Practical Ecological Management Plans to Support Resource Consents and On-Site Implementation
An Ecological Management Plan (EMP) is a site-specific document that outlines how ecological values will be protected, managed, and enhanced during and after development works. EMPs are commonly required as part of resource consent conditions under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), particularly where activities affect indigenous vegetation, habitats, or Significant Ecological Areas (SEA).
Our EMPs are prepared by suitably qualified and experienced ecologists (SQEP) and provide clear, practical guidance that can be readily implemented on site while meeting council and planning requirements.
An EMP may be required where a consent condition or planning rule requires ongoing ecological management, mitigation, or monitoring. Common situations include:
Development within or adjacent to a Significant Ecological Area
Indigenous vegetation removal or modification
Earthworks, infrastructure, or construction activities in sensitive environments
Restoration or offset planting required as part of consent approval
Ongoing weed, pest, or vegetation management obligations
EMPs are often prepared following an Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) and form a key part of translating assessment findings into on-the-ground outcomes.
Our Ecological Management Plans are tailored to each site and typically include:
Identification of ecological values and sensitive areas
Clear management objectives and performance criteria
Vegetation protection and exclusion measures
Weed and invasive pest plant control methods
Construction-phase ecological controls and supervision requirements
Restoration planting and maintenance specifications
Monitoring, reporting, and adaptive management frameworks
Plans are written to be clear, practical, and proportionate to the scale of effects, ensuring they are usable by contractors, site managers, and consent holders.
We design EMPs to directly address consent conditions and relevant planning provisions, including vegetation and biodiversity rules under the Auckland Unitary Plan and other district or regional plans.
By clearly linking management actions to consent requirements, our EMPs help reduce compliance risk, support smooth project delivery, and achieve positive ecological outcomes over the life of a project.
Where required, we can provide ongoing support to implement EMPs, including:
Ecologist site supervision during works
Monitoring and reporting to councils
Review and refinement of management actions
Long-term maintenance and restoration advice
This ensures ecological commitments made during the consent process are delivered effectively and remain aligned with approved plans.
