Before a council meeting, residents can submit questions to council in writing.
Kevin L’Huillier submitted a question about biodiversity revegetation offsets.
These are a required compensation when native vegetation is removed from an area, set in the 2017 Victorian Government guidelines for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation.
“For transparency, does, or will, the Shire of Campaspe list where biodiversity revegetation offsets are, what the project is required to achieve, minimum requirements and timeframe of management?” Mr L’Huillier’s question asked.
“The reason for (the) question is (the) removal of high biodiversity trees at (the) corner of Mt Terrick (Rd) and Murray Valley Hwy in Echuca to make way for a development, including a car park.
“The public needs to be aware of offset plans to monitor and ensure developers conform.”
In response, council sustainability director Michael Sharp reiterated the need for the permit holder to ensure offsets had been secured before removing the vegetation.
When the permit was approved by council in December 2023, it was required that the offset must be a contribute gain of 0.075 general biodiversity equivalence units, be in the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority or Campaspe Shire and have a strategic biodiversity score of at least 0.720.
These two scores ensure new vegetation is close to an equivalent value to the vegetation being removed.
“A planning permit has been issued for the site at Mount Terrick Rd. The permit allows for the removal of native vegetation and provides two options to secure offsets for the removal,” Mr Sharp said.
“The vegetation is not to be removed until offsets are secured and evidence provided to council. This information is yet to be provided to council.
“Council has requested any vegetation removal to cease until such time an offset is secured and the evidence that this offset is secured is provided to the responsible authority, in accordance with the planning permit.”
While Mr L’Huillier requested information about the offset be made public, council is not obligated to share this.
Mr Sharp said council would track that the permit holder was fulfilling the required offset conditions.
“This matter will be monitored by planning compliance and the permit holder now understands their obligations,” Mr Sharp said.
“The satisfactory compliance of vegetation offset as per the conditions is recorded on our files. Documentation to satisfy an offset is not required to be made public.
“If requested, council would confirm if a condition has been satisfied; however, to obtain a copy of such information, a freedom of information request would need to be made.”
The full guidelines for removing and offsetting native vegetation can be accessed at tinyurl.com/nativevegetationguidelines
34°C