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Landholders reminded to check before clearing native vegetation

Article taken from www.environment.nsw.gov.au/media/DecMedia11052502.htm

Landholders in the Clarence area unsure about whether their planned clearing of native vegetation requires approval are being reminded to check with their local Catchment Management Authority (CMA).

The warning follows a property owner and contractor in the Clarence area recently being issued with penalty notices totalling $3300 for undertaking private native forestry activities without approval.

The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) is continuing to investigate a number of other incidents of alleged unauthorised native vegetation clearing in the Clarence area.

OEH Manager North Coast Region, Brett Nudd said the Clarence area is a priority zone for close scrutiny following a number of unexplained changes in vegetation cover detected by satellite.

"Unless the clearing is otherwise permitted under the Native Vegetation Act, remnant native vegetation cannot be cleared except in accordance with a development consent or a Property Vegetation Plan," Mr Nudd said.

"Clearing of native vegetation, with the associated destruction of habitat, is the greatest single threat to biodiversity in NSW. Clearing native vegetation can also lead to soil erosion and affect water quality for other landholders in the catchment.

"Our officers will continue to follow-up reports of alleged illegal land clearing made to the Environment Line (131 555) and to review the satellite data.”

The Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority may be contacted on (02) 6642 0622.

Further information is available at:
www.environment.nsw.gov.au/vegetation/nvmanagement.htm
or by calling the OEH Environment Line on 131 555.

The contents of the article below, although specifically in relation to the Clarence area, should be a timely reminder to anyone wishing to remove trees and any other native vegetation that you should consult a qualified and knowledgeable arborist or other industry representative to advise you on your requirements.

There are many businesses out there who have complete disregard to any or all regulations and ultimately it is the responsibility of not only the contractor undertaking the work, but you as the land owner to ensure that the work being carried out on your property has the necessary and required approvals as you are also held accountable for illegal work carried out.

Residents living in rural zoned land should not only gain the necessary approvals from council in relation to removal of trees and shrubs, you also have to consult the Native Vegetation Act 2003 to ensure you are in compliance. Simply underscrubbing or removing shrubs which would normally not require approval from your local council may still require approval under the act and should be sought prior to work being carried out.

Wyong, Gosford and Lake Macquarie are all part of the Hunter Central Rivers CMA area and they can be contacted on (02) 4930 1030. Please visit the Catchment Management Authority website at www.cma.nsw.gov.au/ to find out further information.