New vegetation management laws pass in Queensland

WHO SHOULD READ THIS

• People who are planning to carry out land clearing in Queensland.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

• Major changes to the Queensland's vegetation management and land clearing regime were passed last week.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

• Reconsider whether your land clearing activities are authorised.
• If you had planned to rely on the high value agriculture exemptions for land clearing, you will no longer be able to.
• Check your vegetation mapping.

Despite a media blitz by farming peak bodies, after almost three days of parliamentary debate the Vegetation Management and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2018 (Qld) (Amendment Act) was passed late on Thursday, 3 May 2018. The Amendment Act amends the Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld) (VMA), Planning Act 2016 (Qld) (Planning Act) and the Water Act 2000 (Qld) (Water Act).