Simplifying Land Management
Fact Sheet
Sustain. Invest. Protect. A new approach to land management and conservation in NSW
Simplifying Land Management The Independent Biodiversity Legislation Review Panel recommended that agricultural development (i.e. land use change) should be managed in the same way as other forms of development. The new land management framework under the Local Land Services Act (LLS Act) proposes ways NSW landholders can manage land with native vegetation. The aim is to efficiently allow farmers to undertake legitimate land clearing and improve agricultural productivity.
Land Categories: exempt, regulated, excluded The new Native Vegetation Regulatory Map will underpin the new land management framework under the Local Land Services Act 2013. For the native vegetation clearing, land is mapped as exempt, regulated or excluded. Category 1 (Exempt Land)
Clearing of native vegetation can occur without approval under the new land management framework.
Category 2 (Regulated Land)
Clearing of native vegetation can occur in accordance with an allowable activity or code under the LLS Act. Proposed clearing that cannot occur in accordance with an allowable activity or code requires approval under the LLS Act.
Excluded Land
The native vegetation regulatory framework does not apply, and clearing is regulated under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and the new Biodiversity Conservation Act framework, as well as some other legislation such as national parks and forestry legislation.
3 May 2016
The new Local Land Services Land Management Framework The proposed new framework will provide landholders with a range of native vegetation land management options for Category 2 land (regulated land) through:
1. Defined allowable activities 2. Land management codes 3. Local Land Services Biodiversity Assessment. Allowable Activities Native vegetation clearing for agricultural land management and farm infrastructure will be defined in a list of allowable activities. The biodiversity reforms enable landholders to manage native vegetation through a range of allowable activities that will not require a formal approval or notification to Local Land Services (LLS).
Land Management Codes of Practice There are four types of land management codes being developed to manage native vegetation clearing. The codes allow landholders to undertake
low and moderate impact clearing of vegetation to improve the productivity of their business. Clearing will be administered by LLS. The codes are: »» Management codes »» Efficiency codes »» Equity code »» Farm planning code. Each Land Management Code states the requirements for: »» notification to LLS »» certification by LLS of the intended clearing. Landholders must notify LLS of their intention to clear land before any new activities commence. In some cases, the codes allow clearing of native vegetation in return for managing an equivalent or larger area that will be set aside. Set-aside areas and land management areas will be permanently attached to land title. Set-aside areas allow landholders to increase productivity on their land while contributing to a regional and state-wide enhancement of biodiversity quality.
More Information For more information, including an overview of the Land Management Codes of Practice, visit http://landmanagement.nsw.gov.au
Have your say on the proposed changes We want to hear if you think the Independent Biodiversity Legislation Review Panel’s recommendations are reflected in the Biodiversity reforms consultation package. Communities, farmers and environmental groups are invited to participate in the consultation process. You can have your say online at http://landmanagement.nsw.gov. au/haveyoursay/ or send your written submission to: Biodiversity Reforms - Have Your Say Office of Environment and Heritage PO Box A290 Sydney South NSW 1232 Submissions close on 28 June 2016 at 5pm.
Sustain. Invest. Protect. A new approach to land management and conservation in NSW
Simplifying Land Management The Independent Biodiversity Legislation Review Panel recommended that agricultural development (i.e. land use change) should be managed in the same way as other forms of development. The new land management framework under the Local Land Services Act (LLS Act) proposes ways NSW landholders can manage land with native vegetation. The aim is to efficiently allow farmers to undertake legitimate land clearing and improve agricultural productivity.
Land Categories: exempt, regulated, excluded The new Native Vegetation Regulatory Map will underpin the new land management framework under the Local Land Services Act 2013. For the native vegetation clearing, land is mapped as exempt, regulated or excluded. Category 1 (Exempt Land)
Clearing of native vegetation can occur without approval under the new land management framework.
Category 2 (Regulated Land)
Clearing of native vegetation can occur in accordance with an allowable activity or code under the LLS Act. Proposed clearing that cannot occur in accordance with an allowable activity or code requires approval under the LLS Act.
Excluded Land
The native vegetation regulatory framework does not apply, and clearing is regulated under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and the new Biodiversity Conservation Act framework, as well as some other legislation such as national parks and forestry legislation.
3 May 2016
The new Local Land Services Land Management Framework The proposed new framework will provide landholders with a range of native vegetation land management options for Category 2 land (regulated land) through:
1. Defined allowable activities 2. Land management codes 3. Local Land Services Biodiversity Assessment. Allowable Activities Native vegetation clearing for agricultural land management and farm infrastructure will be defined in a list of allowable activities. The biodiversity reforms enable landholders to manage native vegetation through a range of allowable activities that will not require a formal approval or notification to Local Land Services (LLS).
Land Management Codes of Practice There are four types of land management codes being developed to manage native vegetation clearing. The codes allow landholders to undertake
low and moderate impact clearing of vegetation to improve the productivity of their business. Clearing will be administered by LLS. The codes are: »» Management codes »» Efficiency codes »» Equity code »» Farm planning code. Each Land Management Code states the requirements for: »» notification to LLS »» certification by LLS of the intended clearing. Landholders must notify LLS of their intention to clear land before any new activities commence. In some cases, the codes allow clearing of native vegetation in return for managing an equivalent or larger area that will be set aside. Set-aside areas and land management areas will be permanently attached to land title. Set-aside areas allow landholders to increase productivity on their land while contributing to a regional and state-wide enhancement of biodiversity quality.
More Information For more information, including an overview of the Land Management Codes of Practice, visit http://landmanagement.nsw.gov.au
Have your say on the proposed changes We want to hear if you think the Independent Biodiversity Legislation Review Panel’s recommendations are reflected in the Biodiversity reforms consultation package. Communities, farmers and environmental groups are invited to participate in the consultation process. You can have your say online at http://landmanagement.nsw.gov. au/haveyoursay/ or send your written submission to: Biodiversity Reforms - Have Your Say Office of Environment and Heritage PO Box A290 Sydney South NSW 1232 Submissions close on 28 June 2016 at 5pm.
