it is currently likely to support; and (b) is from the same major vegetation group as the native vegetation type that was most likely to be present on the land prior to it being cleared or pre‑1750. (16) If changes to the biophysical attributes of land mean it is not likely to be possible to revegetate that land towards a native vegetation type that satisfies subsection (15), the land must not be included in a proposed activity area.