21st December 2007The Queensland Government is asking landholders feedback on the administration of its controversial vegetation management laws, but it is not revisiting the clearing bans.
Minister for Natural Resources and Water Craig Wallace this week announced the review, which will deliver on one of the government’s Blueprint for the Bush commitments.
The first phase of the review will involve a survey by an independent consultant, Lloyd Consulting.
It will be distributed to a range of landholders, developers, local governments and conservation group members through peak organisations.
“The review will investigate if the Vegetation Management Act is clear to people,” Mr Wallace said.
“It also will help the department to streamline its processes, including vegetation clearing applications.
“I want to ensure that, as far as the law allows, the Department of Natural Resources and Water is helping people to do things not telling them why they can’t be done.
“We want to provide a more efficient service that is more customer focussed.”
But the Vegetation Management Act and its bans on broadscale land clearing are outside the scope of the review.
The survey was developed in conjunction with a reference group comprising members from AgForce, the Queensland Farmers’ Federation, Local Government Association of Queensland, Urban Development Institute and Queensland Conservation Council.
* The survey online at www.zoomerang.com.
SOURCE: A full report on the review will appear in Queensland Country Life, December 27 issue.