Contract - ITS1-00908

In 2018 the FHAC master plan was approved by the Victorian Government.
The master plan serves as the reference or foundation for further planning to inform future implementation. This phase will include detailed planning of the trail alignment and new facilities. The process will involve an analysis of the values and impact assessments to inform further design of the facilities and identify potential mitigation measures.

Parks Victoria requires the services of a qualified and experienced contractor to undertake an environmental values assessment and provide advice.
The tasks to be undertaken, listed below, relate to the trail alignment, hiker camps, hut accommodation and supporting facilities as per the master plan. Tasks will include:
1. A desktop analysis to review and consolidate existing information and identify environmental values within the study area. This should include all previous strategies, investigations and assessments conducted during the FHAC Master Plan (2018).
2. Field surveys of the study area, with a focus on new track areas and facilities, including:
a. Targeted surveys for threatened species, communities or habitat, as required and informed by the results of the desktop analysis.
b. On-ground mapping of the location and extent of threatened flora, vegetation communities and habitat for threatened species within the alignment study area, to be incorporated into GIS.
3. Identification and assessment of potential threats to environmental values resulting from the enhanced trail including the hiker camps, hut accommodation and supporting facilities. Threats should consider: direct and indirect impacts from construction and facilities management; potential off-site impacts such as waste management issues; and potential threatening processes, including possible alterations to hydrology and weed invasion.
4. Identification and assessment of potential threats to features of geomorphological significance from erosion or damage during construction.
5. Recommendations for options to avoid, minimise or mitigate potential impacts to significant environmental and geomorphological values.
6. An assessment of the proposed works against relevant legislation and policy to identify requirements for legislative or planning approvals and permits. This includes;
a. Determining what regulatory approvals are relevant (such as EPBC Act, FFG Act and any other) based on the work to be conducted.
b. Providing advice on reporting and permit requirements.
7. Participate in structured dialogue about options for mitigation measures through design (as required).