Vegetation Mapping
Vegetation Mapping is a crucial tool for managing and assessing biodiversity. It provides important information about the type and extent of vegetation and the habitats of threatened species in an area.
The purpose of this Vegetation Mapping is to identify the type of native vegetation that may be on your land. It is a tool to make things easier for biodiversity assessments, conservation planning, and land management activities. In the future, this mapping could help the Council refine existing data and maps, such as LEP Wetlands, bushfire-prone land, Koala Habitat, and more.
These Vegetation maps are created on data collected from on-ground surveys, aerial imagery and historical information, classifying the different types of vegetation into a system known as Plant Community Types (PCT).
Council is currently preparing a vegetation map for Port Stephens, which will be released in draft stages and is expected to be finalised in late 2026. This mapping is available for use now and may be particularly helpful when preparing development applications or planning proposals.
A copy of the supporting report is available here
To request access to the draft vegetation mapping spatial data files, please contact: Environmentalplanningteam@portstephens.nsw.gov.au .
Key messages:
- The Vegetation Mapping has been developed through 100% external funding sources.
- The Vegetation Mapping has been drafted for all areas of the LGA east of the M1, with the western areas of the LGA currently in preparation, expected to be completed in December 2025.
- The mapping has been prepared based on the best available information and is indicative of the native vegetation present in the landscape at a local scale.
- The mapping provides valuable up-front information about what environmental values may be present in a landscape, and potentially what biodiversity values or threatened species habitat may also be present.
- Vegetation Mapping is a valuable tool that will support biodiversity assessment, conservation planning, and land management activities and assist in reducing risks, costs, and timeframes for development applications.
Vegetation Mapping FAQs
Vegetation mapping provides information about the type and extent of native vegetation that is likely to be present in an area. It can also show where habitats for threatened species and important ecological communities may be located. This information is useful for helping with development applications, planning conservation efforts, identifying risks and managing land.
A PCT, or Plant Community Type, is a way of grouping different types of native plants that grow together across New South Wales (NSW). It helps us understand what kinds of plants and habitats are present in a specific location and how they are distributed throughout a landscape.
The Port Stephens Vegetation Map is being prepared in 3 stages. Stages 1 and 2 have been drafted, and are publicly available on Council’s website. The Stage 3 area is currently in preparation. This area includes all remaining parts of the Port Stephens LGA west of the M1, and is due for completion by December 2025.
Vegetation mapping uses different sources of information such as soil maps, land topography, hydrology, existing vegetation and mapping data, aerial imagery, past land uses or clearing, and field surveys. It first estimates what the native vegetation was like before European settlement and then updates the map to show what native vegetation is there now. The mapping provides a snapshot at the time the work is undertaken. Over 15,000 site-based surveys have been undertaken to inform the draft mapping.
Vegetation mapping shows where native vegetation and habitats, including threatened species and endangered ecological communities, might be found. Knowing this early can help landowners, developers, and land managers plan ahead and save time and money. If your land is mapped to contain a PCT, it doesn’t mean you can't develop it, but you may need to work with an ecologist to assess and manage any potential impacts on biodiversity.
The Port Stephens Vegetation Map has been created using the best available information and aims to give an indicative view of the native vegetation types and their extent in the area. Our consultants have verified native vegetation at over 15,000 accessible locations, but have not visited all properties in Port Stephens. The Vegetation Map has been drafted to all areas of the LGA east of the M1, and Council welcomes any feedback. The final vegetation map, including areas west of the M1 is expected to be published in early-mid 2026. Once finalised, the Port Stephens Vegetation Map will be updated as needed, depending on available funding.
If you would like to discuss the accuracy of mapping on your land, please contact environmentalplanningteam@portstephens.nsw.gov.au. Our consultants will require land access for a reassessment.
The Port Stephens Vegetation Map indicates the type and extent of native vegetation in a landscape. The mapping is based on local vegetation types that considers the structure (ground cover, mid-storey, and canopy species) and condition (presence of weeds) of the vegetation. These details are then matched to the most appropriate NSW Plant Community Type (PCT). This means that even if only native canopy species are present, or if weeds are abundant, the land can still be classified as a type of native vegetation (PCT). Highly disturbed areas, or areas of predominantly exotic vegetation has not been mapped.
The Port Stephens Vegetation Map uses the best available information to show and classify native plants and habitats across the area. Each type of vegetation is given a special Plant Community Type (PCT) code, which links to the larger NSW-wide vegetation mapping system. You can find these codes on the State Vegetation Type Map and in the Trees Near Me NSW app. For more details about the NSW PCTs, visit the NSW Environment and Heritage webpage.
It is important to note that the Port Stephens Mapping layer is considered more locally accurate than and takes precedence over the Trees Near Me App
Vegetation Mapping is a valuable tool that will support biodiversity assessments, conservation planning, and land management activities, and will assist in reducing risks, costs, and timeframes for both Council activities and development applications. It helps Council enhance the effectiveness of its land management activities and provides landscape-scale information for land managers in the region. In the future, this mapping could help Council to refine existing data and mapping, such as LEP wetlands, bushfire prone land, Koala habitat, and more.
For further information about the Port Stephens Vegetation Map, please contact environmentalplanningteam@portstephens.nsw.gov.au.