Framework for Construction
Environment Management Plans
For areas of Gungahlin subject to the Gungahlin
Strategic Assessment 2013
GPO Box 158 Canberra ACT 2601 | phone: 132281 | www.act.gov.au
Quality information
Prepared by the Economic Development Directorate for the Plan Implementation Team
Revision
0
Revision
date
Details
19/12/2013
Submission to
Commonwealth Department
of the Environment
Authorisation
Name/position
Dan Stewart
Deputy Director-General, Economic Development
Directorate
2
Contents
List of Abbreviations ........................................................................................................................... 4
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 5
Commitments from the Approval ....................................................................................................... 8
The CEMP Framework....................................................................................................................... 10
Application of the framework ....................................................................................................... 10
CEMP objectives............................................................................................................................ 11
CEMP requirements ...................................................................................................................... 11
CEMP approval process..................................................................................................................... 12
CEMP monitoring and review ........................................................................................................... 19
The PIT responsibilities ................................................................................................................. 19
Regulation and compliance........................................................................................................... 19
Proponent responsibilities ............................................................................................................ 19
Unintended and unanticipated incidence/impacts on MNES....................................................... 20
Further Information and contact details ...................................................................................... 20
Summary ........................................................................................................................................... 21
Determining if your proposal requires additional considerations to the ACT Government’s
Environmental guidelines for preparation of an Environment Management Plan (2013) ........... 21
What information does your CEMP need? ................................................................................... 22
References ........................................................................................................................................ 23
3
List of Abbreviations
ACT
CEMP
CPR
DoE
EDD
EIS
EMP
EP Act
EPA
EPBC Act
EPIP Act
EMP
ESA
ESDD
LDA
MNES
NC Act
NCA
NCP
NSW
PA
PALM Act
PD Act
PIT
SEWPaC
TaMS
Australian Capital Territory
Construction Environment Management Plan (interchangeable with EMP)
Conservation Planning and Research unit (under ESDD)
Commonwealth Department of the Environment
Economic Development Directorate
Environmental Impact Statement
Environment Management Plan (interchangeable with CEMP)
Environment Protection Act 1997 (ACT)
Environment Protection Agency
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwth)
Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act 1974 (Cwth, repealed)
Environment Management Plan (interchangeable with CEMP)
Emergency Services Agency
Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate
Land Development Agency (under EDD)
Matters of National Environmental Significance
Nature Conservation Act 1980 (ACT)
National Capital Authority
National Capital Plan
New South Wales
Preliminary Assessment
Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988 (Cwth)
Planning and Development Act 2007 (ACT)
Plan Implementation Team
Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and
Communities (now Commonwealth Department of the Environment)
Territory and Municipal Services Directorate
4
Introduction
In October 2012, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Commonwealth governments
commenced a Strategic Assessment under Part 10 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The focus of this agreement was to assess the potential impacts
from development of the remaining identified greenfield sites in Gungahlin, the northern-most
district in the ACT, on Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) protected under the
EPBC Act. Completion of the Gungahlin development is described by the Biodiversity Plan (the Plan)
and establishes a balance of residential, employment and conservation areas within the district.
The Gungahlin Strategic Assessment was endorsed on 20 June 2013 and the actions associated with
the development were approved on 17 July 2013. As a result of the approval, the Strategic
Assessment has streamlined the development application process and reduced costs and delays
associated with land release by removing the need for site by site assessment of MNES.
In addition to the completion of the assessment under the EPBC Act, the ACT Government has also
completed an assessment under the Planning and Development Act 2007 (P&D Act) to exempt the
development from requiring an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This was granted by the ACT
Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development on 20 November 2013.
The Plan is the subject of the strategic assessment under the EPBC Act and outlines the activities
required to complete the urban development of the Gungahlin district. Accordingly, the Plan is
defined by the establishment and implementation of measures to effect urban development and
biodiversity conservation within the District of Gungahlin in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) for
the areas identified in the Agreement. The Plan is relevant to the following areas as they appear in
the current Territory Plan:

Urban development areas (currently zoned Residential – RZ1 – Suburban):
o Kenny;
o Throsby;
o Moncrieff;
o Jacka (north);
o Taylor; and
o Kinlyside.

Urban development areas (currently zoned Commercial (CZ2) and Mixed Use (CZ5)):
o Gungahlin Town Centre (east);

Broadacre Areas (currently zoned Non Urban – NUZ1 – Broadacre):
o Horse Park north broadacre; and
o Kenny broadacre.
The assessment area and Plan in summary is presented as Figure 1 below.
The Gungahlin District is the northern-most district in the ACT. It is bounded by the Federal Highway
to the south-east, the Barton Highway to the south-west and the ACT/NSW border to the north. The
district comprises approximately 9,255 hectares of land which presently supports the following land
uses:

Nature reserves totalling 2,185 hectares across six (6) gazetted reserves:
o Mulligan’s Flat;
o Goorooyarroo;
5
o
o
o
o





Mulanggari Grasslands;
Gungaderra Grasslands;
Crace Grasslands; and
Percival Hill.
Environmental protection areas zoned as ‘Hills, Ridges and Buffers’ totalling 1,566 hectares,
managed either under rural lease or by the Territory for conservation purposes;
Urban areas comprise open space and recreational areas (passive and active), the rural village of
Hall, community facilities, residential, commercial and light industrial development totalling
3,418 hectares;
Future urban areas and land planned for development comprising 1,597 hectares;
Miscellaneous other land uses including land zoned as broadacre; land subject to heritage
management; roads; Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) and similar land uses comprising the
remaining 489 hectares; and
Along the major approach routes of the Barton and Federal Highways there is also the
Designated Land overlay on the Territory Plan pertaining to land subject to the National Capital
Plan (NCP).
The Plan provides for urban development and conservation in Gungahlin, including:




Construction of residential, commercial, community and open space land uses and related
infrastructure within the district of Gungahlin over the next 20 years subject to approval under
the ACT Planning and Development Act 2007 (PD Act);
Variation to the Territory Plan to reflect changes in land use identified in this document;
A biodiversity offsets package which will place an additional 781 hectares of land supporting
threatened species and communities into protected areas within the district; and
A financial contribution for:
o Direct offsets in habitat enhancement in areas identified as being of strategic
importance for the persistence of MNES in the Gungahlin District; and
o Indirect offset actions for the benefit of the MNES affected by the Gungahlin
development and biodiversity in general in the ACT and surrounding areas.
Activities during the construction stage would be subject to conditions of approval issued by the ACT
planning authority. Some commitments may be implemented on site through Construction
Environment Management Plans (CEMP), which would be required to be submitted with
Development Applications. CEMPs are required to be prepared by development proponents and
may be subject to approval, monitoring, reporting and audit by relevant ACT Government authorities
under the requirements of the Development Application and assessment process, including:




ACT Planning Authority and Conservation Planning and Research (ESDD);
Environment Protection Authority (EPA);
Emergency Services Authority (ESA);
Territory and Municipal Services Directorate (TAMS).
6
Figure 1 Overview of the Plan
7
Commitments from the Approval
The Plan identifies a range of commitments to be undertaken by the ACT Government targeting
MNES affected by urban development in the Gungahlin district. Commitments in the Plan build upon
the long history of forward and strategic environmental planning in the ACT around the avoidance
and mitigation of environmental impacts resulting from development.
Commitments in the Plan are targeted to the affected MNES however also consider broader
biodiversity and conservation management objectives which are important not only to the ACT
under Territory legislation but also matters of significance at other scales including regional
connectivity in the southern tablelands. To this effect, implementation of the Plan not only serves to
maintain or enhance the conservation status of affected MNES in the ACT but also results in a
beneficial effect to biodiversity in general.
In summary, the commitments include:

Avoidance of areas that support habitat for MNES on land presently designated as developable
(either RZ1 – Suburban (including Future Urban Area) or NUZ1 - broadacre)

Increased investment in habitat enhancement beyond the minimum level required under the
Territory’s statutory obligation1; and

Increased investment in research targeted at the affected MNES and guided by action planning
objectives.
Direct impacts on MNES have either been avoided (pink-tailed worm-lizard, superb parrot breeding
sites, important migratory bird habitat) or minimised through protecting core, well connected
endangered woodland, golden sun moth or striped legless lizard habitat.
In relation to CEMPs specific conservation actions requirements include:
Conservation Action 9
Develop and submit to SEWPaC for approval, the framework for CEMPs for areas directly or
indirectly affecting MNES.
This shall include the monitoring, reporting and compliance requirements of:


contractors undertaking physical works; and
ACT Government officers or its representatives in auditing performance under the CEMP.
Conservation Action 12
Review and approve (subject to compliance with the Plan) CEMPs submitted for all new construction
projects within the area subject to the Plan.
Indirect Actions
Design infrastructure in protected areas to minimise impacts on MNES.
Should any infrastructure or ground works be required within protected areas, the PIT must be
consulted during design, and approval of CEMPs (as described above). This will ensure a ‘nosurprises’ approach if any activities are required which are not included in the Plan.
1
The minimum statutory obligation is considered to be defined by the land use objectives under the various
zones of the Territory Plan in addition to the obligations on land holders as established through approved
policy and legislation relevant to the ACT whether under Territory or Commonwealth jurisdictions.
8
Indirect Actions
Undertaken urban design to mitigate impacts to adjacent areas and manage during construction
with comprehensive CEMPs.
Actions are to include but not be limited to:

pre-construction surveys to determine clearing boundaries and identify rehabilitation actions,
such as for woody debris relocation;

geotechnical, surface water and groundwater assessment to minimise impact to local
hydrological systems;

pre-clearing ecological inspections and procedures to be followed for wildlife rescue and
relocation;

Clearing outside breeding seasons of threatened bird species and fauna rescue procedures in
place during clearing of hollow bearing trees;

ensuring all developments are surrounded by an edge road to minimise the requirements for
bushfire hazard management, enhance passive surveillance and control invasive species;

placement of low intensity land uses in areas that might otherwise result in disturbance to
species during critical life-cycle stages, e.g. superb parrot breeding;

selection of materials so as to limit noise and light incursion into reserved or retained natural
areas;

placement of transport and utility infrastructure in a way that reduces or avoids ongoing impacts
to adjoining areas either from operation or periodic maintenance;

placement of recreational facilities including playgrounds and bike/pedestrian paths in areas
that do not lead to inappropriately increased human activity adjacent to sensitive areas;

appropriate plant selection for landscaping including consideration of incorporating landscaping
species which will provide future foraging or shelter opportunities to wildlife. Particular
consideration to be given to enhancing connectivity and flight paths for species such as superb
parrot which disperse south to the Belconnen district and the Molonglo Valley; and

liaison with appropriately qualified professionals, experienced in the biology and management
of the MNES known to occur in Gungahlin, during the design stages, prior to construction
commencing, to ensure optimal design solutions are prescribed.
Commitment 11
Develop the framework for CEMPs for areas directly or indirectly affecting MNES.
Commitment 34
Undertake salvage and relocation of structural habitat elements such as rocks and logs
9
The CEMP Framework
Application of the framework
This framework has been prepared to inform persons responsible for developing CEMPs for projects
occurring within the development areas of the Gungahlin Strategic Assessment and assist with the
preparation of CEMPs. It is recommended that a CEMP address all environmental elements including
heritage, nature conservation and protection of the environment. An appropriate method of
detailing the matters identified in the above assessment is outlined in the Environment Protection
Authority’s Environmental guidelines for preparation of an Environment Management Plan 2013.
The ACT Government expects proponents to fully consult with relevant stakeholders, including those
identified below, and to take due care in ensuring any other relevant environmental factors which
may be of interest to the public and stakeholders are addressed.
There are two scenarios that will require the application of this framework:
1. Where development occurs within the identified development areas of the Gungahlin
Strategic Assessment (see Figure 2); and
2. Where development occurs within the identified protected conservation areas (such as
Nature Reserves) created by the Gungahlin Strategic Assessment (see Figure 3 and 4).
Development in identified development areas
Where development occurs within development areas, it is the obligation of the proponent to
ensure CEMPs are prepared administered, and abided by in line with the approving Authority’s
requirements. A CEMP will be required to address the requirements of this framework, and be
submitted with a Development Application for approval.
A proponent should prepare a CEMP to address this framework as well as all elements of the ACT
Government Environmental guidelines for preparation of an Environment Management Plan 2013.
Development in identified conservation areas
Where development occurs in conservation areas, the PIT must be consulted for special
requirements to protect MNES. As part of the DA process the ACT Planning and Land Authority will
seek comment from the PIT as well as the following entities:







Environment Protection Authority (EPA);
Conservation Planning and Research (ESDD);
The Conservator of Flora and Fauna;
Heritage Unit;
ESA; and
TAMS
Plan Implementation Team (PIT)
Any requirements included by these entities will be included in the approval of the CEMP during the
DA process. It is recommended that proponents contact the PIT for advice on any special
requirements prior to lodging a DA with ESDD.
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CEMP objectives
Construction stage impacts will be mitigated through CEMPs.
The Environment Protection Authority’s publication ‘Environmental Guidelines for Preparation of an
Environment Management Plan’ (ACT Gov’t, 2013) describes the objectives, form and content of an
environment management plan (EMP) to satisfy the requirements of the Environment Protection Act
1997. This requirement is separate to the approval sought from the PIT as described within this
framework.
Commitment 11
Develop and submit to SEWPaC for approval, the framework for CEMPs for areas directly or
indirectly affecting MNES.
This shall include the monitoring, reporting and compliance requirements of:


contractors undertaking physical works; and
ACT Government officers or its representatives in auditing performance under the CEMP.
CEMP requirements
The primary purpose of a CEMP is to provide information to the approving entities on a proposed
activity within the local and regional framework. The CEMP emphasises how the proposed activity
may impact on the relevant environmental factors and how those impacts may be mitigated and
managed to be environmentally acceptable.
A CEMP requires the proponent to:

Describe the proposed/existing activity;

Describe the receiving environment;

Identify the proposed management strategies to ensure MNES are appropriately protected; and

Identify reporting strategies to inform the PIT of impact incidences

Identify remediation plans for impact incidences.
CEMPs are required to be prepared for all construction contracts within the Plan area as per the
scenarios described in this framework. The requirement for a CEMP to be prepared is additional to
the existing requirement of the EPA (see the EPA’s Environmental Guidelines for Preparation of an
Environment Management Plan 2013). Objectives for CEMPs during any stage of the development
will also include measures that target the potential for indirect and facilitated impacts on MNES
including (but not limited to) where relevant:

Pre-construction surveys to determine clearing boundaries and identify rehabilitation actions,
such as for woody debris relocation and the potential for native seed collection that will be
provided to TAMS for processing. Fencing of reserve/urban areas may be required prior to the
commencement of clearing;

Undertaking additional pre-clearing ecological inspections and developing procedures to be
followed for wildlife rescue and relocation;

Undertaking additional geotechnical, surface water and groundwater assessment to minimise
impact to local hydrological systems;
11

Providing details of clearing and construction timing and methodology in the form of a
construction program;

Weed management;

Containment of domestic animals to reduce the risk of predation and disturbance to MNES such
as striped legless lizard and superb parrot;

Management of bushfire hazard and other activities requiring work in or adjacent to reserved
and retained natural areas so as to not (where fire safety requirements permit):
o Affect critical life-cycle stages (e.g., golden sun moth and superb parrot breeding);
o Destroy habitat suitability for striped legless lizard; and
o Reduce vegetation diversity such that areas which conform to the definition of a listed
ecological community are no longer recognised as the listed community;

Measures to ensure containment, control and removal of invasive species including pest plants
and animals;

Measures to avoid, contain and rehabilitate areas of erosion;

Measures to avoid and control transportation of sediment;

Measures to restrict uncontrolled access to reserved and retained natural areas, especially in
relation to building waste entering Nature Reserves created by the Plan;

Actions to be taken in the event of unanticipated incidents (including unscheduled access to
Nature Reserves, untended impacts and any required clean up/rehabilitation activities that may
be required within Nature Reserves);

Roles and responsibilities relating to construction activities;

Management of sub-contractors with respect to meeting environmental obligations;

Procedures to be followed during the post-construction maintenance period;

Monitoring and reporting against all aspects of the CEMP; and

Matters of ACT Heritage importance.
CEMP approval process
Aim 1: Mitigate the indirect impacts on MNES where development occurs in areas adjacent
to conservation areas.
Development areas are described in Figure 2. Some MNES will occur in identified development areas
and this has been considered in the assessment and approval by the Commonwealth. Where
development occurs on land adjacent to protected and conservation areas, special consideration
must be given to potential indirect impacts on MNES.
Indirect impacts will be mitigated through the use of CEMPs that include special considerations for
activities that occur close to (but not within) conservation areas. Development activities that occur
in land that includes the red outline in Figure 2 must include the special considerations included in
this framework. CEMPs must be submitted with DAs to the ACT Planning Authority for assessment
against these requirements.
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Outcomes

Provide a framework for CEMPs that will inform contractors of their obligations under the
Strategic Assessment approval;

Ensures all actions undertaken within protected areas are consistent with the approval
conditions of the Plan.
Actions and activities

Construction activities in development areas must be undertaken in a manner that minimises
the indirect impacts on MNES in adjacent identified conservation areas.

Where construction activities occur in areas adjacent to protected MNES, a CEMP must be
prepared in line with this framework and submitted to the ACT Planning Authority for
consideration at the time a Development Application is lodged.
Recommendations
Special considerations need to be included in CEMPS for development of areas adjacent to
conservation areas containing MNES. These special considerations are:
1. Provide a plan clearly showing the location of the proposal in relation to “Avoidance Areas”
or conservation areas identified in Figure 2.
2. Pre-clearing ecological inspections and procedures to be followed for wildlife rescue and
relocation as well as any potential for seed collection that can be provided to TAMS for
processing;
3. Clearing outside breeding seasons of threatened bird species and fauna rescue procedures
in place during clearing of hollow bearing trees;
4. Appropriate plant selection for temporary landscaping (especially for sterile cover crops)
including consideration of incorporating landscaping species which will provide future
foraging or shelter opportunities to wildlife.
5. Details of controls that will be in place to protect adjacent Nature Reserves from building
waste and litter.
Location specific requirements to be included in the relevant CEMPs are as follows:
Throsby
1. Construction activities that occur adjacent to the conservation areas must avoid known
Superb Parrot nesting trees by not less than 100m during the breeding season (September
to February) unless previously approved by the PIT. A construction program is required to be
included in the CEMP.
2. Construction fencing must be in place to protect these trees prior to construction
commencing.
Kenny
1. Areas identified for construction activities that coincide with Striped Legless Lizard habitat
must be inspected prior to any construction activities.
13
2. Where Striped Legless Lizards are identified, individual lizards must be trapped and/or
collected for relocation.
3. These inspections, trapping and/or collection/relocations are required to be undertaken to
the satisfaction of the Conservator of Flora and Fauna.
4. Undertake salvage and relocation of structural habitat elements such as rocks and logs in
identified construction areas to the satisfaction of the Conservator of Flora and Fauna
Moncrieff, Jacka and Taylor

No additional requirements in relation to MNES.
Gungahlin Town Centre
1. Areas identified for development that contain Striped Legless Lizard habitat must be
inspected by a qualified ecologist prior to any construction activities.
2. Where Striped Legless Lizards are identified, individual lizards must be collected by a
qualified ecologist or wildlife handler for relocation to the adjoining Mulangarri Grassland
reserve.
3. Undertake salvage and relocation of structural habitat elements such as rocks and logs in
identified construction areas to the satisfaction of the Conservator of Flora and Fauna
14
Figure 2 Development areas that require special considerations for a CEMP
15
Aim 2: Protect areas identified for conservation from construction impacts
Conservation areas are described in Figures 3 and 4. Direct and indirect impacts on MNES in
conservation areas must be avoided beyond what has been approved in the Plan. Where impacts on
MNES are unavoidable, they must be reported to the PIT for recording and mitigation within 1
working day of becoming known.
Outcomes

Provide a framework for CEMPs that will inform contractors of their obligations under the
Strategic Assessment approval;

Ensure any work within protected areas does not impact on MNES further than what is allowed
under the Plan;
Actions and activities

Construction activities in conservation areas must be undertaken in a manner that minimises
impacts on MNES identified in the areas.

Where construction activities occur in conservation areas containing MNES, a CEMP must be
prepared in line with this framework, endorsed by the PIT, and submitted to the ACT Planning
Authority for consideration.
Recommendations
Should any infrastructure or ground works be required within protected conservation areas, the PIT
must be consulted during design and approval of CEMPs.
Actions to be included in all CEMPs for conservation areas are:
1. Pre-clearing ecological inspections and procedures to be followed for wildlife rescue and
relocation as well as any potential for seed collection that can be provided to TAMS for
processing;
2. Clearing outside breeding seasons of threatened bird species and fauna rescue procedures
in place during clearing of hollow bearing trees;
3. Appropriate plant selection for landscaping (especially for sterile cover crops) including
consideration of incorporating landscaping species which will provide future foraging or
shelter opportunities to wildlife; and
4. Details of construction waste management facilities within Nature Reserves.
Location specific requirements to be included in the relevant CEMPs are as follows:
Goorooyarroo and Mulligans Flat (additional areas) Nature Reserves

The removal of known or potential Superb Parrot nesting trees must be avoided.

Bushfire management activities must occur outside Superb Parrot breeding times (October December).
16
Figure 3 Goorooyarroo and Mulligans Flat reserve areas that require CEMP approval
17
Kenny Nature reserve

Salvage of structural habitat elements (habitat rocks) to assist in targeted regeneration of
disturbed areas.

Weed control measures including:
o Appropriate cleaning of construction machinery and tools prior to use within the
reserve; and
o Selection of appropriate landscaping species that will not invade and degrade the
Kenny reserve.

Establish clearing boundaries and restrictions to construction vehicle movements from areas of
Striped Legless Lizard habitat where it occurs outside the approved construction areas (storm
water/sewer infrastructure requirements)

A maximum on 20ha of known striped legless habitat may be cleared by construction.
Figure 4 Kenny and Goorooyarroo Reserve areas that require CEMP approval
18
CEMP monitoring and review
The PIT responsibilities
The PIT is be responsible for implementing the Plan in addition to ensuring accurate records are
maintained of all activities that are conducted in relation to implementation of the Plan. The PIT has
been established as a multi-agency group drawn from existing staff within TaMS, ESDD, CMTD and
EDD. The team is guided by expert input from relevant agencies across the government to ensure
consistency and efficiency in implementation and investment (e.g. coordination of weed
management activities across reserve / offset areas).
The PIT will:

Provide comments and guidance on Draft CEMPs where they are referred to the PIT prior to
being included in a DA submission;

Provide endorsement/approval for CEMPs as part of the referral process for DAs ;

Report to the Commonwealth on the status of the framework and the operations of the PIT
on CEMP approvals and review as part of the annual report.
The PIT will not:

Provide endorsement or approval for CEMP or EMP’s under the ACT Environment Protection
Act 1997. This is the responsibility of the Environment Protection Agency and approval must
be sought separately.
Regulation and compliance
With respect to the construction phase of the Plan, an existing structure of compliance and
enforcement exists with respect to ensuring CEMPs are prepared and implemented as approved.
The PIT will ensure matters relevant to the Plan are included in this process in order to ensure that
commitments relevant to the construction phase are met and the associated outcomes achieved.
The CEMP approved/endorsed by the PIT has dual regulatory protection. Firstly, the Planning and
Development Act 2007 requires that conditions applied to an approval are complied with. As the PIT
approval will inform conditions of approval, this regulatory protection applies.
Secondly, areas of avoidance in addition to existing nature reserves created or augmented by the
Plan will be considered ‘areas of high conservation value’ within the definition provided by the ACT
Environment Protection Act 1997 (EP Act) and the Nature Conservation Act 1981. The framework of
these Acts subsequently provide a regulated system for compliance and enforcement including a
range of penalties according to the significance of ‘environmental ham’ caused.
Any inconsistencies with the approval where they relate to MNES will be included in the annual
report provided to the Commonwealth. The PIT will request copies of all approved CEMPs for
developments covered by this framework from ESDD as well as records of any amendments,
compliance actions and complaints where they relate to MNES.
Proponent responsibilities
It is the proponent’s responsibility to ensure they have approval for their CEMP. Where
development occurs within conservation areas created by the Gungahlin Strategic Assessment, it is
recommended that proponents prepare a draft CEMP and lodge this with the PIT for review at least
30 working days before a Development Application is lodged with the ACT Planning Authority. The
19
PIT will provide their recommendations to the proponent either prior to, or as part of the
development assessment process.
Where development occurs in areas adjoining conservation areas, it is the proponent’s responsibility
to ensure all relevant additional items are included in the CEMP. A draft CEMP is required to be
included in development applications.
Unintended and unanticipated incidence/impacts on MNES
If at any time during construction MNES are impacted on (whether unintentional or otherwise) the
PIT must be informed immediately (within 1 business day of the impact). Impacts on MNES, as well
as their remedial actions, are required to be reported to the Commonwealth.
Further Information and contact details
Information and advice from the PIT on CEMP requirements may be sought by emailing
EDDCommunity@act.gov.au
Your email will need to include the following details:



A contact name, and contact details (email, telephone and postal address);
A description of your development including location and site plans
A draft CEMP/EMP that addresses the requirements of this document in relation to the
protection of MNES.
For details on the Gungahlin Strategic Assessment, including access to the final Assessment Report
and the Biodiversity Plan go to:
http://www.economicdevelopment.act.gov.au/community_engagement/Recent_Activities/gungahli
n
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Summary
Determining if your proposal requires additional considerations to the ACT
Government’s Environmental guidelines for preparation of an Environment Management
Plan (2013)
21
What information does your CEMP need?
An application to the PIT to approve a CEMP where it occurring in the relevant area subject to the
Gungahlin Strategic Assessment will require:

A covering email or letter that includes:
o
A contact name, and contact details (email, telephone and postal address) and
o
A description of your development including location and site plans
o
A draft CEMP/EMP that addresses the requirements of this document in relation to the
protection of MNES.

pre-construction surveys to determine clearing boundaries and identify rehabilitation actions,
such as for woody debris relocation;

pre-clearing ecological inspections and procedures to be followed for wildlife rescue and
relocation;

geotechnical, surface water and groundwater protection measures to minimise impact to local
hydrological systems;

timing of clearing and construction (construction program);

methodology of clearing activities;

weed management strategy;

measures to ensure containment, control and removal of invasive species including pest plants
and animals;

measures to avoid, contain and rehabilitate areas of erosion;

measures to avoid and control transportation of sediment;

measures to restrict uncontrolled access during construction to reserved and retained natural
areas;

actions to be taken in the event of unanticipated or unapproved incidents impacting MNES;

roles and responsibilities relating to construction activities;

management of sub-contractors with respect to meeting environmental obligations;

procedures to be followed during the post-construction maintenance period; and

monitoring and reporting against all aspects of the CEMP.
It is the proponent’s responsibility to ensure their development has satisfied all regulation and
legislative requirements.
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References
ACT Government (2013) Environmental guidelines for preparation of an Environment Management
Plan Environment Protection Authority, Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate
(May 2013)
ACT Government (2008) Territory Plan – Current Version, ACT Government, Canberra (September,
2013)
ACT Government (2012d) ACTMAPi: ACT Government Online Interactive Maps ‘Significant Plants and
Animals Mapping’, Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate, Canberra
Umwelt (2013a) Gungahlin Strategic Assessment Biodiversity Plan: Final, prepared for ACT Economic
Development Directorate and ACT Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate, Canberra
(June, 2013)
Umwelt (2013a) Gungahlin Strategic Assessment Report: Final, prepared for ACT Economic
Development Directorate and ACT Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate, Canberra
(May, 2013)
Umwelt (2013b) Preliminary Risk Assessment, Gungahlin Strategic Assessment: Final, prepared for
ACT Economic Development Directorate and ACT Environment and Sustainable Development
Directorate, Canberra (May, 2013)
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