BROADSCALE NATIVE VEGETATION CLEARING ENDS IN QUEENSLAND

Queensland will record an environmental achievement of world significance today when broadscale clearing of native vegetation ends in the State.

Premier Peter Beattie said millions of hectares of remnant vegetation would now be preserved forever.

“From midnight tonight, one of the world’s largest states in land area will have some of the strongest protections for its remnant native vegetation,” Mr Beattie said.

“This ends a two year phase-out period established by the Government in 2004 when we gave an election commitment to end broadscale clearing.

“Before that commitment was made, up to 500,000 hectares of native vegetation was being cleared annually. This has now been halted.”

“It has led to a cut in greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 20 million tonnes each year,” Mr Beattie said.

“Queensland’s vegetation management laws are the single greatest contribution that has been made in Australia to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“The Federal Government’s efforts to address the challenges of climate change pale into insignificance in comparison with the end of broadscale clearing in Queensland.”

Mr Beattie said that while all existing permits would expire at midnight tonight, the Government recognised landholders would still need to clear vegetation for management purposes.

“Clearing for activities such as building fences, controlling weeds or harvesting fodder, especially during the current drought, could still be carried out,” Mr Beattie said.

“Applications for permits to carry out these activities are assessed against Regional Vegetation Management codes. Following a review of the codes in consultation with stakeholders, last month the Government released new codes, resulting in a simpler system that is easier to use.

“The new codes are focussed on assessing applications for what landholders can continue to do, rather than what they can’t do.

“The new codes go a long way towards setting the framework for managing vegetation into the future. “

Mr Beattie said that as well as conserving many millions of hectares of remnant vegetation, the Government was also preventing two key threats to primary production: land degradation and salinity.

“We are protecting Queensland’s unique biodiversity, which provides a foundation for our tourism industry and the future wellbeing of this State,” Mr Beattie said.

“The vegetation laws had been supported by a financial package to help producers adjust their operations if the legislation affected the potential viability of their farming enterprise.

Landholders affected by the introduction of an end to broadscale clearing can apply for enterprise assistance grants of up to $100000 through QRAA. Landholders whose viability is badly affected may apply for exit assistance

This assistance is available to farm businesses across Queensland and the closing date for applications is 21^st February 2007

As of December 15, a total of 549 applicants had been approved by QRAA (formerly the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority) for enterprise or exit assistance totalling $54.8 million.

Three properties have been purchased outright

More information is available from http:www.nrw.qld.gov.au/vegetation

Media inquiries: Premier’s office 3224 450

Caroline Kaurila 0414 213 954.

31 December 2006