Clearing activities before and after natural disasters
Clearing vegetation after a declared disaster
You may need to clear native vegetation on your property during, or immediately after a disaster.
Under vegetation management laws you do not need prior approval or to notify us if:
- the government has made a disaster situation declaration under the Disaster Management Act 2003 for your district
and
- the clearing is necessary to prevent or minimise any of the following:
- loss of human life, or illness or injury
- property loss or damage
- damage to the environment.
This exemption applies for 1 year after a disaster situation has been declared.
Disaster situation declarations
The following local government areas have been declared a disaster situation under the Disaster Management Act 2003 as a result of the North Queensland flood situation.
Townsville Disaster District declaration on 31 January 2019
This declaration covers the local government areas of Burdekin, Charters Towers, Flinders, Hinchinbrook, Palm Island, Richmond and Townsville.
Clearing vegetation to prepare for a natural disaster
Some clearing of vegetation to prepare for a natural disaster can be conducted using an accepted development vegetation clearing code. Refer to the Managing necessary environmental works, the Managing Category C regrowth vegetation, and the Managing Category R regrowth accepted development vegetation clearing codes for more information about clearing to prepare for a natural disaster.
Cleaning up after a natural disaster
Fallen woody debris can be removed without a permit or notification, from existing tracks, roads, fire management lines and firebreaks.
Related links
- Read about protected plants.
- Find out more about obtaining approval to clear native vegetation.