Council and Developer Toolkit
Are you a developer or council requiring a permit for dredging and reclamation, blocking fish passage, harming marine vegetation or using explosives in a waterway? Use the links below for the permit application form as well as useful information on managing our aquatic habitats.
Workshops
Saving Aquatic Habitat in Stormwater Drains Workshop
Stormwater drains probably arent the first area that comes to mind when thinking about fish habitat, but fish, including the threatened Oxylean pygmy perch, live and breed in them. How these drains are constructed and maintained can have an impact on the potential for fish to survive and thrive. Industry and Investment NSW has put together a practical workshop for anyone with an interest in managing stormwater in rural areas. It includes how-to sessions on on-ground works and the planning process and field visits, at which participants will benefit from the experiences of staff from Richmond Valley Council. The workshop is supported by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust.
The workshop is free. It will be held at Richmond Valley Council Chambers (Casino NSW) from 8:45 am 4:30 pm on the 3rd November (afternoon tea will coincide with Melbourne Cup coverage). Please RSVP by October 20th 2009 to Charlie Carruthers on telephone 6626 1360 or email.
Integrated Development Applications
This document provides information on NSW DPI (Fisheries Management Act) requirements when preparing Integrated Development applications.
Permit application form
Download the permit application form 80Kb to undertake the following activities:
- Dredging and reclamation
- Harming marine vegetation
- Blocking fish passage
- Using explosives or electrical devices in a waterway.
Gradys Creek Road, Kyogle Shire, where Kyogle Shire Council worked with NSW DPI to replace a low level fish barrier crossing with a 3 celled box culvert crossing. Photo: C. Jenkins
Policies & guidelines
- Policy and Guidelines for Aquatic Habitat Management and Fish Conservation (1999) 1.5Mb
- Policy and Guidelines for Fish Friendly Waterway Crossings (No:1181 2 Feb 2004) 356Kb
AND
Why Do Fish Need to Cross the Road? Fish Passage Requirements for Waterway Crossings (4 Feb 2004) 855Kb
(These two documents must be read together)
- NSW State Weirs Policy 270Kb
Fish Habitat Protection Plans
Fish Habitat Protection Plans describe potential threats to fish habitat and recommend actions to mitigate the effects of potentially damaging activities. A new concept in NSW, the plans can be developed for the protection of any fish habitat, whether it is critical for the survival of the species or required to maintain sustainable populations of fish for harvesting.
They can focus on protecting habitats on a State, regional or local scale, or for particular communities or species.
The community is consulted during the preparation of a Fish Habitat Protection Plan, and the responsibilities of public authorities, including local councils, regarding the protection and management of the habitats are clearly set out.
Once the plan is finalised and gazetted, the authorities, including local councils, must take into account the protection strategies within the plan to ensure that those habitats are protected.
NSW DPI has gazetted three plans to date.
Fish Habitat Protection Plan 1 - General
An advisory document summarising various protective measures in relation to dredging and reclamation activities, fish passage requirements, and the protection of mangroves, other marine vegetation and snags.
Fish Habitat Protection Plan 2 - seagrasses
Deals specifically with the protection of seagrasses across NSW, and discusses activities which impact on seagrasses, including the construction of jetties, wharves, and bridges, dredging and reclamation, and the collection of seagrasses.
Strapweed (Posidonia australis). Photo: David Harasti
Aerial view of damage to seagrass caused by boat anchorage. Image: Google Earth
Fish Habitat Protection Plan 3 - Hawkesbury Nepean River System
Outlines management strategies and protection measures for aquatic habitats essential for the spawning, nursery, shelter and feeding requirements of fish in the Hawkesbury-Nepean River.
Hawkesbury River. Photo: Scott Machar
Hawkesbury River. Photo: Scott Machar
More information
Contact the Aquatic Habitat Protection Unit