The 2026 guidelines for Reviews of Environmental Factors
The current guidelines for Division 5.1 assessments were published in May 2026. What an REF must address, when it is published, and when utilities need one.
NEWS
Environmental News and Regulatory Updates for NSW
What has changed in NSW environmental rules, what it means for your project, and what our team has been working on.
Regulatory updates in plain language
NSW biodiversity, tree protection, and sustainability reporting rules have changed several times since 2025, and the changes affect what a development application needs, how long it takes, and what it costs. ESEA publishes short, dated updates when a rule changes, written for developers, councils, project managers, and education organisations rather than for other ecologists. Each update says what changed, when it took effect, and what it means in practice, and links to the source instrument or guideline.
Biodiversity offset charges in NSW from 1 October 2026
A new calculator order sets what proponents pay into the Biodiversity Conservation Fund from 1 October 2026. What it changes for budgeting credits.
ESEA sponsors Sydney Surf Club
ESEA is a Platinum Sponsor of Sydney Surf Club, a boardrider club affiliated with Surfing NSW that welcomes surfers of all abilities.
Are you in scope for AASB S2 from 1 July 2026?
Group 2 entities report under AASB S2 for financial years starting on or after 1 July 2026. The three groups explained, and where environmental data fits.
AS 4970:2025 and what it means for tree protection on development sites
AS 4970:2025 replaced the 2009 standard for protecting trees on development sites. What changed, and why reports citing the old edition draw council queries.
Koalas and stemflow: new research from our team
Connor Flanagan's 2025 paper in Austral Ecology looks at koalas drinking stemflow, the rainwater that runs down tree trunks. A short summary in plain language.
Two Sea-Eagle chicks on a Hawkesbury bridge project
On a Transport for NSW bridge project in the Hawkesbury, nest cameras recorded two White-bellied Sea-Eagle chicks while construction continued under a management plan.
What changed in the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme on 7 March 2025
Most of the 2024 amendments to the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme took effect on 7 March 2025. Here is what changed for developers starting a BDAR.
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Rule change affecting your project?
If one of these updates touches a site or application you are working on, tell us where it is up to. We will explain what the change means for your assessment, timing, and cost, and prepare an itemised proposal.