Project > Copper Coast roadside vegetation evaluation

Roadsides make up a significant part of councils land and ecology of the region and require maintenance to ensure the safety of the community and that visual aesthetics are upheld.   They do however also hold value as vegetated areas and habitats for fauna.  

Our consultants were asked to survey the rural roadsides of the District Council of the Copper Coast area to evaluate the species diversity of vegetation types taking into account aspects of road safety with a view to sustaining ecological health, identifying areas for improvement and better management practices. 

What we did
Using techniques in the ‘Guide to the Roadside Vegetation Survey Methodology in South Australia’, (DEH June 2006) a roadside vegetation survey along all rural roads within the District Council of the Copper Coast was completed.  We were innovative in our approach, developing a unique way to collect the roadside vegetation data electronically using the latest GIS equipment.  This method significantly reduced the amount of time needed both out in the field and entering and analysing the data back in the office, while still providing efficient and precise outcomes.

What we achieved
We produced a Roadside Vegetation Management Plan outlining policies, objectives and guidelines for the effective management of roadside vegetation (of each category type) to maintain biodiversity while still adhering to road safety standards.  This was accompanied by a series of maps highlighting the ecological significance of each vegetation category along all roads surveyed.

The Native Vegetation Council approved Roadside Vegetation Management Plan provides the District Council of the Copper Coast with delegated approval under the Native Vegetation Act. This allows Council to undertake and approve works affecting native vegetation on their roadsides, if the works fall under the guidelines set out in the plan, without applying for NVC approval, therefore making road maintenance and other works much more efficient.

Contact: Wayne Brown

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