BLIGH WELCOMES NEW TREE CLEARING DATA

The release of new tree-clearing figures for Queensland vindicates the Government’s land-mark decision to ban tree-clearing in December 2006, Premier Anna Bligh said today.

“This post-ban data – released for the first time today - shows a 37% reduction.

“Our tree-clearing laws, opposed by the Nationals, are working,” said the Premier.

“This almost 40% reduction was achieved in just six months.

“If it was not for our laws bulldozers would still be ripping up the bush.”

Today’s figures are the first available since the Government’s ban on broadscale tree clearing and cover the period 2006-07 with the ban applying only for the second half of the year.

“The improvements show our laws are working and I expect that we will see another drop in 2007-08 - which will be the first full year of satellite monitoring since the ban,” she said.

The Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS) data shows:

oOverall clearing is down from 375,000 hectares in 2005/2006 to 235,000 hectares in 2006/2007 – that’s 140,000 hectares less – or 37%.

oGreenhouse emissions are also down from 41.24 megatonnes to 31.55 megatonnes The 2006-2007 report puts Queensland on schedule to meet its 20 megatonne per annum reduction by 2008.

oData shows over 100,000 hectares of regrowth was cleared in the year with twice as much of this occurring on freehold as is occurring on leasehold.

“The worrying factor in today’s data are these regrowth-clearing figures.

“While legal, the types of vegetation being cleared for a second time are of concern and I want government to consult rural producers, scientists and environmentalists on ways to make the clearing laws even better.”

The report also shows that:

othe Murray Darling Basin Queensland component continued to have the highest clearing rate at 119,000ha - which was about 50% of all clearing in the State - a 44% decrease on the previous year.

oWithin that Murray Darling component the Brigalow Belt accounted for 96,500 hectares – a 21% decrease on the previous year.

oClearing rates in reef catchments were about 69,000 hectares which represents just less than 30% of all clearing in the State – a decrease of 29% on the previous year.

Ms Bligh said that about two thirds of the remnant vegetation that was cleared was covered by permits.

For example drought-affected graziers are allowed to clear mulga for stock feed. 2006/07 were two of the driest years on record in South West Queensland and many graziers obtained the necessary approvals to save their stock.

The remaining area of remnant vegetation clearing (about 40,000 hectares) is made up of small clearing events (fire breaks, mining areas, house sites, etc) all of which do not require permits.

“However, some portion of this 40,000 hectares is illegal clearing – estimates are it is of the order of 5000 hectares - with the Department of Natural Resources cross-checking records to precisely identify where this illegality has occurred.

“Once identified, the Department of Natural Resources will be proceeding against these offenders and they will face the full force of our tree clearing laws.”

“We will not tolerate illegal clearing for any reason. The laws are clear and three years after the ban came into effect no one can claim ignorance of their existence or content,” she said.

“I am advised that, since 01 January 2007, NRM&W has commenced 16 new prosecutions for vegetation clearing offences. Of these eight were ongoing; and eight have been finalised.

“All of the finalised matters resulted in a conviction for unlawful clearing.

“I can further advise: of the eight ongoing matters, 12 people or companies have been charged, with a total of 25 offences; and - of the eight finalised matters, I note convictions were secured against 11 persons or companies for a total of 18 offences.

“Additionally, NRW has prepared 15 restoration notices in that time requiring people to restore the vegetation that was unlawfully cleared,” she said.

Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500