Development proposal documentation assessed by the Rangelands Division

Development Assessment Documentation

Part of the Rangelands Division’s core business is assessment of development and clearing applications lodged under the NT Planning Act. All relevant work units are required to provide feedback to the consent authority on natural resource issues. Feedback generally includes an assessment of how the proposal will likely impact on natural resources and may include specific recommendations or requests for further information to enable more comprehensive assessment.

The consent authority is ultimately responsible for determining an application, based on advice supplied by various service agencies (including the Rangelands Division). When reviewing an application, the consent authority may require a proponent to prepare additional management plans or to undertake further survey or assessment of particular natural resources, to enable proper consideration of an application. A guide to the types of documentation which the consent authority may require a proponent to prepare for assessment by the Rangelands Division is provided in the table below. These documents should not be confused with more complex documents which may be required for larger scale proposals subject to assessment under the Environmental Assessment Act.

For further information regarding the specific content of each document, please contact the relevant assessment agency.

Environmental Assessment Documentation

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) are responsible for assessing large scale proposals under the NT Environmental Assessment Act, which are determined by the Northern Territory Government. Depending on the nature of the development and potential environmental impacts, a proponent may be required to prepare specific documents to enable comprehensive assessment, including:

  • NOI – Notice of Intent
  • PER – Public Environment Report
  • EIS – Environmental Impact Statement

Maps

Maps are an integral part of development proposal documentation.  They should be at an appropriate scale, have accurately located features and be well labelled. As a minimum, maps should have the following characteristics:

  • Location - property name (if appropriate); NT Portion/Section /Lot; scale/scale bar & north arrow
  • Existing features – eg. roads, tracks, fencelines, boundaries, bores, clearing/development, retained vegetation & land resource units
  • Proposed changes – eg. clearing/development, proposed boundaries, etc.

Documentation assessed by the Natural Resources Division

Document Assessing Agency Purpose Format
Crown Lease Property Development Plan Rangelands Division As per terms & conditions of Crown Lease. Report format. Include development timeline & map of property. Appendix to include any other natural resources plans/permits relating to the property.
Clearing Property Development Plan Rangelands Division Requirement of s46 Development Application for purpose of clearing native vegetation. Refer to Attachment B template on DLRM website. Plan to take report format & include relevant maps.
Property Vegetation Plan Rangelands Division Clearing applications within the Daly River Catchment must be accompanied by a PVP.   Report format. Include a map & incorporate adaptive management framework. Refer to NT Land Clearing Guidelines.
Erosion & Sediment Control Plan (ESCP) Rangelands Division For use in the field by works contractors / land owners / managers to install & implement approved erosion control measures. Map showing location of specific erosion control measures. Note: Map to include control diagrams/typicals & construction notes (similar to building plans). Avoid report format.
Revegetation Plan Rangelands Division For use in the field by works contractors / land owners / managers to implement revegetation works. Map showing location/extent of area to be revegetated. Attach species list, timeline, methodology notes, & details of any rehabilitation / erosion control measures to be implemented (including diagrams/typicals & construction notes).
Land Capability Assessment Rangelands Division An assessment of the ability of the land to sustain / support the intended use/s for the intended period of time, based on field verified landform & soil type (& vegetation, where existing vegetation is to be retained or utilised). Report with relevant maps (ie. location of relevant area/works within the property, overlaid on mapped contours, soil & landform units). Must include soil & landform descriptions & an assessment of the capability of each soil / landform unit to support the intended use for the specified duration.
Land Unit Survey Rangelands Division Survey undertaken to (a) verify accuracy of NTG land unit mapping & survey of any inconsistencies or (b) to identify land units within previously unmapped area/s (at a relevant scale for proposed development). Map of land units with report attached detailing survey methodology; land unit descriptions; & any identified variances to existing mapping. Note: land units comprise homogenous areas of vegetation, soils & landform.
Crop Water Use Property Development Plan Water Resources Division To identify future property water use based on sequential development stages, until full property development. Contact Water Resources for template. The plan should include the following details: planting areas, crop types, irrigation method, crop water use requirements & water source (eg. license / trade).
Weed Management Plan Weed Management Branch To prevent the introduction or spread of a declared weed by identifying appropriate management practices, relevant to a specific property. Report format. Identify management objectives, methods, procedures/processes, monitoring requirements & timeframe. Attach relevant detailed map/s. Refer to DLRM website.
Fire Property Management Plan Bushfires NT To plan appropriate measures for minimising the risk of bushfires/wildfires to life, property/assets and the environment. Contact Bushfires NT for template. Report format with map attached.