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Clearing not requiring approval

Clearing native vegetation does not require approval in certain specific circumstances.

Under the Native Vegetation Act 2003 (NV Act) clearing is permitted for:

the minimum amount of native vegetation needed to comply with a current Development Consent for the construction of a single dwelling

routine agricultural management activities (RAMAs) when undertaken to the minimum extent necessary and within specified distance limitations where they apply. RAMAs cover a wide range of day-to-day farming activities that are specified in the NV Act. See Info Sheet 7a (nvinfosheet7a.pdf, 170KB) for RAMAs in the Western Division, Info Sheet 7b (nvinfosheet7b.pdf, 170KB) for RAMAs in coastal catchment management authorities (CMAs), and Info Sheet 7c (nvinfosheet7c.pdf, 175KB) for RAMAs in central NSW CMAs

any vegetation that has regrown since 1 January 1990 (or 1 January 1983 in the Western Division) following lawful clearing. See Info Sheet 14 (nvinfosheet14.pdf, 201KB) for more information on native vegetation in the Western Division

sustainable grazing not likely to result in the substantial long-term decline in the structure and composition of native vegetation

certain groundcover, when less than 50% comprises live indigenous species, and 10% or more of the area has some form of vegetative cover whether dead or alive

continuation of an existing cultivation, grazing or rotational farm practice, except in the Western Division where river red gum, belah and white cypress pine cannot be cleared when taller than three metres.

Clearing listed in section 25 of the NV Act does not require approval because it is authorised or permitted under other legislation. Land that is excluded from the Act such as in Sydney metropolitan and Newcastle urban areas also does not require approval.

Landholders are advised to keep supporting documentation for any clearing that does not require approval. For more information on clearing not requiring approval under the NV Act see Info Sheet 6 (nvinfosheet6.pdf, 146KB).