Biodiversity information tools used in the native
vegetation permitted clearing regulations
Fact sheet
What are the biodiversity information tools?
The biodiversity information tools are maps of site-based and
landscape scale information used to quantify the contribution
that native vegetation makes to Victoria’s biodiversity. These
tools have been designed to complement site-based
information collection such as the habitat hectares
assessment method. .
How will the biodiversity information tools be used
in the regulations?
The biodiversity information tools will be used by applicants
when preparing their application for a permit to remove
native vegetation, and by decision makers when assessing
these permit applications. The tools assist in determining:
 risk-based pathway for the assessment of the application
 the contribution that the native vegetation proposed to be
removed makes to Victoria’s biodiversity
 the offset requirements if the proposed native vegetation
removal is permitted.
How the biodiversity information tools are used is detailed in
Permitted clearing of native vegetation - Biodiversity
assessment guidelines.
Will the maps be available and accessible to the
general public?
Summary statewide maps are available on the DEPI website,
at www.depi.vic.gov.au/nativevegetation.
Interactive versions of these maps will be available on
DEPI’s Biodiversity Interactive Map in the coming weeks.
The Biodiversity Interactive Map allows users to zoom to the
property level and search for locations by address.
A purpose built tool to support access to biodiversity
information in the application of the native vegetation
permitted clearing regulations is currently under
development. This tool will be released in late 2013.
Where do I get further information about how the
maps were created?
Biodiversity information tools for use in native vegetation
decisions – Explanatory document outlines the biodiversity
information tools, their inputs and their development.
Additional information is available at
www.depi.vic.gov.au/nativevegetation
Native vegetation on my property does not appear
on the Native vegetation extent map, do I still
require a permit to remove it?
A planning permit to remove native vegetation is required
unless an exemption exists, irrespective of whether the
native vegetation appears on the Native vegetation extent
map. While the Native vegetation extent map is
comprehensive in coverage, like all maps there are
limitations in accuracy, and there may be native vegetation
that does not appear on this map. If you have native
vegetation on your property that you wish to remove you
should contact your local council.
Are the maps accurate enough to be used for
biodiversity information at the property level?
The biodiversity information tools are based on current data
and analytical methodologies. They provide a thorough and
comprehensive picture of the contribution that native
vegetation makes to Victoria’s biodiversity. The benefit of
landscape scale mapped information is that it takes into
account contextual factors, such as rarity, depletion and
connectivity. This information cannot be observed at the
property level but is key to understanding the importance of
native vegetation at a site for Victoria’s biodiversity.
There are some limitations on the accuracy of mapped sitebased information. These limitations are addressed in the
native vegetation permitted clearing regulations through a
risk-based approach. This approach requires a site
assessment for all applications to remove native vegetation
assessed in the moderate and high risk-based pathway. This
is detailed in the Permitted clearing of native vegetation –
Biodiversity assessment guidelines.
What can I do if I am applying for a permit to
remove native vegetation and I believe the
mapped native vegetation condition for my
property is incorrect?
Landholders applying for a permit to remove native
vegetation in the low risk-based pathway have the option of
obtaining a habitat hectare site assessment to determine
their site-based information. The information determined in
the habitat hectares assessment will take the place of the
mapped information in the permit decision making process.
All moderate and high risk-based pathway applications are
required to obtain a habitat hectares assessment, mapped
condition is not used for these applications.
How often will the maps be updated?
The biodiversity information tools will be updated periodically,
typically within a one to two year cycle. Updates will focus
on the inclusion of new data and the inclusion of improved
analytical methods. A process will be established to inform
the community of changes to the biodiversity information
tools when they occur.
When will the revised habitat hectares
assessment method be finalised?
Revisions to the habitat hectares assessment method will be
released for consultation during 2013. Following consultation,
finalisation and training of assessors, the revised method will
be introduced in early 2014. Appropriate transition
arrangements will be put in place to prevent the need for the
reassessment of sites.
Further detail on the habitat hectares assessment method
revision will be provided at the DEPI website when it is
available.