Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L01713:body:0:p49
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L01713
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 210960–215892

of offsets when considering how to mitigate coastal development impacts.                                              Offsets are unlikely to be a viable option to address impacts to the national water mouse population in most circumstances due to the linear coastal distribution of this species, its sensitivity to fragmentation and genetic isolation along the urbanised east Queensland coast, and its occurrence in dynamic coastal areas.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Proportion of coastal developments with offsets for the water mouse that were able to show a demonstrable and sustained increase in water mouse abundance that was equivalent to the estimated decline in water mouse abundance at the development site, prior to the development occurring.
            Responsibility:                                                                                                                                                  Offsets may only be considered an option to compensate for development impacts to the water mouse under the following conditions:
            •Developers                                                                                                                                                      • The anticipated impact on the national water mouse population from the development can be accurately estimated, including consideration for fragmentation and future habitat migration under sea-level rise, and
            •Local, State & Commonwealth environment departments.                                                                                                            • It can be demonstrated that the offset location has a water mouse population that is below capacity due to degradation and/or one or more threats that are unlikely to be alleviated without intervention, and the degradation or threat/s can be removed or managed indefinitely by the proponent or a partner organisation, and
                                                                                                                                                                             • It can be demonstrated that water mouse habitat at the offset location has a high capacity to successfully migrate inland within the offset boundary as sea-levels rise with climate change, and
                                                                                                                                                                             • There are no foreseeable threats to water mouse and its habitat at the offset site that will not be managed or mitigated, and
                                                                                                                                                                             • Long-term protection of the offset site as a water mouse refuge is legally secured, and
                                                                                                                                                                             • Prior to the development occurring, management of the offset location results in a demonstrable sustained increase in water mouse abundance that is greater than the estimated decline in abundance at the development site.
                                                                                                                                                                             Offsets based on habitat area will not be considered appropriate for reducing impacts on the water mouse until a greater understanding about water mouse habitat requirements, densities, and responses to threats is achieved through implementing the research, monitoring and management actions outlined in this plan. The Water Mouse Recovery Team, in conjunction with the Commonwealth Environmental Approvals Department, will be best placed to determine when this offset strategy may become applicable.
                                                                                                                                                                             The feasibility of translocating impacted individuals from a development site to an approved offset site should be considered in conjunction with species and translocation experts, trialled where a conservation gain is anticipated, and comprehensively monitored to assess the long-term (i.e. > 10 year) impact.
1.3         Appropriate regulation of coastal developments through compliance                                                                                                All regulated coastal developments are monitored to ensure