| Offset conditions | 8. Offsets
(a) Determination of offsets
(i) If part or all of the clearing to be done is or may be at variance with one or more of the clearing principles, then the permit holder must implement an offset in accordance with Conditions 8(a) and 8(b) of this Permit with respect to that native vegetation.
(ii) In determining the offset to be implemented with respect to a particular area of native vegetation proposed to be cleared under this Permit, the permit holder must have regard to the offset principles contained in Condition 8(b) of this Permit.
(iii) Once the permit holder has developed an offset proposal, the permit holder must provide that offset proposal to the CEO for the CEO’s approval in accordance, prior to undertaking any clearing to which the offset relates, and prior to implementing the offset.
(iv) Clearing may not commence until and unless the CEO has approved the offset proposal.
(v) The permit holder shall implement the offset proposal approved under condition 8(a)(iii).
(vi) Each offset proposal shall include a direct offset, timing for implementation of the offset proposal and may additionally include contributing offsets.
(b) Offset principles
For the purpose of this Part, the offset principles are as follows:
(i) direct offsets should directly counterbalance the loss of the native vegetation;
(ii) contributing offsets should complement and enhance the direct offset;
(iii) offsets are implemented only once all avenues to avoid, minimise, rectify or reduce environmental impacts have been exhausted;
(iv) the environmental values, habitat, species, ecological community, physical area, ecosystem, landscape, and hydrology of the offset should be the same as, or better than, that of the area of native vegetation being offset;
(v) a ratio greater than 2:1 should be applied to the size of the area of native vegetation that is offset to compensate for the risk that the offset may fail;
(vi) offsets must entail a robust and consistent assessment process;
(vii) in determining an appropriate offset, consideration should be given to ecosystem function, rarity and type of ecological community, vegetation condition, habitat quality and area of native vegetation cleared;
(viii) the offset should either result in no net loss of native vegetation, or lead to a net gain in native vegetation and improve the condition of the natural environment;
(ix) offsets must satisfy all statutory requirements;
(x) offsets must be clearly defined, documented and audited;
(xi) offsets must ensure a long-term (10-30 year) benefit; and
(xii) an environmental specialist must be involved in the design, assessment and monitoring of offsets. |
