Pymble Business Park - Ku-ring-gai Council

13R.2 SUMMARY OF METHODOLOGY
FOR CONVERSATION SIGNIFICANCE
ASSESSMENT - GREENWEB (continued)
Category 4
This consists of an 8m buffer applied to areas of Category 1 and 2, in order to highlight areas
where improved connectivity/consolidation is sought. This may include both vegetated and
non vegetated areas not already included within categories above.
These buffers will help to reduce edge effects on the ecological community (Smith and Smith,
1997; NSWDECC, 2007c). Edge effects include, for instance, the impacts of stormwater
runoff, disturbance, dumping, weed encroachment, microclimate variations and nutrient
changes. The buffer width is limited to 8m due to the practical constraints of the urban
environment of Ku-ring-gai.
This category addresses areas lacking vegetation within identifi ed Biodiversity Corridors.
These areas are identifi ed for enhancement to reconnect patches of remnant vegetation,
facilitating the improvement of connectivity between core habitats. These areas may provide
additional functions such as protection of water quality.
Considered within the context of surrounding vegetation and habitat, these areas will help to
maintain and restore the health, diversity and connectivity of native species population and
communities and improve their resilience under future climate change.
Note that vegetation within Biodiversity corridors is addressed within in Category 2.
Category 5
KVC vegetation in good, moderate condition
Whilst smaller than patches identifi ed within Category 3, these areas also provide habitat
septting stones, assist in the maintenance of TECs across a range of topographies, facilitate
genetic fl ow and provide fauna habitat for more mobile/urbanised species.
See Section 3.3 of Ku-ring-gai Council (Dec 2011) Ku-ring-gai Biodiversity and Riparian Lands Study for
further background.
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Draft Ku-ring-gai Local Centres Development Control Plan 2012