Local Biodiversity Strategy: - Shire of Kalamunda

on a natural area. While the development may be for private land, the impact of
development activities may frequently affect public land.
This policy will detail the level of information to be provided by the proponent.
Completion of Natural Area Initial Assessments could be required in order to ensure
that adequate information to assess ecological viability is supplied.
The LPP for biodiversity conservation will also be used to guide structure plans and
outline development plans. The LPP will be applied to identify, prioritise and
designate natural areas occurring within the structure or outline development plan
area to be protected. Mechanisms that could be applied to protect natural areas
include nominal Public Open Space (POS), POS via shared infrastructure costs or tax
concession land donations made by the developer (refer to Section 11.6).
The targets established in Part B will provide guidance as to which natural areas
should be retained and, if possible, protected.
11.4.2 LPP for Tree and Vegetation Preservation
Adapting the Tree Preservation Policy will
provide improved protection for all Shire
endemic plant species.
Currently the Shire of Kalamunda has a Tree
Preservation Policy that requires proponents to
apply for planning approval if they want to remove
more than 5 mature trees in one year. In order to
fully align with Local Planning Scheme No.3 and
current legislation, this policy should be reviewed
and updated.
As previously stated in the Section 11.3 the local
planning scheme states that endemic vegetation
should not be damaged, destroyed or removed
unless it is in accordance with relevant state
legislation, acts, regulations and guidelines.
The Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004
provide the State Government legislation regarding the removal of endemic
vegetation. The application of these regulations in the Shire of Kalamunda is a
requirement of law. Guidance is provided by the State Government with regard to
protection of the environment and biodiversity.
The (Draft) Guidance Statement No.33: Environmental Guidance for Planning and
Development 2005, for example, details the EPA’s broad principles for protection of
endemic terrestrial vegetation and flora. These principles can be used in the
assessment of removal of vegetation within the Shire.
Using the State clearing regulations and best practice environmental management as
a guide, it is recommended that the Tree Preservation policy be updated in the
following ways:
Local Biodiversity Strategy Page 72