Four proposed ways to contemporise Queensland’s protected plants legislative framework

The effectiveness and efficiency of Queensland's protected plants framework is under the spotlight. The Queensland State Government is undergoing two stages of review and reform of protected plants legislation and regulation with a view to securing compliance and enhancing conservation outcomes for protected plants.

In this Alert, Partner Sarah Macoun and Associate Olivia Williamson outline the changes and highlight likely benefits and possible challenges that might arise because of them.

Benefits of the proposed changes

1. A reduction in the number of statutory instruments regulating protected plants in Queensland.
2. A risk-based approach means that all low risk activities (such as harvesting, trading, growing and clearing least concern plants) will be exempt from permitting and licensing requirements.