❓ A parliamentary question probes the Minister for Environment on the implementation of recommendations from a report on native vegetation clearing, focusing on data accessibility and safeguards against unauthorized clearing. The Minister's response details progress on some recommendations, explains inaction on others, and outlines existing legal protections.
AnsweredQoN 2645Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Regulation Review, Clearing of Native Vegetation, Report to the Minister for the Environment by the Expert Committee, April 2009, and I ask -
(1) Which recommendations from the report have been implemented by the Government?
(2) I refer to page 21 of the report, point 3.6, ‘Database for Improved Monitoring and Auditing of Land Clearing, Recommendation 11, The Committee recommends that resources be provided to improve the quality and public accessibility of data on native vegetation, of both its extent and significance, so as to allow for better decision making in DEC and to better inform land owners and the broader community’, and ask, has this been implemented as a priority?
(3) If all the recommendations have not been implemented, can the Minister explain why?
(4) What are the mechanisms for safe guarding against contractors damaging or clearing on protected sites?
(5) What steps are currently being taken by the Minister and/or Department of Environment and Conservation to implement the recommendations?
(1) Which recommendations from the report have been implemented by the Government?
(2) I refer to page 21 of the report, point 3.6, ‘Database for Improved Monitoring and Auditing of Land Clearing, Recommendation 11, The Committee recommends that resources be provided to improve the quality and public accessibility of data on native vegetation, of both its extent and significance, so as to allow for better decision making in DEC and to better inform land owners and the broader community’, and ask, has this been implemented as a priority?
(3) If all the recommendations have not been implemented, can the Minister explain why?
(4) What are the mechanisms for safe guarding against contractors damaging or clearing on protected sites?
(5) What steps are currently being taken by the Minister and/or Department of Environment and Conservation to implement the recommendations?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
23 September 2010
Responded by
Minister for Environment
Response time
44 days
(1) Recommendations 2, 3, 4, 6 and 13 have been implemented and the outcomes of recommendations 8, 9, 12, 15 and 16 are already in place and no further action is required.
Action on recommendation 1 has commenced. As part of my consideration of the report, I referred it to the Environmental Stakeholder Advisory Group for comment and received its report in December 2009. In response, I established an interagency Native Vegetation Working Group to consider the development of a policy on native vegetation, which was a recommendation of both the Expert Committee and the Environmental Stakeholder Advisory Group, and to provide advice on legislative changes proposed in submissions to the Expert Committee. I expect a report from the Working Group by December 2010.
(2) The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) monitors vegetation change within the intensive land use zone on an annual basis. While there is a need for a vegetation management system, given the size of the State, this will be a major task and it is therefore DEC's intention to progressively target regions on a priority basis.
(3) With respect to the remaining recommendations, not referred to in (1) or (2);
Recommendation 5 - the EPA and DEC are of the view that such an agreement is not required, and were supportive of the ongoing level of communication between the two parties.
Recommendation 7 - the legislation already provides the legal framework and guidance on assessment, including planning instruments and other matters, and is provided in DEC's
Guide to Assessment,
which is publicly available. Please also refer to my response to (1).
Recommendations 10 and 14 are under consideration.
Recommendation 17 is not supported as funding was allocated to the Roadside Conservation Committee at the time of establishment of the clearing provisions for the purpose of local government liaison.
(4) Under section 51R of the Environmental Protection Act, both contractors and landowners are legally liable for damage to vegetation which is not authorised under the Act. DEC takes action in respect to unlawful clearing in accordance with its Enforcement and Prosecution Policy. DEC also has comprehensive information and guidelines to assist community understanding of the clearing provisions.
(5) See the answers to (1)-(3).
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Action on recommendation 1 has commenced. As part of my consideration of the report, I referred it to the Environmental Stakeholder Advisory Group for comment and received its report in December 2009. In response, I established an interagency Native Vegetation Working Group to consider the development of a policy on native vegetation, which was a recommendation of both the Expert Committee and the Environmental Stakeholder Advisory Group, and to provide advice on legislative changes proposed in submissions to the Expert Committee. I expect a report from the Working Group by December 2010.
(2) The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) monitors vegetation change within the intensive land use zone on an annual basis. While there is a need for a vegetation management system, given the size of the State, this will be a major task and it is therefore DEC's intention to progressively target regions on a priority basis.
(3) With respect to the remaining recommendations, not referred to in (1) or (2);
Recommendation 5 - the EPA and DEC are of the view that such an agreement is not required, and were supportive of the ongoing level of communication between the two parties.
Recommendation 7 - the legislation already provides the legal framework and guidance on assessment, including planning instruments and other matters, and is provided in DEC's
Guide to Assessment,
which is publicly available. Please also refer to my response to (1).
Recommendations 10 and 14 are under consideration.
Recommendation 17 is not supported as funding was allocated to the Roadside Conservation Committee at the time of establishment of the clearing provisions for the purpose of local government liaison.
(4) Under section 51R of the Environmental Protection Act, both contractors and landowners are legally liable for damage to vegetation which is not authorised under the Act. DEC takes action in respect to unlawful clearing in accordance with its Enforcement and Prosecution Policy. DEC also has comprehensive information and guidelines to assist community understanding of the clearing provisions.
(5) See the answers to (1)-(3).
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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