About to course

Introduction

Biodiversity offsets are indirect compensatory measures used as mitigation for the unavoidable environmental impacts of development proposals. Biodiversity offsets have been in use in many countries, mostly developed, for over 20 years most notably in the United States, Canada, China, United Kingdom and in other European nations.They are now used by all levels of government throughout Australia including WA, and are an important tool applied widely as part of environmental impact assessments (EIAs).

This half day course will give participants a working understanding of the principles and practices of biodiversity offsetting in WA and in other Australian jurisdictions. This course is aimed at professionals, decision makers and community members who want a working understanding of biodiversity offsetting. 

Key topics covered 

1.    An introduction to principles of biodiversity offsets;

2.    Offsetting in WA - the WA EIA process and Part V clearing, and offsetting under the EPBC Act;

3.    Case studies;

4.    Problems and issues;

5.    Best practice including biodiversity offsetting in other jurisdictions in Australia.

6. Recent changes to policy and practice including the emphasis on restoration.

The course will include interactive workshopping of some of the key issues.

Course materials

Attendees will receive a compressive set of notes that support the material provided in the course, as well as a hard copy of the full set of slides used in the course.

Course date and costs

I run the course 1-2 times a year depending on interest.

Cost for the course is $275 (incl GST), which includes catering (morning tea) and course material.

Number for each session are limited to 25.

Course presenter

Dr Garry Middle is the Director of an independent research and training company VisionEnvironment, and has over 40 years’ experience in EIA and environmental planning in general. Garry has a strong working knowledge of biodiversity offsetting, at State, national and International levels, and is chair of Great Victoria Desert Biodiversity Trust, an independent Trust fund set up as an offset for a gold mine in the Great Victoria Desert. He is a member of the EIANZ biodiversity offsets special interest group, which gas run three national conferences.

Registration of interest

Register you interest in the next course by emailing garry, clicking this link or the one below.