A new study of the vegetation of the Kiama LGA, the first since 2008, has already resulted in a new Bush Fire Prone Land Map being sent to the NSW RFS for review and certification and will now be used to make updates to the environmental protection included in the Local Environment Plan (LEP).

The study by consultants Biosis was accepted at the October Council Meeting, despite Councillors Rice and Renkema-Lang criticising the lack of input from acknowledged local experts during the compilation process.

“Right now, we have very few areas protected under the LEP as its environmental zones and biodiversity layers are based off the 2008 study,” says Council’s Manager Strategic Planning, Edward Paterson.

“One thing we can now fix is dividing the biodiversity layer, which is currently just one, into high, moderate and low categories as they have different implications for other State policies.”

95 per cent of the native vegetation mapped has high biodiversity significance. 27 native plant community types were noted and, depending on what legislative definition is used, Threatened Ecological Communities account for 28.1 to 32.5% of the total native vegetation.

The study identified Barren Grounds Nature Reserve and Budderoo National Park, within the LGA, as Areas of Outstanding Biodiversity Value as they are likely to be considered significant at the global, national and state scale.

“The Biodiversity Conservation Act came into force in 2016 and introduced that as the highest level of protection,” says Mr Paterson.

“It is national park, but is still within our LGA boundary, and having that extra layer gives it even more protection.

“Biosis said it almost is an area of federal importance given the level of biodiversity.”

Forest Red Gums

The full vegetation report is available in the Business Paper for the October Council Meeting.

Work will now commence preparing the planning proposal needed to change the LEP to include any newly identified areas in the maps, with the first step being a comparative study.

The planning proposal will include the required public consultation.

“If during the planning proposal exhibition people bring forward areas that aren’t included in the maps that need to be considered for protection, we will compile a list, get a clear understanding of what needs to be considered and look at another project that could happen in the next financial year, subject to funds being allocated,” says Environmental Services Director, Jessica Rippon.

“If we were to delay the entire project and not continue [to allow for community input] I think it puts at risk a number of areas that really need protection now.”

The newly drafted Bush Fire Prone Map now covers much of the LGA, given the inclusion a 2015 RFS requirement for grassland to be included in the map.

The new Bush Fire Prone Map

Grasslands are considered medium bush fire risk vegetation, and requires a 30 metre buffer. The definition includes native grassland and grassland including pasture, cropped areas and grazing country.

The impact of the new map will be felt when rural property owners submit a DA, as there may be a higher level of requirement for that build, although Mr Paterson says that surrounding vegetation is already taken into consideration during the approval process.