Navigating Wildlife Regulations on Queensland Construction Projects
While working on construction projects in Queensland, it’s important to be aware of how your work might affect local wildlife. The Nature Conservation Act 1992 focuses on protecting nature, especially wildlife and their habitats, while ensuring any use of these natural resources is sustainable.
If your project could impact the breeding places of protected animals, from those that are critically engandered to those considered least concern, you’ll need a Species Management Program (SMP). Breeding places include not only obvious spots like birds nests or tree hollows but also less visible areas where animals like frogs and reptiles breed.
What does an Species Management Program do?
An SMP helps to:
- Spot risks – identify any potential threats to animal breeding sites due to your project
- Manage impact – put in place measures to avoid to minimise any harm to these sites, both now and in the future
- Keep track – set up monitoring and reporting to ensure your efforts are effective and compliance reporting can be completed
Types of Species Management Programs
There are two types of SMPs:
- High risk – for species that are colonial breeders (e.g. groups of animals of the same kind co-existing in close association for breeding purposes), special least concern, near threatened, vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered
- Low risk – for species of least concern that aren’t colonial breeders
Species Management Programs and other approvals
Keep in mind, an SMP doesn’t cover everything, such as clearing vegetation, which might need approval under other laws like the Planning Act 2016 or the Vegetation Management Act 1999.
The bottom line
If you’re in construction, knowing the ins and outs of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and SMPs is crucial. It ensures you’re not only following the rules but also playing a part in protecting Queensland’s wildlife. Proper planning and following the SMP guidelines will help you reduce your project’s environmental impact while keeping your project on track.