Revegetation Management Plan
The purpose of a Revegetation Management Plan is to clearly outline the Shire’s expectation regarding revegetation of trees and other flora where the approval of a subdivision requires their removal. It outlines the strategies and actions for restoring native vegetation to a degraded or disturbed area. It's a crucial tool for ensuring the success of revegetation projects, addressing issues like erosion, habitat loss, and biodiversity decline. A well-developed plan includes site assessment, species selection, planting methods, and ongoing management strategies.
The objectives of the Revegetation Management Plan:
- to restore and maintain native vegetation at subdivision and recreate the habitat for native fauna lost during the process
- to revegetate rural residential subdivisions with specific reference to existing and additional deep-rooted perennial vegetation to achieve the 20% tree coverage that is required by the Urban and Rural Forest Management Strategy
- to ensure at least “like-for-like” revegetation of specifically deep-rooted perennial vegetation in Rural residential subdivisions of the Shire
- to ensure at least “like-for-like” revegetation in urban areas where specific Natural Reserves and/or Conservation areas are present within or in close proximity to the subdivision specifically regarding deep-rooted perennial vegetation
- to ensure that the removal of trees and other vegetation as part of the subdivision process does not affect the runoff and quality of the water that flows into the Peel Harvey Catchment
- to increase the number and quality of local native species in the Shire enhancing biodiversity as per the Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
- to ensure that development proposals maintain and restore native vegetation as much as possible
Related provisions from other legislation that applies:
- SPP 2.0 Environment & Natural Resources Policy s5.1
- SPP 2.9 Water Sources s6 and s10 (note this SPP requires an integrated approach as per s1.4)
- Local Planning Scheme - 4.6 Vegetation (3) (4) (5) and 4.7 Vegetation Removal (1)b)
- LPP 4.16 Tree Retention & Planting s1.5 Replacement Planting and s1.6 Financial Contribution Part 2 2.0 Engineering Drawing/Civil Works and Street Trees Management Plan 2.1 Options for Revegetation
- Local Planning Policy 2.4 Water Sensitive Urban Design s1.9
- Biodiversity Strategy Actions 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15
- Urban and Rural Forest Strategy - Strategy 2.3a, 2.4b, 2.4c, 4.1a, 4.2a, 4.3b, 5.2b, 5.3a
Policy provisions that apply for a Revegetation Management Plan:
Condition EN3 for a Revegetation Management Plan will only to be imposed:
- In Rural living subdivisions and more specifically in Rural residential zones
- Where Conservation zones / Natural reserves area available for replanting of trees that have been removed
The Shire will require where practical winter establishment of plants (usually between May and September) and maintenance bank guarantees for revegetation works.
Where it is not possible to plant the trees at time of earthworks then a bond can be paid by the developer. If the revegetation (on public and private property) cannot be completed the bond is forfeited and the Shire will be required to use the bond to provide revegetation in the vicinity of the development.
Should landscape and vegetation requirements not be met at subdivision clearance stage, the Shire will require a bank guarantee. Bank guarantees will only be released when the works are completed.
Bank guarantees will be calculated according to IPEA guidelines which will include at least a 5% maintenance component and a 25% contingency.
If landscaping works are not completed prior to clearance of conditions, it is the responsibility of the developer to obtain access to the private lots to finalise supplemental planting where required.
If the works cannot be completed for any reason, the developer agrees to allow the bank guarantee for the revegetation works to be retained and the funds utilised to do the replanting near where the vegetation was removed.
No planting of vegetation is allowed in drainage swales unless agreed to by the Manager Operations.
The process to be followed to implement a Revegetation Management Plan is per Attachment 1.
Form and Implementation Process
Form of a Revegetation Management Plan
A Revegetation Management Plan needs show the following:
Site Assessment
- Planning context (e.g. subdivision condition being complied with)
- Site location and description
- Purpose and objectives of revegetation
- Tree survey and pre-clearing vegetation
- Soil types, slope, hydrology
- Proximity to conservation areas, ecological corridors and foreshores
Mapping and Documentation
- Site maps showing revegetation zones
- Location of trees that are to be removed
- Location of trees that are to be replanted
- Understorey and other vegetation that is to be replanted
- Location of trees and vegetation within private property
- Justification for species choice (e.g. deep-rooted perennials, local natives)
- Location of street trees
- Electronic GIS shapefiles or CAD drawings
Planting Methodology and Maintenance
- Timing of planting (e.g. winter for non-irrigated sites)
- Planting density and layout
- Soil preparation and weed control measures
Maintenance and Monitoring
- Watering, staking, pruning, weed control
- Monitoring frequency and reporting format
- Success criteria (e.g. 90% survival rate)
Bonding Agreements
- Deed of Agreement and Bond amount (if works incomplete at title clearance)
- Buyer acknowledgment and access provisions on private property
- Actions if success criteria is not met, such as use of bond funds for alternative planting (e.g. public areas)
Guidelines for the Implementation of Revegetation Management Plans
Site Preparation
Site preparation techniques will include as a minimum:
- knock-down herbicide application;
- weed control targeting identified weed species present;
- deep ripping (0.5 metres);
- mounding (20cm high and 60cm wide) and stabilization in areas subject to inundation;
- soil conditioning
Vegetation Establishment
The Revegetation Management Plan requires a list of plant numbers, species and location, and provision as tube stock or advanced plants based on the most recent list available from the Shire.
The “Keeping it Local“ Landcare_SJ_Keeping_it_Local_Plants_Guide.pdf or the more detailed species lists available on the website, should be used as the basis for any revegetation. Exceptions can be made where officers are sure that the objectives of the overall Environmental Management Plan will be enhanced.
Seeds and tube stock should be ordered at least nine months before required to allow sufficient time to obtain provenance seed and for propagation.
The timing, seed preparation, any plant stock hardening processes (for example sunlight exposure), application of fertilizers and addition of mulch, soil conditioning or other surface material should be described in any required comprehensive management plan for the site.
Different establishment techniques may be used in the different purpose planting areas, and these therefore may need to be described separately:
- Visual screening (0.17 stems per m²);
- Shelter/wind break (0.17 stems per m²);
- Streamlining (0.22 stems per m²);
- Biodiversity (1 stem per m²);
- Compensating basin shrubs (1 stem per m²); or
- Nutrient stripping sedges and rushes (6 stems per m²).
The creation of habitat for animals should be included in any revegetation management plan.
Three planting rows are required for biodiversity plantings, but screening can be two rows if there is insufficient space for three. Rows are usually 3m apart, at least 3m from firebreaks and infrastructure, with plants 2m apart within the rows, and offset with the next row to fill spaces.
Revegetation of rural and industrial lots should not exceed one (1) tree per 30m lineal metre.
Vegetation Maintenance and Protection
Vegetation maintenance and protection in the context of the management plan is to be carried out by the developer through a variety of means including:
- Vegetation monitoring;
- Ongoing weed management;
- Removal of tree guards;
- Stock or other protective fencing;
- Infill supplemental planting;
- Thinning; and
- Ongoing pruning, irrigation, fertilizer application (if appropriate) and mulching.
A maintenance period of two years is required during which the following aspects need to be addressed and reported on through annual reporting:
- Spraying of weeds
- Plant survival rates below 75%
- Protection and repair from grazing
Practical Completion and Handover Inspections
The maintenance period will commence at the time of a satisfactory practical completion inspection.
Handover inspection is at the end of the maintenance period (2 or more years).
Where the plant survival rate is below 75% of the completion criteria requirements in any one year, supplemental plantings or seeding will be required.
Annual monitoring and reporting of revegetation success, including the success of weed management and area maintenance and management, in written format is required.
Approval of Revegetation Management Plans
The Shire will issue the following approvals:
- Approval letter of the revegetation Management Plan (Attachment 2)
- Letter with conditions of Bonding and bonding calculations if the revegetation cannot take place at Subdivision Clearance. This may include bonds to ensure Planting and subsequent Maintenance. (Attachment 3)
- Agreement that the Shire can utilise funding for revegetation in a public space if the applicant is unable to complete the revegetation as per the plan (Attachment 4)