Environmental planning
Port Stephens Council supports development that maintains a balance between growth and the protection of our natural environment.
When preparing a development application, consider the potential environmental impacts and comply with relevant laws and policies.
For detailed rules about the Natural Environment, check Part B2 of the Port Stephens Development Control Plan. You should also look at the associated DASH, the Port Stephens Local Environmental Plan, and relevant state policies.
Below, you will find important information about the Natural Environment to consider early in your planning process.
The Port Stephens region is home to a diverse array of native plants and animals, many of which are protected by state and federal laws. When developing in this area, it is important to avoid or minimise any disturbance to these species and their habitats.
- Under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR) must be written by an Accredited Assessor using the Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) if a development involves too much land clearing, affects a Biodiversity Values Area (BV), or could harm threatened species or endangered ecosystems.
- If the development does not require a BDAR, the developer may still need to provide ecological information to show that potential impacts on biodiversity have been considered—see the DASH for more details.
If you are planning to develop land that is on or near a mapped Koala habitat, or if your project needs an ecological assessment or a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR), you must conduct a Koala Habitat Assessment.
When a development takes away koala feed trees, the developer may have to plant new ones to replace them. To learn which trees to plant and how, see the DASH and Biodiversity Technical Specification.
Please refer to Appendix 6 of the Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management (CKPoM) as summarised in the Port Stephens Koala Habitat Assessment Process.
Development should focus on creating biodiversity corridors to ensure safe movement for wildlife, especially Koalas. It is important to keep as many trees as possible and to avoid building barriers that could block Koala movement.
For further information, please refer to the Biodiversity Corridors Planning Guidance.
If you need to keep or restore native plants or habitats, you may be required to create a Vegetation Management Plan (VMP). This plan should explain how to protect, restore, and manage the vegetation before, during, and after construction. It should also include details about reporting progress and monitoring.
For further information, please see the Biodiversity Technical Specification and the DASH.
To make landscaping maintenance easier, support our surrounding environment and be more sustainable, follow these tips:
- Select local native plants that match your area's climate.
- Do not include invasive or non-native plants; check NSW WeedWise for a list of invasive weeds.
- Use rainwater harvesting systems and drought-resistant landscaping to save water.
For more information, see the Landscape Technical Specification.
Supporting resources
| Biodiversity Technical Specification | Provides guidance on the management, retention, and removal of trees, vegetation, and valuable habitat features within the Port Stephens Local Government Area (LGA). The technical specification is designed to provide clarity and assistance to Council staff and applicants seeking to fulfil their management obligations under adopted policies and development consent conditions. |
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| Ecological Impact Assessment Guideline | Provides guidance for the preparation of ecological assessments to ensure that information supplied to Port Stephens Council adequately identifies and assesses the ecological impacts of the proposed development, including all cumulative, direct and indirect impacts, as well as any other clearing required to facilitate the development. |
| Biodiversity Corridors Planning Guidance | Provides guidance on biodiversity corridor considerations. |
| Guide to Developing a Weed Management Plan | Provides guidance on preparing a weed management plan. |
| Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management | It is a strategic document developed to protect and manage the koala population within the Port Stephens Local Area. It aims to balance development, land use, and conservation efforts, ensuring the long-term viability of koalas in the region. |