CLM Ltd’s Post

If you are a group or individual working to improve the health of Whakatū Nelson’s environment, you may be eligible for an Environmental Grant. The Environmental Grants scheme provides funding to support projects that protect, enhance and restore the health of our local environment. Funding of up to $20,000 is available per project in any one year. However, applicants should note that there are limited funds available and aside from projects mitigating erosion, applications up to $5,000 are more likely to be successful. Funding priorities for the 2024/2025 financial year are: - Projects that restore riparian margins or wetlands. - Projects that reduce erosion from streambanks or steep slopes on farming and forestry land. - Projects that enhance soil conservation. - Projects that exclude stock from waterways. - Projects that protect and restore a Significant Natural Area. Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) are sites contain significant indigenous vegetation or significant habitat of indigenous fauna. SNAs may include a range of ecosystems, e.g. native forest or coastal dunes, and are important refuges for protecting Whakatū/Nelson's ecosystems and species. Under the RMA, Council is required to work with landowners to identify and manage these areas. - Community projects* that protect and restore biodiversity by controlling weeds or browsing animals (e.g. goats, possums). - Community projects* that enhance native wildlife through predator control. - Restoration projects of areas that support ecological connectivity across the Nelson landscape including rural, peri urban and urban areas. - Restoration of important coastal ecosystems, including saltmarsh, estuary, and dune ecosystems. * Community projects are those that involve three or more landowners and/or involve public land. Applications for the 2024/2025 funding round open on Sunday, 1 September 2024, and close on Monday, 30 September 2024. Find out more about the eligibility and assessment criteria: https://lnkd.in/gJcyh3at #environment #environmentalgrants #biodiversity #nelsoncitycouncil

New Biodiversity Net Gain regulations have been extended to include small sites and minor planning applications. This means they must leave wildlife habitats in a better state than before construction began. However, exemptions still apply for householder planning applications. You can find out more about the new rules here: https://buff.ly/49Wi1Gy #Biodiversity #Buildings #Developers #ExpertWitness #TeamRidge

In the light of today's Government announcement on planning and greybelt land, it is important to note two things about the role of the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements. The first is that some greybelt land which may have the apperance of waste ground between existing development can sometimes be open mosaic habitat which hold ecologically rare and important flora and fauna. Care therefore needs to be taken on such sites to ensure that, despite appearances as uninspiring greybelt land, such existing biodiversity richness does not end up being ignored and bulldozed. Second, even where BNG promises are made, there is a risk they will not be fulfilled in practice unless proper funding and enforcement is in place. As Wild Justice state: "Wild Justice believe that the new Biodiversity Net Gain system introduced in 2024 is being used to justify increased levels of development on the grounds that ecological harms can be mitigated. They say that the Lost Nature report highlights a worrying gap in the implementation and enforcement of these biodiversity enhancements, meaning very often the ‘net gain’ will exist only on spreadsheets. The reality on the ground seems to be that nature is losing out." #biodiversitynetgain #BNG #planning #greybelt #greenbelt

Very pleased to share that Perth NRM and RegenWA, through a Landcare Australia funded capacity building program, have registered their first Environmental Account with Accounting for Nature. The Carrah Environmental Account in Calingiri, owned by Sarah and Geoff Mason, utilises the Accounting For Nature & Landcare Native Vegetation Method (NV-06) to monitor and improve native vegetation, providing a sound foundation evidence based environmental management. The registration of the account marks the final step in Bonnie Jupp and Tibby Tuckett securing their accreditations as Accounting for Nature General Experts. Eager to learn more or register your own account? Feel free to reach out!

🌿 New Environmental Account Registered!   We’re excited to announce the registration of the Carrah Environmental Account, a 600-hectare property near Calingiri, Western Australia, managed by Sarah and Geoff Mason. This account focuses on preserving and enhancing native vegetation through sustainable land management and restoration initiatives.   Since transitioning from sheep grazing and canola production to beef cattle grazing and regenerative farming practices in 2021, the Masons have implemented measures to protect and restore biodiversity, including extensive native plantings, 50km of fencing installed over the last 23 years—plus an additional 7km since 2021 to protect new plantings from cattle—and habitat corridors supporting wildlife like the endangered Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos. 🌱🐦   📋 Account Name: Carrah 🔖 Account ID: AU00079 📍 Location: Calingiri, Western Australia 🌏 Area: 600 ha 🌳 Asset: Vegetation   Carrah is using the Accounting for Nature & Landcare Native Vegetation Method (NV-06), an entry-level tool based on the Queensland Herbarium's BioCondition Assessment Framework, to monitor and improve native vegetation condition. This method provides the foundation for long-term environmental management, with the potential to unlock new market opportunities for natural capital.   This Environmental Account was made possible through a training and capacity-building program funded by Landcare Australia, delivered in partnership with RegenWA and Perth NRM. It is the first of several accounts emerging from recent workshops, showcasing the growing momentum for environmental accounting in Western Australia and demonstrating the power of collaboration in advancing environmental outcomes.   Stay tuned for updates as the Masons continue to track changes in native vegetation and expand their commitment to nature.   🔗 Learn more about this account and track their progress to make nature count: https://bit.ly/4eEFmiq   #EnvironmentalAccount #Biodiversity #NaturalCapital #Sustainability #NativeVegetation #Conservation #LandRestoration #AccountingForNature #MakeNatureCount

Biodiversity net gain (BNG) measures have been implemented throughout England report the Royal Town Planning Institute. This requires developers to add 10% “biodiversity” according to a formula generated by Natural England to the existing level of biodiversity. This can be achieved via onsite provision or off site contribution. The 10% BNG requirement has been mandatory for large sites since 12 February, and now applies to all developments in England, except for certain exempt classes of development which include householder developments. With these new requirements now in place our Director and Chartered Town Planner Richard Pigott, provides answers to some FAQs about the whole process and what it will mean for applicants, landowners and homeowners. #biodiversitynetgain #biodiversity

"Conservation "good news" stories - the release of native birds into new habitats, for example - are always welcome. They recognise the work of conservation staff and volunteers who do the hard slog of checking trap lines and removing weeds. The reality is, however, that Aotearoa New Zealand's environment is in deep trouble. Talk of a "crisis" can be unhelpful if it encourages a sense of hopelessness. But with the government's Fast-track Approvals Bill approaching rapidly, now is arguably the time to use the word. The bill encourages development, but gives government ministers the power to circumvent key environmental planning and protection processes for (as yet unnamed) infrastructure projects. By emphasising short-term economic gain, it risks eroding the country's already fragile natural capital and pushing biodiversity further into decline. With public submissions on the bill closing at the end of this week, there are numerous reasons to call for caution and a pause." - Margaret Stanley https://lnkd.in/gBu8DX5D

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) has now been mandatory for three months but how has this impacted the planning sector so far?   Our associate planner, Hannah Fawdon MRTPI joined a Women in Planning CPD earlier this week to hear insights from a panel of experts including ecologists, Waterman Group; solicitors, Dentons; the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.   Hannah’s key takeaways are:   · Early engagement with ecology professionals is essential to ensure all BNG matters are considered as projects are initiated, including agreeing a red line boundary which avoids impacting any priority habitat land, where possible · Ecology scope of works should include pre-engagement with the LPA and will help identify any conditions or obligations being placed on new permissions with regard to BNG management and monitoring · Understanding PPG guidance is essential, especially how legal agreements and conditions will look in reality for management and monitoring of the 10% BNG · Significant upskilling still required across the sector to cope with the volume of work generated by new BNG rules · Consultation on irreplaceable habitats is yet to be formalised so watch this space · The off-site market and selling other pockets of land as credits is an interesting option but too early to assess its impact · BNG at planning committee has yet to be seen, including whether LPAs can use BNG as a reason for refusal Housebuilders and developers are advised to make provisions for BNG assessments, including appointing specialist consultants or advisors, as part of the application process. We have worked on a number of schemes which have successfully delivered BNG and our team can guide applicants through all requirements, as well as the routes to reach the 10% threshold. Early engagement during pre-planning is strongly recommended, please contact Hannah Fawdon MRTPI or our team on info@hpduk.com 📸 : Waterman Group   #biodiversitynetgain #BNG #biodiversity #preplanning #planningadvice #CPD #insight #ecology #habitatland #redlineboundary #habitats #BNGcredits #planningapplications #greenspace #nature

🌿 New Environmental Account Registered!   We’re thrilled to announce the registration of the Poonunda Woodland Birds Environmental Account located on Poonunda Station - a 17,000 ha property that connects the foothills of the Flinders Lofty Block to the wide bluebush plains of the Murray-Darling Depression Bioregion, South Australia. The 2,347-hectare account focuses on preserving and enhancing the diversity of Woodland Birds that live in the remnant mallee woodland on the property, including threatened species like the Hooded Robin (Melanodryas cucullata) and Jacky Winter (Microeca fascinans). 🌳🦉   This is the second account to be registered in SA's mid-North using the Accredited Method, A Native Woodland Bird Assessment Methodology for Diverse Regenerating Farmlands (F-02), further demonstrating the local landholders' dedication to a holistic management approach. With this method, developed by Kilter Rural and applied to Poonunda through the professional services of RegenCo, the landholders are playing a crucial role in safeguarding the region's unique biodiversity.   📋 Account Name: Poonunda Woodland Birds 🔖 Account ID: AU00070 📍Location: Flinders Lofty Block, South Australia 🌏 Area: 2,347 ha 🌳 Assets: Fauna - Woodland Birds   The Oates family, who have been stewards of this land for over a century, is not only focused on high-quality sheep meat and wool production but has also embraced innovation through land regeneration and conservation efforts. Their work at Poonunda, which includes a significant 400-hectare private conservation area, is a testament to the potential of combining traditional farming with modern ecological practices. “With these baselines, we can guide the landholders on actions to enhance the condition of their woodland bird asset, boost farm productivity, and explore commercial pathways to capitalise on improving natural capital,” says Daniel Hanisch, Senior Project Manager at RegenCo.    Stay tuned for more updates on how this account progresses 🔗 https://bit.ly/47756BU   #EnvironmentalAccount #Biodiversity #NaturalCapital #Sustainability #WoodlandBirds #Conservation #CarbonFarming #LandRestoration #AccountingForNature #MakeNatureCount 📷Vecteezy.com

BNG Bureaucracy Gone Mad! I am quite sympathetic to the lack of resources local planning authorities have and the difficulty there is in implementing the requirements of The Environment Act 2021 for biodiversity net gain (BNG) in planning. However, what is being required for a current submission is boiling my 'blood' somewhat. We are submitting a statutory metric which calculates the BNG results. We are submitting a BNG report with the metric which presents and explains the results in readable (for a given value of readable) way. We are submitting the BNG plan (a form available from .GOV) which summarises the results in the calculation and report and confirms important details about irreplaceable habitats and habitat degradation. Then apparently we need to submit a 'biodiversity statement' which includes (in a slightly different format and order) all of the information that is is the BNG plan. Now I find out that the actual planning application form also includes some of the same questions that have already been addressed in the calculation, report, BNG plan and BNG statement. All for an LPA that has no in-house specialist (as far as I know) to assess BNG and will have to pay an external party to review it for them (quids in if they get paid per document!). (un)Said LPA will then be responsible for monitoring the implementation of that BNG over the next 30 years. How many docs will this generate. Proper, formal planning guidance on BNG should be issued which tells LPAs what they need for submissions and not to make things any more complicated than they need to be.