natural areas. This helps to and resources are identified as an integrated system within other areas and is easily identify the current being of national importance. which landscape and understood and credible. ‘baseline’ or status quo. ecological values may vary considerably. Impact assessments Best used when there are Systematic identification of Identifies nature and scale of Relies upon a range of inputs, Usually needs expert specific effects or resource future effects under current effects in terms of the including assessments of value, involvement. Assessment of future effects issues that need to be conditions, as well as in relation individual resource, but not consultation and case studies. of a proposal on a resource Often involves examined in-depth (and are to changes in policy/methods. necessarily across resources or a sector of the stakeholder consultation. likely to lead to hearings later or areas. community. These typically Results in an assessment in the plan change process). Draws upon a variety of involve a combination of relevant to particular resources methods, guides and data both qualitative and Also when a defined project is and is likely to determine bases. quantitative methods, but in proposed, for example, a nature and scale of changes some areas the qualitative (positive and negative). aspects and use of expert opinion are especially important, such as social impact assessment, cultural impact assessments, heritage impact assessments, urban design assessment, landscape assessment, visual impact assessment, archaeological assessment etc. Qualitative Applicable to many resource Assuming well-designed survey Reliability of results depends Assumes survey instruments May require significant surveys/questionnaires management issues, where instruments, and adequate on representativeness of the are adequate to capture the resource and expert input community or sector attitudes coverage, these are a good sample, and the influence of relevant information, and that in survey design and Surveys of communities and values are important. source of primary data, which non-response rates. respondents are well enough administration if the issue and/or specific sectors to offers generally accurate informed to provide valid is complex and the obtain primary data on Can be used in conjunction material from the persons or feedback. affected community is knowledge, opinions, values, with more focussed businesses covered. wide-spread. consultation or collaborative priorities and so on. processes.
natural areas. This helps to identify the current ‘baseline’ or status quo. and resources are identified as being of national importance. an integrated system within which landscape and ecological values may vary considerably. other areas and is easily understood and credible. Impact assessments Assessment of future effects of a proposal on a resource or a sector of the community. These typically involve a combination of both qualitative and quantitative methods, but in some areas the qualitative aspects and use of expert opinion are especially important, such as social impact assessment, cultural impact assessments, heritage impact assessments, urban design assessment, landscape assessment, visual impact assessment, archaeological assessment etc. Best used when there are specific effects or resource issues that need to be examined in-depth (and are likely to lead to hearings later in the plan change process). Also when a defined project is proposed, for example, a Systematic identification of future effects under current conditions, as well as in relation to changes in policy/methods. Results in an assessment relevant to particular resources and is likely to determine nature and scale of changes (positive and negative). Identifies nature and scale of effects in terms of the individual resource, but not necessarily across resources or areas. Relies upon a range of inputs, including assessments of value, consultation and case studies. Usually needs expert involvement. Often involves stakeholder consultation. Draws upon a variety of methods, guides and data bases. Qualitative surveys/questionnaires Surveys of communities and/or specific sectors to obtain primary data on knowledge, opinions, values, priorities and so on. Applicable to many resource management issues, where community or sector attitudes and values are important. Can be used in conjunction with more focussed consultation or collaborative processes. Assuming well-designed survey instruments, and adequate coverage, these are a good source of primary data, which offers generally accurate material from the persons or businesses covered. Reliability of results depends on representativeness of the sample, and the influence of non-response rates. Assumes survey instruments are adequate to capture the relevant information, and that respondents are well enough informed to provide valid feedback. May require significant resource and expert input in survey design and administration if the issue is complex and the affected community is wide-spread.
guide-to-section-32-of-resource-manangemnt-amendment-act-1991.docx