New or expanding cropping
New or expanding cropping
Information sessions will be held in May and June and are open to producers, advisers and anyone interested in understanding the new or expanding cropping requirements that start on 1 June 2021.
If you would like to attend one of these sessions, you will need to register as soon as possible through the ‘register’ link included in the table below.
*Numbers are limited due to COVID-19 restrictions and sessions may be changed, cancelled or rescheduled if interest is low or due to Queensland Health Directives or restrictions. Further sessions may also be added if interest is high with more than 40 participants registering.
Information sessions
Region | Town | Date and time | Register link |
|---|---|---|---|
Online session held via Zoom | Tuesday 18 May, 10am–12noon | ||
Online session held via Zoom | Monday 24 May, 2–4pm | ||
Fitzroy | Emerald | Monday 24 May, 2–4pm | |
Biloela | Wednesday 26 May, 2–4pm | ||
Burnett Mary | Monto | Thursday 27 May, 9–11am | |
Bundaberg | Tuesday 1 June, 9–11am | ||
Kingaroy | Wednesday 2 June, 10am–12noon | ||
Burdekin | Ayr | Tuesday 8 June, 2–4pm | |
Bowen | Wednesday 9 June, 9–11am | ||
Online session held via Zoom | Thursday 10 June, 10am–12noon | ||
Wet Tropics | Innisfail | Thursday 17 June, 3–5pm | |
Tully | Friday 18 June, 10am–12noon | ||
Mareeba | Wednesday 23 June, 2–4pm | ||
Mackay Whitsunday | Mackay | Monday 21 June, 1–3pm | |
Cape York | Lakeland | Thursday 24 June, 10am–12 noon | |
What are the requirements for new cropping and horticulture?
From 1 June 2021, new or expanding commercial cropping and horticulture activities in the Cape York, Wet Tropics, Burdekin, Mackay Whitsunday, Fitzroy and Burnett Mary regions on five hectares or more of land that does not have a cropping history will require an environmental authority (permit) before the activity or any work takes place.
The permit requirements for new or expanding cropping or horticulture activities allow for the expansion of agriculture while ensuring that this does not worsen the Reef water quality problem.
The requirements apply to most types of crops including grains and horticulture, sugarcane and banana production but not timber production. Crops that are grown in a closed system (e.g. hydroponically), forestry and non-commercial crops are not captured by the new requirements.
An example of a non-commercial crop is where fodder crops are grown by graziers for their own cattle and are not sold to other producers.
ERA standard
There are three types of applications for a permit:
Standard application – A simplified process for growers who can meet the eligibility criteria and standard conditions outlined in the ‘ERA standard’.
Variation application – A flexible process for growers who can meet the eligibility criteria but wish to vary one or more of the standard conditions in the ‘ERA standard’.
Site-specific application – A comprehensive process for growers who cannot meet the eligibility criteria in the ‘ERA standard’. This application requires site-specific information to be provided for the activity.
An ‘ERA standard’ is an application document which lists the eligibility criteria and standard conditions. The department is finalising an ERA standard for new cropping and horticulture following public consultation which closed on 17 February 2021.
The new cropping area will also need to meet minimum practice agricultural standards where these apply to the crop(s) being grown.
Producers will be able to apply for an environmental authority by contacting the Permits and Licensing Management area within the Department of Environment and Science.
What are the minimum practice agricultural standards?
Producers undertaking new cropping or horticulture activities are also required to meet minimum practice agricultural standards where these are prescribed by regulation.
You can view the standards that apply for sugarcane, grazing and bananas.
Do I need an environmental authority to start grazing?
New grazing activity does not require an environmental authority.
Where minimum practice agricultural standards are in place for grazing they must be followed.
Who do I contact about obtaining an environmental authority?
For further information about environmental authorities, please contact:
Department of Environment and Science
Permits and Licensing Management area
Email: palm@des.qld.gov.au
Telephone: 13 QGOV (13 74 68)