Land clearing changes in WA to reduce red tape

Diane LeowDecember 7, 2020

Farm and land managers will see amendments to two key areas in native vegetation clearing rules that will take effect tomorrow, following an announcement by Western Australian Environment Minister Albert Jacob today.

“Farmers and land managers will be able to increase the amount of clearing for what is known as limited clearing exemptions from one hectare to five hectares, per financial year,” Jacob said.

“This change reflects contemporary farming practices and the need for the removal of vegetation to accommodate larger machinery.  For example, existing vehicle tracks may need to be widened to allow for a larger combine harvester,” he said.

“The other change will mean farmers and land managers will have 20 years to maintain land previously cleared lawfully, without applying for a clearing permit. This is an increase from the current 10-year time frame,” he said.

“These changes are designed to make life easier for farmers and land managers, without resulting in any significant risk to the environment. They are intended to reduce regulatory burdens that prohibit future growth and success for land owners and managers, and help farmers get on with managing their land,” Jacob said.

It is expected that these changes will result in reduced administrative burdens for both farmers and land managers.

The amendments follow several reviews of the clearing provisions in the Environmental Protection Act 1986.

Jacob said he was confident the amendments would deliver improvements to the regulation of clearing without causing any significant risk to the environment.

“The State Government is also considering further amendments to the Act to streamline approvals and improve regulatory effectiveness, and is committed to a new biodiversity conservation act that will replace the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950,” Jacob said.

“The Department of Environment Regulation will ensure these changes are communicated to farmers and land managers via targeted education, compliance and enforcement programs,” he said.

Diane Leow

Diane has spent her entire career in the world of digital. She is passionate about delivering the best content to a world that is becoming increasingly jaded by the news. She also believes in the importance of great journalism and how it can change the world. Oh, she also drinks a lot of coffee.

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