Environment and Resource Management

Regulations for clearing regrowth vegetation

Queensland’s vegetation management framework regulates the clearing of certain regrowth vegetation and its high biodiversity values, while allowing landholders to continue to manage their properties responsibly. These arrangements took effect from 8 October 2009.

Find out if your property is affected by regulated regrowth vegetation.  

The new regulations provide a consistent framework for protecting regrowth vegetation on freehold, Indigenous and leasehold land for agriculture and grazing

What regrowth vegetation is affected?

The regrowth laws apply to the clearing of regulated regrowth vegetation shown on the regrowth vegetation map, that is on freehold and Indigenous land and leasehold land for agriculture and grazing.

High-value regrowth vegetation and regrowth watercourses are regulated under the vegetation management framework and are shown on the regrowth vegetation map. 

High-value regrowth vegetation is mature native vegetation that hasn’t been cleared since 31 December 1989.

All native woody regrowth vegetation within 50 metres of a regrowth watercourse is regulated in the priority Great Barrier Reef catchments of Burdekin, Mackay Whitsunday and Wet Tropics. 

Clearing in the following areas are unaffected by the regrowth laws:

What is the regrowth vegetation map?

The regrowth vegetation map is the first place to look because it shows the areas where clearing must comply with the regrowth vegetation code unless the clearing is exempt. The map can be downloaded free of charge.

The regrowth vegetation map is also available from departmental business centres.

What clearing is exempt?

Many exemptions apply to the regrowth regulations, including:

The full list of exemptions is contained in the Guide to exemptions under the vegetation management framework (PDF, 148K)*.  

What is the regrowth vegetation code?

Any clearing within an area identified as high-value regrowth vegetation or a regrowth watercourse, must be carried out in accordance with the regrowth vegetation code (PDF, 287K)* unless the clearing is exempt.

Under the code, clearing can occur in most areas of 'of concern' and 'least concern' regional ecosystems on freehold land. It can also occur in most areas of 'least concern' regional ecosystems on leasehold land for agricultural and grazing purposes.  

However, the code protects habitat for threatened species, vegetation near creeks and wetlands and on steep slopes. The code also protects native vegetation up to 50 metres from regrowth watercourses.

Clearing for infrastructure, weed control, thinning and encroachment is permitted under the code.

Landholders don’t need to apply for a permit to clear regrowth vegetation under the code—they only need to notify the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) and follow the requirements set out in the code.

Landholders wanting to clear regulated regrowth vegetation must submit the completed Regrowth vegetation code clearing notification form (PDF, 128K)* to DERM. In most situations, there is no need to wait for confirmation from the department before clearing.

 

However, on leasehold land for agriculture and grazing as outlined in the code, the state’s commercial timber interests must first be considered. This means that clearing of commercial timber species cannot occur without receiving written confirmation, or conditions on the clearing, from the department.

The Landholders’ guide to the regrowth vegetation code (PDF, 1.2M)*  is also available to help with the regrowth vegetation code and notification process.

Version 2 of the regrowth vegetation code and landholders’ guide came into effect on the 16 September 2011. 

What are the changes in version 2 of the regrowth vegetation code and landholders’ guide?

Version 2 of both the regrowth vegetation code (PDF, 287K)* and landholders’ guide (PDF, 1.2M)* has incorporated changes to improve presentation and useability of the code from a landholders’ perspective.

It also features industry-recognised best management practices to maintain and enhance natural resources on a property. It is important to note that version 2 of the regrowth vegetation code has not changed the minimum requirements of the code

Essential habitat factors for the regrowth vegetation code

The regrowth vegetation map shows areas of essential regrowth habitat as blue hatched areas. Areas of essential regrowth habitat contain labels indicating the species that may be in the area.

Check the Essential regrowth habitat database (PDF, 17K)* which identifies the factors for each species.

What if the regrowth laws cause your farm business to stop operating?

The regrowth laws allow some clearing in accordance with the regrowth vegetation code or if the clearing is an exempt activity.

Certain circumstances may exist where the regrowth clearing restrictions might cause financial hardship for a farm business to such an extent that it would stop the business from operating.

If your existing farm business is affected to this extent, you may be eligible for a regrowth clearing authorisation. This authorisation allows the clearing of regulated regrowth vegetation even if it does not comply with the regrowth vegetation code.

Not all farm businesses will be eligible for the clearing authorisation, so it is important that you obtain all relevant information before applying. The following information will help you to identify this:

If after reading this information you need more assistance, or would like to view a digital or hard copy of the regrowth map, then please contact a Senior Vegetation Management Officer at the following offices:

Central West Region

North Region

South East Region

South West Region

Further information

For further information about regrowth regulations and the code, refer to the: 

Alternatively, contact 13 QGOV (13 74 68) 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday or email Vegetation Management Enquiries.

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Last updated 14 September 2011

Vegetation management

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