Why is ecological monitoring required in NSW?
- Legal and regulatory compliance
Under NSW and Commonwealth legislation—such as the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW) and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)—developers, land managers, and consent authorities have a legal obligation to avoid, minimise, and offset impacts on threatened species and ecological communities. Ongoing monitoring is often a condition of development consent, a requirement of Biodiversity Development Assessment Reports (BDARs), or part of biodiversity offset strategies. It ensures that management actions are effective and that biodiversity values are not being unintentionally degraded over time. - Adaptive management
Monitoring provides the scientific basis for adaptive management—a process where ecological data is used to adjust management strategies based on actual outcomes. For example, if monitoring reveals a decline in a threatened species population or poor nest box usage, management practices (e.g. habitat restoration or predator control) can be revised to improve effectiveness. - Demonstrating environmental performance
For infrastructure projects, developments, or public land management, monitoring shows regulators, stakeholders, and the public that biodiversity commitments are being met. This builds transparency and accountability, particularly in areas with high conservation value or community interest. - Supporting conservation and recovery
Monitoring of threatened ecological communities helps track ecosystem health, assess the success of weed control or fire management, and ensure key attributes of the community are retained. Similarly, threatened species monitoring helps identify critical breeding sites, seasonal movements, or population trends—essential for long-term species recovery planning. Nest box monitoring, commonly required when natural hollow-bearing trees are lost due to clearing, helps determine whether artificial habitat is being used effectively and whether additional interventions are needed.
When is ecological monitoring required?
- As part of a development approval or modification
- Under a biodiversity offset agreement
- For public land or reserve management
- During post-clearing or construction rehabilitation
- In response to a species management plan (e.g. for koalas, microbats, or gliders)
In Summary
Ecological monitoring in NSW is essential to ensure compliance with environmental laws, protect threatened biodiversity, measure the effectiveness of conservation actions, and inform adaptive management. It provides a practical and scientific foundation for making sure that development and land use changes do not come at the expense of the state’s unique and often vulnerable ecological values.
TEC monitoring refers to the monitoring of Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs)—that is, native plant and animal communities that are listed as threatened under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW) or the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 (Cth).
What is a Threatened Ecological Community (TEC)?
A TEC is a naturally occurring group of native species that forms an ecosystem and is considered at risk of extinction due to factors like:
- Land clearing or fragmentation
- Invasive species
- Altered fire regimes
- Climate change
- Hydrological changes or degradation
Examples in NSW include:
- Cumberland Plain Woodland
- Coastal Swamp Oak Forest
- Blue Gum High Forest
What is TEC Monitoring?
TEC monitoring is the process of regularly observing, recording, and assessing the condition and health of a threatened ecological community over time. It involves evaluating factors such as:
- Species composition (what species are present and in what abundance)
- Vegetation structure (canopy, midstorey, ground layer)
- Weed invasion
- Soil condition and erosion
- Disturbance impacts (fire, grazing, human activity)
- Regeneration success
Why is TEC Monitoring Important in NSW?
- Legal Compliance
- TECs are legally protected, and their degradation or destruction may be subject to penalties.
- TEC monitoring is often required by development consent conditions, Biodiversity Development Assessment Reports (BDARs), or offset site management plans.
- Measure Management Effectiveness
- Monitoring helps determine whether actions like weed control, fencing, revegetation, or grazing exclusion are actually benefiting the community.
- If not, strategies can be adapted.
- Track Ecological Trends
- Detects changes in community health over time (e.g. increase in invasive species, dieback of key native species).
- Allows early intervention before further decline occurs.
- Support Biodiversity Conservation
- Data collected helps inform broader conservation efforts and recovery planning for endangered ecological communities.
How Is TEC Monitoring Done?
Monitoring typically includes:
- Baseline surveys (to establish initial condition)
- Permanent monitoring plots or transects
- Photopoints
- Species richness and cover estimates
- Repeat surveys (usually annually or biannually)
- Data analysis and reporting
Monitoring may follow NSW government guidelines or ecologist-designed methodologies based on the type and location of the TEC.
