In Victoria, a planning permit is required to remove, destroy, or lop native vegetation under Clause 52.17 of the Victoria Planning Provisions. Some exemptions apply, including for lots smaller than 0.4 hectares, though these are subject to specific conditions. Understanding your native vegetation removal obligations early in the planning process saves time and avoids costly redesigns later.

Our ecological consultants conduct plant surveys to identify species on your site, assess native vegetation condition, and quantify the extent of proposed impacts. Where required, we calculate your native vegetation offset obligations and prepare the supporting documentation for your planning permit application. For assessments requiring Vegetation Quality Assessment (VQA) accreditation, we draw on specialised ecologists to ensure your report meets Victoria's technical standards under the DEECA Guidelines.

If your planning permit approves the removal of native vegetation, a native vegetation offset must be secured to compensate for the biodiversity loss — in line with Victoria's Guidelines for the Removal, Destruction or Lopping of Native Vegetation (DEECA, 2025).

Our ecological consultants help you understand your offset obligations, calculate the required general or specific offset, and coordinate with accredited offset brokers to secure the appropriate offset on your behalf — whether through the native vegetation credit market or a first-party landowner agreement. We manage the process from permit condition to offset confirmation, so your project can proceed without delay.

Threatened species assessments are required when mapping and habitat modelling indicate that threatened flora, fauna, or fungi species may be present on your property. These assessments determine the likelihood of species occurring on your site and identify the measures needed to protect them under Victoria's Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.

We coordinate specialist flora, fauna, and fungi ecologists to undertake targeted field surveys, and prepare management plans that satisfy Council, DEECA, and state government requirements — keeping your planning permit application moving.

Councils across Victoria often require a Land Management Plan (LMP) as a condition of planning approval for private developments, subdivisions, and properties with an Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO) or Vegetation Protection Overlay (VPO). A LMP focuses on the practical, day-to-day measures needed to protect environmental values on your property — native vegetation, waterways, and habitat — during and after construction.

Our ecological consultants prepare LMPs across Melbourne and regional Victoria that are practical, site-specific, and written with clear instructions landowners can actually follow. Where specialist ecological input is needed, we draw on a trusted network of experienced ecologists to ensure you receive the right advice for your site.

A Conservation Management Plan (CMP) is required for public land developments. A CMP sets out how significant environmental values within the development, including native vegetation, waterways, and habitat, will be identified, managed, and monitored over the longer term.

Our ecological consultants prepare CMPs across Melbourne and regional Victoria in collaboration with specialist ecologists, providing practical, site-specific guidance that gives project managers clear direction throughout construction and beyond.

Where your development requires native vegetation to be planted as part of an offset obligation or planning permit condition, Council will require a Revegetation Plan. A Revegetation Plan specifies the species to be planted, planting locations and densities, timing, and the ongoing maintenance and monitoring requirements needed to establish a successful outcome.

We work with specialist ecologists to prepare Revegetation Plans that are practical and tailored to your site — giving you clear guidance on what to plant, when, and how to demonstrate compliance with Council requirements over time.