How to use the Biodiversity Values Map for your development or clearing application

The Biodiversity Values Map and Threshold Tool (BMAT) can be used to determine if a proposed development or clearing exceeds the thresholds that may require the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme to be applied.

The Biodiversity Values Map and Threshold Tool helps developers, landholders and consent authorities to:

• search for a specific location using an address or lot and deposited plan number
• identify the types of biodiversity values at a location
• calculate the proposed area clearing impact
• generate a report indicating whether the Biodiversity Offset Scheme threshold is exceeded because a proposal is on land mapped on the Biodiversity Values Map or because the area clearing threshold is exceeded.

For comprehensive guidance on using the Biodiversity Values Map and Threshold Tool, download the Biodiversity values threshold tool user guide (PDF)(3.86 MB)

Where the scheme applies, the Biodiversity Assessment Method must be applied, and a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report must be prepared for development (including complying development) to accompany your application for development or clearing.

Use the Biodiversity Values Map for:

• local developments
• clearing regulated by the Biodiversity and Conservation State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP).

If a relevant clearing or development proposal is on land mapped on the Biodiversity Values Map and includes any clearing native vegetation or any of the impacts described in clause 6.1 of the Biodiversity Conservation Regulation 2017 (NSW), the proposal must be assessed through the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme.

Using the Biodiversity Values Map and Threshold Tool to generate reports

You can view the Biodiversity Values Map through the Biodiversity Values Map and Threshold Tool. The tool will produce a report indicating whether the Biodiversity Values Map Threshold should be considered and a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report required. 

How Biodiversity Values Map updates affect a development application 

We occasionally update the Biodiversity Values Map to add or remove areas based on new information. The report generated by the Biodiversity Values Map and Threshold Tool gives an expiration date of the 90-day period for newly added areas.  

If you lodge a development or clearing application for land where biodiversity values have been added to the map within the last 90 days (shown on the map in dark purple), your application will not be considered to exceed this Biodiversity Offsets Scheme Threshold.  For this to apply you must lodge your application within the 90 day window. Development or clearing applications are officially lodged only after the fees are paid. Check with your local council to clarify the time required for fee determination and payment. 

If biodiversity values mapping is not present on your development footprint or proposed clearing area, a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report may not be required. 

The Biodiversity Offset Scheme thresholds may be exceeded for other reasons such as the extent of native vegetation being cleared or the development’s impact on threatened species. For more information on the thresholds, please see When the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme applies.

Requesting revisions to the Biodiversity Values Map

If you have information that shows your land's biodiversity values may be incorrectly mapped, you can apply for a map review. To learn about requesting a map review, see Biodiversity Values Map explanation reports and map review.

Removal of your site from the Biodiversity Values Map may reduce some costs.

The Biodiversity Values Map and biodiversity certification

The Biodiversity Offsets Scheme does not apply to land that is biodiversity certified. Only a small area of land in NSW is currently biodiversity certified. You can see these on the Biodiversity certification orders page, or  check the biodiversity certification status of your land by viewing the planning certificate.  

The department maintains a register of orders conferring biodiversity certification as required by section 9.7(f) of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW) and section 126ZU of the repealed Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (NSW). View Biodiversity certification orders.

Biodiversity Values Map threshold exemptions based on previously approved subdivisions

The Biodiversity Values Map threshold will not apply to the development of subdivisions approved before the commencement of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW) before 25 August 2017 within land zoned:

• R1 to R4
• RU5
• B1 to B8
• IN1 to IN3. 

The exemption only applies if the purpose of the approved subdivision has not yet been realised. For example, if the purpose of the subdivision is to build a dwelling and this is achieved, the exemption will not apply to further development such as a secondary dwelling.

The Biodiversity Offsets Scheme may still be activated on these subdivisions by:

• the area clearing threshold
• the test of significance in section 7.3 of the Biodiversity Conservation Act
• being in an Area of Outstanding Biodiversity Value

Assessing Biodiversity Values Map areas that do not involve native vegetation clearing or prescribed impact

If your proposal is on land included on the Biodiversity Values Map but doesn’t include clearing native vegetation or have prescribed impacts, the scheme will not apply based on the Biodiversity Values Map alone. 

You must also consider whether the proposal exceeds other entry thresholds, including:

• the area clearing threshold for all proposed clearing associated with the proposal, including areas not on the Biodiversity Values Map
• the test of significance in section 7.3 of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW).

For further information about the test of significance and other ways that a proposal can activate the scheme, see When the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme applies. 

Create a BMAT account for better project management

If you frequently use the Biodiversity Values Map and Threshold Tool to assess different development areas or clearing proposals, you can save time by getting a BMAT account. This will allow you to:

• save a project so you can edit over time, which can ensure time efficiencies when dealing with complex projects
• test multiple scenarios over the same site or share projects with colleagues or clients with accounts
• upload your own polygons (KML or shapefile) to the tool to check if a development's footprint enters the scheme.

To get an account, email [email protected] with the following information:

• your username
• your email address
• your contact number.