Illawarra Region BIO Map - Core Areas 20150430

## **Abstract** 

This data and its metadata statement were supplied to the Bioregional Assessment Programme by a third party and are represented here as originally supplied.



Abstract:   The Biodiversity Investment Opportunities Map (BIO Map) is a key deliverable of the NSW Government's $40 million Green Corridors program, a Government priority action identified in NSW 2021: A Plan to make NSW number one. The map was prepared with funding provided by the NSW Environmental Trust. The Illawarra BIO Map covers a 112,942-hectare area defined by the Kiama, Shellharbour and Wollongong Local Government Areas. This includes the Illawarra coastal plain and escarpment, and the eastern parts of the sandstone plateau to the west. Each of these landscapes provides a diversity of vegetation types, habitats and landforms, which combined make the region rich in overall biodiversity values. Mapping criteria were used to identify and map priority investment areas, and targeted stakeholder consultation was conducted to inform the outputs of the project. Stakeholders consulted included nine state government authorities, four local councils and six non-government organisations. The priority investment areas comprise of biodiversity core areas and a network of state and regional biodiversity corridors within the Illawarra region. The total area represented within the mapped priority investment areas is 66,827 hectares, comprising 13,980 hectares of core area and 52,847 hectares of corridors. This represents about 59 per cent of the Illawarra region. The BIO Map project aims to achieve better biodiversity outcomes by directing biodiversity investment funding to the strategic locations of greatest benefit. A landholder's right to carry out agricultural and developmental activities on their land are not altered by their property being identified as a priority investment area on the BIO Map. The BIO Map identifies areas where landowners have more opportunities to receive funding to protect their bushland. Any involvement by a landowner in such programs is entirely voluntary. Report Title: Biodiversity Investment Opportunities Map Mapping Priority Investment Areas for the Illawarra Region

## **Dataset History** 

This data and its metadata statement were supplied to the Bioregional Assessment Programme by a third party and are represented here as originally supplied.



Lineage:   Lineage: Core areas are areas of native vegetation and habitat where management will be of greatest benefit to the conservation of state and regional biodiversity values within a region. Combined with state and regional corridors, the areas are termed Priority Investment Areas (PIAs) PIAs were mapped from a combination of existing and established data and from new data layers created specifically for the project. To identify core areas, a seamless vegetation layer was made from 20 separate fine-scale vegetation maps. Vegetation types were then assigned to a single, state-wide classification (i.e. Plant Community Type) and to Threatened Ecological Communities listed in NSW. Core areas were defined as contiguous patches (separated by 30 metres or less) of Threatened Ecological Communities greater than 10 hectares in size. Threatened ecological communities were identified by mapping the associations of PCTs with the NSW Scientific Committee determinations of threatened communities. Land was removed from core areas in cases where it was deemed likely to be affected by development; this included land zoned for urban land uses or areas where land-use intensification or fragmentation was likely. As a general rule, land zoned residential (e.g. R1 to R4 under a standard LEP, or equivalent), industrial (e.g. IN1 to IN4) or business (e.g. B1 to B7) was removed from core areas. Zoning data were obtained from LEPs in force throughout the study area. After stakeholder consultation and feedback, these areas were then refined into fine-scale boundaries based on either property or vegetation boundaries. The boundaries identified focused on capturing entire patches of the vegetation type identified, not just the amount needed to meet the minimum representation target. Therefore, the areas of some vegetation types significantly exceeded their targets. Targeted stakeholder consultation informed and improved the outputs of the project. Nine state government authorities, four local councils and six non-government organisations were engaged to comment on the draft map. Suggestions from stakeholders were assessed against the mapping criteria and (where appropriate) were incorporated into the final BIO Map. Six core areas added to, or expanded, on the basis of stakeholder feedback and the incorporation of more accurate local information. The total area represented within the mapped PIAs is 66 827 hectares, comprising 13 980 hectares of core area and 52 847 hectares of corridors. This represents about 59% of the Illawarra region. Positional accuracy: Digitising was conducted at a scale of approximately 1:10,000-1:15,000. Attribute accuracy: All attributes have been checked. Completeness: The layer is complete. The layer will require periodic updating to account for any clearing or vegtetation change resulting from future landuse activites.

## **Dataset Citation** 

NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (2015) Illawarra Region BIO Map - Core Areas 20150430. Bioregional Assessment Source Dataset. Viewed 18 June 2018, http://data.bioregionalassessments.gov.au/dataset/523facf7-eacd-42b8-92b3-a01a842b9b75.

Tags: New South Wales, Sydney Basin bioregion, biota, economy, environment
Organization: Bioregional Assessment Program