NSW DoI Water has adopted the Guidelines for Identifying High Ecological Value Aquatic Ecosystems (HEVAE) framework developed by the Australian Commonwealth Government. In the current assessment for NSW, the HEVAE consists of four key criteria which include diversity, distinctiveness, naturalness and vital habitat. Therefore, the HEVAE vegetation GDE value layer is a combination of four individual criterion layers. The final or overall HEVAE score was determined for vegetation PCT polygons which has a high probability of being groundwater dependent. This was calculated by adding together the final scores for each criterion (Naturalness, Diversity, Distinctiveness and Vital Habitat). This score was then standardised by dividing by the maximum combined HEVAE score for a whole catchment’s vegetation GDE polygons to provide an even spread of score outcomes between 0 (lowest) and 1 (highest). For ease of data modelling and management, the dataset was divided into the following catchment management areas; Border Rivers-Gwydir, Central Tablelands, Central West, Hawkesbury-Nepean, Hunter-Central Rivers, Lachlan, Lower Murray Darling, Murray, Murrumbidgee, Namoi, Northern Rivers, Southern Rivers, Southern Tablelands, Sydney Metro and Western Division (MDB and far west subdivided further into the IBRA Sub regions).

NSW DoI Water has adopted the Guidelines for Identifying High Ecological Value Aquatic Ecosystems (HEVAE) framework developed by the Australian Commonwealth Government. In the current assessment for NSW, the HEVAE consists of four key criteria which include diversity, distinctiveness, naturalness and vital habitat. Therefore, the HEVAE vegetation GDE value layer is a combination of four individual criterion layers. The final or overall HEVAE score was determined for vegetation PCT polygons which has a high probability of being groundwater dependent. This was calculated by adding together the final scores for each criterion (Naturalness, Diversity, Distinctiveness and Vital Habitat). This score was then standardised by dividing by the maximum combined HEVAE score for a whole catchment’s vegetation GDE polygons to provide an even spread of score outcomes between 0 (lowest) and 1 (highest). For ease of data modelling and management, the dataset was divided into the following catchment management areas; Border Rivers-Gwydir, Central Tablelands, Central West, Hawkesbury-Nepean, Hunter-Central Rivers, Lachlan, Lower Murray Darling, Murray, Murrumbidgee, Namoi, Northern Rivers, Southern Rivers, Southern Tablelands, Sydney Metro and Western Division (MDB and far west subdivided further into the IBRA Sub regions).

NSW DoI Water has adopted the Guidelines for Identifying High Ecological Value Aquatic Ecosystems (HEVAE) framework developed by the Australian Commonwealth Government. In the current assessment for NSW, the HEVAE consists of four key criteria which include diversity, distinctiveness, naturalness and vital habitat. Therefore, the HEVAE vegetation GDE value layer is a combination of four individual criterion layers. The final or overall HEVAE score was determined for vegetation PCT polygons which has a high probability of being groundwater dependent. This was calculated by adding together the final scores for each criterion (Naturalness, Diversity, Distinctiveness and Vital Habitat). This score was then standardised by dividing by the maximum combined HEVAE score for a whole catchment’s vegetation GDE polygons to provide an even spread of score outcomes between 0 (lowest) and 1 (highest). For ease of data modelling and management, the dataset was divided into the following catchment management areas; Border Rivers-Gwydir, Central Tablelands, Central West, Hawkesbury-Nepean, Hunter-Central Rivers, Lachlan, Lower Murray Darling, Murray, Murrumbidgee, Namoi, Northern Rivers, Southern Rivers, Southern Tablelands, Sydney Metro and Western Division (MDB and far west subdivided further into the IBRA Sub regions).

NSW DoI Water has adopted the Guidelines for Identifying High Ecological Value Aquatic Ecosystems (HEVAE) framework developed by the Australian Commonwealth Government. In the current assessment for NSW, the HEVAE consists of four key criteria which include diversity, distinctiveness, naturalness and vital habitat. Therefore, the HEVAE vegetation GDE value layer is a combination of four individual criterion layers. The final or overall HEVAE score was determined for vegetation PCT polygons which has a high probability of being groundwater dependent. This was calculated by adding together the final scores for each criterion (Naturalness, Diversity, Distinctiveness and Vital Habitat). This score was then standardised by dividing by the maximum combined HEVAE score for a whole catchment’s vegetation GDE polygons to provide an even spread of score outcomes between 0 (lowest) and 1 (highest). For ease of data modelling and management, the dataset was divided into the following catchment management areas; Border Rivers-Gwydir, Central Tablelands, Central West, Hawkesbury-Nepean, Hunter-Central Rivers, Lachlan, Lower Murray Darling, Murray, Murrumbidgee, Namoi, Northern Rivers, Southern Rivers, Southern Tablelands, Sydney Metro and Western Division (subdivided further into the IBRA Sub regions).

NSW DoI Water has adopted the Guidelines for Identifying High Ecological Value Aquatic Ecosystems (HEVAE) framework developed by the Australian Commonwealth Government. In the current assessment for NSW, the HEVAE consists of four key criteria which include diversity, distinctiveness, naturalness and vital habitat. Therefore, the HEVAE vegetation GDE value layer is a combination of four individual criterion layers. The final or overall HEVAE score was determined for vegetation PCT polygons which has a high probability of being groundwater dependent. This was calculated by adding together the final scores for each criterion (Naturalness, Diversity, Distinctiveness and Vital Habitat). This score was then standardised by dividing by the maximum combined HEVAE score for a whole catchment’s vegetation GDE polygons to provide an even spread of score outcomes between 0 (lowest) and 1 (highest). For ease of data modelling and management, the dataset was divided into the following catchment management areas; Border Rivers-Gwydir, Central Tablelands, Central West, Hawkesbury-Nepean, Hunter-Central Rivers, Lachlan, Lower Murray Darling, Murray, Murrumbidgee, Namoi, Northern Rivers, Southern Rivers, Southern Tablelands, Sydney Metro and Western Division (subdivided further into the IBRA Sub regions).

NSW DoI Water has adopted the Guidelines for Identifying High Ecological Value Aquatic Ecosystems (HEVAE) framework developed by the Australian Commonwealth Government. In the current assessment for NSW, the HEVAE consists of four key criteria which include diversity, distinctiveness, naturalness and vital habitat. Therefore, the HEVAE vegetation GDE value layer is a combination of four individual criterion layers. The final or overall HEVAE score was determined for vegetation PCT polygons which has a high probability of being groundwater dependent. This was calculated by adding together the final scores for each criterion (Naturalness, Diversity, Distinctiveness and Vital Habitat). This score was then standardised by dividing by the maximum combined HEVAE score for a whole catchment’s vegetation GDE polygons to provide an even spread of score outcomes between 0 (lowest) and 1 (highest). For ease of data modelling and management, the dataset was divided into the following catchment management areas; Border Rivers-Gwydir, Central Tablelands, Central West, Hawkesbury-Nepean, Hunter-Central Rivers, Lachlan, Lower Murray Darling, Murray, Murrumbidgee, Namoi, Northern Rivers, Southern Rivers, Southern Tablelands, Sydney Metro and Western Division (MDB and far west subdivided further into the IBRA Sub regions).

NSW DoI Water has adopted the Guidelines for Identifying High Ecological Value Aquatic Ecosystems (HEVAE) framework developed by the Australian Commonwealth Government. In the current assessment for NSW, the HEVAE consists of four key criteria which include diversity, distinctiveness, naturalness and vital habitat. Therefore, the HEVAE vegetation GDE value layer is a combination of four individual criterion layers. The final or overall HEVAE score was determined for vegetation PCT polygons which has a high probability of being groundwater dependent. This was calculated by adding together the final scores for each criterion (Naturalness, Diversity, Distinctiveness and Vital Habitat). This score was then standardised by dividing by the maximum combined HEVAE score for a whole catchment’s vegetation GDE polygons to provide an even spread of score outcomes between 0 (lowest) and 1 (highest). For ease of data modelling and management, the dataset was divided into the following catchment management areas; Border Rivers-Gwydir, Central Tablelands, Central West, Hawkesbury-Nepean, Hunter-Central Rivers, Lachlan, Lower Murray Darling, Murray, Murrumbidgee, Namoi, Northern Rivers, Southern Rivers, Southern Tablelands, Sydney Metro and Western Division (MDB and far west subdivided further into the IBRA Sub regions).

NSW DoI Water has adopted the Guidelines for Identifying High Ecological Value Aquatic Ecosystems (HEVAE) framework developed by the Australian Commonwealth Government. In the current assessment for NSW, the HEVAE consists of four key criteria which include diversity, distinctiveness, naturalness and vital habitat. Therefore, the HEVAE vegetation GDE value layer is a combination of four individual criterion layers. The final or overall HEVAE score was determined for vegetation PCT polygons which has a high probability of being groundwater dependent. This was calculated by adding together the final scores for each criterion (Naturalness, Diversity, Distinctiveness and Vital Habitat). This score was then standardised by dividing by the maximum combined HEVAE score for a whole catchment’s vegetation GDE polygons to provide an even spread of score outcomes between 0 (lowest) and 1 (highest). For ease of data modelling and management, the dataset was divided into the following catchment management areas; Border Rivers-Gwydir, Central Tablelands, Central West, Hawkesbury-Nepean, Hunter-Central Rivers, Lachlan, Lower Murray Darling, Murray, Murrumbidgee, Namoi, Northern Rivers, Southern Rivers, Southern Tablelands, Sydney Metro and Western Division (MDB and far west subdivided further into the IBRA Sub regions).

NSW DoI Water has adopted the Guidelines for Identifying High Ecological Value Aquatic Ecosystems (HEVAE) framework developed by the Australian Commonwealth Government. In the current assessment for NSW, the HEVAE consists of four key criteria which include diversity, distinctiveness, naturalness and vital habitat. Therefore, the HEVAE vegetation GDE value layer is a combination of four individual criterion layers. The final or overall HEVAE score was determined for vegetation PCT polygons which has a high probability of being groundwater dependent. This was calculated by adding together the final scores for each criterion (Naturalness, Diversity, Distinctiveness and Vital Habitat). This score was then standardised by dividing by the maximum combined HEVAE score for a whole catchment’s vegetation GDE polygons to provide an even spread of score outcomes between 0 (lowest) and 1 (highest). For ease of data modelling and management, the dataset was divided into the following catchment management areas; Border Rivers-Gwydir, Central Tablelands, Central West, Hawkesbury-Nepean, Hunter-Central Rivers, Lachlan, Lower Murray Darling, Murray, Murrumbidgee, Namoi, Northern Rivers, Southern Rivers, Southern Tablelands, Sydney Metro and Western Division (MDB and far west subdivided further into the IBRA Sub regions).

A map of the high ecological value waterways and water dependent ecosystems for the Northern Beaches LGA was prepared by the Science Division of the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment and the Northern Beaches Council, with input layers and support for the map provided by the former NSW Department of Primary Industries-Fisheries and Department of Industry-Crown Lands and Water. The basis for the map arises from Science Division inputs to strategic planning processes. For example, the map has been included in the Land Use and Infrastructure Implementation Plans for the Wilton (Wilton2040, page 22) and Greater Macarthur (interim plan, page 36) Priority Growth Areas. This map was specifically developed for input to Local Government Local Strategic Planning Statements to support Council’s delivery of Strategy 25.1 of the Greater Sydney Region Plan. The map shows areas where waterways and water dependent ecosystems are defined as high ecological value, based on definitions, guidelines and policies under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, Fisheries Management Act 1994, Water Management Act 2000, Manly Local Environmental Plan 2013 and the Warringah Development Control Plan 2011. Water dependent ecosystems are defined as wetlands, and flora and fauna that rely on water sources (including groundwater). The map represents an overlay of 39 indicators being used by the State Government to define high value, however, not all 39 indicators will be present in any one LGA. For example, there are 36 indicators making up the map for the Northern Beaches LGA (see Attachment 1 below). A comprehensive field assessment was undertaken to assess the accuracy of the map. This showed that areas identified as high ecological value were accurate to 94%. It should be noted that the individual indicators have not been ground-truthed and it is recommended that field assessments and/or a comparison to local mapping be undertaken prior to any decisions being made. The map was created by initially placing a 1 ha (to correspond with a lot size) hexagon grid over the LGA, and attributing the grid with the area, length and/or frequency of occurrence of high value water dependent ecosystems. The purpose of the map is to identify strategic planning priorities for protecting and improving the health of high value waterways and water dependent ecosystems in the LGA. Once identified, the priorities can be used as a basis for identifying aquatic biodiversity refugia, stream rehabilitation efforts and setting management targets and/or land use planning controls that would protect or improve the health of waterways and water dependent ecosystems so they provide the essential services and functions expected of a cool blue-green corridor.