Conservation > Native vegetation > Managing native vegetation > Significant environmental benefit

Significant environmental benefit

DENR and the Native Vegetation Council (NVC) assess all applications to clear native vegetation in South Australia. In most situations, when a clearance application is approved, conditions are attached to ensure that the clearance is offset by restoration work that provides a significant environmental benefit.

Significant environmental benefit offsets and projects are usually designed to address the following priorities:

• to assist in the enhancement of biodiversity to meet targets established in regional NRM Plans and regional Biodiversity Plans
• to enhance remnant native vegetation through the implementation of active management activities, including buffering through the establishment and management of rehabilitation, habitat enhancement or plantings
• to assist in achieving targets identified in the NatureLinks program or established NatureLinks corridors
• to assist in the rehabilitation, protection and management of key areas identified through biodiversity analysis
• to provision for long-term biodiversity outcomes, such as addressing the potential impacts of climate change
• to assisting in the conservation of National, State or Regionally listed plant species and vegetation communities.

Examples of works commonly undertaken to offset authorised clearance include:

• the establishment and management of a set-aside area to encourage the natural regeneration of native vegetation.
• the protection and management of an established area of native vegetation
• entering into a Heritage Agreement on land where native vegetation is already established to further preserve or enhance the area in perpetuity
• a payment to the Native Vegetation Fund (only where the above options are not possible).

DENR monitors and analyses the progress of these offsets to provide advice and ensure compliance with conditions of clearance and that a biodiversity benefit is achieved.