SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)·Page 79·6.179
Protected Species - General Requirement
If a legally protected species is present or potentially present on a development site, the developer must establish whether it is present, factor its requirements into planning and design, and fully consider any likely impacts before determination.
The presence or potential presence of a legally protected species is an important consideration in decision-making. If there is evidence to suggest that a protected species is present on site or may be affected by a proposed development, steps must be taken to establish whether it is present, the requirements of the species must be factored into the planning and design of the development, and any likely impact on the species must be fully considered prior to any determination.
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