Native vegetation management
Review of the native vegetation regulation
The NSW Government is undertaking a review of the regulations that underpin the Native Vegetation Act. Drafts of the proposed Native Vegetation Regulation, Environmental Outcomes Assessment Methodology and Private Native Forestry Code of Practice were released for public consultation. The period for making submissions has now closed and submissions are being considered.
To view the consultation documents and find out more about the review visit the review of the native vegetation regulation page.
Appointment of the Native Vegetation Regulation Review facilitator
Mr Joe Lane has been appointed as an independent facilitator to progress the review. To find out more about the review, visit the review of the native vegetation regulation page.
Managing Native Vegetation in NSW
The native vegetation legislation introduced in 2005 represented an historic change to the way we manage native vegetation across NSW. The Native Vegetation Act 2003 (NV Act) and Native Vegetation Regulation 2005 (NV Regulation) has delivered:
- the Government's commitment to end broadscale clearing, to protect the health of our land, rivers and wildlife
- investment security and increased flexibility for farmers
- new powers to local Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) to make decisions in the best interests of the community.
Through CMAs, local people make local decisions about how to best manage native vegetation in their part of NSW.
The system is based on Property Vegetation Plans (PVPs), voluntary agreements between landholders and CMAs. Plans are developed with the support of the Environmental Outcomes Assessment Methodolgy (EOAM). The EOAM weighs up the positive and negative aspects of different management plans and activities, allowing farmers to make practical decisions based on the best scientific information available. Experts from the local CMA will use these tools and their professional judgement when assessing clearing proposals.
Farmers who enter into PVPs will be provided a free-high-resolution satellite image of their property. They are also eligible for funds to help with conservation initiatives such as revegetation plans, salinity strategies and soil erosion control.
Investing in native vegetation management
OEH has developed Native Vegetetation Management (NVM) Benefits mapping to help guide investment in native vegetation management by land managers, including catchment management authorities. The NVM Benefits mapping predicts where investment in native vegetation management will contribute the highest benefit to terrestrial biodiversity, at a state-scale. This can be achieved through improvement in condition, extent and connectivity of native vegetation.
A series of supporting documents, including NSW Native Vegetation Management Benefits Analysis Technical report, Investing in Native Vegetation Management and Threatened Species Programs Guide Note and Biodiversity Certification of Catchment Action Plans, are also available. They provide information on how the NVM Benefits were derived and on how this information can be used to guide investment.
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Page last updated: 08 February 2013
