Test of Significance Sydney & Regional New South Wales

What is a Test of Significance ? 

A Test of Significance (ToS) is required for any development application (DA) proposed on a property that contains, native trees, vegetation, native fauna habitat (e.g. hollow-bearing trees, or nests) or is adjacent to native vegetation (e.g. National Parks, bushland reserves, wildlife corridors, coastal protection areas, or native vegetation on private property). 

A Test of Significance is prepared pursuant to section 7.2 and 7.3 of the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. It is is often required to fulfil the requirements of a Development Application (DA) in New South Wales including Greater Sydney and the rest of the state. 

A Test of Significance usually forms part of a Flora and Fauna Assessment Report also known as an Ecological Impact Assessment, Ecology Report, Flora and Fauna Report, or Biodiversity Assessment Report. 

This report is produced by an Ecologist like Land Eco Consulting and identifies all potential threatened species and/or ecological communities located on the development site and the surrounding landscape. 

This report is examined by Council (or the regulator) to determine the potential impacts of a proposed development on the identified species or ecological communities. 

The following reports have different names, as set by the relevant council/regulatory authority, but all are the same thing, and all are prepared by a qualified Ecologist such as Land Eco Consulting. 

Each of these reports are named differently, but they all provide the same information, that being an assessment of the significance of the proposed development impact upon threatened ecological communities, threatened species or populations in accordance with section 7.3 of the NSW BC Act:

• Flora and Fauna Impact Assessment Report
• Flora and Fauna Report
• Ecologist  Report
• Test of Significance
• Five Part Test
• 5 Part Test
• Biodiversity Assessment Report
• Ecological Impact Assessment
• Biodiversity Report
• Terrestrial Ecology Report
• Prescribed Ecological Actions Report (PEAR) 

When is a Test of Significance Required? 

A Test of  is required for any development proposed on a property that contains, native vegetation, native trees,  or is adjacent to native vegetation (e.g. National Parks, bushland reserves, wildlife corridors, coastal protection areas, or native vegetation on private property). 

Sometimes a proposed development site has been historically cleared, however, Councils may still request a Flora and Fauna Report  to assess the sites' capacity to act as a corridor or linkage for threatened species,  or provide habitat resources for fauna (although these may not be vegetated) such as riparian areas, wetlands or swamps, rocky outcrops, stormwater outlets, course woody debris, hollow bearing trees, caves, cliffs. 

Council then assess how the proposal will directly or indirectly impact on these areas, vegetation or natural features of the site. They usually assess the application against the NSW Test of Significance Guidelines

Land Eco Consulting provide Flora and Fauna Assessment Reports including 'Five [5] Part' Tests of  Significance' pursuant to section 7.3 of the New South Wales (NSW) Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 for clients seeking Development Application (DA) approval  throughout all of the Councils shown here, including but not limited to the regions of Sydney, Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Central Coast, South Coast, Southern Highlands, Illawarra, North Coast and regional New South Wales, Australia.

Some Councils have produced their own guidelines and policies that they require you to follow when preparing a Test of Significance / Biodiversity Report / Flora and Fauna Report / Ecological Report. 

Here are some examples of Council Biodiversity / Ecological Guidelines for Development Applications:

• Central Coast Council
• Penrith City Council
• Ku-ring-gai Council
• Northern Beaches Council
• The Hills Shire Council
• Hornsby Shire Council
• Blue Mountains City Council
• Shoalhaven City Council
• Port Stephens Council
• Lake Macquarie City Council
• Byron Shire Council
• Tweed Shire Council

Land Eco Consulting provide our Ecologist services to clients in all the above Councils plus many more. Access the full list here.

A Test of Significance or Flora and Fauna Report or Ecological Report is often required for Development Applications (DA) including residential, industrial, extractive, renewable and others that are assessed by a local Council under Part 4 of the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

A Test of Significance can only be prepared by a suitably qualified person, usually an Ecologist such as the qualified experts at Land Eco Consulting.

The Test of Significance will identify the impacts (if any) to threatened species, populations and/or ecological communities listed under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 that occur on or around the site of the proposed DA.

Flora and Fauna Reports, Ecological Impact Assessments, Test of Significance must be written in a particular manner and contain enough detail for Council to make an informed decision on whether to approve/reject the DA on the ground of adequate impact mitigation to any threatened species, population or community. 

Land Eco Consulting can help your project through to approval

Land Eco have a team lead by a Principal Ecologist, Kurtis Lindsay, who holds a strong track record in producing quality Flora & Fauna Reports to meet the requirements of all Councils in Sydney and the state of New South Wales Australia.

Contact Land Eco Consulting for a free quote for a Flora & Fauna Report / Test of Significance for your DA.

E: info@landeco.com.au

M: 0408 765 832

Flora and Fauna Report Ecologist Sydney & Regional New South Wales, Australia.