In 2022-23, on behalf of the Byron Shire Council, the team at EarthScapes conducted a detailed literature review, undertook repeat seasonal surveys of the shire’s rural flying-fox camps, undertook community engagement and presentations, and produced a comprehensive management plan.
The Byron Shire Flying-fox Camp Management Plan now guides planning, helps address community concerns and support ecological values. It outlines strategies to manage flying-fox impacts and ensure their conservation in the Byron Shire.
The Resilience and Hazards 2021 SEPP includes mapping of Coastal Wetlands and Littoral Rainforest. Earthscapes Consulting were engaged by Byron Shire Council to undertake a review of the mapping. The project involved consultation with stakeholders and use of GIS technology and ecological expertise to recommend updates to the mapping.
The koala is listed as ‘vulnerable to extinction’ under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 because of declining numbers and the ongoing pressure of threats. EarthScapes Consulting have been tasked with preparing the Northern NSW Regional Koala Conservation Strategy.
This document aims to To develop a regional approach for coordinating the conservation, recovery, and management of Koala populations in the Northern Rivers region of NSW over the next 30 years.
The floods of February -March 2022 devastated the Northern NSW. EarthScapes Consulting was engaged by Bangalow Koalas, WWF, Byron Shire Council and Tweed Shire Council to assess the impact of the flood events on koala plantings.
Site assessments collected data on the flood event, tree species and the ecological impact of the floods. Photo point monitoring took place at over 200 sites in the northern rivers.
Mitchells Rainforest Snail Thersites mitchellae is a critically endangered land snail found in north-eastern NSW. The snail’s habitat has been heavily impacted by land clearing and fragmentation. EarthScapes Consulting was engaged by Byron Shire Council to map the potential habitat of the snail in Byron Shire.
A Habitat suitability model was developed to predict the spatial distribution of the species based on environmental parameters such as vegetation.
Photo: John Stanisic
EarthScapes consulting have been engaged by many landholders across the northern rivers of NSW to prepare a Property Plan. Each Plan details the following elements of the property:
Implementation of Conservation Zones in the Byron Shire Local Environment Plan (2018 to present) was undertaken by EarthScapes.
The project involved assessing vegetation and other environmental values through GIS analysis and on-site validation and liaising with landholders to gazette land in Byron Shire for the purpose of environmental protection.
EarthScapes worked with the North Coast Biodiversity Conservation Division of DPE to implement criteria to identify areas of high biodiversity value. Threatened ecological communities and species were identified by referring to legislative criteria and applying the criteria to GIS data.
EarthScapes have used GIS spatial analysis modelling to map Flying Fox sitings and distribution (Byron Shire Council), model the habitat of Glossy Black Cockatoos on the north coast of NSW (Wilsons Creek Huonbrook Landcare) and Mitchell’s Rainforest Smail (Thersites mitchellae) for Byron Shire Council as well as map threatened species and nest boxes (WildBnB).
Light Detection and Ranging data (LiDAR) provides the height of vegetation and other features and can be used to identify vegetation across a study area. Vegetation extent derived from LiDAR is typically more accurate, higher resolution and more current than traditional vegetation mapping techniques. Across a three-stage approach, EarthScapes are currently using GIS and LIDAR analysis together with ground-truthing incorporating rapid assessment site surveys, to update the vegetation mapping across Tweed and Ballina Shires.
EarthScapes assessed changes in the distribution and abundance of koalas within Ballina Shires by undertaking mapping, identification of habitat and food trees, as well as surveys of selected sites.
The results were analysed to determine activity levels, extent of occurrence, generational persistence and changes in abundance. A report was prepared and the results presented to Councils.
LIDAR data, NearMaps aerial photography and API were utilised to produce fine scale mapping of Eucalypt communities for Tweed Shire Council, including field validation and reporting.
The Lismore Urban Green Corridor Plan, a key component of Lismore City Council’s Biodiversity Management Strategy, focuses on conserving and restoring biodiversity within the urban area. It identifies and establishes a network of wildlife corridors to connect existing bushland areas, enhancing habitat and promoting ecological connectivity.
EarthScapes conducted in depth consultation with stakeholders, updated and undertook detailed bushland reserve assessments, established prioritisation matrices for management, and updated the Plan, bringing it up to current best ecological practice recommendations and analysis.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (2024) enlisted the EarthScapes team to develop a taxonomic key featuring 61 koala tree species in the North Coast Koala Management Area (KMA). This detailed resource can now be used as a tool to inform and empower koala conservation practitioners, and those engaged in habitat restoration works.
Seven workshops focused on educating koala carers and restoration experts in the correct use of the keys, with practical field experience provided.
EarthScapes Consulting was contracted by Byron Shire Council to prepare an Ecological Assessment for proposed civil works to repair three landslides. The report accompanied a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) under Part 5 of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act to assess the environmental impacts arising from the proposal. The project incorporated site assessments of vegetation at landslip sites, including weed assessment and species audits.
Developing forms and using GIS apps to collect information in the field in northern NSW. This has included: