Integrity of the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme

Introduction

This inquiry was self-referred on 24 June 2021 to inquire into the Integrity of the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme. Submissions closed on 31 August 2021. The inquiry is due to report on 24 November 2022.

Video recordings of hearings where available can be found on the NSW Parliament's YouTube channel here.

Terms of reference
This inquiry was Self-referred on 24 June 2021.

 

Clarifications to the Terms of Reference

 

1(b) - the use of offsets by the NSW Government for major projects and strategic approvals

This relates to the use of offsets for state significant development (SSD) and state significant infrastructure (SSI) major projects, including as part of strategic assessments (or biodiversity certifications) and the offsetting conditions that consent authorities apply to these types of projects.

 

1(c) - the impact of non-additional offsetting practices on biodiversity outcomes, offset prices and the opportunities for private landowners to engage in the scheme

Non-additional offsets are offsets that don't provide any additional conservation values or increase in biodiversity values, but still generate credits to enable the loss of existing biodiversity values. For example, converting existing nature reserves into offset credits.

 
Timeline
DateMilestone
Thu 24 June 2021Self-referred
Tue 31 August 2021Submissions closed
Fri 22 October 2021Hearing - Via Video conference, NSW Parliament
Thu 09 December 2021Hearing - Jubilee Room, Parliament House, Sydney
Fri 10 December 2021Hearing - Jubilee Room, Parliament House, Sydney
Fri 08 April 2022Hearing - Macquarie Room, Parliament House, Sydney
Thu 24 November 2022FinalReport
Tue 14 February 2023Government Response to Final Report
Submissions

Submissions to this inquiry closed on 31 Aug 2021.

View all submissions

Hearings and transcripts
DateVenue details
Fri 22 October 2021Via Video conference, NSW ParliamentView scheduleView transcript
Thu 09 December 2021Jubilee Room, Parliament House, SydneyView scheduleView transcript
Fri 10 December 2021Jubilee Room, Parliament House, SydneyView scheduleView transcript
Fri 08 April 2022Macquarie Room, Parliament House, SydneyView scheduleView transcript
Reports and government responses

Government response - Report No 16 - PC 7 - Planning and Environment - Integrity of the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme

Tabled date:
Tue 14 February 2023
PDF260.10 KB

Report No 16 - PC 7 - Planning and Environment - Integrity of the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme

Tabled date:
Thu 24 November 2022
PDF1.62 MB
Other documents
DateTypeTitle
Thu 24 November 2022Media ReleaseMedia release - PC7 - Integrity of the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme report released 24 Nov 2022 (pdf, 114.54 KB)
Thu 20 October 2022Correspondence Minister for Environment to Chair, providing updates to the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme (pdf, 2.27 MB)
Mon 06 June 2022Answers to Questions on Notice Urban Taskforce - Integrity of the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme - 8 April 2022 (pdf, 1.02 MB)
Thu 02 June 2022Answers to Questions on Notice Department of Planning and Environment - 8 April 2022 hearing (pdf, 330.14 KB)
Tue 10 May 2022Answers to Questions on Notice Mr Mark Adams, Meridolum - answers to committee questions (pdf, 404.38 KB)
Thu 10 February 2022Answers to Questions on Notice Department of Planning and Environment - 10 December 2021 hearing (pdf, 307.56 KB)
Mon 31 January 2022Answers to Questions on Notice Meridolum (pdf, 70.62 KB)
Tue 25 January 2022Answers to Questions on Notice Local Government NSW (pdf, 97.95 KB)
Fri 10 December 2021Tabled DocumentEmail from Mr and Mrs Dykes to the NSW Government, undated, 'Our comments on the Biodiversity Offset Market', tendered by Mr Dykes (pdf, 44.37 KB)
Fri 10 December 2021Tabled DocumentInquiry outcomes and/or changes we would recommend', tendered by Mr Dykes (pdf, 1.44 MB)
Fri 10 December 2021Tabled DocumentData from Tricketts Arch Statement of Reasonable Equivalence to BAM Credits under the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme, tendered by Mr Dykes (pdf, 126.76 KB)
Thu 09 December 2021Tabled DocumentEmail correspondence with Department of Planning, Industry and Environment regarding updated biodiversity credits in transition to the Biodiversity Assessment Method, tendered by Mr Lees, dated 30 July 2020 (pdf, 5.87 MB)
Thu 09 December 2021Tabled DocumentA Proposed Compensation Claim by FAP Nominees Pty Ltd for Investment Losses Incurred in the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme against the NSW Dept of Planning, Industry and Environment and the Biodiversity Conservation Trust' - Independent Opinion on the Proposed Claim by Charles O'Neil FCIArb, dated 30 November 2021, tendered by Mr Lees (pdf, 22.42 MB)
Tue 23 November 2021Answers to Questions on Notice Ms Rachel Walmsley, Environmental Defenders' Office (pdf, 124.88 KB)
Tue 23 November 2021Answers to Questions on Notice Ms Rachel Walmsley, Environmental Defenders' Office (pdf, 163.85 KB)
Thu 04 November 2021Answers to Questions on Notice Mr Bryan Jenkins, Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (pdf, 114.76 KB)
Fri 22 October 2021Tabled DocumentArticle dated 17 February 2021, titled 'Rescue plan for nature: How to fix the biodiversity crisis', NewScientist (pdf, 4.13 MB)
Fri 22 October 2021Tabled DocumentPhotograph – Lawler's Well – formerly the only permanent water source in the Leard State Forest – 2011, tendered by Ms Anna Christie (jpg, 2.86 MB)
Fri 22 October 2021Tabled DocumentPhotograph – Birds drinking from Lawler's Well – 2011, tendered by Ms Anna Christie (jpg, 1.18 MB)
Fri 22 October 2021Tabled DocumentMap 1 showing Leard State Forest – Exclusive Use Areas, Forestry Corporation, tendered by Ms Anna Christie (pdf, 294.81 KB)
Fri 22 October 2021Tabled DocumentMap 2 showing Leard State Forest – Exclusive Use Areas, Forestry Corporation, tendered by Ms Anna Christie (pdf, 2.26 MB)
Fri 22 October 2021Tabled DocumentAgenda - Wilton Site Visit (10 March 2017), Department of Planning and Environment, tendered by Mr Williams (pdf, 642.14 KB)
Fri 22 October 2021Tabled DocumentWilton and Greater Macarthur Priority Growth Areas: Biodiversity Study (Eco Logical Australia) - prepared for NSW Department of Planning and Environment, 2017, tendered by Mr Williams (pdf, 3.99 MB)
Fri 22 October 2021Tabled DocumentGreater Macarthur Investigation Area: Biodiversity Assessment Report' (Eco Logical Australia) - prepared for NSW Department of Planning and Environment, September 2015 (pdf, 4.22 MB)
Tue 29 June 2021Media ReleaseMedia release - PC7 - New Inquiry into the Biodiversity Offset Scheme (pdf, 123.41 KB)
Contact us
Email:
portfoliocommittee7@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Peta Leemen

Role:
Principal Council Officer
Phone:
9230 2354
Email:
portfoliocommittee7@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Email:
portfoliocommittee7@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Gareth Perkins

Role:
Council Officer
Phone:
9230 2296
Email:
portfoliocommittee7@parliament.nsw.gov.au

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