Biodiversity Values Map: High-Value Land Sensitive to Development

The Biodiversity Values Map is a trigger for determining the applicability of the Biodiversity Offset Scheme under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. Prepared by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, it integrates multiple mapping layers from various agencies and councils. Planned quarterly updates include adding areas from the last 90 days and removing those that no longer meet inclusion criteria.

Use Cases

• Identify land with high biodiversity value based on integrated mapping layers.
• Determine regulatory triggers for the Biodiversity Offset Scheme based on spatial location.
• Monitor changes in sensitive areas based on the 90-day update cycle for new additions.
• Support environmental impact assessments for development proposals.

Strengths

• Data is prepared under Part 7 of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, providing a legal basis.
• Planned for quarterly updates, suggesting a maintenance schedule.
• Integrates mapping layers from multiple agencies and councils, indicating a composite data source.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Freshness should be verified as the last update date is 2026-03-17.

Provenance

Source

NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE), with layers from various agencies and councils.

Collection Method

Developed and maintained under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

Time Range

Includes areas added in the last 90 days; map is updated quarterly.

Freshness

Planned quarterly updates; last updated 2026-03-17.

Geography

New South Wales, Australia.