The Biodiversity Toolbox
The Benchmarking Biodiversity Conservation framework is designed to guide councils through a series of steps or benchmarks to ensure biodiversity conservation is a key council priority. The system allows for the measurement of performance of your Council, and also permits the comparison of progress across local governments throughout Australia. Each of the 5 benchmarks is broadly defined to provide some direction while encouraging local innovation.
Benchmarking does not involve reinventing the wheel. Many councils have made a start or achieved significant progress towards conserving biodiversity, already attaining some of the benchmarks of the framework. For example, a council that has prepared and endorsed a biodiversity strategy, or an environmental management plan incorporating natural resource management, has satisfied the steps required to attain Benchmark 3 - Develop Strategic Approach.
In addition, as part of benchmark 3, eight key local government biodiversity outcomes have been developed to provide a common direction for Australian Councils. These key outcomes form the basis of the Local Biodiversity Action Plan, and should guide the formulation of local strategies and activities.
