Regrowth is an important part of the environment
Photo © WPSQThe much heralded new tree clearing laws introduced in Queensland will do very little to protect endangered ecosystems, vulnerable landscapes, our biodiversity and its habitat.
'Much was promised but very little delivered' said Des Boyland, spokesperson for Wildlife Queensland. 'Prior to the last election in March, the Premier gave indications that action would be taken to arrest the outrageous rate of clearing in Queensland well over the total amount of land clearing in the rest of Australia. Yet again we see words not being converted into action.'
Government claims the election promise has been met by consulting and delivering new protection measures for regrowth vegetation. Consultation with the conservation movement did occur but the new protection measures are totally inadequate.
In Queensland it is estimated that there are some 33 M ha of regrowth. About 6-7 M ha are so damaged that successful and timely rehabilitation is unlikely. Another 11-14 M ha are approved category x on Property Maps of Assessable Vegetation and exempt from this new legislation. That leaves about 12-13 M ha and of that only about 1 M ha will be absolutely protected and an estimated 200,000 ha of this was already protected under existing legislation. Granted a further 1.6 M ha may be protected but not guaranteed.
'Considering these statistics, the efforts by Government with the new legislation can only be described as a minimalist approach' stated Des Boyland.
This new legislation will cover all native regrowth vegetation within 50 metres of a watercourse in the priority reef catchments of the Wet Tropics, Burdekin and Mackay/Whitsunday regions and a small subset of endangered regrowth vegetation in rural areas across the State. The new measures will apply to areas of mature regrowth not cleared since 31 December 1989.
Landholders will not require permits but will need to notify the Department of their intention to clear and follow the new code. Landholders who do not comply with the new code may be subject to a range of compliance measures.
'When you consider that 2007 statistics indicate land clearing in Queensland contributes 8.3% of all national greenhouse gas emissions, with Climate Change on the agenda there is no question that the Queensland Government will have to revisit this issue before too long' said Des Boyland. 'In the meantime our biodiversity will continue to decline and its habitat disappear.'
For more information on Wildlife Queensland's activities, call us on +61 7 3221 0194 or send us an email. |
