Biodiversity assessment and offsetting
At a glance
GHD was engaged by the Commonwealth Government to conduct a biodiversity assessment and offset strategy for the new Western Sydney Airport to be built on Commonwealth land at Badgerys Creek.
The challenge
Our team delivered the biodiversity assessment and offset strategy to support the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project, in accordance with the requirements of the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. The unique nature of the project, its high profile, large scale, and the significant biodiversity values of the site, posed a number of assessment and approval challenges which we effectively resolved to gain project approval within a compressed timeframe.
Our response
GHD played a key role in assisting the Commonwealth Government to navigate the complex biodiversity approval requirements under the EPBC Act. Our work involved assessing impacts on threatened and migratory biota listed under the EPBC Act and the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act) Act and consideration of impacts on the values of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
The impact
GHD assessed the biodiversity values at the airport site and identified offsetting requirements for potential impacts under the Commonwealth policy framework. This included assessment with reference to the NSW Framework for Biodiversity Assessment (FBA) to help ensure consideration of all biodiversity values on Commonwealth land.
Our team also identified strategies for the delivery of offsets. Proactive consultation to calibrate our assessment approach with the expectations of regulatory authorities was also critical in facilitating timely project approvals.
GHD is currently supporting the Commonwealth to develop a comprehensive Biodiversity Offset Delivery Plan to assist the Commonwealth Government in securing offsets to meet the conditions of the Airport Plan for this critical infrastructure project.