EIS information guideline  Aquatic ecology
Assessment of aquatic ecological values
An assessment of aquatic ecological values should describe:
 all aquatic ecological values present or likely to be present within the area potentially either directly or indirectly
affected by the project
 all potential impacts on identified aquatic ecological values due to the proposed activity, including exacerbation
of existing threats (e.g. weeds and feral animals) and the cumulative impact of the project in conjunction with
other relevant existing and proposed activities
 the measures proposed to be implemented to avoid and minimise impacts to aquatic ecological values
 the significant residual impacts on identified aquatic ecological values, especially Matters of State Ecological
Significance (MSES), due to the proposed activity following implementation of clearly defined and auditable
management actions and strategies to mitigate and manage impacts
 an offset strategy for any significant residual impacts to MSES which demonstrates that a conservation outcome
can be achieved as required under state legislation.
Legislative basis
WetlandInfo http://wetlandinfo.ehp.qld.gov.au/wetlands/ has information on a range of regulatory planning,
assessment and approval mechanisms relating to the protection and management of Queensland’s aquatic
ecosystems.
The following Queensland legislation is most relevant to aquatic ecological assessments:
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Nature Conservation Act 1992
Vegetation Management Act 1999
Sustainable Planning Act 2009
Environmental Protection Act 1994
Lands Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002
Environmental Offsets Act 2014
Water Act 2000
Fisheries Act 1994.
Regulatory mechanisms particularly relevant to the identification of aquatic ecological values are highlighted at the
end of this chapter.
What are aquatic ecological values?
Definitions and terminology
Ecological value is the perceived importance of an ecosystem, which is underpinned by the biotic and/or abiotic
components and processes that characterise that ecosystem.
'Wetland' is a broad term used for different kinds of wet ecosystems or ecosystems that are wet for a period of time.
The Queensland Wetland Mapping is based on the Queensland Wetlands Program wetland definition available on
WetlandInfo and in Queensland Wetland Definition and Delineation Guideline (2011)
http://wetlandinfo.ehp.qld.gov.au/wetlands/what-are-wetlands/definitions-classification/wetland-definition.html.
Wetlands (aquatic ecosystems) in Queensland have been grouped into systems (lacustrine, palustrine, riverine,
estuarine, marine and subterranean) and discrete wetland habitat types or classes based on their diversity, values
and uses. This is supported by the Queensland wetland classification method, prepared for the development of
conceptual models, wetland management profiles and mapping outputs, all available on WetlandInfo.
EIS information guideline  Aquatic ecology
Wetland Environmental Values
The Environmental Protection Regulation 2008 s81A sets the environmental values of wetlands as:
For section 9(b) of the Act, the qualities of a wetland that support and maintain the following are environmental
values:
 the health and biodiversity of the wetland’s ecosystems
 the wetland’s natural state and biological integrity
 the presence of distinct or unique features, plants or animals and their habitats, including threatened wildlife,
near threatened wildlife and rare wildlife under the Nature Conservation Act 1992
 the wetland’s natural hydrological cycle
 the natural interaction of the wetland with other ecosystems, including other wetlands.
Environmental values and water quality objectives (EPP Water)
Under the Environmental Protection Act 1994, the Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009 (EPP Water)
provides the framework for developing environmental values (EVs), management goals and water quality
objectives (WQOs) for Queensland waters. The EPP, schedule 1 lists the EVs and WQOs for Queensland waters.
Aquatic ecosystem health is an environmental value of all waters and should be protected from the effects of
human activities including habitat alteration, waste releases, contaminated runoff and changed flows.
Water plans
Statutory water plans are prepared under the Water Act 2000 to advance the responsible and productive
management of water. The water planning process addresses general ecological outcomes relating to wetlands.
For example, the Water Plan (Fitzroy Basin) 2011
https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/W/WaterReFBP11.pdf includes a general ecological
outcome to provide for the continued capability of one part of the river system to be connected to another, including
by maintaining flows:
 to protect and maintain refugia associated with waterholes, lakes and wetlands
 to provide for groundwater levels to support relevant groundwater-dependent ecosystems and wetlands that rely
on groundwater.
Matters of environmental significance
The State Planning Policy (SPP) defines the specific matters of state interest in land use planning and
development and the matters include biodiversity. Matters of environmental significance – national (MNES), state
(MSES) and local (MLES), support the application of biodiversity policies by State government and local
governments (in local and regional plans). The SPP state interest guideline – Biodiversity includes a biodiversity
overlay code, definitions, references and technical resources such as links to mapping data and methods.
The Australian Government’s Protected Matters Search Tool can be used to identify the MNES listed under the
Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 for a particular area of interest.
Great Artesian Basin (GAB) springs are a type of palustrine wetland that is identified and listed as MNES. The GAB
springs dataset used in developing the MNES is sourced from the Queensland Herbarium, and can be specifically
requested from the Queensland Herbarium.
The definition of GAB springs also includes part of the definition from the Water Act 2000, which assists in defining
boundaries of springs if they only show up as a ‘point’ on the map. GAB spring also includes a GAB watercourse
spring.
How to identify aquatic ecological values
Scoping assessment requirements
During the project scoping and prior to submitting a draft terms of reference (TOR), it is recommended that the
proponent gather preliminary (pre-survey) information on existing aquatic ecological values potentially impacted by
the project, including but not limited to:
 identifying the location, extent, and context of the project area within the local and regional landscape
 identifying aquatic ecological values within the area of influence of the project based on database searches and
available mapping (see reference section for a recommended list)
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EIS information guideline  Aquatic ecology
 identify potential impacts off the project area that may result due to changes in hydrology, discharges (including
changes in water quality, quantity, flow regimes, etc.) or diversions
 conducting aerial photographic/satellite imagery interpretation
 identifying potential spatial and temporal impacts (direct and indirect) on ecological values and the potential
significance of the impacts
 identifying potential constraints to the project and limitations of the initial findings.
If the proponent can identify the key aquatic ecological values potentially impacted by the project at the beginning
of an EIS process, it will greatly assist the preparation of the draft TOR and in determining the extent and scope of
the risks of these impacts which will determine the extent of assessment required. This information should be used
by the proponent to influence the project design such that important ecological values are protected and managed.
Selecting suitably qualified persons
Consultation with and advice from a suitably qualified person on the identification of key ecological values is
encouraged. Understanding the scope and extent of an ecological assessment will also assist in selecting
experienced and suitably qualified persons who can advise on and prepare the required impact assessment
documentation.
Ecological field surveys and assessments must be undertaken by experienced and suitably qualified persons who
should have relevant knowledge of the survey area. Suitable experience and qualifications include, but are not
limited to:
 knowledge on how to conduct scientific literature reviews and database searches prior to undertaking any field
surveys
 professional qualification and extensive experience in the field identification of flora, fauna and regional
ecosystems (minimum of five years); in particular, knowledge of wetlands processes and the identification of
listed wetland dependent threatened species and ecosystems relevant to the survey area
 the possession of relevant licences, permits and animal ethics approvals necessary to undertake ecological field
surveys.
Desktop assessment
A desktop assessment should be undertaken to:
 identify the landscape context, which involves considering the wetland position within the catchment e.g. upper catchment, middles reaches or lower floodplain
 identify expected aquatic ecological values utilising available assessment information including AquaBAMM,
which uses existing information and expert input to assess conservation values, resulting in an aquatic
conservation assessment (ACA). The most recent and comprehensive assessment information, such as ACAs,
should be used in preference to older information such as the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia.
Existing aquatic ecological values also need to be determined by undertaking database searches, mapping
analysis and literature review. The aim is to discover as much as possible about the wetland, its support area and
how it interacts with the landscape.
Wetland mapping at an appropriate scale and level of detail is necessary for decisive wetland management and
decision making. Wetlands have been mapped digitally by building on existing information including water body
mapping derived from satellite information, regional ecosystem mapping and the spring and small waterholes
database and the drainage lines from topographic mapping.
The interactive Queensland Wetland Mapping (QWM) and other key wetland information can be found on
WetlandInfo. The information presented should include the Wetland ID, Wetland RE, Habitat, System and
Hydrology modifier.
The wetland RE should be expanded from the Regional Ecosystem Description Database (REDD) and typology
should be expanded on using the conceptual models for wetland habitat and wetland management profiles on
WetlandInfo.
The spatial extent of a database search would be informed by the location of the project area, the hydrological links
across the landscape, the intensity and scope of previous ecological surveys in the area, and the nature and extent
of potential impacts of the proposed project. The desktop assessment should be sufficient to ascertain the
presence of wetland(s), landscape connectivity, and potential environmental values. Additionally, the desktop
assessment should determine the habitat requirements for each ecological value and the key threats to its
existence or function.
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EIS information guideline  Aquatic ecology
Wetland RE and wetland system should be ground truthed and where inconsistencies are found corrections
presented in the EIS. The Qld Wetland definition and delineation may be required to determine accurately the
wetland boundaries if impacts are very close to the wetland and ecological communities within the wetland area.
Conceptual models may be used as a valuable tool to support the characterisation of expected wetland values,
structures and processes. Together with other geomorphic and ecosystem information, conceptual models provide
the basis for understanding how and why the wetland formed.
It is important to determine if the wetlands in the project area are groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDE), the
National Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems Atlas http://www.bom.gov.au/water/groundwater/gde/ combines
nationwide layers of satellite remote sensing data with previous fieldwork, literature and mapping. Queensland has
developed additional GDE mapping for some areas, these and the methodology are available on WetlandInfo.
Information on different assessment techniques developed for use in Australia is also available on WetlandInfo.
Stygofauna distribution data may be available through the Department of Science, Information Technology,
Innovation and the Arts (DSITIA).
The desktop assessment should also be used to identify the most effective timing (seasonality) and duration of the
survey work.
Identifying gaps in knowledge
Desktop searches often identify gaps in the knowledge of wetland mapping, processes and especially in areas
which have not been surveyed. In these instances, the concept of the precautionary principle should be
incorporated by identifying the wetland type and using appropriate conceptual models and wetland management
guidelines. These gaps should be clearly stated in the report to allow the department to consider the adequacy of
the assessment in the context of existing knowledge.
General field survey requirements
Defining the survey area and survey effort
Wetland values are reliant on the underlying components and processes of the wetland. It is important to
understand the processes at the scale at which they function ecologically. This may be broader than the wetland
itself and incorporate surrounding areas.
Information that comprehensively characterises wetland environmental values and potential impacts is the
maximum amount of information that would be required for the EIS. However, this will not be necessary in all
cases. The following hierarchy may be used as an indication of information expected based on distance to a
wetland from the disturbed area and the likely change to the wetland hydrology:
 if wetland is =/>500m from the area of disturbance then most impacts can be avoided. The wetland watershed
should be shown in relation to the disturbance area and demonstrate that the project will not change
hydrological flows in a way that changes or modifies existing wetland values.
 if wetland is 200m-500m from the area of impact then evidence of hydrological connections will be required.
Include the wetland watershed showing relation to the disturbance area and demonstrate that the project will not
change hydrological flows in a way that changes or modifies existing wetland values. If the potential impacts
are likely or uncertain then further information is required, it is suggested that this assessment is guided by the
Wetland Field Assessment Tool
 if wetland is <200m from area of impact then include hydrological information as above to determine flow
regimes and if proposal likely to impact, detailed information should be provided on the wetland, wetland values
and wetland support areas guided by the Wetland Field Assessment Tool.
The Wetland Field Assessment Tools for Regulation (WFAT– Reg)
http://wetlandinfo.ehp.qld.gov.au/resources/static/pdf/resources/fact-sheets/fs-wfat-12-04-2013.pdf has been
developed to enable comprehensive and transparent site-based assessment of the status of lacustrine (lake) and
palustrine (swamp) wetlands and their environmental values and risk factors.
Key features of the WFAT – Reg include:
 decision support tool that may be adapted to the purpose of the assessment
 assesses hydrological processes and ecosystem influence and how these processes impact on the wetland
environmental values
 provides technical guidance and more general information on planning and undertaking a wetland field
assessment – desktop and field based.
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EIS information guideline  Aquatic ecology
Stygofauna sampling guidance is available through the DSITIA information sheet Guideline for the Environmental
Assessment of Subterranean Aquatic Fauna.
Identifying potential constraints
Planning for field surveys should identify potential constraints before finalising sampling design and commencing
surveys. Many constraints, particularly those that limit the intensity and spatial extent of field sampling, may restrict
the level of analysis that is possible for survey data. Survey constraints may result in a lack of adequate
identification of ecological values and a requirement for further survey work.
Where survey constraints are unavoidable, the limitations must be acknowledged and the precautionary principle
adopted. Wetland values, threatened species and communities that are likely to occur in the survey area (based on
the presence of suitable habitat, recent records and habitat types) should be assumed to occur in the identified
habitat.
Further information can be obtained from the Queensland Wetland Definition and Delineation Guideline
http://wetlandinfo.ehp.qld.gov.au/wetlands/what-are-wetlands/definitions-classification/wetland-definition.html.
When to conduct surveys
It is imperative to conduct wet season surveys to ensure the wetland is at maximum productivity. Many Queensland
wetlands can be dry for years at a time so proponents must be ready to take advantage of rain events. Where
project timeframes are constrained or in extreme dry periods, reasons must be stated and the precautionary
principle must be considered in the assessment. Expert advice on the correct timing of field surveys is
recommended.
Identification of suitable survey locations, equipment and personnel
Once familiar with the existing wetland functions and values, the field investigations can be planned to
systematically conduct surveys and fill in any information gaps identified from the preliminary investigations.
Field surveys need to adequately identify the wetland boundaries, wetland support area, functions and values.
However, targeted field surveys are necessary to determine the likelihood of occurrence of aquatic values,
threatened species and communities (based on available habitat) and how the proposed project could impact on
them. Links to guidance material on sampling design and effort for flora, fauna, habitat condition, aquatic ecology
and regional ecosystem mapping are provided in the reference section of this document.
Personnel with aquatic ecosystem expertise may be needed in the survey team depending on the complexity of
field surveys required. For example, where an endangered species is likely to occur, the relevant specialist (e.g.
frog or bird specialists) should be consulted in order to gain maximum results.
Appropriate equipment should be used to target listed threatened species. This is especially important for a taxon
where call analysis and/or trapping alone will not determine the species level (only down to genus level). In these
cases, targeted field surveys must use all available field methodologies (e.g. call analysis and trapping). Any
limitations of survey methods used for a species must be discussed in the report.
Site access and permits
Gaining land access to important survey sites is a paramount consideration as omitting these areas may lead to
insufficient data to base decisions on. Prior to conducting field site surveys, access to the proposed sites must be
investigated and approved. This would include obtaining permission from landholders and/or their managers or
obtaining permits if working in Aboriginal lands on non-protected areas, or local government reserves.
Research permits and ethics approvals are required depending on where the surveys would be conducted. These
permits and approvals must be obtained before field surveys are conducted. Proponents should be aware that
disclosure of results to the department is a statutory condition of the issuing of a scientific purposes licence:
http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/licences-permits/plants-animals/return_of_operations.html
Site verification
Information gathered during the desktop searches and the field survey preparation may not accurately reflect
current on-ground values. A reconnaissance visit to the area of interest is recommended. However, where
reconnaissance visits are not possible, proposed field sites may be changed for a number of reasons, including,
but not limited to:
 variations between the mapped and ground-truthed wetland, which may have implications for fauna habitat
assessments and species surveys
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EIS information guideline  Aquatic ecology
 vegetation communities may have been cleared or impacted by fire or flooding events since the last aerial
photography/satellite imagery was taken
 the dynamic variability of highly ephemeral waterways, wetlands and waterholes
 access problems due to potential obstacles (road condition, fences) and/or hazards for field staff (e.g. fire)
 adverse weather conditions (cyclones, floods, heatwaves)
 access restrictions (e.g. unforseen sensitive or Indigenous sacred areas).
Field surveys may need to be postponed or field sites relocated to attain better representation of habitats in order
to more accurately assess the ecological values during field surveys.
Consultation pre-survey
It is recommended that EHP is consulted prior to field surveys in order to discuss:
 the aquatic ecological values identified from preliminary work
 field surveys and other assessment methodologies appropriate to detect and quantify aquatic ecological values
 any major limitations to the implementation of survey work that could compromise departmental requirements in
terms of survey methods and effort
 any project specific issues that the proponent would like to raise.
A pre-survey meeting also provides the department with the opportunity to raise any aspects considered important
about the project or potentially impacted ecological values which would need to be addressed or considered by the
proponent.
Surveys
The survey methods and effort used to determine the ecological values for the project should be detailed in the
report. It is important that the survey methods and effort are justified, especially if they are different to that
recommended by relevant guidelines.
Flora species survey methodology
Nelder et al. 2012 and EHP’s flora survey guidelines (2014) http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/licences-permits/plantsanimals/documents/flora-survey-guidelines.pdf provide information on the required flora survey methodology.
Generally, the timed meander survey method is the preferred approach for the location of vascular plants within a
survey area. It is expected that the majority of plant species encountered would be identified during the search. The
search should continue until no new species have been recorded for 30 minutes or when the entire area of habitat
is surveyed, whichever happens sooner. The number of meander surveys should be undertaken proportional to the
habitat area. Refer to the reference section below for Queensland flora survey guidelines.
When a listed threatened plant species has been recorded during a flora survey, the population extent and density
should be determined in order to quantify the potential impact. The total number of plants comprising the population
must be recorded. If the population is too dense for this to be practical, the density of the overall population should
be estimated by counting the number of plants with a quadrat. A plot based assessment is required to determine
the species abundance, distribution and habitat associations, as well as to inform management measures.
If a species cannot be identified to the species level, it should be lodged with the Queensland Herbarium for formal
identification. Specimen collection and vouchering should be done in accordance with Queensland Herbarium
procedures.
Fauna species survey methodology
The use of multiple survey techniques is regarded as the most successful and cost-effective approach to the
detection of the diversity of fauna species. A description of suitable fauna sampling techniques can be found in the
Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Survey Guidelines for Queensland (Eyre et al. 2012) and will not be duplicated here.
For information on survey effort for vertebrate fauna refer to the guideline on Vertebrate Survey Effort across
Queensland (Smith 2013); however, as a minimum, fauna surveys should include:
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incidental observations (visual, auditory, tracks and scats)
trapping surveys
area searches (active diurnal and passive nocturnal searches)
ultrasonic recordings – microbat echolocation call detection
call playback searches
spotlight searches
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EIS information guideline  Aquatic ecology
 camera traps
 targeted species searches.
Fauna assessment based on habitat assessment alone is not advised. In areas where no fauna surveys were
carried out, threatened fauna species that are likely to occur (based on the presence of suitable habitat and recent
records) should be assumed to occur in the identified habitat. However, the absence or low likelihood of occurrence
of a threatened fauna species must be determined on the balance of evidence of historical records, known
distribution and habitat, and the scope, effort and results of surveys.
Wetland mapping
Wetland mapping and classification information should be ground-truthed and the updated information included in
the EIS. The wetland definition is established using multiple lines of evidence in which more conclusive indicators
can be used on their own to reliably determine a criterion has been met, whilst less conclusive indicators are used
with other information to determine if a criterion has been met.
Mapping of Queensland wetlands based on adequate field surveys is essential both to delineate wetland
boundaries and identify key attributes, hydro modifications, salinity and system type. This enables values to be
identified and provides a sound basis for identification of potential habitat for threatened species. Field surveys to
confirm Queensland Wetland Mapping invariably identifies apparent errors in the mapping that are significant to the
quantification of ecological values. These discrepancies are generally a result of the different scale of the mapping
(i.e. 1:10 000 for project surveys compared with 1:100 000 for the Queensland Wetland Mapping).
If field surveys indicate that mapping of wetlands differs from the latest available Queensland wetland mapping
either due to delineation within heterogeneous polygons or apparent error in the mapping, the proposed changes
must be supported by site level information as detailed in the Queensland Wetland Definition and Delineation
Guideline (2011). This data must be made available to the department and must include spatial datasets of site
locations and proposed new wetland polygons, site data sheets and site photographs. The EIS does not need to
include all such information, but the information will be reviewed by the department and the Queensland Herbarium
to confirm the validity of the mapping presented in the EIS.
Wetland/habitat functions and values assessment
The functions and values of a wetland and associated wetland community needs to be quantified in terms of how it
functions for the maintenance of the aquatic values it supports. The condition assessment may be important in
mapping of wetlands, threatened ecological communities, and potential threatened species habitat. In Queensland,
the BioCondition vegetation assessment framework has been developed to provide a measure of terrestrial
ecosystem condition (Eyre et al. 2011a). The WFAT-Reg is a similar resource customised for use in assessing the
condition of lacustrine and palustrine wetlands. It incorporates empirical quantitative methods to add context and
meaning to scores obtained during the assessment of the state of the wetland environmental values and threats. It
does this by enabling a series of comparisons to be made, within a wetland, between wetlands and across time.
AquaBAMM is a decision support tool that utilises existing information and expert input to assess conservation
value in aquatic ecosystems. It uses a robust and easily accessible analysis of ecological or conservation values
associated with a catchment that is useful for sub catchment and regional planning. It is applicable in freshwater
riverine, freshwater non-riverine and estuarine wetlands.
The method is based on a review of national and international literature but tailored towards the local situation and
a thorough assessment of data availability. It uses a database platform for data storage, manipulation and values
assessment and outputs directly to a GIS platform for result presentation and interpretation. The output is an
aquatic conservation Assessment (ACA) for the study area.
WetlandInfo has an assessment toolbox that may assist in determining the appropriate method to use.
Data management
Appropriate data management is essential for any field surveys as they must be suitable for post survey
assessment. Essential data requirements (such as location description, coordinates, survey effort, habitats
assessment, taxon name, etc.) and suitable datasheets can be found and downloaded from web sites listed in the
reference section.
Collection of data using methods compatible with the Queensland Government’s large databases, such as,
Queensland Herbarium’s ‘CORVEG’ or EHP’s ‘Wildlife Online’ will facilitate comparison of data. Investigators are
encouraged to use standard data sheets and methods, or an adaptation of them.
All locational data recorded must use the geographical coordinate system latitude and longitude (expressed in
decimal degrees) based on the Geocentric Datum of Australia 1994 (GDA94).
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EIS information guideline  Aquatic ecology
Occurrences of Aquatic ecological values in the survey area
The known or likely occurrence of aquatic ecological values within the survey area provides the basis for
assessment of the proponent’s ability to avoid minimise and mitigate the impacts to these values. As a result of the
WFAT a comprehensive understanding of the ecological values with the area potentially impacted by the project
should be presented in the EIS. The information presented should be both descriptive and quantitative, including
the elements of the WFAT that are used to justify positions taken. Aquatic ecological values that were identified as
potentially occurring in the survey area, but were not located by surveys require a determination as to whether the
values are likely to be present (permanently, seasonally or intermittently). The decision as to whether the ecological
value is present or not present must be justified.
Identification and quantification of potential impacts
Avoidance and mitigation measures
Proposed mitigation measures or management actions, to avoid or minimise potential impacts to ecological values
should be detailed. Mitigation methods should firstly be applied to hydrological flows such that the wetland values
will not be impacted. If changes to hydrological flows are such that alternative methods to retain wetland values
are used this should be demonstrated. If hydrological flows are altered such that wetland values will be impacted
offsets should be considered.
Significant residual impacts
Despite all efforts to avoid and minimise impacts, a proposed project may result in significant residual impacts to
ecological values. The potential significant residual impacts to MSES over the life of the project, after all the
proposed avoidance and mitigation measures are undertaken, must be quantified in terms of total loss and/or loss
of population, habitat or ecological function. The reasons why avoidance of significant residual impacts cannot be
achieved must be detailed.
The significance of residual impacts to each MSES must be determined with reference to the relevant significant
residual impact guidelines. Where the project, or the provision of offsets, is proposed to be staged, the significant
residual impact to MSES must be quantified for each defined stage.
Cumulative impacts
For each MSES for which the project would have a significant residual impact, the potential impact of known
potential future expansions or development by the proponent or other proponents (local, subregion and bioregional)
must be identified and estimated. The cumulative impact of the project in conjunction with these other projects must
be considered when assessing whether an offset for the significant residual impacts of the proposed project could
achieve a conservation outcome (as defined by the Environmental Offsets Act 2014).
Offsets
If a significant residual impact has been identified for any MSES then an offset strategy must be presented in the
EIS. There are many MSES that are also MNES under the EPBC Act. Where this is the case, it is recommended
that the proponent ascertain what matter will be subject to a Commonwealth requirement for an offset. All
remaining significant residual impacts on MSES will require offsets under relevant legislation if the proposed project
is approved.
The biodiversity offset strategy must be consistent with the requirements of the Biodiversity Offsets Act 2014. It
would demonstrate that the significant residual impact on each MSES can be offset to achieve a conservation
outcome, having regard to potential cumulative impacts, existing threats, and the bioregional extent of the matter.
The strategy should clearly quantify the likely impact to each MSES for the life of the project, and for each stage if
offsets are proposed to be delivered in a staged manner.
Useful references and guidelines – aquatic ecology
Useful information and other guidance material is available at:
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Queensland’s Herbarium’s HERBRECS flora database
Queensland Herbarium’s ecological site database (CORVEG)
Queensland Museum collections and databases (available for terrestrial, aquatic vertebrates and crustaceans)
Atlas of Australian birds
wildlife atlas or any other online mapping information (e.g. Birdlife Australia)
Regional ecosystem (RE) mapping
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EIS information guideline  Aquatic ecology
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land system mapping
wetland and watercourse mapping
wildlife, condition and habitat database
habitat and vegetation mapping, or any other mapping available through web searches (regional, state and
Australia wide)
 recent high resolution aerial photography, spot imagery
 databases for weeds and pests (e.g. Weeds of National Significance)
 Wastewater Tracking and Electronic reporting System (WaTERS) database.
EHP’s online databases
Wildlife Online: https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/species-list/
Wetlands (aquatic ecosystems)
WetlandInfo contains most of the materials listed in this section and available at: wetlandinfo.ehp.qld.gov.au
 WetlandMaps interactive maps and data: http://wetlandinfo.ehp.qld.gov.au/wetlands/facts-maps/get-mappinghelp/wetland-maps/
 Wetland management tools and guides: http://wetlandinfo.ehp.qld.gov.au/wetlands/management/wetlandmanagement/
 Assessment monitoring and inventory http://wetlandinfo.ehp.qld.gov.au/wetlands/assessment/.
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry 2012, Guidelines and template for preparing a wetland
management plan. For primary producers (grazing, dryland cropping) in Queensland’s inland catchments,
Queensland Government, Brisbane.
Aquatic Ecosystems Task Group 2012. Aquatic Ecosystems Toolkit. Module 3: Guidelines for Identifying High
Ecological Value Aquatic Ecosystems (HEVAE). Australian Government Department of Sustainability,
Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra. <www.environment.gov.au/water>
Clayton, P.D., Fielder, D.P., Howell, S. and Hill, C.J. (2006). Aquatic Biodiversity Assessment and Mapping Method
(AquaBAMM): a conservation values assessment tool for wetlands with trial application in the Burnett River
catchment. Published by the Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane.
http://wetlandinfo.ehp.qld.gov.au/wetlands/assessment/assessment-methods/aca/
Department of Environment and Heritage Protection 2012, Walking the landscape—A whole-of-system framework
for understanding and mapping environmental processes and values, 6pp, Queensland Wetlands Program,
Queensland Government, Brisbane.
Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Wetland Field Assessment Tools – Regulation 2014,
Queensland Wetlands Program, Brisbane Queensland.
Department of Environment and Resource Management 2011a. Queensland Wetland Buffer Planning Guideline,
Queensland Wetlands Program, Brisbane Queensland.
Department of Environment and Resource Management 2011b Queensland Wetland Definition and Delineation
Guideline, Queensland Government, Brisbane.
Department of Environment and Resource Management 2011c. Hydrological Characterisation for Wetlands and
Wetland Imagery: Users guide to attribute and evaluate hydro-climatic conditions using the WetlandInfo tools for
hydrological characterisation for wetlands and wetland imagery, Queensland Wetlands Program, Brisbane QLD.
Department of Natural Resources and Water 2008. Soil indicators of Queensland wetlands: field guide. The State
of Queensland, Brisbane.
DSITIA. 2012. Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem Mapping and Classification Method: a method for providing
baseline mapping and classification of groundwater dependent ecosystems in Queensland. Brisbane: Department
of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts, Queensland Government.
http://wetlandinfo.ehp.qld.gov.au/wetlands/facts-maps/gde-background/
National Committee on Soil and Terrain 2009. Australian Soil and Land Survey Field Handbook , 3rd edition.
CSIRO Publishing , Melbourne.
Wetland Management Handbook: Farm Management Systems (FMS) guidelines for managing wetlands in
intensive agriculture, 2008. The State of Queensland, The Department of Employment, Economic Development
and Innovation 2009.
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EIS information guideline  Aquatic ecology
Flora
EHP (2014) Flora Survey Guidelines - Protected Plants, Nature Conservation Act 1992. Department of
Environment and Heritage Protection, Queensland Government, Brisbane. Available from:
http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/licences-permits/plants-animals/documents/flora-survey-guidelines.pdf
CORVEG proforma (Nelder et al. 2012; Appendix 2):
https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/assets/documents/plants-animals/herbarium/herbarium-mappingmethodology.pdf
Modelled potential habitat for selected threatened species in Queensland:
http://dds.information.qld.gov.au/dds?title="ModelledpotentialhabitatforselectedthreatenedspeciesinQueensland"
Fauna
Eyre T.J., Ferguson D.J., Hourigan C.L., Smith G.C., Mathieson M.T., Kelly, A.L., Venz M.F. and Hogan, L.D.
(2012). Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Survey Assessment Guidelines for Queensland, August 2013. Department of
Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts, Queensland Government, Brisbane.
Smith, G.C. (2013) Vertebrate Survey Effort across Queensland. Queensland Herbarium, Science Delivery
Division. Brisbane: Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts, Queensland
Government, Brisbane.
The Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Survey Guidelines for Queensland (Eyre et al. 2012); available from
https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/biodiversity/vertebrate-survey/
Targeted species survey guidelines for Queensland’s listed threatened fauna species under the NC Act; available
from https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/biodiversity/vertebratesurvey/#download_targeted_species_survey_guidelines
Information on suitable Vertebrate survey effort across Queensland (Smith 2013) can be found under
https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/assets/documents/plants-animals/biodiversity/vertebrate-survey-effort.pdf.
Modelled potential habitat for selected threatened species in Queensland
http://dds.information.qld.gov.au/dds?title="ModelledpotentialhabitatforselectedthreatenedspeciesinQueensland
Survey Guidelines for Australia's Threatened Bats. EPBC Act survey guidelines 6.1
Survey Guidelines for Australia's Threatened Birds. EPBC Act survey guidelines 6.2
Survey Guidelines for Australia's Threatened Frogs. EPBC Act survey guidelines 6.3
Survey guidelines for Australia's threatened fish. EPBC Act survey guidelines 6.4
Survey guidelines for Australia's threatened mammals. EPBC Act survey guidelines 6.5
Survey guidelines for Australia's threatened reptiles. EPBC Act survey guidelines 6.6
Draft survey guidelines for Australia's threatened orchids
field data sheets for terrestrial fauna surveys: https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plantsanimals/biodiversity/vertebrate-survey/#field_data_sheets
Vegetation communities/regional ecosystems
Neldner, V.J., Wilson, B. A., Thompson, E.J. and Dillewaard, H.A. (2012) Methodology for Survey and Mapping of
Regional Ecosystems and Vegetation Communities in Queensland. Version 3.2. Department of Science,
Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts, Queensland Government, Brisbane.
Queensland Herbarium (August 2012) Regional ecosystem map assessment kit. Department of Science,
Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts, Queensland Government, Brisbane.
Sattler, P.S & Williams, R.D. (1999). The conservation status of Queensland’s Bioregional Ecosystems.
Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane.
Methodology for Survey and Mapping of Regional Ecosystems and Vegetation Communities in Queensland
(Neldner et al. 2012); available from: https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/assets/documents/plantsanimals/herbarium/herbarium-mapping-methodology.pdf
http://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/plants/ecosystems/framework/
https://environment.ehp.qld.gov.au/map-request/re-broad-veg-group/
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EIS information guideline  Aquatic ecology
Community and habitat condition
Eyre, T.J., Kelly, A.L, Neldner, V.J., Wilson, B.A., Ferguson, D.J., Laidlaw, M.J. and Franks, A.J. (2011a)
BioCondition: A Condition Assessment Framework for Terrestrial Biodiversity in Queensland. Assessment Manual.
Version 2.1. Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM), Biodiversity and Ecosystem
Sciences, Queensland Government,Brisbane.
Eyre, T.J., Kelly, A.L., and Neldner, V.J. (2011b). Method for the Establishment and Survey of Reference Sites for
BioCondition Version 2.0. Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP), Biodiversity and Ecological
Sciences Unit, Queensland Government,Brisbane.
A Condition Assessment Framework for Terrestrial Biodiversity in Queensland. Assessment Manual. Version 2.1
(Eyre et al. 2011a); available from https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/biodiversity/biocondition/
Biocondition: https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/assets/documents/plants-animals/biodiversity/bioconditiondatasheet.pdf
BioCondition Benchmarks: http://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plantsanimals/biodiversity/benchmarks/#benchmarks
MNES/EPBC
Significant impact guidelines
Significant Impact Guidelines 1.1 - Matters of National Environmental Significance
Draft - Significant impact guidelines for 36 migratory shorebird species - Migratory species: EPBC Act policy
statement 3.21
Biodiversity
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/recovery-plans
http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/publications
Offsets
Queensland’s Environmental Offset Act 2014, framework including regulations, policy and guidelines available
from: http://www.qld.gov.au/environment/pollution/management/offsets/
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Environmental Offsets Policy 2012,
Commonwealth of Australia. The policy and offsets assessment guide is available from:
http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/publications/epbc-act-environmental-offsets-policy
General
Biodiversity planning assessments: https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/biodiversity/planning/
State Planning Policy—state interest guideline for biodiversity:
http://www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/resources/guideline/spp/spp-state-interest-guideline-biodiversity.pdf
Information relevant to the EPBC assessment requirements available from
www.environment.gov.au/epbc/assessments/index.html
www.environment.gov.au/epbc/about/glossary.html#significant
www.environment.gov.au/topics/environment-protection/environment-assessments/bilateral-agreements
www.ehp.qld.gov.au/management/impact-assessment/epbc_bilateral_agreement.html.
Atlas of Living Australia: www.ala.org.au
Biosecurity
Refer to DAFF’s Environmental Impact Assessment Companion Guide https://publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/daffenvironmental-impact-assessment-companion-guide for more information on biosecurity
Permits and licences
http://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/
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EIS information guideline  Aquatic ecology
http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/licences-permits/plants-animals/index.html
http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/licences-permits/plants-animals/return_of_operations.html
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