Winner Division C and Overall Category Winner 

Tweed Shire Council - Tweed Shire Biodiversity Development Control Plan
Tweed Council’s recently adopted Biodiversity and Habitat Management Development Control Plan addresses the complex interaction between the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 by providing clear guidance on the types of habitat that should be retained and addresses the management of ongoing impacts associated with development.

In taking a transparent and practical approach to this issue, the Plan facilitates more efficient and effective development planning that is responsive to the community aspirations and the unique environment of the Tweed.

Read the case study (PDF, 201KB).

Highly Commended Division C

Coffs Harbour City Council - Using policy to encourage local biodiversity offsets
The introduction of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 provided the opportunity to review existing compensatory requirements through the development application process.

The Local Biodiversity Offset Policy works in conjunction with the Voluntary Planning Agreement and the Dedication of Land Policies to provide an offsetting framework. The policies clarify that impacts should first be avoided by prevention/mitigation, with offsets only used for any remaining residual impacts.

BACK TO MAIN PAGE