- An expert panel has found Queensland’s approach to sustainably managing native vegetation is strong.
- The panel has made 10 recommendations to further enhance vegetation management laws.
- The Palaszczuk Government has accepted, or accepted in principle, all 10 recommendations.
The Palaszczuk Government will enhance its management of native vegetation in Queensland following an independent review into factors behind Queensland’s land clearing rates.
The Native Vegetation Scientific Expert Panel was established in March 2022 to review the land clearing data following the release of the 2018-19 Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS).
The independent expert panel, led by the then Queensland Chief Scientist Hugh Possingham, was tasked with identifying positive solutions in relation to native vegetation management as well as providing recommendations for improvement.
The panel found that, while the Queensland Government’s approach to sustainably managing native vegetation is strong, there are opportunities for improvement.
The panel made ten recommendations that will enhance the implementation of the existing native vegetation management framework and further support landholders to take advantage of emerging carbon and natural capital market opportunities.
Recommendations include maintaining regulatory stability, launching an environmental stewardship program, enhancing carbon market opportunities and better regional planning.
Quotes attributable to Environment Minister Leanne Linard:
“The Palaszczuk Government introduced robust and responsible vegetation management laws to protect our valuable environment, habitats and the Great Barrier Reef.
“Recently-released tree clearing data shows these laws are working, with a 70% reduction in regulated vegetation clearing over three years, and a further 59,654 hectares of vegetation regrowth detected.
“However, the expert panel has identified opportunities to enhance our laws and has set out a path toward a more harmonised approach to native vegetation management in Queensland that better engages, incentivises and recognises the important work of landholders to conserve our forests and habitat on their properties.
“Landholders play an important role in the conservation of habitat on their land, and actively manage the risks posed by fire and invasive species that can have a devastating impact on our native vegetation.
“The Palaszczuk Government will continue to work closely with landholders to improve the resilience of our regional ecosystems for the future, while maintaining or improving food and fibre security.
“Additionally, in the 2023-24 Budget, the Palaszczuk Government allocated $9.8 million over 4 years for an enhanced compliance program, supporting landholders to understand the requirements of the vegetation management framework and improving landholder understanding of how vegetation management can assist in reducing their carbon emissions.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner:
“We have already started work to implement the panel’s recommendations through recently released programs such as the Queensland Low Emissions Agriculture Roadmap 2022 – 2032.
“We are also strengthening partnerships with land managers through the $50 million, third investment round of the Land Restoration Fund and the $2.3 million offered to date under the Carbon Farming Advice Scheme.
“This is all about enhancing Queensland’s reputation as a reliable supplier of clean, sustainable agricultural produce.”
Quotes attributable to Resources Minister Scott Stewart:
“The Queensland Government’s responsible vegetation management laws protect our valuable environment, habitats and the Great Barrier Reef.
“We are committed to a regulatory framework that protects our natural environment while ensuring the sustainability of those primary industries that produce the food and material upon which we all rely.”
