Pre-Clearing Surveying Services
What Are Pre-Clearing Surveying Services?
Pre-clearing surveys are targeted ecological assessments carried out before any vegetation removal or environmental modification. Our pre-clearing survey services involve detailed identification and marking of critical environmental features, including hollow-bearing trees, weeds, microhabitats, and threatened flora and fauna. These pre-clearing survey services ensure minimal disruption to the ecosystem and help prevent costly project delays from environmental discoveries during construction.
When is a Pre-Clearing Survey Required in NSW
Pre-clearing surveys are essential whenever a development involves vegetation removal, habitat modification, or any activity with potential environmental impact. Development Application (DA) approval is usually accompanied by conditions that require pre-clearing surveys to be undertaken. Our pre-clearing survey services ensure compliance with environmental regulations while protecting threatened species and ecosystems, enabling informed decision-making and avoiding costly project setbacks.
Want to speak to an ecologist?
Give us a call, send us an email or fill out the contact form and one of our experts will get back to you shortly.
PHONE: 02 7813 6119
EMAIL: admin@ececology.com.au
Why Choose Our Pre-Clearing Survey Services?
When you choose East Coast Ecology for your pre-clearing survey, you work with a dedicated team of qualified ecologists who are passionate about environmental conservation. Our team brings deep expertise in NSW ecological surveys and regulatory compliance, helping you meet all environmental requirements with confidence.
East Coast Ecology is proud to offer a variety of sustainable and eco-friendly practices that can minimise the environmental impact of developmental projects. In addition to our pre-clearing surveying services, we also provide Flora and Fauna Assessment Reports and Environmental Impact Assessments, which can be extremely helpful if your development project impacts the environment and you want to ensure you’re as safe and responsible as possible.
How A Pre-Clearing Survey Saves Time and Money
Investing in a professional pre-clearing survey can save your organisation significant money by minimising the risk of costly fines, project delays, and environmental remediation. By addressing ecological requirements early through a thorough pre-clearing survey, you avoid compliance issues that are frequently overlooked without proper ecological surveys in place.
East Coast Ecology’s pre-clearing survey specialists ensure all necessary permits and approvals are secured before work begins, removing potential roadblocks from your project timeline. Our proactive approach to identifying and addressing environmental concerns through comprehensive ecological surveys minimises unforeseen expenses related to habitat restoration and remediation.
What is Included with Pre-clearing Surveying Services?
Our pre-clearing surveys are strategically designed to be clear and concise for both you and the relevant authorities who must approve your project. Our services include the following information:
Introduction
Once we’ve met with you and discussed your needs, we’ll carry out the following:
Identification and description of the site
Description of the proposed clearing development and its impact on the habitat and natural vegetation, flora, and fauna
Propose our pre-clearing survey plans and how they will affect your project
Legislation, policy, and controls
Our pre-clearing surveying services address and adhere to all relevant legislation, policy and
guidelines, including:
Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 & Biodiversity Conservation Regulation 2017;
Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 & Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021;
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999;
State Environmental Planning Policy (Resilience & Hazards) 2021 (formerly Coastal Management);
State Environmental Planning Policy (Biodiversity Conservation) 2021;
Water Management Act 2000, Fisheries Management Act 1994 & Biosecurity Act 2015;
Local Environmental Plans & Development Control Plans (relevant to your local government area); and
Consideration of the proposal against the thresholds of the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme (BOS)
Pre-clearing Survey Report
We’ll make notes and outline our findings as we survey the impacted area. These will include:
A description of the presence of flora and fauna species
Detection of threatened species and habitats, including Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs)
Measures to avoid disturbance of vegetation during clearance
Recommendations for how clearing can be carried out safely and sustainably and how you can prevent disturbance to vegetation and the spread of weeds and pathogens
Locations of marked habitat features for preservation — including hollow-bearing trees, threatened flora and fauna, microhabitats, and priority vegetation
Post-clearing Survey Report
Once the clearing has been completed successfully, our ecologists will provide a concise post-clearing report. This report will include the following:
An assessment of the habitat and the handling of flora and fauna
Information on clearing operations
Live sightings and fauna rescues
Recommendations for future practices and any other required ecological assessments
Conclusion
Once you’ve been approved to go forward, you’ll be able to carry out your clearing with the peace of mind that comes with a pre-clearing survey from us. After our surveys and reports, we’ll provide you with comprehensive and tailored recommendations, advice, and notes on the whole process and what you can do to ensure your continued sustainability in the future. We’ll also inform you of other ecological services you may require for your project, and can provide further environmental consulting where required.
FAQs
What is the difference between a pre-clearing survey and clearing supervision?
A pre-clearing survey identifies ecological features before clearing starts. Clearing supervision monitors the actual removal process to ensure no harm comes to potentially occurring protected fauna.
How long does a pre-clearing survey take?
For small developments, pre-clearing surveys can often be completed in a single day. Larger or more complex sites may take longer depending on site size, habitat complexity, and survey requirements. Contact us for a site-specific estimate.
What happens if our pre-clearing survey finds threatened species?
We document the location, provide mitigation strategies, and recommend next steps. Our pre-clearing survey report outlines actions to protect species during development.
Is a pre-clearing survey mandatory in NSW?
Pre-clearing surveys are required for most developments involving vegetation removal or environmental impact. Check local council requirements or consult our team.
How much does a pre-clearing survey cost?
Cost depends on site area, habitat type, and species risk. Request a detailed quote from our team based on your project scope.
Can you provide fauna spotter-catcher services during clearing?
Yes. Our ecologists are trained fauna spotter-catchers and supervise clearing to rescue and relocate wildlife at risk during vegetation removal.
Contact us
for a free quote
We would love to hear from you.
Give us a call, send us an email or fill out the contact form and one of our experts will get back to you shortly.
PHONE: 02 7813 6119
EMAIL: admin@ececology.com.au