Vegetation classification within the CMA area is characterised by a multitude of different approaches, nomenclature and scale. These vary from classifications that use uniformity in the composition of the dominant stratum of the vegetation to delineate vegetation communities through to the classification of vegetation complexes that include a number of communities found on similar habitats.

The vegetation mapping project was established to provide a consistent, fine scale map of all native vegetation communities present within the SMCMA area. The purpose of this map is to provide DECCW, SMCMA, local government and other land management agencies with a single resource for regional and local scale planning and assessment decision-making. Floristic attributes and distribution of each community are needed in order to assist with field identification and monitoring of communities and Endangered Ecological Communities (EECs). The conservation status of each community within the SMCMA and the Sydney Basin Region is also required to assist with local and regional conservation priorities.

To achieve these outputs several project aims were established:

• An audit of native vegetation information;

• Construction of spatial data layers describing extant vegetation cover based on existing and new work at a scale commensurate with local government planning needs;
• Assessment of existing field sampling adequacy and implementation of new survey effort;
• Analysis of floristic data and identification of vegetation communities;
• An assessment of the distribution status of vegetation communities found within the SMCMA in adjoining areas of the greater Sydney region;
• Mapping of vegetation communities and EECs within the SMCMA
• Assessment of the conservation status of communities within the SMCMA and within the greater Sydney region
• Vegetation community profiles that describe the habitat, floristic composition and distribution within the SMCMA.

The study area encompasses the eastern portions of the Sydney Metropolis extending from the coastline to the catchments that flow to the Parramatta , Georges and Hacking River .  It includes the major business districts of Parramatta and Sydney CBD and the heavily urbanised areas of Campbelltown, Liverpool, Bankstown , Sutherland, the lower North Shore and Northern Beaches . These cover a wide variety of residential and industrial land uses.  Thirty nine LGAs fall within the area with some such as Pittwater, Ku-ring-gai, Hornsby, Blacktown , Liverpool and Baulkham Hills only partially occurring within SMCMA.

Relevant Publications: The Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority (SMCMA) and the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) are pleased to announce the release of the mapping project “Draft Native Vegetation of the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority Area”, funded in part by the Australian Government.

The aim of this jointly managed project is to provide local government and land management agencies with a consistent fine scale map of all native vegetation communities present within the Sydney Metropolitan CMA area. The mapping was derived using 2007 imagery.

The project has produced a GIS data layer accompanied by two explanatory reports (Volume 1 Technical Report, Volume 2 Vegetation Community Profiles).

The draft dataset and associated reports are provided for a review period of 6 months (until 26th February 2010). During the review timeframe, the data is available to view and use, and where appropriate, give feedback which will be incorporated into the final version of the product after 26th February 2010.

The product is a draft, and therefore is subject to change. For that reason, the product is not intended to be used for planning or decision making purposes until the review period has ceased and the final version of the product has been released.

The data is freely available to download for review, subject to acceptance of a data licence agreement with DECCW/SMCMA.

Users are requested not to pass data on to third parties but rather to direct them to this web site, to ensure they register their details. This will allow all users to be contacted when updates become available.

Initially the data will be provided in ArcGIS 9.2 (.gdb & .lyr) format. If your organisation is unable to utilise the data in this format, please let us know which format/s would be useful. Other formats may be available in the future subject to technical feasibility and most commonly requested needs. 

A period of review will now be undertaken and your comments are most welcome. Comments are requested via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Comments close Friday 26 February 2010.

To Download a copy of “Draft Native Vegetation of the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority Area” GIS layers and explanatory reports click here

Project Progress: Draft map and accompanying technical reports complete. Review period underway. Comments accepted until 26^th February 2010, via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Coordinator/Project delivered by: Department of Environment and Climate Change

Project Partners: Royal Botanic Gardens , Sydney Metropolitan CMA, and Local Government

Funding Sources: NHT & DECCW

Total funding amount: $160,000 (NHT), $269,500 (DECCW)

Project timeframe: January 2007 to September 2009

Status:  Draft map completed. Review period underway

Webpage Last updated: October 2009