One of our previous news entries reported on the rapid escalation of clearing across QLD, largely as a consequence of amendments by the former LNP government to legislation which protected native vegetation. Moves are now underway to address this with the Vegetation Management (Reinstatement) and Other Legislation Bill 2016 being introduced into parliament in Queensland on the 17th March 2016. This bill proposes to reinstate Queensland vegetation clearing laws that were altered by the previous amendments.
Some of the proposed changes include:
- The reintroduction of the High Value Regrowth (Category C) layer introduced on the 14 November 2013 in the Vegetation Management Act 1999 (VMA)
- The reintroduction of regrowth watercourses for the great barrier reef catchments, as well as extending the law to apply to catchments of the Fitzroy and Burnett-Mary
- Removal of options for the clearing remnant vegetation for high value agriculture
The bill will not impact on existing development approvals or self-assessable codes granted prior to the 17 March 2016.
The reinstatement bill is being considered through the parliamentary committee process, which is due to report to parliament on the 30th March 2016.
Contact: Geoffrey Sinclair: 07 4994 100