New vegetation codes save landholders time and money

Queensland’s farmers and graziers will be able to save both time and money with the launch of six new self-assessable vegetation management codes by the Queensland Government.

Natural Resources Minister Andrew Cripps said the change would allow landholders to get on with their jobs without the need to apply for permits from the State Government.

“The Newman Government has a strong plan to grow agriculture in Queensland and one of the many ways we are doing that is by slashing red tape for farmers and graziers,” Mr Cripps said.

“We are tackling Labor’s bureaucracy, which hindered the ability of many landholders to undertake routine maintenance on their properties and also hit their hip pocket with $650 application fees.

“On top of the nine codes already in place, we are introducing six new codes to expand the number of activities farmers and graziers can undertake without needing to apply for a permit.”

Mr Cripps said landholders had jumped on board the Newman Government initiative since the first codes were introduced in December last year.

“Since the codes commenced, my department has received 766 notifications for land management activities from 432 different landholders across Queensland,” he said.

“These codes have already saved landholders almost 130 years in time and more than $280,000 in fees.”

Along with updating the existing native forest practice code, the six new self-assessable codes include:

• South East Queensland thinning
• Brigalow/Desert Uplands/Central Queensland thinning
• Mitchell Grass downs/Channel Country thinning
• Environmental works
• North Queensland thinning
• Extractive industry

Mr Cripps said notifying the Department of Natural Resources and Mines of land management work was completely free and could be done online or by mailing a form to the department.

“Landholders looking at undertaking any vegetation management activities are encouraged to call the department and speak with a local vegetation management officer,” he said.

“A quick chat on the phone will ensure landholders use the correct self-assessable code and may even save the need to inform the department in future when certain work is to be undertaken.”

The new codes will come into effect on August 8, 2014.

For further information visit www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/land/vegetation-management or call 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

[ENDS] 24 July 2014

Media Contact: Kate Haddan 0418 373 516