Queensland Environmental Offsets Policy

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Prepared by: Environment and Conservation Policy and Legislation, Department of Environment and Science

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professional or commercial advice. The Queensland Government accepts no liability for any external decisions or actions taken

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December 2023

 
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Contents 
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................... 5 
Chapter 1 ...................................................................................................................................................................... 6 
1.1  Purpose, application and scope ..................................................................................................................... 6 
1.1.1  Purpose ................................................................................................................................................... 6 
1.1.2  Application and scope ............................................................................................................................. 6 
1.1.3  Relationship between Commonwealth, state, and local government offsets ......................................... 6 
1.1.4  Self-administered offset code of compliance .......................................................................................... 7 
1.2  Prescribed environmental matters ................................................................................................................. 8 
1.2.1  Specific criteria for matters of state environmental significance ............................................................. 8 
1.3  Offset principles .............................................................................................................................................. 9 
1.4  Offset requirements ........................................................................................................................................ 9 
1.5  Supporting materials ...................................................................................................................................... 9 
Chapter 2: Prescribed environmental matters (other than protected areas) .............................................................. 10 
2.1  Application of this chapter ............................................................................................................................ 10 
2.2  Context ......................................................................................................................................................... 10 
2.2.1  What all offsets must achieve under Chapter 2 .................................................................................... 10 
2.2.2  Size and scale of the offset ................................................................................................................... 11 
2.3  Types of offsets ............................................................................................................................................ 11 
2.3.1  Proponent-driven offsets ....................................................................................................................... 11 
2.3.2  Financial settlement offsets .................................................................................................................. 15 
2.4  Delivery of offsets ......................................................................................................................................... 16 
2.4.1  Notification of offset delivery ................................................................................................................. 16 
2.4.2  Agreed delivery arrangement ................................................................................................................ 16 
2.4.3  Staged offset delivery............................................................................................................................ 17 
2.4.4  Strategic Offset Investment Corridors ................................................................................................... 18 
2.4.5  Advanced offsets ................................................................................................................................... 18 
Chapter 2A  Koala habitat in South East Queensland .......................................................................................... 19 
2A.1  Application of this chapter ........................................................................................................................ 19 
2A.2  Significant residual impact ........................................................................................................................ 19 
2A.3  Electing offset delivery .............................................................................................................................. 19 
2A.4  Specific requirements for koala habitat offsets in SEQ ............................................................................ 20 
2A.5  Financial settlement offsets ...................................................................................................................... 20 
2A.6  Offsets and habitat restoration for koala habitat in SEQ .......................................................................... 21 
Chapter 3  Protected areas ................................................................................................................................. 22 
3.1  Application of this chapter ............................................................................................................................ 22 
3.2  Impacts to be offset ...................................................................................................................................... 22 
3.3  Determining offset liability ............................................................................................................................ 23 
3.4  Offset delivery .............................................................................................................................................. 23 
Chapter 4  Review and amendment .................................................................................................................... 24 
4.1  Evaluation and review .................................................................................................................................. 24 
4.2  Policy amendment ........................................................................................................................................ 24 
Appendix 1  Self-administered code of compliance ........................................................................................... 25 
Appendix 2  Bioregions of Queensland ............................................................................................................. 26 

 
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Appendix 3  Defined distance ............................................................................................................................ 27 
Appendix 4  Financial Settlement Offset Calculation Methodology ................................................................... 30 
4.1  Purpose ........................................................................................................................................................ 30 
4.2  Terms specific to the Financial Settlement Offset Calculation Methodology ............................................... 30 
4.3  Calculation methodology .............................................................................................................................. 31 
4.3.1  Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 31 
4.3.2  Summary of calculation methodology ................................................................................................... 31 
4.3.3  Section .................................................................................................................................................. 32 
4.3.4  Distinct Matter Area............................................................................................................................... 32 
4.3.5  Distinct Matter Area guiding principles.................................................................................................. 33 
4.3.6  Multipliers .............................................................................................................................................. 34 
4.3.7  Calculate total offset area x on-ground cost per hectare ...................................................................... 34 
4.3.8  Calculate landholder incentive payment ............................................................................................... 35 
4.3.9  Calculate administrative cost ................................................................................................................ 36 
4.3.10  SEQ koala habitat matters variations.................................................................................................... 36 
4.3.11  Protected area matters variations ......................................................................................................... 36 
4.3.12  Marine and aquatic matters variations .................................................................................................. 37 
4.3.13  Sliding scale calculation ........................................................................................................................ 37 
4.4  Calculation data selection and entry process............................................................................................... 40 
4.5  Data tables ................................................................................................................................................... 41 
4.5.1  Threatened animals data table ............................................................................................................. 41 
4.5.2  Other matters data table ....................................................................................................................... 50 
4.5.3  Local Government Area data table ....................................................................................................... 52 
4.5.4  Bioregion and subregion data table: on ground cost per hectare and 20-year loss ............................. 55 
Appendix 5  Advanced offsets ........................................................................................................................... 61 
Requirements for identification and registration of an advanced offset .................................................................. 61 
Assessing an offset application using an advanced offset ..................................................................................... 61 
Appendix 6  Direct Benefit Management Plans ................................................................................................. 62 
Approval of DBMPs ................................................................................................................................................. 62 
Offset delivery plans and DBMPs ........................................................................................................................... 62 
Criteria for a DBMP ................................................................................................................................................. 63 
Examples of actions in a DBMP .............................................................................................................................. 63 
Direct actions ....................................................................................................................................................... 63 
Indirect actions - research and education ........................................................................................................... 63 
Appendix 7  Offset account and trust fund administration ................................................................................. 65 
Local government offsets ........................................................................................................................................ 65 
Glossary ...................................................................................................................................................................... 66 
Abbreviations .............................................................................................................................................................. 68 
   

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Definitions

Words in italics, other than titles of legislation and scientific names, are terms that are defined in the glossary.

Introduction

Areas of high environmental value (for example habitat for vulnerable species) sometimes coincide with sites of

particular value to industry, such as the presence of natural resources or proximity to infrastructure. Environmental

offsets (offsets) may be used to counterbalance significant residual impacts from particular activities on particular

matters of national, state or local environmental significance.

Under a number of existing Queensland laws, offsets may be required for certain activities where there is an

unavoidable impact on significant environmental values. To counterbalance this loss, offsets, which include

improvement and protection of alternative sites and/or actions that improve environmental viability, can provide a

conservation outcome that is equivalent to the environmental value being lost at the impact site.

The mitigation hierarchy ‘avoid - mitigate - offset’ applies to prescribed activities that impact prescribed

environmental matters. This means that in designing or planning the prescribed activity, impacts on prescribed

environmental matters should, in the first instance, be avoided wherever possible. For impacts that cannot be

avoided, the extent of those impacts should be carefully managed and mitigated to the greatest possible extent.

These measures can reduce and, in some cases, remove the need for offsets. However, if there is still a significant

impact to a prescribed environmental matter then an offset may be required. In cases where the impacted

prescribed environmental matter cannot be offset, the prescribed activity might not be approved.

If an administering agency decides to impose an offset condition on an authority, the offset must be delivered in

accordance with the Queensland environmental offsets framework established under the Environmental Offsets Act

2014, Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014 and this policy.

This policy clarifies how offsets across Queensland’s terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems should be delivered. The

policy does not limit the functions or powers under the State Development Public Works Organisation Act 1971

(State Development Act) of the Coordinator-General.

This policy provides a single, streamlined framework for environmental offsets in Queensland, and replaces the

following repealed offset policies:

• Queensland Government Environmental Offsets Policy (2008);

• Marine Fish Habitat Offsets Policy (version FHMOP005.2);

• Policy for Vegetation Management Offsets (2011);

• Queensland Biodiversity Offset Policy (2011); and

• Offsets for Net Gain in Koala Habitat in South East Queensland Policy (2010).

The policy also includes offset requirements for local government and for impacts to marine parks and protected

areas (other than coordinated conservation areas).

This policy is a statutory instrument, given effect through section 12 of the Environmental Offsets Act 2014 and

prescribed under the Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014. It is a tool to support the relevant administering

agency, including a local government, when it has identified that an offset is required for a prescribed activity that

has a significant residual impact on a prescribed environmental matter.

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Chapter 1

1.1 Purpose, application and scope

1.1.1 Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide a decision-support tool to enable administering agencies to assess offset

proposals to ensure they meet the requirements of the Environmental Offsets Act 2014.

1.1.2 Application and scope

Under section 12 of the Environmental Offsets Act 2014, this offsets policy is the only relevant policy unless an

alternative policy is listed in the Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014. The policy can be considered for all

offsets:

• where the offset proposal (notice of election) is submitted before an authority is granted; or

• following granting of an authority containing a condition for an offset under the Environmental Offsets Act 2014.

Significant residual impacts

Where an offset proposal is submitted before an authority is granted, an administering agency must be satisfied

that all reasonable on-site avoidance and mitigation measures for the prescribed activity have been or will be

undertaken to address impacts on prescribed environmental matters before approving an offset proposal. For an

offset proposal submitted after an authority is granted an administering agency may only impose an offset condition

if it is satisfied that all reasonable on-site mitigation measures for the prescribed activity have been or will be

undertaken.

In addition, an offset can only be required if residual impacts from a prescribed activity constitute a significant

residual impact. In identifying whether an activity will, or is likely to, have a significant residual impact, an

administering agency may refer to:

• the state guidelines that provide guidance on what constitutes a significant residual impact for matters of state

environmental significance (MSES);

• the Commonwealth Significant Impact Guidelines for what constitutes a significant residual impact on matters of

national environmental significance (MNES); and

• any relevant local government significant impact guideline for matters of local environmental significance

(MLES).

For staged offsets, the full extent of potential impacts on prescribed environmental matters from the entire proposal

needs to be taken into account as part of the significant residual impact assessment. For offsets to be provided in

stages, the authority needs to include a condition that enables the project and offsets to be staged.

When an amendment to an existing authority is proposed (for example an amendment application for an existing

environmental authority or development approval), the significant residual impact assessment relates to the

cumulative impacts of the entire project - i.e. impacts proposed in both the existing authority and any additional

impacts proposed in the amendment.

Further detail on the requirements for staged offsets is provided in section 2.4.3 of this policy.

1.1.3 Relationship between Commonwealth, state, and local government offsets

State agency offsets

To avoid duplication of offset conditions between state agencies, the Act requires that the administering agency, in

deciding whether to apply an offset condition, must consider any relevant offset condition that has already been

imposed on an authority issued under another Act for the same or substantially the same impact and the same or

substantially the same prescribed environmental matter. Where an applicant already has a relevant offset condition

on another authority, this information should be provided to the administering agency with the application.

In the event that duplicate offset conditions are imposed by different state agencies, a proponent can apply to the

relevant administering agency to remove one of the conditions in accordance with the following criteria - for an

offset condition:

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• in relation to a critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or near threatened plant, the application may be

made to any agency other than the agency that imposed the offset condition for that species on a clearing

permit issued under the Nature Conservation Act 1992;

• for a protected area, the application may be made to any agency other than the agency that imposed the offset

condition for the protected area under the Nature Conservation Act 1992;

• for a marine park, the application may be made to any agency other than the agency that imposed the offset for

the marine park under the Marine Parks Act 2004;

• for koala habitat in South East Queensland, the application may be made to any agency other than the agency

that imposed the offset condition for koala habitat under State Code 25 (Development in South East

Queensland koala habitat areas) of the State development assessment provisions; and

• for any other matter, the application may be made to either administering agency that imposed the offset

condition.

Commonwealth offsets

To avoid duplication of offset conditions between jurisdictions, state and local governments can only impose an

offset condition in relation to a prescribed activity if the same or substantially the same impact and the same or

substantially the same matter has not been subject to assessment under one of the following Commonwealth Acts:

• the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, to the extent the assessment relates to an

activity that has been declared a ‘controlled action’ by the Commonwealth Minister;

• the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park 1975; or

• another Commonwealth Act prescribed by regulation – there are currently no listings.

This includes if the Commonwealth could have imposed an offset condition but did not do so. However, it does not

apply if:

• the condition relates to a protected area; or

• the Commonwealth has decided that the activity itself is not a ‘controlled action’. For example, an activity

referred to the commonwealth that could impact on koalas (or another MNES) that receives a ‘not a controlled

action’ or a 'not controlled action - particular manner' notice, could still be subject to an offset condition imposed

by state or local government.

If the Commonwealth imposes an offset condition for a prescribed environmental matter after the state or local

government has already imposed an offset condition, a proponent can apply to the lower level of government to

have the duplicate offset requirement removed provided the condition is for the same or substantially the same

impact and prescribed environmental matter.

Local government offsets

Local government may only impose an offset condition where there will be a significant residual impact on a matter

of local environmental significance (MLES).

A MLES for which an offset is required must be specified in a local government planning scheme and be approved

by the state in accordance with the Minister’s Guidelines and Rules under the Planning Act 2016.

1.1.4 Self-administered offset code of compliance

A self-administered offset code of compliance, applying to certain prescribed activities, may be established under

this policy with the approval of the Chief Executive administering the Environmental Offsets Act 2014. In this

circumstance, the policy only applies to the extent identified in the relevant code of compliance. Further detail on

self-administered offset codes of compliance is provided in Appendix 1.

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1.2 Prescribed environmental matters

An offset condition may only be imposed on an authority for a significant residual impact to a prescribed

environmental matter, which includes:

o a MSES listed in schedule 2 of the Environmental Offset Regulation 2014;

o an accredited MNES, should Queensland receive accreditation in relation to offsets for the purpose of the

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBCA); and

o a MLES, as described in section 10(1)(c) of the Environmental Offsets Act 2014.

Note: A prescribed environmental matter that is essential habitat for near threatened wildlife is only MSES when it

is subject to assessment under State Code 16 (Native vegetation clearing) of the State Development Assessment

Provisions (SDAPs) of the Planning Act 2016.

1.2.1 Specific criteria for matters of state environmental significance

In relation to MSES the Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014 refers to the policy to provide specific criteria for

defining some matters, as follows:

• Schedule 2 item 1: A bioregion is a bioregion shown in a map called Bioregions of Queensland (Appendix 2).

• Schedule 2, items 2(5) and (6): the defined distance, for a regional ecosystem, means the distance identified as

the relevant distance from the defining banks of a relevant watercourse in the table included in Appendix 3.

• Schedule 2, item 3(2) in considering whether a regional ecosystem:

o contains an area of land that is required for ecosystem functioning (a connectivity area); and

o is of sufficient size or configured in a way that maintains ecosystem functioning; and

o will remain despite a threatening process,

the local and regional landscape fragmentation needs to be quantified. The Landscape Fragmentation and

Connectivity Tool is available as a decision support tool to quantify any significant impact on connectivity areas.

This tool is available through the Queensland Government Information Service at:

http://dds.information.qld.gov.au/DDS/Search.aspx

To remove any doubt, a protected area is a separate prescribed environmental matter to other prescribed

environmental matters that may be located within the protected area. For example, wallum froglet is a prescribed

environmental matter (as a vulnerable species), and may be located within a national park, where the national park

is a distinct prescribed environmental matter from the vulnerable species.

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1.3 Offset principles

All offsets must meet the following seven offset principles.

1. Offsets will not replace or undermine existing environmental standards or regulatory requirements, or be used to

allow development in areas otherwise prohibited through legislation or policy.

2. Impacts must first be avoided, then mitigated, before considering the use of offsets for any remaining impact.

3. Offsets must achieve a conservation outcome that counterbalances the significant residual impact for which the

offset was required.

4. Offsets must provide environmental values as similar as possible to those being lost.

5. Offset provision must minimise the time-lag between the impact and delivery of the offset.

6. Offsets must provide additional protection to environmental values at risk, or additional management actions to

improve environmental values.

7. Where legal security is required, offsets must be legally secured for the duration of the impact on the prescribed

environmental matter.

1.4 Offset requirements

The offset requirements under this policy are divided into three chapters. Each chapter provides guidance on offset

requirements for impacts on different prescribed environmental matters, as follows:

• Chapter 2: Offsets for impacts on prescribed environmental matters, other than protected areas;

• Chapter 2A: Additional requirements for offsets for impacts on koala habitat in South East Queensland (SEQ);

and

• Chapter 3: Offsets for impacts on protected areas.

Chapter 2 of this policy applies to all prescribed environmental matters, other than protected areas, including koala

habitat in SEQ. However, where no characteristics of an offset site are specified in Chapter 2 for a particular

prescribed environmental matter (for example marine plants), a case-by-case determination is required in

consultation with the administering agency. Where there will be an impact on a prescribed environmental matter

within a protected area (for example, an endangered species that is in a national park), the requirements of both

chapters are relevant. Chapter 2 will be applicable for the impact on the matter that is not a protected area, and

Chapter 3 is applicable for the impact on the protected area.

1.5 Supporting materials

Supporting materials such as guidelines and tools that provide advice on how to meet requirements of this policy

are available on the Queensland Government website at

https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/management/environmental/offsets

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Chapter 2: Prescribed environmental matters (other than protected

areas)

2.1 Application of this chapter

This chapter prescribes the approach for offsetting a significant residual impact on a prescribed environmental

matter, other than a matter that is a protected area. Chapter 2, and in particular section 2.2.1, applies to offsetting a

significant residual impact on koala habitat in South East Queensland. Chapter 2A provides additional

requirements for offsetting koala habitat in South East Queensland.

An offset may be provided as a:

• proponent-driven offset, comprising:

o a land-based offset;

o actions in a Direct Benefit Management Plan (DBMP); or

o both of the above; or

• financial settlement offset; or

• combination of a proponent-driven offset and a financial settlement offset.

Where there is also an impact on a protected area, the provisions in Chapter 3 are also relevant.

2.2 Context

2.2.1 What all offsets must achieve under Chapter 2

Offsets delivered under this framework are to achieve a conservation outcome for the impacted prescribed

environmental matter(s). This will require the offset to maintain the viability of the prescribed environmental matter,

relative to the status quo (i.e. what would have happened had the impact and the offset not occurred). This can be

achieved by:

• providing tangible benefits for the impacted prescribed environmental matter, by providing an offset in the most

strategic location to achieve a conservation outcome as follows:

o wherever possible offsets should be delivered within a Strategic Offset Investment Corridor closest to the

impacted site;

o in the case of a land-based offset, the most strategic location to achieve a conservation outcome is generally

located in the following order of preference (in relation to the impact):

▪ the same local government area (LGA); or

▪ the same sub-region; or

▪ the same bioregion; or

▪ adjacent bioregion;

• effectively accounting for and managing the risks of the offset failing to achieve a conservation outcome,

including risks from competing land uses such as timber, quarry material or mineral extraction which may be

able to occur without the landholder’s consent on state land. Information on existing timber, quarry material or

mineral extraction which may be able to occur without the landholder’s consent on state land and mineral

interests can be found on the Queensland Government Open Data Website (www.data.qld.gov.au) . For

proponent-driven offsets, the risk should be managed as part of the offset delivery plan. This risk has been

factored into the financial settlement calculation;

• achieve the offset principles in section 1.3 of this policy;

• being efficient, effective, timely, transparent, and scientifically robust;

• having transparent governance arrangements—including being able to be readily measured, monitored,

audited, and enforced; and

• including no more than 10% of an offset as research or education programs (unless a greater benefit to the

impacted matter can be demonstrated).

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2.2.2 Size and scale of the offset

For all prescribed environmental matters, the size and scale of an offset is that which is necessary to achieve a

conservation outcome.

The offset must be of a size and scale proportionate to the significant residual impact on a prescribed

environmental matter. However, the offset requirement for a significant residual impact on a prescribed

environmental matter will be set at a maximum multiplier of 4 (i.e. a maximum of four times the area of the residual

impact), with the exception of impacts to connectivity and waterways providing for fish passage, for which the offset

requirement is set at a multiplier of 1.

For financial settlement offsets, the size and scale of the offset is determined by the financial settlement calculation

methodology in Appendix 4 of the policy.

For land-based offsets, the size and scale of the offset is determined by conducting a habitat quality assessment at

both the impact and the offset site. For land-based koala habitat offsets outside of South East Queensland, the size

and scale of the offset may be determined by conducting a habitat quality assessment at both the impact and offset

site, or by calculating the size of an offset site on which three new koala habitat trees can be established for every

one non-juvenile koala habitat tree removed, at densities that will produce a mature density reflective of the

regional ecosystems present on the site.

The size and scale of an offset delivered through actions under a DBMP will be determined on a case-by-case

basis with regard to the following:

• that the benefits provided by the management actions are sufficient to counterbalance the impacts of the

prescribed activity; and

• that benefits provided by the management actions are best achieved through actions in a DBMP, in particular

that benefits achieve landscape-scale conservation outcomes for those matters or, if the matter is localised,

improved outcomes compared to a traditional land-based offset.

Where a prescribed activity impacts on multiple prescribed environmental matters, the impact for each prescribed

environmental matter will be identified and assessed. However, this does not prevent delivery of an integrated

offset package that meets offset requirements for multiple prescribed environmental matters.

2.3 Types of offsets

2.3.1 Proponent-driven offsets

A proponent-driven offset may take the form of a traditional land-based offset, be undertaken through actions under

a DBMP, or a combination of both. For a proponent-driven offset, the offset delivery liability remains with the

proponent and the offset must be delivered in accordance with an offset delivery plan approved by the

administering agency.

The offset is to result in a conservation outcome for the impacted prescribed environmental matters and is to be

delivered on land:

• owned by the proponent; or

• subject to contractual arrangement between the proponent and offset provider(s), and any other relevant third

party for delivery of the offset.

The land on which a proponent-driven offset is being delivered may contain remnant regional ecosystems.

Where possible the proponent may choose to deliver an offset package that addresses multiple jurisdictional offset

requirements. For example, if a state-listed species and a commonwealth-listed ecological community are impacted

by the same prescribed activity, a single offset that meets offset requirements for both matters may be provided.

This can also apply to offsets for local matters where agreed to by the local government.

A proponent delivering an offset is responsible for any costs associated with meeting the offset requirement and

retains ongoing responsibility for ensuring the offset is delivered in accordance with the relevant offset delivery

plan. The proponent can enter into contractual arrangements with an offset provider, who would then be

responsible for delivering the offset under the terms of the contract.

In delivering an offset obligation, the proponent may use an advanced offset where it meets the requirements of

this policy (Appendix 5) for the impacted prescribed environmental matter and where it is legally secured by the

proponent or a third party for the life of the impact.

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2.3.1.1 Land-based offsets

For land-based offsets, the suitability of the offset site relative to the impact site and the prescribed environmental

matters is measured by undertaking a habitat quality assessment. This assessment can be undertaken using the

Guide to Determining Terrestrial Habitat Quality or an alternative approach approved by DES as being able to

measure a conservation outcome.

Specific requirements for local governments where the offset delivery is a land-based offset

For land-based offsets being delivered for MLES, a local government may use their own habitat quality assessment

methodology to determine the offset obligation to be delivered for that matter, provided any area of land for the

offset does not exceed the impact site area by more than a factor of 4.

2.3.1.2 Direct Benefit Management Plan offsets

Proponent-driven offsets can also be delivered through priority actions identified in a DBMP undertaken on land.

DBMP priority actions are implemented through the management intent and offset actions in an offset delivery plan.

A DBMP is a pre-approved plan that outlines priority actions for addressing threats to, and providing substantial

benefits for, a particular prescribed environmental matter. A DBMP may include direct actions as well as indirect

actions such as research and education programs. A DBMP endorses actions and an approved methodology for

achieving a conservation outcome.

Where research and/or education programs are proposed to be delivered as part of a DBMP offset, they will only

be accepted as no greater than 10% of the offset, unless otherwise agreed; for example, in circumstances where it

can be demonstrated that the level of investment in research and education will deliver a greater overall

conservation outcome for the prescribed environmental matter than investment in other actions that could benefit

that matter.

Actions identified in DBMPs must be pre-approved as priority actions-:

• where the matter is an accredited MNES or MSES - by DES; or

• where the matter is a MLES - by the relevant local government.

Refer to Appendix 6 for more information about delivering a DBMP offset.

2.3.1.3 Offset delivery plan

When choosing to deliver a proponent-driven offset, a notice of election must include a proposed offset delivery

plan. The offset delivery plan must:

• describe how an offset will be undertaken and how the conservation outcome will be achieved, including how

the plan will:

o effectively account for and manage the risks of the offset failing to achieve the conservation outcome;

o ensure the offset provides benefits in relation to the prescribed environmental matter in addition to any other

benefit provided under a requirement of, or an authority under an Act;

o have transparent governance arrangements, including being able to be readily measured, monitored,

audited, and enforced; and

o ensure the offset is of a size and scale proportionate to the significant residual impacts on the prescribed

environmental matter;

• state that the proponent, and any other entity that owns land on which the offset will be undertaken, agrees to

the offset being undertaken;

• be signed by the proponent, and any other entity that owns land on which the offset will be undertaken;

• describe the prescribed environmental matter to which the offset condition relates;

• state whether the offset condition will be delivered wholly or partly on the land on which the offset will be

undertaken;

• include particulars of, or a description sufficient to identify, the land on which the offset will be undertaken;

• identify and contain details of any person with an interest in the land on which the offset will be undertaken;

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• describe the existing land use of the land on which the offset will be undertaken and any impact that land use

may have on the delivery of the offset;

• state:

o the measures the proponent will take to secure the land on which the offset will be undertaken as a legally

secured offset area;

o why the proponent considers the stated measures are reasonable and practicable;

o the period during which the measures will occur; and

o why the stated period is reasonable for the purpose of securing the offset.

2.3.1.4 Legally secured offset areas

Generally, the land on which an offset will be delivered is required to be a legally secured offset area. The

exception to this approach may be where a DBMP is implemented across a number of tenures and parcels of land

where legal security of all or part of the area is not required to achieve the conservation outcome.

An area of land will be a legally secured offset area if the area is:

• an environmental offset protection area under section 30 of the Environmental Offsets Act 2014; or

• an area declared as an area of high nature conservation value under section 19F of the Vegetation

Management Act 1999, where it is secured for the purposes of an offset; or

• declared as a nature refuge under section 46 of the Nature Conservation Act 1992, where it is secured for the

purposes of an offset; or

• declared as a protected area under section 29(1) of the Nature Conservation Act 1992, where it is secured for

the purposes of an offset; or

• declared as a special wildlife reserve under section 43D of the Nature Conservation Act 1992, where it is

secured for the purposes of an offset; or

• secured as a statutory covenant for environmental purposes under the Land Act 1994 or Land Title Act 1994; or

• declared as a fish habitat area under the Fisheries Act 1994; or

• declared as a highly protected area of a Marine Park under the Marine Parks Act 2004.

2.3.1.5 When an offset obligation ceases

The requirement for a legally secured offset will cease to have effect once the:

• administering agency is satisfied the actions and obligations of the offset delivery plan have been completed in

full; and

• the offset has been secured for at least the same duration as the impact on the prescribed environmental

matters arising from the prescribed activity.

2.3.1.6 Characteristics of an offset site

For a land-based offset, an offset site must be capable of delivering a conservation outcome for the impacted

prescribed environmental matter. This means that:

• in relation to endangered and of concern regional ecosystems—the offset site must be:

o of the same broad vegetation group as the impacted regional ecosystem;

o of the same regional ecosystem status; and

o within the same bioregion;

• in relation to a plant or animal that is critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, near threatened and special

least concern wildlife under the Nature Conservation Act 1992—the offset site must contain, or be capable of

containing, a self-sustaining population of that same impacted species;

• in relation to koala habitat outside of South East Queensland, a land-based offset:

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o must contain or be capable of containing a self-sustaining population of koalas; and

o can be delivered as either:

▪ a land-based offset that results in the establishment of three new koala habitat trees for every one non-

juvenile koala habitat tree removed. Koala habitat trees can be established by either planting new koala

habitat trees that are managed until they become non-juvenile koala habitat trees, or managing existing

juvenile koala habitat trees (i.e. regrowth) until they become non-juvenile koala habitat trees. Koala

habitat trees must be reflective of the species endemic to the site and be planted at densities that will

produce a mature density reflective of the regional ecosystems present on the site; or

▪ a land-based offset for which the suitability of the offset site is determined, and conservation outcome

assessed, using the methodology prescribed for terrestrial fauna habitat in the Guide to Determining

Terrestrial Habitat Quality;

• for koala habitat in SEQ, the offset must meet the requirements of Chapter 2 and the additional requirements

of Chapter 2A;

• for vegetation intersecting a watercourse or drainage feature the offset site must be:

o of the same broad vegetation group as the impacted regional ecosystem;

o within the same bioregion; and

o associated with a watercourse or drainage feature;

• for vegetation intersecting a wetland the offset site must be:

o of the same broad vegetation group as the impacted regional ecosystem;

o within the same bioregion; and

o associated with a wetland;

• for wetlands the offset site must be:

o within the same wetland habitat type as the impacted wetland; and

o within the same bioregion;

• for connectivity the offset site must be:

o a non-remnant ecosystem; and

o in the same subregion; however, if the subregion is intact, the offset should be in the nearest fragmented

subregion;

• with some exceptions, multiple prescribed environmental matters may be co-located on the offset site, provided

the site meets the offset requirements for each matter. Exceptions include:

o protected areas may not be co-located with other prescribed environmental matters; and

o species in different species functional groups may not be co-located;

• for protected areas, the offset must meet the requirements of Chapter 3;

• in relation to an offset site that is part of a DBMP offset, the site and the offset delivery plan must meet the

requirements specified in Appendix 6 and section 2.3.1.2 of this policy; and

• where there are no characteristics or requirements specified in Chapter 2, 2A or 3 to offset a prescribed

environmental matter (for example marine plants), these are to be determined on a case-by-case basis in

consultation with the administering agency.

Requirements for legally secured offset areas

Where a prescribed activity will have a significant residual impact on a legally secured offset area, the offset is

required for both the impact on:

• the matters requiring offsetting as identified by the original authority requirements; and

• any other prescribed environmental matter that will be impacted as a result of the activity.

If a site that is currently a legally secured offset area is to be affected in whole or part by a prescribed activity, that

prescribed activity cannot commence until the mechanism for legal security has been removed from the area that

will be impacted by the activity.

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In addition, if the legally secured offset area is an environmental offset protection area declared under section 30 of

the Environmental Offsets Act 2014 or an area of high nature conservation value under section 19F of the

Vegetation Management Act 1999, the mechanism cannot be removed until the proponent has entered into an

agreed delivery arrangement for providing an offset for significant residual impacts to the area.

2.3.2 Financial settlement offsets

A proponent can meet an offset requirement for impacts on terrestrial or marine and aquatic prescribed

environmental matters, including koala related offsets, by providing a payment in accordance with this policy.

All financial settlement offsets delivered by the State or local government must adhere to the offset principles and,

to the greatest extent possible, achieve what all offsets must achieve in section 2.2.1 and the characteristics of an

offset site as described in section 2.3.1.6 and Chapter 2A.

For financial settlement offsets required by the State, the financial settlement payment amount must be calculated

in accordance with the Financial Settlement Offset Calculation Methodology in Appendix 4. The web-based

Financial Settlement Offset Calculator on the Queensland Government website

(https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/offsets-calculator/) may be used to support this calculation. The state is responsible for

delivering a conservation outcome from a financial settlement offset payment.

For financial settlement offsets required by a local government, an alternative financial settlement payment amount

may be determined provided that the:

• payment amount is no greater than what would have been required if calculated in accordance with the

Financial Settlement Offset Calculation Methodology in Appendix 4; and

• the local government is able to achieve a conservation outcome for the nature, size and scale of the impact on

the prescribed environmental matter(s) the subject of the offset payment.

In this regard, local government may use their own land or use money derived from sources other than financial

settlement offset payments to ensure a conservation outcome is achieved.

Section 19B of the Environmental Offsets Act 2014 requires that the authority holder must have entered into an

agreed delivery arrangement before starting impacts on the prescribed environmental matters to which the

condition relates; or any works for the stage that impacts on the prescribed environmental matter.

For financial settlement offsets (see section 24 of the Environmental Offsets Act 2014), unless agreement has been

reached that the impact and offset will be staged (refer section 2.4.3), the full amount of the financial settlement

offset must be paid prior to commencing the prescribed activity to which the offset condition relates. Once this

amount has been paid the authority holder's offset obligation has been met and a conservation outcome for the

impacted matter will be delivered by DES or the relevant local government.

Payments must be made:

• to the local government’s trust fund in relation to offset requirements for which the local government was the

administering agency. The trust fund is to be administered by the local government for the delivery of

environmental offsets to achieve a conservation outcome, and the requirements for the use of the trust fund are

outlined in section 89 of the Environmental Offsets Act 2014; or

• to the offset account administered by DES for all other financial settlement offsets. Further information on the

offset account and trust fund administration is provided in Appendix 7.

Specific requirements for local governments where the offset delivery is a financial settlement offset

When using the Financial Settlement Offset Calculation Methodology or web-based Financial Settlement Offset

Calculator for financial settlement offsets for MLES, the local government may attribute a rating and associated

multiplier to each local environmental matter that does not exceed a multiplier of 4. The following ratings and

associated multipliers can be used:

• MLES 1 which relates to a multiplier of 1;

• MLES 2 which relates to a multiplier of 2;

• MLES 3 which relates to a multiplier of 3; or

• MLES 4 which relates to a multiplier of 4.

These ratings and associated multipliers can be attributed, for example, through the local government planning

instrument or via the offset condition. For example, a locally significant riparian corridor may be attributed an offset

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multiplier of MLES 3. In this instance the web-based Financial Settlement Offset Calculator will calculate a financial

offset based on a multiplier of 3 for that matter.

Local government has discretion to seek a financial settlement offset that is less than what is determined by the

Financial Settlement Offset Calculation Methodology or web-based Financial Settlement Offset Calculator.

2.4 Delivery of offsets

2.4.1 Notification of offset delivery

The administering agency must agree to the proposed offset delivery approach. There are two options for seeking

the administering agency’s agreement:

• the proponent provides a notice of election to the administering agency prior to the issuing of the authority (i.e.

before or during the assessment process for the authority); or

• the proponent provides a notice of election to the administering agency after the authority has been issued.

The notification must be made on the approved form, and is to identify that the offset will be delivered as a:

• proponent-driven offset;

• financial settlement offset; or

• combination of proponent-driven offset and financial settlement offset.

To the extent that the notification identifies the offset will be delivered as a proponent-driven offset, an offset

delivery plan that identifies how the offset will be undertaken must accompany the notice. Section 2.3.1.3 provides

further detail in relation to the requirements for an offset delivery plan.

The requirement to notify does not limit the potential to provide a staged offset delivery approach, provided that the

condition of approval allows both the prescribed activity and offset to be staged. Where staging the offset delivery

is reflected in the condition, the proponent will be required to notify the administering agency of:

• details about the entire proposal and its stages; and

• the intended offset delivery approach for each stage, before the activity for that stage commences.

Further detail about staging offset delivery is provided in section 2.4.3.

After receipt of the notice of election on the approved form, the administering agency has 40 business days to

consider the notice of election.

2.4.2 Agreed delivery arrangement

Where agreement on offset delivery is reached, the administering agency and proponent must enter into an agreed

delivery arrangement and, if a proponent-driven offset is elected, it must include the offset delivery plan. This

agreement forms a contract about how the offset will be delivered and can be amended by agreement between the

two parties.

For financial settlement offsets the agreed delivery arrangement must specify the agreed financial settlement

amount to be paid in full and an agreed timeframe in which the payment will be made. Where there is a lengthy lag

time of 18 months or more between agreement of the financial settlement amount and payment, the agreed

amount will need to be recalculated using the Financial Settlement Offset Calculator to account for any changes,

such as fluctuations in CPI.

Where the notice of election is provided prior to the issuing of the authority, and an agreed delivery arrangement is

entered into prior to the issuing of the authority:

• the proponent:

o may start to deliver a proponent-driven offset, that is the subject of the agreed delivery arrangement, prior to

the issuing of the authority;

o must not pay any amount under a financial settlement offset, that is the subject of the agreed delivery

arrangement, until after the authority is granted; and

o must not commence any works that impact on the prescribed environmental matter until after the authority is

granted.

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• the administering agency, within 10 business days of issuing the relevant authority, may give the proponent a

notice that states the offset may be required to be delivered in a different manner to that previously agreed

upon, if:

o there is a change in the way the prescribed activity is proposed to be carried out that will result in a change

to the impact on the prescribed environmental matter; and

o the administering agency decides that the impact that is counterbalanced under the early arrangement

differs from the impact likely to arise from the prescribed activity.

2.4.3 Staged offset delivery

Where an applicant seeks to stage offset delivery in line with stages of a prescribed activity, this needs to be

identified before the relevant authority is issued so that the conditions of the authority can reflect this.

Assessment of the application for the relevant prescribed activity will need to consider, for the whole project:

• avoidance and mitigation of impacts on prescribed environmental matters; and

• the maximum likely extent and duration of the significant residual impact on prescribed environmental matters.

As a condition of the authority, detailed assessment of the impact of each stage of the activity—and the offset

requirement for each stage—will need to be conducted prior to providing the notice of election for that stage. A

notice of election will not be considered until the quantum of impact on prescribed environmental matters to be

offset has been determined and approved for each stage. In addition, the administering agency will seek

information in relation to any completed stages with the notice of election so that any offset credit or debits can be

assessed for subsequent stages. Offset staging will provide proponents with flexibility to adapt offset provision to

operational and development changes over time that were not evident at the time of application for the relevant

activity.

This approach enables offset credits from one stage to be used in subsequent stages where the credit relates to

the same prescribed environmental matter; for example, if an offset was provided for a matter but actual on-ground

operations did not impact on that matter.

In unavoidable circumstances this approach can also be used for unforeseen impacts on matters where an offset

debit is created. Notice of election for any debits should be provided at least three months before the proposed

commencement of the subsequent stage, and within six months from the end of the final stage. However, where

there is a significant offset debit, the administering agency may direct the proponent to undertake an additional or

alternative approach to on-ground analysis prior to impacts occurring for future stages, and may consider any

relevant compliance and enforcement action if the extent of impacts significantly exceeds that which was agreed to

through the agreed delivery arrangement.

Where a staged land-based offset results in a credit at the end of the entire project, the proponent may choose to

use this credit as an advanced offset (see Appendix 5). However, where a financial settlement has occurred, there

can be no refund on payments made because the offset funds will have been committed to delivery of the offset

obligation. Similarly, credits will not be considered for a DBMP offset as they are based on outcomes of

management actions.

Where staging has not been identified in the conditions of the authority, and an amendment application has been

made that proposes additional impacts to prescribed environmental matters, the administering agency is to have

regard to the cumulative impacts. In this case, the significant residual impact assessment would consider the

cumulative impacts of the entire project on each matter, i.e. impacts proposed in the existing authority and any

additional impacts proposed in the amendment.

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Figure one: illustration of the staged offset delivery approach

2.4.4 Strategic Offset Investment Corridors

Strategic Offset Investment Corridors identify areas where land may be suitable for land management activities that

provide a benefit to matters likely to be impacted by development, whilst also providing landscape-scale benefits.

These pre-identified areas can benefit proponents by making offsets more cost-effective and easier to find.

Landholder involvement in offsets within a Strategic Offset Investment Corridor is voluntary; however, proponents

are expected to seek offset opportunities in these corridors wherever possible because they provide strategic

landscape outcomes for prescribed environmental matters. These corridors connect conservation hubs (e.g.

national parks) in corridor areas that are under low development pressure, and not zoned for activities such as

urban development.

For further detail on Strategic Offset Investment Corridors refer to the Queensland Government website

(https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/management/environmental/offsets/tools/tools-corridors).

2.4.5 Advanced offsets

An advanced offset is an area of land that has been identified and registered under section 14 of the Environmental

Offsets Regulation 2014 as an advanced offset. Advanced offsets may be used as an offset to compensate for a

future significant residual impact on one or more prescribed environmental matters.

Advanced offsets are encouraged, as they provide a means to manage the risks associated with the time delay in

finding a suitable offset site and realising the conservation outcome for the prescribed environmental matters on

that site. Advanced offsets within a Strategic Offset Investment Corridor are also encouraged because they will

provide a landscape outcome for the prescribed environmental matter.

Appendix 5 outlines how to register an advanced offset, and the considerations for DES in approving and

registering the advanced offset.

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Chapter 2A Koala habitat in South East Queensland

2A.1 Application of this chapter

Chapter 2 applies to offsetting a significant residual impact on koala habitat in SEQ (the area identified as the

South East Queensland region in Schedule 1 of the Planning Regulation 2017). Chapter 2A provides further

specific requirements for offsetting koala habitat in SEQ.

An offset can be required where a significant residual impact on a prescribed environmental matter that is koala

habitat in SEQ occurs as a result of an approved prescribed activity. Prescribed activities (listed under Schedule 1

of the Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014) include:

• Development for which an environmental offset may be required under any of the following State codes of the

State development assessment provisions:

o State code 8 (Coastal development and tidal works);

o State code 16 (Native vegetation clearing);

o State code 22 (Environmental relevant activities); or

o State code 25 (Development in South East Queensland koala habitat areas);

• A resource activity carried out under an environmental authority under the Environmental Protection Act 1994

for which an amendment application, a site-specific application or a variation application was made under that

Act;

• A prescribed ERA under the Environmental Protection Act 1994; or

• An activity conducted under an authority granted, made, issued or given under the Nature Conservation Act

1992, section 34, 35, 38, 42AD or 42AE in a protected area.

The prescribed environmental matters that are relevant to koala habitat within SEQ are:

• Koala habitat areas identified in the Koala Conservation Plan Map under the Nature Conservation (Koala)

Conservation Plan 2017 (see Schedule 2, section 6(3) of the Environment Offsets Regulation 2014);

• Essential habitat that is koala habitat (see Schedule 2, section 2(3)(b) of the Environment Offsets Regulation

2014); and

• An area that is not mapped as habitat, but which contains or is likely to contain koalas (see Schedule 2, section

6(4) of the Environment Offsets Regulation 2014).

2A.2 Significant residual impact

An offset condition for koala habitat in SEQ may be imposed on an authority for a prescribed activity where it is

likely the prescribed activity will have a significant residual impact on koala habitat in SEQ.

Section 1.1.2 of this policy refers administering agencies to the State guidelines to assist in deciding whether a

significant residual impact is likely to occur. A significant residual impact on koala habitat in SEQ is described in the

State guidelines to be the removal of one non-juvenile koala habitat tree.

The relevant guidelines are the non-statutory Queensland Environmental Offsets Policy Significant Residual Impact

Guideline, Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, December 2014; and the Department of State

Development, Infrastructure and Planning Significant Residual Impact Guideline which refers to the State Planning

Regulatory Provisions 2010 which requires an offset for the loss of mature koala habitat trees. Mature koala habitat

trees have the same definition as non-juvenile koala habitat trees.

2A.3 Electing offset delivery

Where an offset condition for koala habitat in SEQ has been imposed on an authority for a prescribed activity, a

proponent may choose to deliver the offset as a:

• financial settlement offset;

• land-based proponent-driven offset; or

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• combination of financial settlement offset and land-based proponent-driven offset.

A DBMP cannot be used; however, threat management must be undertaken for all koala habitat offsets.

2A.4 Specific requirements for koala habitat offsets in SEQ

An offset site must be capable of delivering a conservation outcome for the impacted prescribed environmental

matter. For koala habitat in SEQ, the only appropriate action to offset koala habitat within SEQ is the rehabilitation,

establishment and protection of koala habitat and where the following requirements can be met:

• The offset site must contain, or be capable of containing, a self-sustaining population of koalas; and

• The offset must result in the establishment of three new non-juvenile koala habitat trees for every one non-

juvenile koala habitat tree removed. Non-juvenile koala habitat trees can be established by either planting new

koala habitat trees that are managed until they become non-juvenile koala habitat trees, or managing existing

juvenile koala habitat trees (i.e. regrowth) until they become non-juvenile koala habitat trees; and

• The non-juvenile koala habitat trees established as part of the offset must be reflective of the species that are

endemic to the offset site and be planted at densities that will produce a mature density reflective of the regional

ecosystems relevant to the offset site; and

• The offset site can be legally secured for the duration of the impact (including in perpetuity) using one of the

mechanisms outlined in section 2.3.1.4 of this policy; and

• The offset site is located in the following order of preference:

o A restoration area identified on the Koala Habitat Restoration Areas Map

in the Koala Priority Area that is

closest to the impact site; or where this is not possible

o A restoration area identified on the Koala Habitat Restoration Areas Map in the next closest Koala Priority

Area to the impact site; or where this is not possible

o A restoration area identified on the Koala Habitat Restoration Areas Map that is as close as possible to a

Koala Priority Area and the impact site; or where this is not possible

o As close as possible to the impact site where the proposed offset site:

▪ Contains an area suitable for koala habitat restoration; and

▪ Will result in the creation or improvement of connectivity, corridors or linkages between patches of koala

habitat and/or Koala Priority Areas; and

▪ Can be managed to protect koalas and koala habitat from threats and threatening processes; and

▪ Can be legally secured for the duration of the impact for which the offset is required.

In assessing the suitability of a proposed offset site, the administering agency will consider the above order of

preference when assessing an offset delivery plan or an application to register an advanced offset for SEQ koala

habitat. It will also consider that not all restoration areas identified on the Koala Habitat Restoration Areas Map will

be appropriate receiving sites for koala habitat offsets due to factors such as zoning, current or future land use,

surrounding land use or the presence of unmanageable threats.

2A.5 Financial settlement offsets

The method for calculating financial settlement offsets for koala habitat in SEQ is in Appendix 4 of this policy with

specific variations in 4.3.10.

The financial settlement offset calculation for koala habitat in SEQ requires the number of impacted non-juvenile

koala habitat trees to be converted into an area in hectares. Based on an average tree density of 250 trees per

hectare for koala habitat in SEQ, the total area of impact for a single non-juvenile koala habitat tree in SEQ is taken

to be 40m

(0.004ha). Therefore, the impact area in hectares is:

Impact Area (ha) = Number of non-juvenile koala habitat trees being impacted X 0.004ha

The Koala Restoration Areas Map is a non-statutory map developed to assist in identifying suitable locations to invest in koala habitat restoration activities in SEQ, both inside

and outside of Koala Priority Areas. The map identifies cleared or degraded areas that would provide the best opportunities for koala habitat restoration based on the pre-clear

habitat suitability as well as threats and constraints. This map can be accessed on QSpatial, Queensland Globe or by requesting a Vegetation Management Report from the

Department of Resources website.

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Where the administering agency has agreed that an offset for koala habitat in SEQ can be delivered as a financial

settlement offset, the offset is to be paid into the State's offset account. Funds received into the State's offset

account for koala habitat in SEQ will be used to deliver offsets that aim to meet the requirements outlined in

Chapter 2 and section 2A.4 of this chapter.

2A.6 Offsets and habitat restoration for koala habitat in SEQ

SEQ local governments, NRM groups, other offset providers and landholders are encouraged to apply to register

areas suitable for koala habitat restoration as an advanced offset, particularly within Koala Priority Areas, as DES

can consider advanced offsets (see Appendix 5) when delivering on-ground outcomes using financial settlement

offsets.

SEQ local governments, NRM groups and other offset providers are also encouraged to establish restoration

programs or projects within areas identified as suitable for koala habitat restoration, particularly within Koala Priority

Areas. DES may consider these programs when delivering on-ground outcomes using financial settlement offsets

for koala habitat in SEQ.

Offsets must complement, be additional to and not replace existing programs of habitat restoration.

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Chapter 3 Protected areas

3.1 Application of this chapter

This chapter outlines the offset requirements for significant residual impacts on a prescribed environmental matter

that is a protected area, and the additional public benefit values that may be lost through an impact on a protected

area. Chapter 2 sets out required offsets for the loss of prescribed environmental matters that are not a protected

area, even where these occur within a protected area.

Offsets payable under this chapter will be additional to those under Chapter 2 Offsets for impacts on prescribed

environmental matters (other than protected areas).

Protected areas are set aside in the public interest, in perpetuity, to protect unique values or to preserve the land

for specific purposes, such as:

• permanent preservation of natural and cultural values;

• protection of land for public enjoyment and appreciation;

• protection of watersheds and productive resources;

• iconic geological and landscape values; and

• significance to traditional owners/Indigenous peoples.

The impacts of activities on protected areas are two-fold. There is the loss of values that have environmental

significance, and there is the loss of the associated ‘public benefit’ values, such as access, open space, tourism,

recreation and cultural pursuits. Section 8 of the Environmental Offsets Act 2014 describes what constitutes a

significant residual impact in relation to a protected area.

This chapter explains how an offset liability is determined for a protected area. The calculation aims to ensure

sufficient compensation is provided to replace the lost public benefit values through enhanced management of the

existing protected area estate or, where appropriate, the acquisition and establishment of new protected areas. If

the protected area is jointly managed with traditional owners, funding will be attributed to the joint management

area that is impacted.

For the purposes of this chapter, administering agency is taken to mean the Chief Executive of DES who is

responsible for administering protected areas.

3.2 Impacts to be offset

An offset is required for any prescribed activity that results, or may result, in a significant residual impact and one or

more of the following after all reasonable on-site avoidance and mitigation measures have been undertaken:

• the authorised clearing or inundation of all or part of the protected area for the construction of private or publicly

owned infrastructure on the area; or

• the exclusion of, or reduction in, the public use or enjoyment of all or part of the protected area; or

• a reduction in the natural or cultural values within the meaning of the Nature Conservation Act 1992, for all or

part of the protected area,

except where:

• the area is a nature refuge or special wildlife reserve; or

• the prescribed activity is conducted as part of a management action by the administering agency consistent with

the principles for the protected area; or

• the administering agency of the relevant protected area determines that an offset will be waived or reduced or

an alternative arrangement negotiated, noting that any alternative arrangement will be equal to or better than

the agreed offset value.

For a nature refuge or special wildlife reserve, an offset is required for any prescribed activity that results or may

result in significant residual impact as defined under section 8(1) of the Environmental Offsets Act 2014.

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3.3 Determining offset liability

An offset should compensate for the full suite of natural and cultural values impacted by the prescribed activity,

including current and future values relating to the provision of ecological services (such as clean air, water and

carbon storage), recreation and tourism opportunities, grazing, scenic amenity, and cultural and spiritual

significance.

In order to determine the quantum of the offset relative to the impact, a simple ‘ratio’ or multiplier is used.

These ratios are directly proportionate to the level of legislative protection and the corresponding level of public

benefit (based on the significance of protection that the values are afforded). The ratios account for both the

primary impacts that occur within the impact area (impact footprint), but also the secondary impacts that occur,

such as habitat fragmentation, edge effects and changes to ecosystem function. The ratios also account for:

• the lost public benefit values that result from the land no longer being available for public enjoyment or

community benefit;

• the lost effort and investment applied over time to maintain and improve the value and condition of the protected

area, and the lost opportunity for future use caused by the impact; and

• the likely costs of replacing the values.

Table 1: Offset ratios for protected areas

Protected area category

Offset ratio (multiple of land value)

National parks

National parks (scientific)

National parks (Aboriginal land)

National parks (Torres Strait Islander land)

National parks (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land)

Special wildlife reserves

Conservation parks

Resources reserves

Nature refuges

2 where:

• comparable or better conservation values can be

protected; and

• exploration authorities and/or licences that may

eventuate in impacts on the proposed offset area are

surrendered.

3.4 Offset delivery

An offset for an authorised impact on a protected area may be delivered as a financial settlement offset or, with the

agreement of the Chief Executive, a proponent-driven offset.

A payment associated with a financial settlement offset is calculated by multiplying the total area (in hectares) of

clearing, inundation, construction or exclusion by the average statutory land value for the LGA and then by the

relevant ratio associated with the protected area category (as per Table 1). Where the average statutory land value

is less than $500 per hectare, a floor price of $500 will be applied. The total area will also be rounded up to the

nearest hectare. The costs associated with direct impacts to assets and infrastructure owned by the department will

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be added, where applicable, to this figure. These costs include, as an example, the replacement of fire control

lines, lookouts and other assets. Information will be provided by the department about these costs as part of the

assessment process.

For example, an offset liability for infrastructure requiring five hectares of clearing on a national park would be

based on the following formula:

offset liability = (5 [being the area in ha] x statutory land value [assume $1200/ha] x 10 [ratio for national

park]) + direct impact costs [assume nil]

offset liability = ((5 x $1200) x 10) + $0

offset liability = $60,000

An offset will be payable by the proponent to the offset account prior to the commencement of works. The

administrator of the offset account will ensure that any offset payments for impacts on a protected area will be

given to the department responsible for administration of that protected area, who will then be responsible for the

delivery of an offset.

Chapter 4 Review and amendment

4.1 Evaluation and review

Evaluation and review of the policy will be undertaken within five years of commencement. This evaluation will

review the cap on multipliers and assess the level of compliance of individual offsets with their offset delivery plans,

as well as evaluate the policy’s overall success in achieving the goal of an overall conservation outcome for

prescribed environmental matters.

This evaluation will be based on a combination of information sources including satellite analysis based on the

Queensland Government’s Statewide Landcover and Trees Study, regular reporting provided by proponents and

offset providers and through targeted field audits by government officers. The outcomes of this review will be

reported to the Queensland Parliament.

4.2 Policy amendment

Any policy amendment that does not constitute a minor or administrative amendment will be subject to the

requirements of the Regulatory Impact Statement System guidelines, and detail about this can be found at

www.treasury.qld.gov.au (search for 'regulatory impact system'). A minor or administrative amendment to the

Policy may be made where:

• the amendment is made merely to reflect a part of another statutory instrument, and adequate public

consultation was carried out in relation to the making of that other statutory instrument;

• the amendment corrects or changes any of the following:

o an explanatory matter about the policy;

o the format or presentation of the policy;

o a spelling, grammatical or mapping error in the policy;

o a factual matter incorrectly stated in the policy;

o a redundant or outdated term in the policy;

o inconsistent numbering of provisions in the policy; or

o a cross-reference in the policy.

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Appendix 1 Self-administered code of compliance

The Chief Executive administering the Environmental Offsets Act 2014 may approve a self-administered code of

compliance for prescribed activities requiring offsets that are undertaken by the following entities:

• Government departments and agencies; or

• Government-owned corporations.

In order to approve a self-administered code of compliance, the Chief Executive must be satisfied that the code:

• sets out the circumstances in which an offset may or may not be required, having regard to sections 14 and 15

of the Environmental Offsets Act 2014;

• sets out the characteristics of an area that is suitable for undertaking an offset;

• provides for the ongoing management and monitoring of, and reporting about, an offset;

• provides for deciding the size and scale of an offset so the offset is proportionate to the significant residual

impact on a prescribed environmental matter; and

• describe how an offset will be undertaken and the conservation outcome will be achieved, including how the

plan will meet the principles outlined in section 1.3 of this policy and the following:

o effectively account for and manage the risks of the offset failing to achieve the conservation outcome;

o ensure the offset provides benefits in relation to the prescribed environmental matter in addition to any other

benefit provided under a requirement of an Act;

o have transparent governance arrangements, including being able to be readily measured, monitored, audited

and enforced; and

o ensure the offset is of a size and scale proportionate to the significant residual impact on the prescribed

environmental matter.

Where a prescribed activity and/or prescribed environmental matter is outside of the scope of a self-administered

code, the standard requirements of the policy apply and the relevant entity will be required to submit an offset

proposal to the administering agency that complies with the policy.

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Appendix 2 Bioregions of Queensland

Figure two: Map of Queensland's bioregions

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Appendix 3 Defined distance

The defined distance for a regional ecosystem is determined using the table and diagrams below, in accordance

with Schedule 2 clause 2, subsections (5) and (6) of the Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014, and the

bioregions shown in Appendix 2.

Defined distance for a regional ecosystem

Coastal bioregions and sub-regions:

• Townsville Plains (11.1), Bogie River Hills (11.2) and Marlborough Plains (11.14) Subregions, Brigalow

Belt (SBRB) Bioregion

• Central Queensland Coast (CQC) Bioregion

• Starke Coastal Lowlands (3.2) Subregion, Cape York Peninsula (CYP) Bioregion

• Hodgkinson Basin (9.3) Subregion, Einasleigh Uplands (EIU) Bioregion

• Wet Tropics (WET) Bioregion

• South East Queensland (SEQ) Bioregion.

Watercourse stream order

Distance from the defining bank (metres)

1 or 2

3 or 4

5 or greater

Non-coastal bioregions and sub-regions:

• Brigalow Belt (SBRB) Bioregion (excluding Subregions 11.1, 11.2 and 11.14)

• New England Tableland (NET) Bioregion

• Northwest Highlands (NWH) Bioregion

• Gulf Plains (GUP) Bioregion

• Cape York Peninsula (CYP) Bioregion (excluding Subregion 3.2)

• Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD) Bioregion

• Channel Country (CHC) Bioregion

• Mulga Lands (MUL) Bioregion

• Einasleigh Uplands (EIU) Bioregion (excluding Subregion 9.3)

• Desert Uplands (DEU) Bioregion.

Watercourse stream order

Distance from the defining bank (metres)

1 or 2

3 or 4

5 or greater

100

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Figure three: Watercourse stream order map

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Figure four: Location of coastal and non-coastal bioregions and sub-regions

 
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Appendix 4  Financial Settlement Offset Calculation Methodology 
 
Contents 
4.1 Purpose                      30 
4.2 Terms specific to the Financial Settlement Offset Calculation Methodology        30 
4.3 Calculation methodology                  31 
   4.3.1  Introduction                    31 
   4.3.2  Summary of calculation methodology              31 
   4.3.3  Section                      32 
   4.3.4  Distinct Matter Area                  32 
   4.3.5  Distinct Matter Area guiding principles              33 
   4.3.6  Multipliers                    34 
   4.3.7  Calculate Total Offset Area x On-ground Cost per hectare          34 
   4.3.8  Calculate landholder incentive payment              35 
   4.3.9  Calculate administrative cost                36 
   4.3.10 SEQ koala habitat matters variations              36 
   4.3.11 Protected area matters variations                36 
   4.3.12 Marine and aquatic matters variations              37 
   4.3.13 Sliding scale calculation                  37 
4.4  Calculation data selection and entry process             39 
4.5  Data tables                    40 
   4.5.1  Threatened animals data table                40 
   4.5.2  Other matters data table                  48 
   4.5.3  Local Government Area data table                52 
   4.5.4  Bioregion and subregion data table: on ground cost per hectare and 20-year loss     53 
 
4.1  Purpose  
This calculation methodology is to be used to calculate the payment amount for a financial settlement offset.  
This methodology provides sufficient information to enable the calculation to be performed independently of the 
Financial Settlement Offset Calculator and provides the statutory basis for calculating the required financial 
payment under section 24(3) of the Environmental Offsets Act 2014. 
4.2  Terms specific to the Financial Settlement Offset Calculation 
Methodology 
Administrative cost is the estimated cost to the government to maintain and administer the land-based offset over 
its life. 
Landholder Incentive Payment is a component of the Financial Settlement Offset Calculation Methodology. It is 
not intended to cover the full lost economic opportunity costs of a proposed offset, rather enough motivation for the 
individual landholder to be willing to participate in the market. 
Multiplier is a number used to calculate the size of the offset requirement given the significant residual impact 
area, for a given prescribed environmental matter. A significant residual impact area for a certain matter (for 
example a regional ecosystem) may be 1ha and the multiplier for that regional ecosystem may be 4. Thus the 
required offset area for the impacted matter would be 1ha X 4 = 4ha. 

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On-ground cost is an interim component (sub-total) of the Financial Settlement Offset Calculation Methodology,

used in the calculation of total on-ground cost.

Section is defined as an impact area containing one or more matters where the area:

• is contained in a single LGA; and

• is contained in a single subregion.

Species Functional Group is a group of species (critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable and special least

concern animals in the context of the Financial Settlement Offset Calculation Methodology) that has similar

attributes and habitats.

Sliding scale and sliding scale multiplier. The sliding scale calculation produces a ‘sliding scale multiplier’ which

is a percentage greater than 10% and up to 100%. To account for economies of scale for large offsets, a sliding

scale of per hectare (ha) costs is applied to the financial settlement amount for certain matters. The financial

settlement amount is multiplied by the sliding scale multiplier, which has the effect of reducing the financial

settlement amount for those large offsets.

Threatened animals includes animals that are critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, near threatened and

special least concern.

Threatened plants includes plants that are critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable and near threatened.

Total on-ground cost is a component of the Financial Settlements Offset Calculation Methodology.

Total on-ground section cost is an interim (sub-total) result (for a section) in the calculation of total on-ground

cost.

Note: Near threatened animals and plants are only applicable to assessments under State Code 16 (Native

vegetation clearing) of the SDAPs of the Planning Act 2016.

4.3 Calculation methodology

4.3.1 Introduction

The components of the calculation methodology are summarised in this section.

The calculation of a financial settlement offset for a single matter is relatively straightforward. However, the

calculation for impacts with multiple impact areas in different locations involving multiple matter types can be

complex. This methodology document addresses a range of example impact types to assist in understanding.

4.3.2 Summary of calculation methodology

The location of the impact area(s) and the ability of some prescribed environmental matters to be co-located can

affect the overall cost of a financial settlement offset. To determine this cost an impact site area needs to:

• be divided into one or more sections; and

• consider the ability for prescribed environmental matters to be co-located by firstly defining one or more

Distinct Matter Areas (DMA) (as described in section 4.3.4).

A residual impact area in ha is multiplied by a defined multiplier to derive the total offset area.

The financial settlement calculation is based on the following formula:

Financial settlement = (total offset area x on-ground cost per ha) + landholder incentive payment + administrative

cost.

Each of these components uses different inputs and has its own formula.

Variations apply to the financial settlement calculation described above for South East Queensland (SEQ) koala

habitat, protected areas, and marine and aquatic matters.

In addition, a sliding scale multiplier may apply to larger offsets. The sliding scale multiplier has the effect of

reducing the total financial settlement offset amount.

Each component of the formula is described in more detail in the following sections:

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• Section 4.3.3 Section

• Section 4.3.4 Distinct Matter Area

• Section 4.3.5 Distinct Matter Area guiding principles

• Section 4.3.6 Multipliers

• Section 4.3.7 Calculate Total offset area X on-ground cost per ha

• Section 4.3.8 Calculate Landholder incentive payment

• Section 4.3.9 Calculate Administrative cost

• Section 4.3.10 SEQ koala habitat matters variations

• Section 4.3.11 Protected area matters variations

• Section 4.3.12 Marine and aquatic matters variations

• Section 4.3.13 Sliding scale calculation

4.3.3 Section

A section is defined as an impact area containing one or more matters where the area is contained in a single:

• LGA; and

• subregion.

The on-ground cost per ha varies by subregion.

The landholder incentive payment varies by LGA or subregion, depending on the bioregion.

If the impacted area covers two or more subregions or LGAs (e.g. a linear development such as a rail line or

pipeline) it will need to be broken into separate areas (called sections) for the purposes of calculating the total

financial settlement accurately.

4.3.4 Distinct Matter Area

An impact area may have more than one prescribed environmental matter located on it. In these cases, the

calculation needs to know whether to count each matter separately or combine the matters for the impact area.

Where prescribed environmental matters cannot be co-located, they are counted separately in the calculation of

the financial settlement offset.

Where there is a requirement to account for each matter separately, the area that contains the matter is identified

as a distinct matter area to the calculation. Each distinct matter area is termed a “Distinct Matter Area” or DMA. For

a given residual impact area, DMAs (in a given section) that use the same sliding scale calculation (e.g. terrestrial

DMAs – refer to section 4.3.13) are summed before the total on-ground cost, landholder incentive payment and

administrative cost are calculated.

Each area of impact for co-located matters is also termed a DMA. The calculation deals with the DMA as if it

contains a single matter (the matter with the highest multiplier—see section 4.3.6 below).

Two DMAs are illustrated in the following hypothetical diagram of an impact area with a total area of 100ha, in

which there are three matters:

• an endangered rainforest regional ecosystem that covers the impact area of 100ha;

• an endangered marsupial that inhabits the regional ecosystem; and

• a colony of endangered ghost bats in a cave with an area of 10ha in the regional ecosystem.

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Figure five: Illustration of multiple DMAs

In this example, there are two DMAs:

• a DMA of 100ha with the endangered regional ecosystem and the endangered marsupial. The endangered

marsupial can clearly be co-located with the regional ecosystem, because it is dependent on the regional

ecosystem; and

• a DMA of 10ha with the colony of endangered ghost bats. The colony needs to be calculated separately

because there is no guarantee that a cave could be found in that regional ecosystem. A separate offset site is

likely to be needed for the ghost bats.

Thus, although the total impact area is 100ha, the calculation takes as input a DMA of 100ha (for the regional

ecosystem and marsupial) and a DMA of 10ha (for the ghost bats) = a total of 110ha. Each DMA is counted

separately in the calculation of the financial settlement offset.

4.3.5 Distinct Matter Area guiding principles

The Financial Settlement Offset Calculation Methodology starts with the assumption that all prescribed

environmental matters on the impact site can be co-located if treated as a single DMA, and only one offset site

should be needed in most cases.

However, separate DMAs must be based on the following principles:

• there should be one only regional ecosystem per DMA;

• wetlands must be in separate DMAs to non-wetland areas;

• koala habitat in SEQ (see section 4.3.10);

• impacts to protected areas are treated as a separate DMA to the other matters impacted;

• species that have very specific habitat requirements (such as rocks for rock wallabies or caves for certain bat

species) must be in separate DMAs;

• each separate species functional group must be in a separate DMA; and

• matters imposed by Queensland Government agencies must be in separate DMAs from matters imposed by

local governments.

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4.3.6 Multipliers

4.3.6.1 Introduction

The total offset area for each prescribed environmental matter is calculated by taking the impact area of the

prescribed environmental matter, and multiplying it by the relevant multiplier.

The multiplier for each matter is described in sections 4.3.6.2 and 4.3.6.3 below, and tables of prescribed

environmental matters and multipliers are included in section 4.5.

4.3.6.2 Threatened animals

The multiplier for threatened animals that are critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable and special least

concern are located in the last column of the threatened animals data table (table 4.5.1).

The multiplier for threatened animals that are near threatened is 4.

4.3.6.3 Other matters

For other matters, the multiplier is provided in the last column in the other matters data table (table 4.5.2).

4.3.7 Calculate total offset area x on-ground cost per hectare

To derive the total offset area for each application, use the following approach:

1. within each DMA, select the matter with the highest multiplier;

2. multiply the area of the DMA by the highest multiplier to get the offset area required for that DMA;

3. repeat the previous two steps for each DMA in that section;

4. sum the offset area of each DMA in that section to get a total offset area for the section; and

5. multiply the total offset area for the section by the on-ground cost per ha for the subregion of the section to

arrive at the total on-ground section cost.

The on-ground cost for the subregion is shown in the table in section 4.5.4 of this appendix.

Repeat the five steps above for each section.

Sum the total on-ground section costs for all sections to arrive at the total on-ground cost.

Multiply the total on-ground cost by the derived sliding scale multiplier to derive the total on-ground cost as

described in section 4.3.13.2.

Example

This example has two sections. Section 1 has one DMA which contains two matters, whilst Section 2 has two

DMAs that each contain a single matter.

Section 1, DMA 1:

• LGA Brisbane City Council

• Bioregion South East Queensland

• Subregion Moreton Basin

• DMA area 10ha

• Matter group Threatened regional ecosystem

• Matter 12.3.1 Gallery rainforest (notophyll vine forest) on alluvial plains

• Matter multiplier 4

• Matter group Other matters

• Matter Connectivity

• Matter multiplier 1

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Section 2, DMA 1:

• LGA Logan City Council

• Bioregion South-east Queensland

• Subregion Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands

• DMA area 12 ha

• Matter group Threatened regional ecosystem

• Matter 12.3.10 Eucalyptus populnea woodland on alluvial plains

• Matter multiplier 4

Section 2, DMA 2:

• LGA Logan City Council

• Bioregion South-east Queensland

• Subregion Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands

• DMA area 3ha

• Matter group Koala habitat

• Matter Bushland habitat

• Matter multiplier 3

The calculations are:

• Section 1, DMA 1:

DMA area X multiplier X on ground cost

= 10 X 4 X $20,000 = $800,000

(the higher multiplier of the two matters is used (i.e. connectivity has a multiplier of ‘1’ whilst the ecosystem

has a multiplier of ‘4’ – consequently ‘4’ is used)

• Section 2:

((DMA 1 area X multiplier) + (DMA 2 area X multiplier)) X on-ground cost

= ((12 X 4) + (3 X 3)) X $20,000 = (48 + 9) X $20,000 = $1,140,000

(as the area is not greater than 100ha there is no sliding scale)

4.3.8 Calculate landholder incentive payment

4.3.8.1 Calculate landholder incentive payment for each section

The landholder incentive payment cost can vary depending on the bioregion, LGA and subregion. Therefore, where

the impact areas occur in more than one bioregion, LGA or subregion these costs need to be considered

separately.

Calculate the landholder incentive payment for each section:

• For the bioregions South-east Queensland, Central Queensland Coast and Wet Tropics

The landholder incentive payment for each section = offset section area X LGA statutory land value (for

each subregion/LGA pair) (see table 4.5.3 for LGA UV).

• For the Bioregions Brigalow Belt, Channel Country, Cape York Peninsula, Desert Uplands, Einasleigh

Uplands, Gulf Plains, Mitchell Grass Downs, Mulga Lands, New England Tableland, Northwest

Highlands

The landholder incentive payment for each section = offset section area multiplied by the 20-year

productivity loss per ha of the subregion in question.

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The 20-year productivity loss for each subregion is provided in the last column in the bioregion and

subregion data table 4.5.4.

4.3.8.2 Calculate total landholder incentive payment

Sum the landholder incentive payments for each section to derive the total landholder incentive payment.

Calculate the sliding scale of per ha cost multiplier as described in section 4.3.13.

Multiply the total landholder incentive payment by the derived sliding scale multiplier to derive the landholder

incentive payment as described in section 4.3.13.

If the result is less than $10,000, set the landholder incentive payment to $10,000.

4.3.9 Calculate administrative cost

Multiply the total on-ground cost (see section 4.3.6) by 25% to derive the administrative cost.

Apply the sliding scale multiplier as described in section 4.3.13.

For impacts over 2.5 hectares, if the result is less than $50,000, set the amount to $50,000; the administrative cost

floor price. For impact less than or equal to 2.5 hectares, the administrative cost floor price will not be applied.

If the amount is greater than $1,000,000, set the amount to $1,000,000.

4.3.10 SEQ koala habitat matters variations

The financial settlement offset calculation for koala habitats in SEQ (as identified in Schedule 1 of the Planning

Regulation 2017) differs from the standard formula described in sections 4.3.7 to 4.3.9 in the following ways:

• koala habitat calculations for all SEQ LGAs are performed separately from any standard (as per sections 4.3.7

to 4.3.9) financial settlement offset calculations;

• koala habitat calculations in SEQ are counted in addition to any other prescribed environmental matters in the

same impact area;

• the results of the koala habitat calculations for each LGA are calculated separately;

• the sliding scale multiplier is not applied to koala habitat calculations;

• for SEQ LGAs, the standard calculation described in sections 4.3.7 to 4.3.9 applies;

• however, the total settlement for SEQ LGAs is capped at $230,000 per impact ha, calculated as follows:

o follow steps 4.3.7 to 4.3.9, ignoring the sliding scale components;

o multiply the total impact area in ha by $230,000 to derive the upper limit of any financial settlement; and

o compare the results of the standard calculation described in sections 4.3.7 to 4.3.9 and the calculation with a

cap of $230,000 per impact ha. The lower applies. Note that the cap of $230,000 per impact ha may

increase in line with the increase in statutory land values; and

• koala offset requirements in SEQ are based on an average tree density within koala bushland habitat of 250

trees per hectare. The total quantum of impact for a single koala habitat tree in SEQ, using this estimate, is

0.004 ha or 40 m

4.3.11 Protected area matters variations

The calculation for protected areas is as follows:

• multiply the total area (in hectares rounded up to the nearest hectare) of impact by the multiplier for the

protected area type. The multiplier is the last column in the protected area data table;

• multiply the result by the average statutory land value (Table 4.5.3) for the LGA; and

• where the average statutory land value is less than $500 per hectare, apply a price of $500 per ha.

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For example, an offset liability for infrastructure requiring 4.5ha of clearing on a national park would be calculated

as follows:

• offset liability = (5 [4.5 rounded up] x multiplier [10 for national parks] X statutory land value [assume $1200/ha])

+ direct impact costs [assume nil])

• offset liability = ((5 x 10 X $1200) + $0)

• offset liability = $60,000.

Direct impact costs are costs for replacement of infrastructure, such as toilet blocks, that will be advised by the

Department of Environment and Science.

Note that protected areas are always a separate DMA to the other matters impacted that occur within the protected

area (e.g. habitat for endangered animals).

The sliding scale multiplier is not applied where the impacted matter is a protected area.

4.3.12 Marine and aquatic matters variations

The area of a marine and aquatic offset is calculated by taking the impact area of the prescribed environmental

matter and multiplying it by the relevant multiplier in the threatened animals data table (Table 4.5.1) or the other

matters data table (Table 4.5.2).

The marine and aquatic calculation methodology contains some variations from the standard methodology

described in sections 4.3.7 to 4.3.9. These are:

• the landholder incentive payment is $0;

• there are marine bioregions. For the purposes of the calculation, they are shown in the subregion data table

(Table 4.5.4) as Offshore, Inshore–Remote, Inshore–Non-remote, and Rivers and inland waterways. The

landward boundary of the Inshore-Remote and Inshore-Non-Remote marine bioregions extends to the limits of

Highest Astronomical Tide (HAT); and

• there are two sliding scales—

o one for marine plants, marine parks, declared fish habitat areas, marine wetlands and aquatic threatened

animals; and

o one for waterways providing for fish passage.

The application of sliding scales is described in section 4.3.13.

4.3.13 Sliding scale calculation

4.3.13.1 Timing and method of calculation

To account for economies of scale for large offsets, a sliding scale of per hectare (ha) costs is applied to the

financial settlement amount for certain matters, listed below. The sliding scale calculation produces a sliding scale

multiplier which is a percentage of costs ranging from 10% to 100%. The financial settlement amount is multiplied

by the sliding scale multiplier, which has the effect of reducing the financial settlement amount for those large

offsets.

The sliding scale multipliers should be applied as the second last step in the calculation methodology as described

below in this section. The last step is the application, where required, of the floor for landholder incentive payment

(section 4.3.8) and the floor or cap for the administrative charge (section 4.3.9).

Three sliding scales apply:

• terrestrial, which applies to threatened regional ecosystems, threatened plants, terrestrial threatened animals,

terrestrial wetlands, MLES and connectivity matters. The sliding scale is described in section 4.3.13.2.

• marine parks, marine plants, fish habitat areas, marine wetlands and aquatic threatened animals. The sliding

scale is described in section 4.3.13.3.

• waterways providing for fish passage. The sliding scale is described in section 4.3.13.3.

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Sum the areas of all matters in all value groups in all DMAs in all sections in the offset area (impact area multiplied

by relevant multiplier) for each of the three types above, and apply the relevant sliding scale at the end to the sums

of the areas.

As discussed in sections 4.3.10 and 4.3.11, the sliding scale multiplier is not applied to the SEQ koala habitat and

protected areas.

4.3.13.2 Terrestrial sliding scale of per ha cost

To account for economies of scale for very large offsets, a sliding scale of per hectare (ha) costs is applied

according to the rules listed in the following table.

Table one: Sliding scale rules for determining the overall per hectare costs

Portion of total offset area (ha)

Percentage of cost

1 - 100

100%

100 - 1,000

75%

1,000 - 5,000

50%

5,000 - 10,000

25%

Greater than 10,000

10%

That is, the first 100ha of the total offset area attracts 100% of the per ha cost. The next 900 ha (1000 ha less the

first 100 ha) attract 75% of the per ha cost, and so on.

For example, the percentage of cost for a 2500ha offset area would be calculated as follows:

((100 * 100%) + ((1,000–100) * 75%) + ((2,500–1,000) * 50%))/2,500

= 1,525/2,500

= 61%, which is the sliding scale multiplier.

Thus, the approach for calculating the total offset area x on-ground cost per ha for an offset which had one impact

matter is:

• calculate the total on-ground cost as described in section 4.3.7; and

• multiply the total on-ground cost by the derived sliding scale multiplier based on the total offset area as

described above.

For impacts with multiple sections and/or DMAs and/or multiple matter groups, the sliding scale(s) of per ha cost

is/are applied as the second last step in the calculations, when the areas of the relevant matter groups have been

aggregated. In this context, ‘relevant matter groups’ means the following matter groups to which the sliding scale

applies:

• terrestrial (excluding protected areas and SEQ koala habitat for which the sliding scale does not apply). For

example, the sliding scale multiplier would be applied to the total area when the areas of all terrestrial offsets

had been totalled;

• marine plants, marine parks, declared fish habitat areas, marine wetlands and aquatic threatened animals; and

• waterways providing for fish passage.

Note that the terrestrial sliding scale multiplier is applied to the total offset area x on-ground cost per ha, the

landholder incentive payment and the administrative cost.

The floor price for the landholder incentive payment and the floor and ceiling costs for the administrative cost are

applied as the last step in the calculation, as described in sections 4.3.8 and 4.3.9.

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4.3.13.3 Marine and aquatic matters

The sliding scales for determining the overall per hectare costs for marine plants, marine parks, declared fish

habitat areas, marine wetlands, aquatic threatened animals and waterways providing for fish passage are shown in

the below tables.

Table Two: sliding scale for marine plants, marine parks, declared fish habitat areas, marine wetlands and

aquatic threatened animals

Portion of total offset area (ha)

Percentage of cost

0 – 25

100%

25 – 100

75%

100 – 500

50%

Greater than 500

25%

Table Three: sliding scale for waterways providing for fish passage

Portion of total offset area (ha)

Percentage of cost

0 – 100

100%

100 – 1000

75%

1000 – 2000

50%

Greater than 2000

25%

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4.4 Calculation data selection and entry process

An impact area may consist of one or more sections. Each section may consist of one or more DMA. Each DMA may consist of one or more matter groups, and

each matter group may consist of one or more matters.

As a result, the selection and entry of the various section(s) details, DMA area(s), matter group(s) and matter(s) to the calculation follows a looping process

illustrated in the following diagram:

Select Section LGA

and subregion OR

Marine zone and

bioregion

Enter the area of

the Distinct Matter

Area (DMA)

Select the Matter

Group

Select the individual

Matter

Select another

Matter?

Select another

Matter Group?

Select another

DMA?

Select another

Section?

No No No

Financial Settlements Offsets Calculation data selection and entry process

Yes Yes Yes Yes

Select terrestial or

marine Section

Perform

calculations

Start

End

Page 41 of 69 • EPP/2015/1658 • Version 1.15 • Last Reviewed: 08/12/2023 Department of Environment and Science (QLD)

4.5 Data tables

4.5.1 Threatened animals data table

Scientific name

Common name

Species functional

group

NCA

class

Multiplier

Acanthophis antarcticus

common death adder

Acanthophis hawkei

plains death adder

Acrodipsas illidgei

Illidge's ant-blue

Adclarkia cameroni

brigalow woodland snail

Adclarkia dawsonensis

boggomoss snail

Adclarkia dulacca

Dulacca woodland snail

Adelotus brevis

tusked frog

Amytornis barbatus

grey grasswren (Bulloo)

Amytornis dorotheae

Carpentarian grasswren

Anilios insperatus

Fassifern blind snake

Anomalopus mackayi

long-legged worm skink

Antechinus argentus

silver-headed antechinus

Antechinus arktos

black-tailed antechinus

Anthochaera phrygia

regent honeyeater

Aphelocephala leucopsis

southern whiteface

Arctocephalus tropicalis

Subantarctic fur seal

Ardenna grisea

sooty shearwater

Ardenna pacifica

wedge-tailed shearwater

Argynnis hyperbius inconstans

Australian fritillary butterfly

Assa darlingtoni

pouched frog

112

Atrichornis rufescens

rufous scrub-bird

Austroablepharus barrylyoni

Lyon’s soil-crevice skink

113

Bettongia tropica

northern bettong

Bolemoreus hindwoodi

Eungella honeyeater

Botaurus poiciloptilus

Australasian bittern

Cairnsichthys bitaeniatus

Daintree rainbowfish

117

Page 42 of 69 • EPP/2015/1658 • Version 1.15 • Last Reviewed: 08/12/2023 Department of Environment and Science (QLD)

Scientific name

Common name

Species functional

group

NCA

class

Multiplier

Cairnsichthys rhombosomoides

Cairns rainbowfish

118

Calidris canutus

red knot

Calidris ferruginea

curlew sandpiper

Calidris tenuirostris

great knot

Calyptorhynchus lathami

glossy black-cockatoo

Carcharias taurus

greynurse shark

Caretta caretta

loggerhead turtle

Casuarius casuarius johnsonii

(northern population)

southern cassowary (northern

population)

Casuarius casuarius johnsonii

(southern population)

southern cassowary (southern

population)

Chalinolobus dwyeri

large-eared pied bat

Charadrius leschenaultii

greater sand plover

Charadrius mongolus

lesser sand plover

Chelonia mydas

green turtle

Cherax robustus

sand yabby

Chlamydogobius micropterus

Elizabeth Springs goby

Chlamydogobius squamigenus

Edgbaston goby

Chloebia gouldiae

Gouldian finch

Climacteris picumnus victoriae

brown treecreeper (south-

eastern)

Concinnia frerei

Bartle Frere bar-sided skink

Conilurus penicillatus

brush-tailed rabbit-rat

Cophixalus aenigma

tapping nursery frog

Cophixalus concinnus

elegant frog

Cophixalus crepitans

northern nursery frog

Cophixalus exiguus

dainty nursery frog

Cophixalus hosmeri

rattling nursery frog

Cophixalus mcdonaldi

Mount Elliot nursery frog

Page 43 of 69 • EPP/2015/1658 • Version 1.15 • Last Reviewed: 08/12/2023 Department of Environment and Science (QLD)

Scientific name

Common name

Species functional

group

NCA

class

Multiplier

Cophixalus monticola

Mountain-top nursery frog

Cophixalus neglectus

neglected nursery frog

Cophixalus peninsularis

Cape York nursery frog

Cophixalus zweifeli

Cape Melville boulderfrog

Crinia tinnula

wallum froglet

Crocodylus porosus

estuarine crocodile

Cryptoblepharus fuhni

Fuhn's snake-eyed skink

Ctenotus monticola

Atherton ctenotus

Ctenotus rawlinsoni

Cape Heath ctenotus

Ctenotus serotinus

gravel-downs ctenotus

Cyclopsitta diophthalma coxeni

Coxen’s fig-parrot

Cyclopsitta diophthalma

macleayana

Macleay’s fig-parrot

Dasycercus cristicauda

crest-tailed mulgara

Dasyornis brachypterus

eastern bristlebird

Dasyuroides byrnei

kowari

Dasyurus maculatus gracilis

spotted-tailed quoll (northern

subspecies)

Dasyurus maculatus maculatus

spotted-tailed quoll (south-

eastern mainland population)

Delma torquata

collared delma

Denisonia maculata

ornamental snake

Dermochelys coriacea

leatherback turtle

Diomedea antipodensis

antipodensis

Antipodean albatross

Diomedea antipodensis gibsoni

Gibson's albatross

Diomedea exulans

wandering albatross

Dugong dugon

dugong

Eclectus roratus macgillivrayi

eclectus parrot (Australian

subspecies)

Page 44 of 69 • EPP/2015/1658 • Version 1.15 • Last Reviewed: 08/12/2023 Department of Environment and Science (QLD)

Scientific name

Common name

Species functional

group

NCA

class

Multiplier

Egernia rugosa

yakka skink

Elseya albagula

white-throated snapping turtle

Elseya oneiros

gulf snapping turtle

Elusor macrurus

Mary River turtle

Emoia atrocostata australis

littoral whip-tail skink

Emydura subglobosa

angkibaanya

Jardine River turtle

Epthianura crocea crocea

yellow chat (gulf)

Epthianura crocea macgregori

yellow chat (Dawson)

Eretmochelys imbricata

hawksbill turtle

Erythrotriorchis radiatus

red goshawk

Esacus magnirostris

beach stone-curlew

Euastacus bindal

Mount Elliot crayfish

Euastacus binzayedi

Embezee's crayfish

Euastacus dalagarbe

mud gully crayfish

Euastacus eungella

Eungella spiny crayfish

Euastacus hystricosus

Conondale spiny crayfish

Euastacus jagara

Jagara hairy crayfish

Euastacus maidae

hinterland spiny crayfish

Euastacus monteithorum

Monteith's spiny crayfish

Euastacus robertsi

Robert's crayfish

Euastacus suttoni

Sutton’s crayfish

114

Falco hypoleucos

grey falcon

Furina dunmalli

Dunmall's snake

Geophaps scripta scripta

squatter pigeon (southern

subspecies)

Grantiella picta

painted honeyeater

Halobaena caerulea

blue petrel

Harrisoniascincus zia

rainforest cool-skink

115

Page 45 of 69 • EPP/2015/1658 • Version 1.15 • Last Reviewed: 08/12/2023 Department of Environment and Science (QLD)

Scientific name

Common name

Species functional

group

NCA

class

Multiplier

Hemiaspis damelii

grey snake

Hemibelideus lemuroides

lemuroid ringtail possum

100

Hippocampus whitei

White’s seahorse

Hipposideros cervinus

fawn leaf-nosed bat

Hipposideros semoni

Semon`s leaf-nosed bat

Hipposideros stenotis

northern leaf-nosed bat

Hirundapus caudacutus

white-throated needletail

Hypochrysops apollo apollo

Apollo jewel (Wet Tropics

subspecies)

Hypochrysops piceatus

bulloak jewel butterfly

Jalmenus eubulus

pale imperial hairstreak

Karma tryoni

Tryon's skink

Lasiorhinus krefftii

northern hairy-nosed wombat

Lathamus discolor

swift parrot

Lepidochelys olivacea

olive ridley turtle

Lerista allanae

retro slider

Lerista cinerea

vine-thicket fine-lined slider

Lerista colliveri

nubbined fine-lined slider

101

Lerista ingrami

McIvor River slider

Lerista rochfordensis

Rochford slider

102

Lerista vittata

Mount Cooper slider

Limosa lapponica baueri

Western Alaskan bar-tailed

godwit

Limosa lapponica menzbieri

Northern Siberian bar-tailed

godwit

Litoria andiirrmalin

Melville Range treefrog

Litoria dayi

lace-eyed treefrog

Litoria freycineti

wallum rocketfrog

Litoria kroombitensis

Kroombit treefrog

Page 46 of 69 • EPP/2015/1658 • Version 1.15 • Last Reviewed: 08/12/2023 Department of Environment and Science (QLD)

Scientific name

Common name

Species functional

group

NCA

class

Multiplier

Litoria lorica

armoured mist frog

Litoria myola

Kuranda treefrog

Litoria nannotis

torrent treefrog

Litoria nyakalensis

mountain mist frog

Litoria olongburensis

wallum sedgefrog

Litoria pearsoniana

cascade treefrog

Litoria rheocola

common mist frog

Litoria serrata

tapping green-eyed tree frog

Litoria subglandulosa

New England treefrog

Lophochroa leadbeateri

leadbeateri

Major Mitchell's cockatoo

(eastern)

Lygisaurus tanneri

Endeavour River litter-skink

Maccullochella mariensis

Mary River cod

116

Macroderma gigas

ghost bat

Macronectes giganteus

southern giant-petrel

Macronectes halli

northern giant-petrel

Macrotis lagotis

greater bilby

Magmellia luteilateralis

orange-speckled forest-skink

Malurus coronatus

purple-crowned fairy-wren

Melanodryas cucullata cucullata

hooded robin (south-eastern)

103

Melanotaenia sp. nov. ‘Malanda’

Malanda rainbowfish

104

Melanotaenia sp. nov. ‘Running

River’

Running River rainbowfish

105

Mixophyes fleayi

Fleay's barred frog

Mixophyes iteratus

giant barred frog

Mordacia praecox

non-parasitic lamprey

119

Murina florium

tube-nosed insectivorous bat

Nangura spinosa

Nangur skink

Page 47 of 69 • EPP/2015/1658 • Version 1.15 • Last Reviewed: 08/12/2023 Department of Environment and Science (QLD)

Scientific name

Common name

Species functional

group

NCA

class

Multiplier

Nannoperca oxleyana

Oxleyan pygmy perch

Natator depressus

flatback turtle

Neochmia ruficauda ruficauda

star finch (eastern subspecies)

Neophema chrysostoma

blue-winged parrot

106

Ninox strenua

powerful owl

Notomys aquilo

northern hopping-mouse

Notomys fuscus

dusky hopping-mouse

Numenius madagascariensis

eastern curlew

Nyctophilus corbeni

Corben's long-eared bat

Oedura lineata

Arcadia velvet gecko

Onychogalea frenata

bridled nailtail wallaby

Orcaella heinsohni

Australian snubfin dolphin

Ornithoptera richmondia

Richmond birdwing

Ornithorhynchus anatinus

platypus

Orraya occultus

McIlwraith leaf-tailed gecko

Pedionomus torquatus

plains-wanderer

Petauroides volans (southern

and central populations)

greater glider (southern and

central populations)

Petaurus australis australis

yellow-bellied glider (south-

eastern subspecies)

Petaurus australis unnamed

subsp.

Yellow-bellied glider (northern

subspecies)

Petaurus gracilis

mahogany glider

Petauroides minor

northern greater glider

Petrogale coenensis

Cape York rock-wallaby

Petrogale penicillata

brush-tailed rock-wallaby

Petrogale persephone

Proserpine rock-wallaby

Petrogale purpureicollis

purple-necked rock-wallaby

Petrogale sharmani

Sharman's rock-wallaby

Page 48 of 69 • EPP/2015/1658 • Version 1.15 • Last Reviewed: 08/12/2023 Department of Environment and Science (QLD)

Scientific name

Common name

Species functional

group

NCA

class

Multiplier

Petrogale xanthopus celeris

yellow-footed rock-wallaby

Pezoporus occidentalis

night parrot

Pezoporus wallicus wallicus

ground parrot

Phaethon rubricauda

red-tailed tropicbird

Phascolarctos cinereus

koala

Philoria knowlesi

Mount Ballow mountain frog

120

Philoria kundagungan

mountain frog

Phoebetria fusca

sooty albatross

Phyllurus amnicola

Mount Elliot broad-tailed gecko

Phyllurus caudiannulatus

ringed thin-tailed gecko

Phyllurus championae

Connors' Range broad-tailed

gecko

Phyllurus gulbaru

Gulbaru gecko

Phyllurus isis

Mount Jukes broad-tailed gecko

Phyllurus kabikabi

Oakview leaf-tailed gecko

Phyllurus pinnaclensis

Pinnacles leaf-tailed gecko

Podargus ocellatus plumiferus

plumed frogmouth

Poephila cincta cincta

black-throated finch (white-

rumped subspecies)

Potorous tridactylus tridactylus

long-nosed potoroo

Probosciger aterrimus

macgillivrayi

southern palm cockatoo

Psephotus chrysopterygius

golden-shouldered parrot

Pseudomugil mellis

honey blue eye

Pseudomys australis

plains rat

Pseudomys novaehollandiae

New Holland mouse

Pseudomys oralis

Hastings River mouse

Pseudophryne covacevichae

magnificent broodfrog

Pterodroma heraldica

Herald petrel

Page 49 of 69 • EPP/2015/1658 • Version 1.15 • Last Reviewed: 08/12/2023 Department of Environment and Science (QLD)

Scientific name

Common name

Species functional

group

NCA

class

Multiplier

Pteropus conspicillatus

spectacled flying-fox

Rheodytes leukops

Fitzroy River turtle

Rhinolophus philippinensis

greater large-eared horseshoe

bat

Rhinonicteris aurantia

orange leaf-nosed bat

Rostratula australis

Australian painted snipe

Saccolaimus saccolaimus

nudicluniatus

bare-rumped sheathtail bat

Saproscincus eungellensis

Eungella shadeskink

Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis

redfin blue eye

Sminthopsis douglasi

Julia Creek dunnart

Sminthopsis leucopus janetzkiae

white-footed dunnart

Sousa sahulensis

Australian humpback dolphin

Stagonopleura guttata

diamond firetail

107

Sternula nereis exsul

New Caledonian fairy tern

Stiphodon pelewensis

Daintree cling goby

Stiphodon rutilaureus

orange cling goby

Stiphodon surrufus

emerald cling goby

Stipiturus malachurus

southern emu-wren

Tachyglossus aculeatus

echidna

Taudactylus eungellensis

Eungella tinkerfrog

Taudactylus pleione

Kroombit tinkerfrog

Taudactylus rheophilus

northern tinkerfrog

Techmarscincus jigurru

Bartle Frere cool-skink

Tenuibranchiurus glypticus

swamp crayfish

Thalassarche bulleri

Buller's albatross

Thalassarche carteri

Indian yellow-nosed albatross

Page 50 of 69 • EPP/2015/1658 • Version 1.15 • Last Reviewed: 08/12/2023 Department of Environment and Science (QLD)

Scientific name

Common name

Species functional

group

NCA

class

Multiplier

Thalassarche cauta

shy albatross

Thalassarche chrysostoma

grey-headed albatross

Thalassarche steadi

white-capped albatross

Tiliqua scincoides intermedia

northern blue-tongued lizard

108

Trisyntopa scatophaga

antbed moth

Turnix melanogaster

black-breasted button-quail

Turnix olivii

buff-breasted button-quail

Tympanocryptis condaminensis

Condamine earless dragon

Tympanocryptis wilsoni

Roma earless dragon

Tyto novaehollandiae kimberli

masked owl (northern

subspecies)

Varanus mertensi

Mertens’ water monitor

109

Varanus mitchelli

Mitchell’s water monitor

110

Wollumbinia belli

Bell's turtle

Xeromys myoides

false water-rat

4.5.2 Other matters data table

Category

Sub-Category

Multiplier

Connectivity

Local Government Matter

MLES 1

Local Government Matter

MLES 2

Local Government Matter

MLES 3

Local Government Matter

MLES 4

Marine

Waterway providing for fish passage

Marine

Fish Habitat Area

Marine

Marine Park

Marine

Marine plants

Protected areas

National park

Page 51 of 69 • EPP/2015/1658 • Version 1.15 • Last Reviewed: 08/12/2023 Department of Environment and Science (QLD)

Protected areas

National parks (scientific)

Protected areas

National parks (Aboriginal land)

Protected areas

National park (Torres Strait Islander

land)

Protected areas

National park (Cape York Peninsula

Aboriginal land)

Protected areas

Special wildlife reserves

Protected areas

Conservation parks

Protected areas

Resources reserves

Protected areas

Nature refuges

Koala Habitat (SEQ LGAs)

Essential habitat (s. 2(3)(b), Schedule

2, Environmental Offsets Regulation

2014)

Koala habitat area (s. 6(3), Schedule

2, Environmental Offsets Regulation

2014)

Habitat for koalas (s. 6(4), Schedule

2, Environmental Offsets Regulation

2014)

Threatened plants

Critically endangered, endangered,

vulnerable and near threatened

plants

Endangered regional ecosystems

Of Concern regional ecosystems

Least Concern regional ecosystems

(intersecting a watercourse or associated with a

wetland)

Wetlands

Watercourses

Near threatened plants are only applicable to assessments under State Code 16 (Native vegetation clearing) of the SDAPs of

the Planning Act 2016.

Page 52 of 69 • EPP/2015/1658 • Version 1.15 • Last Reviewed: 08/12/2023 Department of Environment and Science (QLD)

4.5.3 Local Government Area data table

LGA Name

Statutory Land Value ($/ha

)

Aurukun Shire Council

100

Balonne Shire Council

687

Banana Shire Council

1202

Barcaldine Regional Council

449

Barcoo Shire Council

107

Blackall Tambo Regional Council

308

Boulia Shire Council

452

Brisbane City Council

229626

Bulloo Shire Council

101

Bundaberg Regional Council

4641

Burdekin Shire Council

3149

Burke Shire Council

168

Cairns Regional Council

12724

Carpentaria Shire Council

222

Cassowary Coast Regional Council

4438

Central Highlands Regional Council

2466

Charters Towers Regional Council

2854

Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council

100

Cloncurry Shire Council

5832

Cook Shire Council

5681

Croydon Shire Council

100

Diamantina Shire Council

2006

Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council

100

Douglas Shire Council

7531

Etheridge Shire Council

288

Flinders Shire Council

191

The dollar figure is the average $/ha for the LGA for all lots of 10ha or greater

Page 53 of 69 • EPP/2015/1658 • Version 1.15 • Last Reviewed: 08/12/2023 Department of Environment and Science (QLD)

LGA Name

Statutory Land Value ($/ha

)

Fraser Coast Regional Council

6399

Gladstone Regional Council

4990

City of Gold Coast

58443

Goondiwindi Regional Council

972

Gympie Regional Council

6281

Hinchinbrook Shire Council

3188

Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council

100

Ipswich City Council

23071

Isaac Regional Council

1914

Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council

100

Livingstone Shire Council

7280

Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council

100

Lockyer Valley Regional Council

7329

Logan City Council

34751

Longreach Regional Council

301

Mackay Regional Council

5454

Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council

100

Maranoa Regional Council

1083

Mareeba Shire Council

6550

Mckinlay Shire Council

137

Moreton Bay Regional Council

26983

Mornington Shire Council

100

Mount Isa City Council

23057

Murweh Shire Council

872

Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council

100

Noosa Shire Council

13170

North Burnett Regional Council

1053

Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council

100

Page 54 of 69 • EPP/2015/1658 • Version 1.15 • Last Reviewed: 08/12/2023 Department of Environment and Science (QLD)

LGA Name

Statutory Land Value ($/ha

)

Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council

100

Paroo Shire Council

225

Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council

100

Quilpie Shire Council

168

Redland City Council

64283

Richmond Shire Council

129

Rockhampton Regional Council

3761

Scenic Rim Regional Council

8462

Somerset Regional Council

6288

South Burnett Regional Council

2184

Southern Downs Regional Council

3361

Sunshine Coast Regional Council

19141

Tablelands Regional Council

8283

Toowoomba Regional Council

3765

Torres Shire Council

23767

Torres Strait Island Regional Council

100

Townsville City Council

18202

Weipa Town Council

21984

Western Downs Regional Council

1753

Whitsunday Regional Council

4304

Winton Shire Council

152

Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council

100

Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council

100

Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council

100

Page 55 of 69 • EPP/2015/1658 • Version 1.15 • Last Reviewed: 08/12/2023 Department of Environment and Science (QLD)

4.5.4 Bioregion and subregion data table: on ground cost per hectare and 20-year loss

Bioregion name

Subregion name

On-Ground cost per ha ($)

20-year loss ($)

Brigalow Belt

Anakie Inlier

4000

105

Brigalow Belt

Arcadia

4000

298

Brigalow Belt

Banana - Auburn Ranges

4000

195

Brigalow Belt

Barakula

4000

154

Brigalow Belt

Basalt Downs

4000

416

Brigalow Belt

Belyando Downs

4000

397

Brigalow Belt

Beucazon Hills

4000

272

Brigalow Belt

Bogie River Hills

2000

170

Brigalow Belt

Boomer Range

4000

Brigalow Belt

Buckland Basalts

2000

Brigalow Belt

Callide Creek Downs

4000

712

Brigalow Belt

Cape River Hills

2000

149

Brigalow Belt

Carnarvon Ranges

2000

Brigalow Belt

Claude River Downs

4000

325

Brigalow Belt

Culgoa - Bokhara

4000

458

Brigalow Belt

Dawson River Downs

4000

688

Brigalow Belt

Dulacca Downs

4000

771

Brigalow Belt

Eastern Darling Downs

4000

428

Brigalow Belt

Inglewood Sandstones

4000

Brigalow Belt

Isaac - Comet Downs

4000

670

Brigalow Belt

Macintyre - Weir Fan

4000

513

Brigalow Belt

Marlborough Plains

4000

249

Brigalow Belt

Moonie - Barwon Interfluve

4000

388

Brigalow Belt

Moonie R. - Commoron Creek

Floodout

4000

582

Brigalow Belt

Mount Morgan Ranges

4000

182

Brigalow Belt

Narrandool

4000

128

Brigalow Belt

Nebo - Connors Ranges

4000

253

Page 56 of 69 • EPP/2015/1658 • Version 1.15 • Last Reviewed: 08/12/2023 Department of Environment and Science (QLD)

Bioregion name

Subregion name

On-Ground cost per ha ($)

20-year loss ($)

Brigalow Belt

Northern Bowen Basin

4000

239

Brigalow Belt

South Drummond Basin

4000

279

Brigalow Belt

Southern Downs

4000

318

Brigalow Belt

Tara Downs

4000

771

Brigalow Belt

Taroom Downs

4000

1055

Brigalow Belt

Townsville Plains

2000

287

Brigalow Belt

Upper Belyando Floodout

4000

335

Brigalow Belt

Warrambool - Moonie

4000

458

Brigalow Belt

Weribone High

4000

385

Brigalow Belt

Woorabinda

4000

112

Brigalow Belt

Wyarra Hills

2000

164

Channel Country

Bulloo

2000

Channel Country

Bulloo Dunefields

2000

Channel Country

Coongie

2000

Channel Country

Cooper - Diamantina Plains

2000

Channel Country

Dieri

2000

Channel Country

Georgina - Eyre Plains

2000

Channel Country

Goneaway Tablelands

2000

Channel Country

Lake Pure

2000

Channel Country

Noccundra Slopes

2000

Channel Country

Simpson Desert

2000

Channel Country

Strzelecki Desert

2000

Channel Country

Sturt Stony Desert

2000

Channel Country

Toko Plains

2000

Central Queensland

Coast

Byfield

20000

238

Central Queensland

Coast

Clarke - Connors Ranges

20000

238

Central Queensland

Coast

Debella

20000

434

Page 57 of 69 • EPP/2015/1658 • Version 1.15 • Last Reviewed: 08/12/2023 Department of Environment and Science (QLD)

Bioregion name

Subregion name

On-Ground cost per ha ($)

20-year loss ($)

Central Queensland

Coast

Manifold

20000

122

Central Queensland

Coast

Proserpine - Sarina Lowlands

20000

835

Central Queensland

Coast

Whitsunday

20000

753

Cape York Peninsula

Battle Camp Sandstones

2000

Cape York Peninsula

Cape York - Torres Strait

2000

Cape York Peninsula

Coastal Plains

2000

255

Cape York Peninsula

Coen - Yambo Inlier

2000

Cape York Peninsula

Jardine - Pascoe Sandstones

2000

Cape York Peninsula

Laura Lowlands

2000

Cape York Peninsula

Northern Holroyd Plain

2000

Cape York Peninsula

Starke Coastal Lowlands

2000

Cape York Peninsula

Weipa Plateau

2000

Desert Uplands

Alice Tableland

2000

Desert Uplands

Cape - Campaspe Plains

2000

Desert Uplands

Jericho

4000

136

Desert Uplands

Prairie - Torrens Creeks

Alluvials

2000

113

Einasleigh Uplands

Broken River

2000

Einasleigh Uplands

Georgetown - Croydon

2000

Einasleigh Uplands

Herberton - Wairuna

2000

111

Einasleigh Uplands

Hodgkinson Basin

2000

Einasleigh Uplands

Kidston

2000

107

Einasleigh Uplands

Undara - Toomba Basalts

2000

217

Gulf Plains

Armraynald Plains

2000

270

Gulf Plains

Claraville Plains

2000

Gulf Plains

Donors Plateau

2000

189

Gulf Plains

Doomadgee Plains

2000

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Bioregion name

Subregion name

On-Ground cost per ha ($)

20-year loss ($)

Gulf Plains

Gilberton Plateau

2000

Gulf Plains

Holroyd Plain - Red Plateau

2000

Gulf Plains

Karumba Plains

2000

517

Gulf Plains

Mitchell - Gilbert Fans

2000

Gulf Plains

Wellesley Islands

2000

Gulf Plains

Woondoola Plains

2000

351

Inshore (remote)

East Cape York

50000

Inshore (remote)

Karumba-Nassau

50000

Inshore (remote)

Wellesley

50000

Inshore (remote)

West Cape York

50000

Inshore (non-remote)

Lucinda-Mackay Coast

30000

Inshore (non-remote)

Shoalwater Coast

30000

Inshore (non-remote)

Tweed-Moreton

30000

Inshore (non-remote)

Wet Tropic Coast

30000

Mitchell Grass Downs

Barkly Tableland

2000

224

Mitchell Grass Downs

Central Downs

2000

262

Mitchell Grass Downs

Flinders

2000

190

Mitchell Grass Downs

Georgina Limestone

2000

Mitchell Grass Downs

Kynuna Plateau

2000

157

Mitchell Grass Downs

Southern Wooded Downs

2000

181

Mitchell Grass Downs

Southwestern Downs

2000

224

Mulga Lands

Cuttaburra - Paroo

2000

Mulga Lands

Eastern Mulga Plains

4000

Mulga Lands

Langlo Plains

4000

Mulga Lands

Nebine Plains

4000

Mulga Lands

North Eastern Plains

4000

Mulga Lands

Northern Uplands

2000

Mulga Lands

Urisino Sandplains

2000

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Bioregion name

Subregion name

On-Ground cost per ha ($)

20-year loss ($)

Mulga Lands

Warrego Plains

2000

Mulga Lands

West Balonne Plains

4000

Mulga Lands

West Bulloo

2000

Mulga Lands

West Warrego

2000

New England

Tableland

Nandewar Northern Complex

4000

102

New England

Tableland

Stanthorpe Plateau

4000

110

New England

Tableland

Tenterfield Plateau

4000

123

Northwest Highlands

McArthur

2000

Northwest Highlands

Mount Isa Inlier

2000

Northwest Highlands

Southwestern Plateaus &

Floodouts

2000

Northwest Highlands

Thorntonia

2000

Offshore

Arafura

50000

Offshore

Carpentaria

50000

Offshore

Central Reef

50000

Offshore

Mackay-Capricorn

50000

Offshore

Marion Plateau Province

50000

Offshore

Northern Coral Sea Province

50000

Offshore

Pompey-Swains

50000

Offshore

Queensland Plateau Province

50000

Offshore

Ribbons

50000

Offshore

Torres Strait

50000

Rivers and inland

waterways

Inland Waterways

20000

Rivers and inland

waterways

Rivers

20000

Southeast Queensland

Brisbane - Barambah

Volcanics

20000

568

Southeast Queensland

Burnett - Curtis Coastal

Lowlands

20000

147

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Bioregion name

Subregion name

On-Ground cost per ha ($)

20-year loss ($)

Southeast Queensland

Burnett - Curtis Hills and

Ranges

20000

176

Southeast Queensland

Burringbar - Conondale

Ranges

20000

637

Southeast Queensland

Great Sandy

20000

Southeast Queensland

Gympie Block

20000

325

Southeast Queensland

Moreton Basin

20000

568

Southeast Queensland

Scenic Rim

20000

1273

Southeast Queensland

South Burnett

20000

637

Southeast Queensland

Southern Great Barrier Reef

20000

176

Southeast Queensland

Sunshine Coast - Gold Coast

Lowlands

20000

494

Southeast Queensland

Woodenbong

20000

597

Wet Tropics

Atherton

20000

637

Wet Tropics

Bellenden Ker - Lamb

20000

637

Wet Tropics

Daintree - Bloomfield

20000

637

Wet Tropics

Herbert

20000

687

Wet Tropics

Innisfail

20000

941

Wet Tropics

Kirrama - Hinchinbrook

20000

372

Wet Tropics

Macalister

20000

637

Wet Tropics

Paluma - Seaview

20000

298

Wet Tropics

Tully

20000

741

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Appendix 5 Advanced offsets

An advanced offset is an area of land that has been identified and registered under section 14 of the Environmental

Offsets Regulation 2014 as an advanced offset. Advanced offsets may be used as an offset to compensate for a

future significant residual impact on one or more prescribed environmental matters. Advanced offsets are

encouraged where practical, as they provide a means to better manage the risks associated with the time delay in

finding a suitable offset site and realising the conservation outcome for the prescribed environmental matters on

that site. Advanced offsets within a Strategic Offset Investment Corridor are also encouraged because they will

provide a landscape outcome for the prescribed environmental matter.

Requirements for identification and registration of an advanced offset

For section 14 of the Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014, this section of the policy must be considered when

deciding an application for an area of land to be identified as an advanced offset.

An application to register an advanced offset must:

• be properly made in the approved forms;

• demonstrate that the land contains, or is capable of containing, a prescribed environmental matter; and

• include a baseline habitat quality assessment of the land. This assessment may be undertaken using the Guide

to Determining Terrestrial Habitat Quality or an alternative approach that has been approved by DES and

endorsed by the relevant technical agency for the matter.

The administering agency will have regard to Chapters 1, 2 and 2A of this policy when assessing an advanced

offset application, including how the application demonstrates that the offset will result in additional protections or

management actions than would have occurred otherwise.

How the advanced offset is managed to achieve a conservation outcome is at the discretion of the landholder—it is

not a consideration under section 14 of the Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014. A landholder does not need to

submit an offset delivery plan or legally secure the site for the site to be registered as an advanced offset.

Assessing an offset application using an advanced offset

Once the advanced offset is identified to deliver a specific offset condition, the site and management of the site

must satisfy all requirements in this policy, including those relating to offsets required by other legislation and

authority requirements. In assessing the suitability of the advanced offset the administering agency must consider

any conservation outcome achieved for the prescribed environmental matter/s from the date that the advanced

offset was recorded in the offsets register.

It is important to note that advanced offsets do not in any way prejudice the outcome of any future assessment of a

prescribed activity.

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Appendix 6 Direct Benefit Management Plans

A DBMP is a pre-approved plan that outlines priority actions for addressing threats to, and providing substantial

benefits for, a particular prescribed environmental matter. A DBMP may include direct actions as well as indirect

actions such as research and education programs that will improve knowledge, understanding and management of

prescribed environmental matters and lead to improved conservation outcomes for those matters. A DBMP

endorses actions and an approved methodology for achieving a conservation outcome.

One or more priority actions identified in a DBMP can be undertaken to fulfil all or part of an obligation to provide an

offset for one or more prescribed environmental matters. The proponent should apply the approved methodology to

fulfil the offset obligation and demonstrate that substantial benefits can be achieved by undertaking actions from a

DBMP for the relevant prescribed environmental matters compared to a traditional land-based offset.

Approval of DBMPs

A DBMP action can only be used as part of an offset for impacts on MSES or MNES if the DBMP has been

approved by DES. DES will seek endorsement of the DBMP from the relevant technical agency or experts and, if

necessary, DES can establish a Scientific Technical Committee to assess the DBMP to ensure it meets the criteria

outlined in this policy. Once approved the DBMP will be listed on the publicly available offset register. To expedite

the process, the relevant technical agency should be consulted prior to requesting that DES approve the DBMP.

For MLES the DBMP must be approved by the relevant local government.

Offset delivery plans and DBMPs

An application to undertake actions identified in a DBMP as part of a proponent-driven offset is subject to the

assessment of an offset delivery plan, which must demonstrate that the proposed management actions will achieve

the required conservation outcome. Final approval of the offset delivery plan is at the discretion of the relevant

administering agency.

In electing to provide an offset (or part of an offset) by undertaking actions in a DBMP the proponent must include

as part of the notice of election:

• the pre-approved DBMP relating to an assessment of the significant residual impacts for the impacted

prescribed environmental matter;

• demonstration that the actions selected from the DBMP proposed to be undertaken are additional to existing

activities or measures being undertaken for that prescribed environmental matter, are cost-effective and in

themselves can provide a conservation outcome for the impacted prescribed environmental matter; and

• an offset delivery plan outlining how the actions in the DBMP will be implemented to achieve a conservation

outcome for the impacted prescribed environmental matter. An offset delivery plan to deliver on one or more of

the actions listed in the DBMP needs to include:

• justification of the actual benefit achieved for the prescribed environmental matter so that the impact is

counterbalanced;

• the performance criteria that will be used to monitor success of the management actions;

• the actual cost of delivery;

• any site-specific details;

• risks of the action not achieving the conservation outcome and how these risks are to be managed;

• possible impacts on other MSES;

• details and agreement from all landholders and/or interested parties; and

• the proposed legal security mechanism (if appropriate).

Offsets utilising priority actions in a DBMP will be listed and tracked in Queensland’s offset register. As DBMP

actions are utilised DES should be notified ([email protected]u) and the State’s offset register updated.

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Criteria for a DBMP

A DBMP is to achieve the principles of this policy by:

• identifying actions that address threats to, and provide substantial benefits for, the prescribed environmental

matter;

• demonstrating how a conservation outcome can be achieved by undertaking the listed priority actions; and

• prioritising actions that are efficient, effective, scientifically robust, measurable and enforceable.

A DBMP may be developed for:

• an individual species, or range of species, or its habitat (except for koala habitat in South East Queensland);

• ecosystems, such as wetlands or mangroves, that are difficult to replicate through a land-based offset; and

• fish passage, fish habitat and marine environment.

Examples of actions in a DBMP

Priority actions listed in a DBMP may include, for example:

• implementing part of a Queensland Government ‘back on track’ priority program;

• implementing part of a species recovery plan developed by the Queensland Government or Australian

Government;

• a plan developed by a natural resource management group, offset provider, authority holder or landholder, that

is approved by the Chief Executive of DES as suitable for providing a conservation outcome for prescribed

environmental matters; or

• for MLES, a plan approved by the local government as meeting a conservation outcome for that matter.

Direct actions

Examples of direct actions that may achieve a conservation outcome include but are not limited to the following:

o enhancing, restoring and establishing key habitat and connectivity across multiple tenures or properties;

o threat mitigation activities such as (but not restricted to) safe movement opportunities or weed or feral animal

control on a landscape scale or across multiple properties;

o propagating and planting a vulnerable plant species or establishing and intensively managing new

populations of a vulnerable animal in appropriate habitat;

o protecting and restoring significant freshwater, marine or estuarine ecosystems;

o landscape-scale fire management activities such as patch burning or protective burns; and

o fencing or other management techniques to manage access impacts on the prescribed environmental matter

including legal security where relevant to all or part of the area.

In reaching agreement about the agreed delivery arrangement the administering agency must ensure that delivery

of the DBMP actions will achieve the principles of this policy.

Indirect actions - research and education

A DBMP may include indirect actions such as research and education. However, unless otherwise agreed by DES,

research and education must not comprise more than 10% of the offset.

A suitable research or education program under a DBMP must:

• endeavour to improve the viability of the impacted prescribed environmental matters, for example:

o signage in key areas to educate the public regarding the risks to a threatened or migratory species, where it

can be demonstrated that this is likely to improve the viability of the species; or

o research into effective revegetation techniques for a threatened ecological community or regional

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ecosystem;

• be targeted toward key research/education activities as identified in ‘back on track’ actions for biodiversity or

relevant commonwealth approved recovery plan and threat abatement plan. Where approved guidance

documents are not available or are insufficient in detail, the additional information sources such as state and

territory management plans or peer reviewed scientific literature may be suitable to inform priority offset

activities;

• be undertaken in a transparent, scientifically robust and timely manner;

• be undertaken by a qualified individual or organisation; and

• be evidence based.

Additional requirements for research programs

The following additional requirements apply for research programs:

• the research will be conducted by a group or individual with postgraduate or higher qualifications, however there

will be scope to engage other educational levels in educational programs (see below);

• the research will generate findings that can be peer-reviewed;

• the findings will be published in an internationally recognised peer-reviewed scientific journal or be of a standard

that would be acceptable for publication in such a journal. Publications should be submitted to free, open access

journals. Data and information collected should have creative commons licensing and be free and accessible;

and

• research outputs should be able to inform future management decisions on the prescribed environmental

matters and, where possible, be readily applicable to other similar matters (e.g. species groupings).

Additional requirements for educational programs

The following additional requirements apply for educational programs:

• the program should vary in scope, mode of delivery and duration according to the target audience and the

prescribed environmental matters (for instance, school or community programs, signage or printed materials);

• the program should be targeted toward behavioural change and subsequent improvement in the viability of the

prescribed environmental matters; and

• the program should seek to attain measurable outcomes. Whilst it may be difficult to ascertain the scope of

influence of educational programs in facilitating behavioural change and subsequent improvement in the viability

of the prescribed environmental matters, the program must demonstrate to a reasonable extent how it will assist

to counterbalance a significant residual impact of the prescribed activity on the prescribed environmental

matters.

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Appendix 7 Offset account and trust fund administration

Financial settlement offset payments for state-required offsets will be managed by DES, in accordance with Part

11, Division 1 of the Environmental Offsets Act 2014. The funds will be quarantined for offset projects throughout

the state. This approach will direct investment to benefit the relevant impacted prescribed environmental matters,

whilst acquitting authority holders of all offset obligations upon payment.

DES will be responsible for ensuring delivery of conservation outcomes for the impacted prescribed environmental

matters through the facilitation of strategic offset projects. Offset projects will deliver conservation outcomes that

may be based on a single financial offset project, or pooling a number of offset payments in order to achieve more

effective and strategic outcomes for the impacted matters. The use of a DBMP and investment of offsets in

Strategic Offset Investment Corridors will avoid piecemeal offset investment.

Management of the offset funds will be subject to best practice governance policies and a transparent reporting

regime to ensure that objectives of the projects are met on time and on budget. The quarantined offset account will

be audited by the Queensland Audit Office and details of offsets will be entered into the offset register that will be

available on the Queensland Government website.

The exception to this approach is in relation to impacts on a protected area (excluding nature refuges). In these

circumstances, DES will allocate funds for such impacts to ensure that an offset is delivered for a protected area.

Where there has been a financial settlement payment made for the known impacts on a matter/matters at the time

of assessment, no refund will be made should the actual development result in less impact than originally

calculated.

Local government offsets

Under sections 24(2)(a) and (b) and 89 of the Environmental Offsets Act 2014, financial settlement offset payments

must be credited to the local government’s trust fund. The trust money may be used by the local government to pay

for the delivery of an offset to achieve a conservation outcome, and fees associated with administering the trust

fund.

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Glossary

Administering agency has the same meaning as the Environmental Offset Act 2014.

Administrative cost floor price is the set minimum amount of the administrative cost component of a financial

settlement offset, regardless of the area of impact. It is applied to impacts that are greater than 2.5ha.

Advanced offset is an area of land identified and registered as an advanced offset under section 14 of the

Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014. Refer to Appendix 8 for detail.

Agreed delivery arrangement has the same meaning as the Environmental Offsets Act 2014.

Authority has the same meaning as the Environmental Offsets Act 2014.

Authority holder, for:

• an offset condition, has the same meaning as in the Environmental Offsets Act 2014.

• a self-administered offset code of compliance, is an individual or organisation (including a government or

government owned corporation) who is required to provide an environmental offset under the framework.

Broad Vegetation Group (BVG) represents a combination of regional ecosystems grouped by similar vegetation

communities. There are three scales of BVGs mapped in Queensland; 1:1,000,000 (regional), 1:2,000,000 (state)

and 1:5,000,000 (national). The 1:1,000,000 (regional) scale mapping is applicable to the offsets framework.

Commonwealth Significant Impact Guideline is a significant impact guideline for a matter of National

environmental significance made by the department that administers the Commonwealth Environment Protection

and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (www.environment.gov.au/resource/draft-koala-referral-guidelines).

Conservation outcome has the same meaning as the Environmental Offsets Act 2014.

Direct Benefit Management Plan (DBMP) see Appendix 6 for more details.

Environmental offset has the same meaning as the Environmental Offsets Act 2014.

Environmental Offset Protection Area has the same meaning as the Environmental Offsets Act 2014.

Government Owned Corporation has the same meaning as the Government Owned Corporations Act 1993.

Highest Astronomical Tide means the highest tidal levels which can be predicted to occur under average

meteorological conditions and any combination of astronomical conditions.

Koala habitat tree means a tree of any of the following genera:

(a) Angophora;

(b) Corymbia;

(d) Lophostemon;

(e) Melaleuca.

Land has the same meaning as the Environmental Offsets Act 2014.

Non-juvenile koala habitat tree means a koala habitat tree that:

(a) is more than 4m high; or

(b) has a trunk with a circumference of more than 31.5cm at 1.3m above the ground.

Offset Account has the same meaning as the Environmental Offsets Act 2014.

Offset Delivery Plan has the same meaning as the Environmental Offsets Act 2014.

Offset Provider is a person or organisation that has entered into contractual arrangements with the Government or

an authority holder to deliver an offset in accordance with the contractual arrangements.

Prescribed activity, in relation to an application made:

• after 1 July 2014 has the same meaning as the Environmental Offsets Act 2014;

• before 1 July 2014, and to which section 95A or 95B of the Environmental Offsets Act 2014 applies, means the

activity that is subject to the application for an authority under another Act, for which an environmental offset

(however described) may be required.

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Prescribed environmental matter, in relation to an application made:

• after 1 July 2014 has the same meaning as the Environmental Offsets Act 2014;

• before 1 July 2014, and to which section 95A or 95B of the Environmental Offsets Act 2014 applies, means the

environmental values that will be, or are likely to be, impacted by an activity that is subject to the application for

an authority under another Act, for which an environmental offset (however described) may be required.

Proponent is an authority holder or person who has submitted an application and may be the holder of an authority

once granted.

Prescribed ERA has the same meaning as the Environmental Protection Act 1994.

Protected area has the same meaning as the Environmental Offsets Act 2014.Significant residual impact has

the same meaning as the Environmental Offsets Act 2014.

Strategic Offset Investment Corridor is an area that is approved by the Chief Executive administering the

Environmental Offsets Act 2014 as being identified for the benefit of prescribed environmental matters using the

Strategic Investment Corridor Mapping Method. The location and extent of mapped areas is available in digital

electronic form on the Queensland Government website.

Wetland Habitat Type is a typology developed for the Queensland wetland classification scheme. This scheme

provides attribute information for wetland habitats in Queensland based on hydro-geo-ecological drivers, using a

scientifically robust and logical methodology.

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Abbreviations

DBMP is a Direct Benefit Management Plan

DES is the Department of Environment and Science

DMA is the Distinct Matter Area

LGA is a Local Government Area

MLES is a Matter of Local Environmental Significance

MNES is a Matter of National Environmental Significance

MSES is a Matter of State Environmental Significance

SEQ is South East Queensland Region as identified in Section 4 and Schedule 1 of the Planning Regulation 2017

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Approved:

8 December 2023

Enquiries:

Offsets Policy

Ph. 13 QGOV (13 74 68)

Email. offsets@des.qld.gov.au

Version history

Version

Date

Description of changes

1.00

01 July 2014

Initial version

1.01

19 Dec 2014

Species reclassification

1.02

01 July 2016

Protected area amendments

1.03

12 May 2017

Species amendments

1.04

03 July 2017

Updates to legislation changes

1.05

09 May 2018

Consequential amendments for inclusion of the VMOLA regulation

1.06

29 Jun 2018

Minor administrative amendments

1.07

09 Aug 2019

Consequential amendments for inclusion of the NCOLA special wildlife reserves

1.08

06 Feb 2020

Consequential amendments for inclusion of the NCOLA koala protection

1.09

22 Aug 2020

Consequential amendments for inclusion of the NCA Animal and Plant regulations

1.10

03 Mar 2021

Consequential amendments from NC Regulation species reclassification

1.11

08 Oct 2021