Biodiversity Action Planning

Bioregions Victoria | Bioregional Strategic Overviews | Landscape Planning

This section of the VRO website is a collaborative effort between the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) (external link) and Department of Primary Industries (DPI). DSE has wide ranging responsibilities for the management of plant and animal issues across Victoria, including the conservation of native flora and fauna, and the control of pest plants and animals. Visit the Plants and Animals section of DSE's website (external link) for up to date information. Biodiversity conservation and management is a fundamental part of DSEs integrated programs - find out more on DSE's Biodiversity page (external link) - including information on: Natural Landscapes, Bushfire Recovery, Rivers and Wetlands, Natural Seascapes, Rural Landscapes, Urban Landscapes and Victoria's Biodiversity Strategy.

Partnerships in protecting and restoring indigenous biodiversity in rural landscapes

The Victorian Biodiversity Action Planning (BAP) Program is a partnership between the Department of Sustainability & Environment (external link), Catchment Management Authorities, the Trust for Nature (external link), Local Government and Parks Victoria (external link). BAP is a structured approach to identifying priorities and mapping significant areas for native biodiversity at landscape and bioregional scales. It provides information for Regional Catchment Strategies, Local Government policy and planning, Trust for Nature’s Conservation Planning, local area planning, whole farm planning and Environmental Management Systems (external link).

Biodiversity Action Planning (BAP) attempts to take a strategic approach to conservation of threatened and declining species and vegetation types by looking for opportunities to conserve groups of species in appropriate ecosystems. It supports the notion of a 'net gain' in the extent and quality of native vegetation as outlined in Victoria's Native Vegetation Management Framework. The approach is based on the application of scientific principles for landscape conservation of biodiversity - and is about planning future landscapes. Image: Biodiversity montage

Components of Biodiversity Action Planning

Biodiversity Action Planning involves a number of elements, including:

Bioregional Strategic Overview
Landscape Plans
Local Area Plans
a mechanism to engage public and landholders

The Bioregional Strategic Overview provides details of the framework and methodology used in developing bioregional biodiversity action planning (BAP) and an overview of the features and assets of the bioregion and divides the landscape into Landscape Zones (see diagram opposite).

Landscape Plans provide specific information on assets and priorities for actions within parts of the bioregions and identify the best options for restoring native vegetation to recover biodiversity at a more detailed scale than is possible in the Native Vegetation Management Plans.

Local Area Plans or other planning processes such as landcare plans, may be developed through community engagement processes, and cover the range of natural resource issues.
Image: Landscape Zones

Further information about Biodiversity Action Planning can be gained from the following publications:

To view the information PDF requires the use of a PDF reader. This can be installed for free from the Adobe website (external link).

Biodiversity Action Planning brochure

This brochure provides a generalised overview of Biodiversity Action Planning. Image: Front Page BAP Action Plan

(PDF 1.49MB)

How to Plan Wildlife Landscapes - A Guide for Community Organisations

This Guide has been written to assist community organisations, private landholders and others with an interest in planning wildlife landscapes. It aims to assist in understanding the planning principles for including native flora and fauna in landscapes and develop an action plan. Other (more detailed) levels of planning such as catchment, patch, site and species are not covered in this guide Image: How to plan a wildlife landscape

(PDF 1.6MB)

Related Links

Information on the National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia's Biological Diversity is available on the Department of the Environment and Heritage website (external link).

Information on the Australian Terrestrial Biodiversity Assessment 2002 is available on the Department of the Environment and Heritage website (external link).

Information on the Biodiversity Toolbox for Local Government is available on the Department of the Environment and Heritage website (external link). It is designed to provide councils with the tools, resources and contacts to integrate biodiversity conservation into all aspects of Council operations.

Information on South Australia's Regional Biodiversity Plans on the SA Department of Environment and Heritage website (external link).

Information on Bioregions of NSW on the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service website (external link).

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Biodiversity Action Planning brochure This brochure provides a generalised overview of Biodiversity Action Planning.		(PDF 1.49MB)
How to Plan Wildlife Landscapes - A Guide for Community Organisations This Guide has been written to assist community organisations, private landholders and others with an interest in planning wildlife landscapes. It aims to assist in understanding the planning principles for including native flora and fauna in landscapes and develop an action plan. Other (more detailed) levels of planning such as catchment, patch, site and species are not covered in this guide		(PDF 1.6MB)