Draft Habitat Hectare Version 2 Manual What is the habitat hectare method The habitat hectare method is a site-based assessment which measures the condition of native vegetation with reference to a benchmark for the same vegetation type. The condition combines with the area, to determine the amount of habitat hectares in a patch of vegetation. The method is the Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) approved method of assessing native vegetation, for the purposes of regulation and investment. Qualified assessors undertake habitat hectare assessments to determine losses from clearing of native vegetation and gains available in offset sites. What is habitat hectare version 2? The habitat hectare method for assessing native vegetation condition has been reviewed and modified to better represent vegetation condition, reduce assessor bias and improve consistency and repeatability in the method. The review has resulted in some changes being made to the field assessment approach and significant changes to the way vegetation condition is scored. When will version 2 be implemented? Version 2 will be implemented in mid-2014, following a period of consultation, feedback and training. Version 1.3, released in 2004, will continue to be applied for the purposes of Native Vegetation Regulation decision making during this intervening period. Habitat hectare version 1.3 remains unchanged during this time, and still includes an assessment of Landscape Context as part of the condition score. What is the purpose of the habitat hectare version 2 Manual? The manual is a technical guide for assessors needing to conduct a habitat hectare assessment in the field. It does not provide a comprehensive explanation of the new method or provide justification for the methodology. Further information will be made available in the coming months, which will provide a more detailed explanation of the decision making, scoring approach and assessment criteria of the new approach. Can I provide feedback on the Draft habitat hectare version 2 Manual? Technical experts in native vegetation assessment are invited to provide feedback on the draft manual. Feedback should be focussed on the usability and relevance of the manual for native vegetation assessors. Feedback is not being sought on the assessment criteria or scoring approach. Feedback can be directed to: [email protected] . It should include the heading: “Draft HHv2 Manual feedback” and may be in the form of either comments or suggestions, or can be a Word version of the manual with tracked changes. The closing date for feedback process is March 28, 2014. When will training be available for native vegetation assessors?
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Draft Habitat Hectare Version 2 Manual Fact sheet
What is the habitat hectare methodThe habitat hectare method is a site-based assessment which measures the condition of native vegetation with reference to a benchmark for the same vegetation type. The condition combines with the area, to determine the amount of habitat hectares in a patch of vegetation.
The method is the Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) approved method of assessing native vegetation, for the purposes of regulation and investment. Qualified assessors undertake habitat hectare assessments to determine losses from clearing of native vegetation and gains available in offset sites.
What is habitat hectare version 2?The habitat hectare method for assessing native vegetation condition has been reviewed and modified to better represent vegetation condition, reduce assessor bias and improve consistency and repeatability in the method. The review has resulted in some changes being made to the field assessment approach and significant changes to the way vegetation condition is scored.
When will version 2 be implemented? Version 2 will be implemented in mid-2014, following a period of consultation, feedback and training. Version 1.3, released in 2004, will continue to be applied for the purposes of Native Vegetation Regulation decision making during this intervening period. Habitat hectare version 1.3 remains unchanged during this time, and still includes an assessment of Landscape Context as part of the condition score.
What is the purpose of the habitat hectare version 2 Manual? The manual is a technical guide for assessors needing to conduct a habitat hectare assessment in the field. It does not provide a comprehensive explanation of the new method or provide justification for the methodology.
Further information will be made available in the coming months, which will provide a more detailed explanation of the decision making, scoring approach and assessment criteria of the new approach.
Can I provide feedback on the Draft habitat hectare version 2 Manual?Technical experts in native vegetation assessment are invited to provide feedback on the draft manual. Feedback should be focussed on the usability and relevance of the manual for native vegetation assessors. Feedback is not being sought on the assessment criteria or scoring approach.
Feedback can be directed to: [email protected]. It should include the heading: “Draft HHv2 Manual feedback” and may be in the form of either comments or suggestions, or can be a Word version of the manual with tracked changes.
The closing date for feedback process is March 28, 2014.
When will training be available for native vegetation assessors? DEPI approved training will be available prior to the implementation of the new method. Online training will be available which aims to provide users with an understanding of the method and its application. A more comprehensive, field-based training program will be available to native vegetation assessors and will include accreditation of assessors through the habitat hectare competency process.
Assessors who are currently registered on DEPI’s Vegetation Quality Assessment Competency Register have had their competency extended until the release of the new version. All assessors will be required to complete the competency check in the new method to be eligible to assess native vegetation to DEPI’s standards.
Where can I get further information?Further information on the method will be made available in the coming months. Queries can be directed to: [email protected].
Other information regarding native vegetation, including DEPI’s native vegetation permitted clearing regulations and associated fact sheets can be found at: www.depi.vic.gov.au/nativevegetation .
Published by the Victorian Government Department of Environment and Primary Industries Melbourne, February 2014.
© The State of Victoria Department of Environment and Primary IndustriesMelbourne 2014.
This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.
ISBN 978-1-74326-754-7(pdf)
AccessibilityIf you would like to receive this publication in an alternative format,please telephone DEPI Customer Service Centre 136 186, [email protected] (or relevant address), via the NationalRelay Service on 133 677 www.relayservice.com.au This document isalso available on the internet at www.depi.vic.gov.au
DisclaimerThis publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and itsemployees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kindor is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaimsall liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
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