Vegetation

Management
Plan Guide c 5

Guidelines to assist
in the preparation
of a Vegetation
Management Plan

February 2016
Introduction

The Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) has two primary aims:

1. To demonstrate to Councils satisfaction that the development of ‘bush blocks’ or land containing
indigenous vegetation or other environmentally sensitive areas, complies with relevant Local
Environment Plan (LEP) objectives and is undertaken in accordance with the Development
Control Plan (DCP) 2015 controls and the Rural Fire Services Planning for Bushfire Protection
2006 guidelines.
2. To provide a concise, site specific and practical document (comprising an annotated plan and
written instructions) for use by the developer and/or land owner, to guide:
• the immediate retention and protection of indigenous vegetation and management of weeds
during development, and
• the long-term management of vegetation for ecological or biodiversity outcomes and asset
protection.

Who can prepare a VMP?

An Environmental Consultant or Bush Regenerator with theoretical and practical experience in

bushland restoration and management, including weed control. Experience relevant to the Blue
Mountains local government area is preferable.
Under certain circumstances, individual landowners may prepare the VMP with the assistance of
Council’s Environmental Officers.

Who can carry out works required by a VMP?

Personnel with a minimum of the Bushland Regeneration Certificate II/Natural Area Restoration
Certificate III, plus 500 hours of practical bushland regeneration under an experienced supervisor.
Supervisors would be required to have at least some supervisory experience, preferably a higher
qualification (AQF IV or V) and a minimum of 700 hours bush regeneration. All personnel engaged
in chemical weed control would be expected to have attained a minimum AQF III level in Chemical
Application.
Occasionally, it may be appropriate for the landowner to undertake the weed control and
rehabilitation works under appropriate supervision or guidance, particularly when a plan establishes
a strategy that runs over a number of years. Thus determination can be made on a case by case basis.
If in doubt, ask relevant Council staff to clarify this aspect. Details of those involved in the project
would need to be supplied if the area requiring regeneration is environmentally significant or lies
within a Threatened Ecological Community.

Vegetation Management Plan Guide | PAGE 2

Components of the VMP

PART 1 - Written Report

The written report is to include these key elements:
A. Site extent and features
B. List objectives of the VMP
C. Identify relevant management zones
D. Define and describe VMP tasks
E. Indicate a timeframe
F. Determine the performance targets
G. Define monitoring and reporting methods and frequency
H. Link to other plans, documents and legislation

PART 2 - Annotated Site Map/Aerial Photograph

• Prepare a Site Map / Aerial Photograph demonstrating all relevant features identified in the
written report.

Part 1 - Contents of the VMP report

A. Site Extent And Features

Examples of VMP tasks

LEP 2015 MAPS
• Identify and define areas covered by the VMP (The SITE)
• Land Zoning
• Identify LEP zones and any Protected Areas • Natural Resources
• Detail any significant or sensitive environmental features or threatened • Riparian Lands And
Watercourses
species listed under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995
• Scenic And Landscape
(TSC Act), mapped, site verified or as identified by a Flora and Fauna Values
Assessment (where relevant) LEP 2015
• Describe the current extent, nature and condition of site vegetation Schedule 6: Significant
(mapped and verified). This should include a discussion of form, Vegetation Communities
diversity, complexity, health and resilience of the bushland covered by DCP 2015
the VMP. PART A1.7.3 Planning
• This statement may be accompanied by a series of photographs taken Context

from selected reference points. PART B1.1 Site And

Context Analysis
PART C1.1 Biodiversity
And Natural Resources

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Components of the VMP

B. List Objectives Of The VMP

Identify and state what specific issues need to be addressed within the
VMP (refer to examples below and relevant LEP Clauses and DCP Parts). LEP 2015
PART 2 Land Use
Examples Of Objectives For Environmental Protection And Table: Zone Objectives
Impact Mitigation PART 6 Additional
Local Provisions
• To conserve and protect environmentally sensitive areas and
SCHEDULE 6:
biodiversity values Significant Vegetation
• To ensure the protection of threatened species, threatened populations Communities
or threatened ecological communities DCP 2015

• To limit the impact of development upon existing native vegetation PART C1 Biodiversity
And Natural Resources
• To promote and specify sustainable tree and vegetation management. PART C2 Bushland
• To undertake responsive site management and landscaping to ensure And Weed
Management
that bushland values are conserved
PART C3 Landscaping
• To ensure that environmentally sensitive techniques are employed
PART C4 Asset
during the establishment of approved asset protection zones Protection ZoneS
• To specify appropriate environmental protection works to enhance PART E4.4
the ecological and bushland amenity value of the site
NSW Environment
• To re-establish habitat connectivity and fauna corridors And Heritage Bionet

• To maximise the filtering and infiltration of stormwater to protect http://www.bionet.nsw.

gov.au/
catchment areas
• To restore and rehabilitate degraded bushland and areas of significant
vegetation.

C. Identify Relevant Management Zones

Management Zones are determined according to the objectives of the VMP

itself and the characteristics of the site, so the name of each zone should See example of site
plan with management
refer to either site features or proposed aspects of the development or zones on page 9 of this
VMP activities. guide

All areas to be covered by the VMP are to be identified by a relevant

management zone, which is to be shown on your map or annotated aerial
photograph.
The area within each management zone should relatively similar, or require
the same actions as defined within the VMP. Examples of zones include:
• Construction zone
• Tree protection zones / Exclusion zone
• Asset protection zone (Inner and Outer Protection Areas)
• Landscaped zone (may be a component of the asset protection zone or
overlap with parts of the construction zone)
• Bushland conservation zone
• Bushland restoration zone

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Components of the VMP

D. Define And Describe VMP Tasks

Examples of VMP tasks

For each management zone:
1. List the tasks required to achieve the stated objectives (refer to
examples below).
2. Describe specific strategies and techniques to be used in their
implementation.
Include details regarding the following (as necessary) for each management
zone:

Site management including

• Preliminary weed control (where relevant) DCP 2015
• Plant material salvage and translocation (where relevant) or seed Part C2.2
collection Part E4 Site
• Tree Protection and Exclusion Zone fencing details Management
• Appropriate location of topsoil and other stockpiles
• Erosion and sediment controls, type, location and maintenance, where
relevant;
• Soil protection or stabilisation techniques
• Decommissioning requirements for sediment and erosion controls
Stormwater and wastewater management
• Description of revegetation of any WSUD stormwater treatment DCP 2015
devices or on-site effluent disposal areas, Part C6 Water
• A schedule of appropriate nutrient tolerant native species Management
• Plant establishment densities to ensure optimum performance of these
features;
Asset protection zone (APZ) management
• The area and extent of vegetation removal required to comply with
Planning for Bushfire Protection (2006) DCP 2015

• Nomination and description of trees and vegetation to be retained and Part C4.4 Asset
Protection Zones
how these will be identified on site
Part C4.5 Plant
• The nature of habitat features to be retained or provided (forage trees, Species Selection And
habitat hollows and ground or shrub layer shelter) Landscape Design In
• Vegetation types, species or stratum to be targeted for selective Bushfire Prone Areas
removal, pruning or other modification
• The method (hand or mechanical) of vegetation thinning or slashing
and tree removal or pruning
• Machinery and equipment to be used and restriction on their use in
relation to any slope or tree protection requirements
• Vegetative waste management, reuse or disposal.
• Maintenance frequency and access provisions to all parts of the APZ.

Vegetation Management Plan Guide | PAGE 5

Components of the VMP

Weed control
• List of Noxious and Environmental Weeds and proposed treatment DCP 2015

techniques and constraints Part C2.2 Weed

Management And Part
• Herbicide type and application methods appropriate for use to control C2.3 Weeds Of The
each target weed Blue Mountains
• Timeline for primary and follow-up noxious and environmental weed BMCC Weed
control. Management http://
www.bmcc.nsw.gov.
• Maintenance requirements and frequency. A period of 12 -24 months au/Sustainableliving/
after issue of the Occupation Certificate for significant weed infestations Weedmanagement
is necessary. NB: Maintenance may be undertaken by the land owner/
occupier.
Regeneration and revegetation
DCP 2015
• Description of specific and appropriate activities likely to promote
Part C2.1 Bushland
ecological restoration relevant to the site condition and site features Management Part
• Details of any necessary soil preparation, enhancement or treatment Australian Association
for plant establishment and maintenance Of Bush Regenerators
• Description of planting for revegetation (if required) and its intended (AABR) Guidelines
http://www.aabr.org.
purpose (e.g. stormwater control, biodiversity, ecological buffer area au/Learn/Professional-
enhancement, canopy restoration etc.) Practice/Management-
Guides/
• Provide indicative species list (based on reference ecosystem
composition) and density recommended for planting–as appropriate. Definitions
Demonstrate areas for revegetation on map. Indigenous (local Part C1.6 Riparian
Land And
provenance) native species to be used wherever possible. Watercourses
• Restoration of appropriately sized riparian zones, detailing stabilisation
measures and locally indigenous species to be provided, with planting
densities included.
• Describe maintenance activities and frequency for all areas subjected
to ecological restoration works.
Landscaping (where the vmp replaces a landscape plan)
DCP 2015
• Provide a schedule of species which are appropriate to achieving the
Part C4.5 Plant
zone objectives and which are consistent with the recommendation Species Selection And
contained within the NSW Rural Fire Services document Standards for Landscape Design In
Asset Protection Zones. Bushfire Prone Areas

E. Prepare a timeframe – Gantt chart (or similar)

Indicate a timeframe necessary for the completion of each task. A Gantt chart or similar may assist
in presenting the VMP tasks in a logical sequence for their implementation.
The VMP may require work to be undertaken over a brief (e.g. 3 month) timeframe or an extended
period (e.g. 3 years). This will depend upon the size of the site, the type of development proposed,
who will be undertaking the work and the complexity of the issues present on the site.
The timing of works may need to coincide with key stages of the development e.g. prior to
commencement of works, or the issue of a Construction Certificate or Occupation Certificate.

Vegetation Management Plan Guide | PAGE 6

Components of the VMP

F. Determine performance targets for each management zone

Performance targets are necessary to objectively measure the progress of the VMP project, and the
achievement of the VMP objectives.
They need to be specific, realistic and measurable, and expressed quantitatively wherever it is
possible to do so. Use measures such as percentage cover, area (m2) of land where primary weed
control has been completed, species richness or planting survival rate.

G. Define monitoring and reporting

Specify the methods and responsibility for evaluating the achievement of the performance targets
specified within the VMP.
Monitoring the progress and success of the VMP project should be undertaken on a 6-12 monthly
basis for a minimum 2 year period (or as otherwise specified).
For large scale developments, Council or the Principal Certifying Authority (PCA) may require
monitoring reports at mandatory critical stage inspections (Inspections and Signage During
Construction Guide - NSW) or at other nominated times, including prior to the issue of an
Occupation or Subdivision Certificate. Nominate who is responsible for the preparation and review
of these reports.

H. Links to other plans, documents and legislation

Show how the VMP links with any other plans, documents or legislation that relate to the
development for example, the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan, Flora and Fauna Assessment
recommendations, Threatened Species Recovery Plan, Tree Condition (SULE) Assessment, Tree
Removal and Retention Plan, Landscape Plan, Noxious Weed management Plans.
Recommendations within the VMP must be consistent with other legislation such as the Rural
Fires Act, 1997, The Water Management Act, 2000, Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995,
Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999, Noxious Weeds Act, 1993,
Drinking Water Catchments Regional Environmental Plan (REP) No 1.

Vegetation Management Plan Guide | PAGE 7

Components of the VMP

Part 2 - Contents of the annotated aerial photo or plan

Site Definition
Location and extent of the SITE for purpose of the VMP.

Map Features
Scale bar and north arrow
All relevant site features
Management Zones as defined by VMP objectives
Mapped Protected Areas- Slope or Vegetation Constraint area, Ecological Buffer areas Riparian Lands
and Watercourses
Any E2 land (as per BMCC Maps)
The type and extent of native vegetation on THE SITE including any identified vegetation communities
– location and representative species (of dominant stratum)
Tree survey information.
Any habitat features, e.g. rock outcrop, caves, watercourses or other sensitive areas

Proposed Construction And Development Works

Footprint of structure and ancillary works (including fencing, compost areas, soil level changes i.e.
retaining walls etc.)

Location of exclusion zones and tree protection fencing

Temporary construction access
Areas appropriate for storage of materials (stockpiles) during construction
Location of any sediment and erosion control devices
Any on-site wastewater infrastructure and disposal areas
Stormwater management devices and areas (e.g. infiltration trenches, raingardens etc.)
Extent of Asset Protection Zone (Inner Protection Zone and Outer Protection Zone if required)

Proposed Vegetation Management, Restoration And Maintenance Works

Trees to be retained, removed or pruned

Understorey vegetation to be retained, removed, thinned, pruned or slashed.
Areas for regeneration or ecological restoration
Areas for revegetation or landscape planting (as appropriate)
Location of major noxious and environmental weed infestations requiring treatment
Location of any areas requiring soil stabilisation or remediation
Location of any fire trails or other access points for APZ maintenance

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Vegetation Management Plan Guide

Example of annotated aerial photo

Vegetation Management Plan Guide | PAGE 9

Relevant planning documents and clauses

Relevant parts/ clauses Relevant parts/ clauses Relevant parts DCP

LEP 2005 LEP 2015 2015

PART 2 DIVISION 2 PART 2 LAND USE PART A

18-31 Zone Objectives TABLE A1.7 Blue mountains context
Zone Objectives and character
PART 3 DIVISION 1 SITE
ANALYSIS PART 6: ADDITIONAL PART B
42 Site analysis plan 3.1 LOCAL PROVISIONS B.1 Site and context analysis
43 Contents of site analysis 6.1 Impact on environmentally
plan sensitive land PART C
6.3 Terrestrial biodiversity C1 Biodiversity and Natural
PART 3 DIVISION Resources
2 PROTECTING PROTECTED AREAS C2 Bushland and Weed
THE NATURAL 6.4 Slope constraint Management
ENVIRONMENT
6.6 Vegetation constraint area C 2.3 Weeds of the Blue
44 Environmental impact Mountains
6.7 Ecological buffer area
PROTECTED AREAS 6.8 Riparian lands and C.3.3 Retention and protection
watercourses. of trees and other vegetation
45 Slope Constraint
6.12 Escarpment C4 Bushfire
46 Vegetation Constraint
6.9 Stormwater management C6 Water management
47 Ecological Buffer
48 Water Supply Catchment SCHEDULE 6 PART E
49 Escarpment SIGNIFICANT E1.2 Wastewater
50 Riverine Scenic Quality VEGETATION Part E4 Site Management
Corridor COMMUNITIES
51 Watercourses DEFINITIONS
DICTIONARY
52 Significant vegetation
communities and rare species
of flora
53 Retention and management
of vegetation
54 Preservation of trees
54A Bushland protection
55 Weed management
56 Site disturbance and erosion Further Information
control
57 Stormwater management Blue Mountains City Council
58 Modification of land form
59 Bush rock removal Landscape Officer / Environmental Scientist
65 Landscaping for residential
development Development and Planning Services

PART 3 DIVISION 5 BUSH TELEPHONE: (02) 4780 5000

FIRE PROTECTION
FACSIMILE: (02) 4780 5555
80 Asset protection zones
SCHEDULE 5: ADDRESS: Locked Bag 1005
SIGNIFICANT KATOOMBA NSW 2780
VEGETATION
COMMUNITIES DX 8305 KATOOMBA
website: www.bmcc.nsw.gov.
au/ WEB: www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au
citydevelopment/
localenvironmentalplans/ EMAIL: council@bmcc.nsw.gov.au
lep2005writteninstrument

Vegetation Management Plan Guide | PAGE 10