Coal & Allied Northern Surplus Lands

Coal and Allied owns large tracts of land (over 3,000 ha) within the Minmi-Stockrington area located to the west of Newcastle, NSW. This current project involves ecological assessment under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 for the development of several proposed residential and industrial subdivisions and the dedication of lands to conservation. While the proposed development of around 20% of the site would occur, large tracts of intact bushland will be dedicated to the government for conservation lands in perpetuity.

RPS has performed extensive flora and fauna surveys across these lands, with flora survey utilising the PATN statistical program to assist in the delineation of over 12 vegetation communities across the site. This fine scale vegetation mapping has ensured that conservation offset goals are achieved for the client, particularly for Endangered Ecological Communities (EECs). The size and high biodiversity content of the conservation lands is reflected in the detection of five threatened flora species, two rare ROTAP listed flora species and six EECs.

The ecological component of this project aims to ensure that adequate conservation of threatened species habitat and EECs is achieved within the proposed conservation lands. The proposed conservation lands (80% of the entire estate and totally over 2,500 ha) are a key component of the NSW Government’s Draft Lower Hunter Regional Conservation Plan. The proposed conservation lands form part of a vegetation corridor which extends for the Watagan Mountains in the west through to Hexham Swamp and the Hunter Estuary. This green corridor is vital to maintain biodiversity within the Lower Hunter region. RPS is providing vital information on the flora and fauna and habitats present within these lands in which there is little existing data available within this area.