The State Vegetation Type Map (SVTM) is a regional-scale map of NSW Plant Community Types. This map represents the current extent of each Plant Community Type, Vegetation Class and Vegetation Formation, across all tenures in NSW. This map is updated periodically as part of the Integrated BioNet Vegetation Data program to improve quality and alignment to the NSW vegetation classification hierarchy. An SVTM pre-clearing PCT map is available here. Further information about the mapping methods is available from the State Vegetation Type Mapping Program Page Current Release C2.0.M2.1 (November2024) This release includes revisions, using the most recent NSW PCT Classification Master list (represented by “C2.0” in the version release number). PCT spatial distributions were manually edited based on user and community feedback since the previous C2.0.M2.0 release. In addition, changes were made to the Native Vegetation Extent mask which is used to create the Native Extent map. Detailed technical information is available here.

Fire severity is a metric of the loss of biomass caused by fire. In collaboration with the NSW Rural Fire Service, DCCEEW Remote Sensing & Regulatory Mapping team has developed a semi-automated approach to mapping fire extent and severity through a machine learning framework based on sentinel 2 satellite imagery. The statewide severity map has standardised classes to allow comparison of different fires across the landscape. The FESM severity classes include: unburnt, extent only (grass fires), low severity (burnt understory, unburnt canopy), moderate severity (partial canopy scorch), high severity (complete canopy scorch, partial canopy consumption), extreme (full canopy consumption). This dataset represents the 2023/24 fire year including all wildfires >10ha with a fire start date between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024. Data and Resources

PLEASE NOTE: This dataset has been superseded by NSW Landuse 2017 v1.5 The 2017 Landuse captures how the landscape in NSW is being used for food production, forestry, nature conservation, infrastructure and urban development. It can be used to monitor changes in the landscape and identify impacts on biodiversity values and individual ecosystems. The NSW 2017 Landuse mapping is dated September 2017. It incorporates tenure based information for National Parks and State Forests in NSW, at the time of mapping. It currently does not include the Greater Sydney Metropolitan Region. Greater Sydney region will be completed in late 2019 and will be incorporated into the NSW 2017 land use product version 1.1. The NSW Landuse 2013, currently contains the best available information for the Greater Sydney region. https://datasets.seed.nsw.gov.au/dataset/nsw-landuse-2013 The 2017 Landuse has complete coverage of all regional centres and towns for NSW. It also includes updates to the fine scale Horticulture mapping for the east coast of NSW - Newcastle to the Queensland boarder. This horticultural mapping includes operations to the commodity level based on field work and high resolution imagery interpretation. The reliability scale is 1:10,000 and include values in the attribute fields of Source, Source Date, Source Scale, Reliability and LU Mapping (Currency) Date. Land use has been mapped on high resolution aerial imagery including ADS (digital imagery) captured by NSW Department of Finance, Service and Innovation, along with using Nearmap, Google Earth and Google Street View. Satellite imagery from LANDSAT (NASA), Sentinel 2 (European Space Agency), SPOT 5, 6 and 7(Airbus) and Planet Imagery, was used in the mapping process to account for Landuse activities that occur as part of a rotational practise. Land use information has been captured in accordance with standards set by the Australian Collaborative Land Use Mapping Program (ACLUMP) and using the Australian Land Use and Management ALUM Classification Version 8. The ALUM classification is based upon the modified Baxter & Russell classification and presented according to the specifications contained in http://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/aclump/land-use/alum-classification.

The 2017 Landuse captures how the landscape in NSW is being used for food production, forestry, nature conservation, infrastructure and urban development. It can be used to monitor changes in the landscape and identify impacts on biodiversity values and individual ecosystems. The NSW 2017 Landuse mapping is dated September 2017. This is version 1.5 of the dataset, published December 2023.

The purpose of this project was to map the wetlands across New South Wales. Wetlands were identified using a combination of classification of spectral classes of Landsat MSS and TM imagery and ancillary wetland information to create information classes of broad wetland groups (floodplain wetlands, freshwater lakes, saline lakes, reservoirs, estuarine wetlands and coastal lagoons and lakes). The data will then be used to assess the wetland resource in each catchment. For more details refer to: Kingsford, R., Brandis, K., Thomas, R., Crighton, P., Knowles, E. and Gale, E., 2004. Classifying landform at broad spatial scales: the distribution and conservation of wetlands in New South Wales, Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research 55, 17-31. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/MF03075 Data and Resources

The Biodiversity Values Map (BV Map) identifies land with high biodiversity value that is particularly sensitive to impacts from development and clearing. The BV Map is one of the triggers for determining whether the Biodiversity Offset Scheme (BOS) applies to a clearing or development proposal. The BV Map has been prepared by the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) under Part 7 of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act). A range of mapping layers are included in the BV map. These mapping layers have been developed and are maintained by a range of agencies and councils. The inclusion of these layers on the BV map requires the approval of the Environment Agency Head or delegate. The BV Map shows areas that have been added in the last 90 days as the BOS does not apply to development proposals lodged within this time period. Areas that no longer meet one of the criteria for being included on the BV map will also be removed in map updates. It is planned to update the BV Map quarterly, however users of the BV Map are strongly encouraged to visit the BMAT website and BMAT Tool viewer regularly to be up to date with the latest version and other related information. The spatial data for this version is available from the Web Service (see link below). The latest version of the BV map can be viewed in the Biodiversity Values Map and Threshold (BMAT) Tool (see URL link below).

This dataset (version 3.1) supersedes previous versions of the NSW Landscapes (Versions 2 & 3). Version 3.1 now includes an attributes for biometric over-cleared landscape status, and corrects minor typographic errors regarding some landscape names. The Biometric over-clear landscape value is a regulation data set established under the Environmental Outcomes Assessment Methodology (http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/vegetation/eoam/) and is managed in the BioNet VIS Classification Database. Background: Version 3 included a revision of the polygon boundaries conducted in 2008. That revision corrected many alignment errors using SPOT 5 imagery as a reference layer. The revisions for Version 3 resulted in significant alterations to Landscape boundaries in some regions. See associated technical report 'ELA 2008 Editing Mitchell Landscapes'. Version 2 maps were constructed from existing data and have a strong geologic, geomorphic and pedologic base. They do not include field validation/original mapping. Scale and reliability was constrained to 1:250,000 scale by the availability of suitable state-wide maps, although some source data (air photos/maps) were more detailed. A transect of map sheets was compared with other data during the mapping, it is believed reasonable product consistency has been attained. Details on the methodology, limitations and constraints in the devlopment of the original dataset are contained in P.B.Mitchell (2002) NSW Ecosystems Study: Background and Methodology (Unpublished). Information regarding v3 update are contained in: ELA (2008). Editing Mitchell Landscapes. Data and Resources

These layers show areas of woody vegetation change based on the analysis of multi-date SPOT5 imagery. Woody change is detected though a combination of automated and manual interpretation of the differences between images captured during summer of each year. Satellite images are selected as close as possible to the 1st of January each year and must have a clear view of the ground not impacted by smoke or cloud cover. This requirement can result in a range of imagery dates being selected for each SLATS year. To reflect this, data naming previously included both years in which imagery was captured, for example 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, 2013-14 and 2014-15. For clarity data is now named using the year in which the majority of the clearing has taken place i.e. 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. The woody vegetation change is mapped using the SLATS (Statewide Land and Tree Survey) method which applies an automated change analysis process followed by visual interpretation of the results by experienced image interpretation staff. Landcover classes reflect the interpreted cause of woody vegetation change. Each change year has a single statewide point and polygon layer derived from approximately 310 SPOT scenes covering NSW. Vector point format is preferred for analysis to prevent double counting when undertaking regional calculations. Points can only fall into a single region unlike raster pixels which can sit astride a vector boundary. This often occurs with analysis based on vector regions such as Local Government Areas or Bioregions. The woody change data is also used for vegetation compliance analysis. Change statistics are available for all change periods. Contact the data broker on data.broker@environment.nsw.gov.au for further information. Remotely sensed imagery is routinely collected by DPE and used to map vegetation clearing. This data is spatially explicit and can be used with other datasets to identify activity on individual lots. Please read the privacy collection notice for more information. Data and Resources

This project has mapped the occurrence of Acid Sulfate Soils (ASS) along the coast of NSW and provides information that will assist land management and rehabilitation. In their natural state, these soils are submerged but when exposed or drained, they become oxidised and sulphuric acid is produced. This reduces soil fertility, kills vegetation and reduces fish populations. The identification of the location and extent of potential acid sulfate soils (PASS) is the essential first step in managing this problem. 128 map sheets were mapped for risk of occurrence of ASS at a scale of 1:25,000. This project was co-funded by the Natural Resources Audit Council (NRAC), and was revised in 1997. In this version, (v2.5.1), ASS risk maps have not been remapped, however minor attribution changes to the GIS linework have occurred to fix errors and some additional original information has been incorporated into the attribute tables. This data provides maps of elevation, landform process groups and landform elements for the mapped area. The symbology for the ASS probability risk map classes can also now be simplified to reflect only probability, potential depth from the surface and presence of areas with Pleistocene sediments or ASS scalding. Related Datasets: The dataset area is also covered by the mapping of the Soil and Land Resources of Central and Eastern NSW and Soil Landscapes of Central and Eastern NSW and Hydrogeological landscapes of NSW. Online Maps: This and related datasets can be viewed using eSPADE (NSW’s soil spatial viewer), which contains a suite of soil and landscape information including soil profile data. Many of these datasets have hot-linked soil reports. An alternative viewer is the SEED Map; an ideal way to see what other natural resources datasets (e.g. vegetation) are available for this map area. References: Naylor, SD, Chapman, GA, Atkinson, G, Murphy CL, Tulau MJ, Flewin TC, Milford HB, Morand DT, 1998, Guidelines for the Use of Acid Sulfate Soil Risk Maps, 2nd ed., Department of Land and Water Conservation, Sydney. Data and Resources

The Urban Heat Island (UHI) dataset measures the effects of urbanisation on land surface temperatures across Sydney Greater Metropolitan Area for the Summer of 2015-2016. UHI shows the variation of temperature to a non-urban vegetated reference, such as heavily wooded areas or national parks around Sydney. Derived from the analysis of thermal and infrared data from Landsat satellite, the dataset has been combined with the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Mesh Block polygon dataset to provide a mean UHI temperature that enables multi-scale spatial analysis of the relationship of heat to green cover. Data and Resources

This map is one of a series of soil landscape maps that are intended for all of central and eastern NSW, based on standard 1:100,000 and 1:250,000 topographic sheets. The map provides an inventory of soil and landscape properties of the area and identifies major soil and landscape qualities and constraints. It integrates soil and topographic features into single units with relatively uniform land management requirements. Soils are described in terms of soil materials in addition to the Australian Great Soil Group and Northcote classification systems. Related Datasets: The dataset area is also covered by the mapping of the Soil and Land Resources of the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment, Acid Sulphate Soil Risk Mapping and Hydrogeological landscapes of NSW. Online Maps: This and related datasets can be viewed using eSPADE (NSW’s soil spatial viewer), which contains a suite of soil and landscape information including soil profile data. Many of these datasets have hot-linked soil reports. An alternative viewer is the SEED Map; an ideal way to see what other natural resources datasets (e.g. vegetation) are available for this map area. References: Chapman G.A., Murphy C.L., Tille P.J., Atkinson G. and Morse R.J., 2009, Soil Landscapes of the Sydney 1:100,000 Sheet map, Ed. 4, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, Sydney. Chapman G.A. and Murphy C.L., 1989, Soil Landscapes of the Sydney 1:100,000 Sheet report, Soil Conservation Service of NSW, Sydney. Data and Resources

A without development model scenario is created by starting with a current conditions model scenario and switching off as much development in the model as possible. Typically this means removing all water users such as irrigation and towns along with infrastructure such as dams and weirs. A without development scenario is useful in understanding the extent to which human uses of the river have altered flows. This type of model scenario is sometimes known and a “natural case” but this terminology has fallen out of favour over time as a true natural condition scenario would attempt to reflect catchment conditions such as land use, vegetation cover and so on that existed prior to human interventions. Data and Resources

Eco Logical Australia was contracted by the South East Local Land Services to compile a seamless standardised vegetation map, from a combination of existing available data and covering the full extent of the South East Local Land Services (SE LLS) region. Available vegetation datasets covering the study area were reviewed and prioritised for the purposes of developing a best available combined vegetation dataset across the SE LLS region. The prioritisation process has considered a number of criteria to prioritise / rank the suitability of each dataset to prepare the compiled best available vegetation map. This focussed on the area (within the SE LLS region) that is outside the former Southern Rivers CMA area as a vegetation map compilation for the Southern Rivers CMA area had previously been undertaken by the CMA. The resulting dataset makes up a combined best available vegetation dataset for the SE LLS area. Please note the full data are available from the South East Local Land Services. The download package contains the footprint only. Contact the LLS for data access: https://southeast.lls.nsw.gov.au/ VIS_ID 4211 Data and Resources

These maps are the output of a project investigating the distribution and risk of the pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi in New South Wales. The distribution of P. cinnamomi was modelled with occurrence data and environmental layers of climate and soils using the modelling software MaxEnt. Presence records were used to model distribution while absence records were used to define the extent of modelling. Future distribution (to 2070) was also modelled using projected climate layers for two emissions scenarios (rcp 4.5 and 8.5), averaged over three climate models. Current and future risk were modelled by multiplying distribution layers with layers of susceptible threatened plants. The methodology used is described in McDougall & Liew (2020) Quantifying the distribution and threat of Phytophthora cinnamomi in New South Wales: implications for its management in natural vegetation. Cunninghamia 20, 153-181. The distribution shapefile shows where P. cinnamomi has been detected in soil or plant samples (presences). These data should be used indicatively because the locations of some records could not be verified. Data and Resources

is Coastal Wetland or Littoral Rainforests mapped under State Environmental Planning Policy (Coastal Management) 2018

GEEBAM is an interim product and there is no ground truthing or assessment of accuracy. Fire Extent and Severity Mapping (FESM) data should be used for accurate information on fire severity and loss of biomass in relation to bushfires. The intention of this dataset was to provide a rapid assessment of fire impact.

Mapping of the foraging habitat areas of the Grey-headed Flying-fox in New South Wales. The Grey-headed Flying-fox is listed as a threatened species under state and Commonwealth legislation. The key threatening process for the species is loss of foraging habitat, and recovery actions aim to identify and protect key foraging areas. This project defined foraging habitat for Grey-headed Flying-foxes, ranked native vegetation within the range of the species according to the quality of foraging habitat it provides.; ; This merged shapefile contains topology errors where there was overlapping of vegetation datasets. The attribute table however contains the original codes and detailed information, and it may be useful to use in conjunction with the grid. The recommendation is to use the grid layer of the same name. This was how it was originally meant to be supplied externally - as a broad indicative layer displaying the rankings. Data and Resources

The Estuaries datasets contain the water boundary of each estuary in NSW up to its tidal limits and includes areas vegetated with the macrophytes; seagrass, mangrove, and saltmarsh. A survey of the tidal limits was carried out between 1996 and 2005 by Manly Hydraulics Laboratory on behalf of the Department of Natural Resources. Coordinates of the tidal limits were mapped, tributary waterway areas extended up to the surveyed tidal limits, and a boundary digitised between the upper (fluvial) catchment draining directly to the river system above the tidal limits and the lower (estuarine) catchment draining directly to the estuary and its tributaries. The catchment area draining into each estuary has been defined as two GIS spatial layers - EstuaryDrainageCatchmentBdy (line feature) and EstuaryDrainageCatchment (polygon feature) - based on the digitising of catchments for the NSW Stressed Rivers Assessments conducted for the water sharing plan process. ; ; A nine stage method was used to create the Estuaries_MacrophyteDetail dataset and details how existing spatial data were combined from a number of agencies and projects and developed through consultation with the existing knowledge base of individuals and reports. Two datasets were created, one including the extent of the three different macrophyte types (this dataset), the other merging macrophyte extent with the estuary water surface. These layers were required for calculating basic physical characteristics of each estuary such as area, depth, volume, dilution and flushing; modelling of catchment runoff; development of a new chlorophyll response-based classification system for NSW estuaries and normalising pressures for valid comparisons between estuaries. Separate fluvial and estuary catchments were required for future investigation of causal relationships between catchment pressures above or below the tidal limits and estuary health.; ; NB. The macrophyte information is retained in the attribute table in this dataset. Data and Resources

The Biodiversity Investment Opportunities Map (BIO Map) is a key deliverable of the NSW Government’s $40 million Green Corridors program, a Government priority action identified in NSW 2021: A Plan to make NSW number one. The map was prepared with funding provided by the NSW Environmental Trust. BIO Map has been prepared for the Cumberland subregion, a 275,693-hectare area containing the Cumberland Plain, a broad shale basin in Western Sydney. The areas identified for investment are termed priority investment areas, and include core areas and biodiversity corridors of regional significance (this layer). Mapping criteria were used to identify and map priority investment areas, and targeted stakeholder consultation was conducted to inform the outputs of the project. Stakeholders consulted included the Commonwealth Department of the Environment, six state government authorities, 16 local councils and eight non-government organisations. The final Cumberland subregion BIO Map identifies a network of 87 core areas and 27 regional biodiversity corridors within the Cumberland subregion. The 87 core areas include all of the Priority Conservation Lands identified by the Cumberland Plain Recovery Plan. The total area represented within the mapped priority investment areas is 42,124 hectares. Mapped regional corridors make up 17,727 hectares (excluding areas mapped as both regional corridors and core areas). The BIO Map project aims to achieve better biodiversity outcomes by directing biodiversity investment funding to the strategic locations of greatest benefit. A landholder’s right to carry out agricultural and developmental activities on their land are not altered by their property being identified as a priority investment area on the BIO Map. The BIO Map identifies areas where landowners have more opportunities to receive funding to protect their bushland. Any involvement by a landowner in such programs is entirely voluntary. Data and Resources

There are currently twenty (20) Australian properties on the World Heritage List . A single Australian World Heritage Areas database has been created by combining data which was historically stored as a separate set of data for each property. World Heritage Area buffer zones are also included in this dataset for relevant properties. The Great Barrier Reef, the Tasmanian Wilderness, the Wet Tropics of Queensland and Shark Bay meet all four World Heritage criteria for natural heritage, with Kakadu National Park, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Willandra Lakes Region and the Tasmanian Wilderness being listed for both natural and cultural criteria. The 2010, 2012 and 2013 extensions to the Tasmanian Wilderness have been incorporated. The Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Naracoorte/Riversleigh), Lord Howe Island Group, Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, Fraser Island, Macquarie Island, Heard and McDonald Islands, the Greater Blue Mountains Area and Purnululu National Park are listed under the World Heritage criteria for natural heritage. The Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, Melbourne were inscribed in the World Heritage List against Cultural criterion (ii): exhibit an important interchange of human values over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town planning or landscape design. The Sydney Opera House was inscribed in the World Heritage List in 2007 against Cultural criterion (i) (see http://whc.unesco.org/en/criteria ) The Australian Convict Sites was inscribed on the World Heritage List on 31 July 2010. There are 11 sites that make up the World Heritage Australian Convict Sites against Cultural criterion (iv) and (vi). The Ningaloo Coast was inscribed on the World Heritage List in June 2011 against Natural criteria (vii) and (x). The coastline of Queensland was produced under specific contract for Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) by AUSLIG in 1984. Originally engineered by AUSLIG from datasets produced by the Division of National Mapping and RAN Hydrographic Service; Queensland coastal information produced by AUSLIG at 250k scale with 100k elements from developing technology at the time of genesis; Island information is specific to the Great Barrier Reef Region as produced from RAN Hydrographic Service data at 100k scale. Updated against satellite imagery during the RAP process (2003-2004) to 25k scale, especially in Cairns, Whitsundays and Hinchinbrook Regions. This coastline is used to represent the coastal boundary of the Great Barrier Reef WHA, and is supplied by GBRMPA Spatial Data Centre. Data and Resources