Understanding Queensland's native vegetation clearing laws
What other laws apply to clearing
In addition to the vegetation management framework, clearing activities may also be regulated under other Queensland Government legislation, Australian Government legislation and local government requirements.
Queensland protected plants legislation
Under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, you may need a clearing permit before clearing protected native plants.
Exemptions may apply if your clearing:
- complies with an accepted development vegetation clearing code for managing weeds or managing encroachment
- is for fire management
- is to manage serious risks to people or buildings/infrastructure.
See protected plants for more information.
Queensland koala protection legislation
Koala habitat protections only apply to lots in the South East Queensland Regional Plan area that contain mapped koala habitat areas. You can see if your property is affected by downloading a vegetation management property report.
If your property is in a koala habitat area, under the Planning Act 2016, you may need a development approval before interfering with koala habitat.
Exemptions may apply if your clearing:
- complies with an accepted development vegetation clearing code
- is for fire management
- is to manage serious risks to people or buildings/infrastructure
- is necessary as a result of a declared disaster situation.
Visit the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation's website for more information.
State forestry interests
If the area you want to clear is on leasehold land, or land subject to a forest consent area, you should contact the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to ensure the state has no commercial interest in the timber.
Australian Government legislation
You may need to obtain approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 if your proposed clearing has a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance, such as threatened species or ecological communities.
Local government requirements
Some local governments have local laws or planning scheme requirements that also regulate clearing.
Other legislation
The main federal, state and local government requirements are listed above, but other legislation may have an impact on your proposed clearing. Ensure you contact the relevant agency to check requirements.
- Department of Environment, Science and Innovation – coastal development, contaminated land, heritage places, plants, animals, mining and other environmentally relevant activities
- Department Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts – Indigenous cultural heritage
- Department of Agriculture and Fisheries – forestry on state land, fish passages, mangroves
- Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water – interference with overland flow, clearing in a watercourse
- Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning – development, planning and state development
In this guide:
- About vegetation clearing
- Requirements for clearing vegetation
- How we monitor clearing and ensure people comply with the laws
- What other laws apply to clearing
- Previous ( https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/management/vegetation/clearing-laws/monitoring-compliance )