Disputing high-value regrowth areas

The Regrowth Moratorium ended on 7th October 2009, and new maps have been released identifying areas of 'high-value regrowth'. These high-value regrowth areas are shown as endangered (pink), of concern (orange) or least concern (green). Provided there are no restricted areas, clearing can be undertaken by notification to DERM in the green areas on leasehold land, and in the orange and green areas on freehold land.

Restricted areas are:

Essential regrowth habitat
Stream protection zones
Within wetland protection areas
On slopes greater than 12%.

For more information, you can download the Landholders' guide to the regrowth vegetation code.

If areas are mapped as high-value regrowth on your property and they have been cleared since 31 December 1989, then you have the right to dispute these areas to get them taken off the map. This can be achieved by applying for a Property Map of Assessable Vegetation (PMAV).

Property Map of Assessable Vegetation (PMAV)

A PMAV is an official document recognised by the State Government for delineating what vegetation can and can't be cleared on any given property. In the absence of a PMAV, the Regional Ecosystem (RE) map must be consulted to identify the location of remnant vegetation on a property. Broadscale clearing of remnant vegetation was phased out in December 2006, however clearing for certain purposes is still permitted (refer to section Clearing Permits). The newly-released Regrowth Maps must also be consulted to identify if any areas of 'high-value regrowth' are located on your property.

A PMAV gives the property owner:

Certainty that areas can continue to be managed into the future
The opportunity to define vegetation boundaries at a smaller scale, which can often be inaccurate on a RE map
The option to dispute incorrect vegetation areas (both remnant and high-value regrowth) and remove them from the map, resulting in a larger area that can be managed
Added value to the property by 'locking-in' your non-remnant (white) areas, as the document is legally binding to the title of the land
The chance to learn about all your possible clearing options on a property

The first step for anyone looking to get a PMAV is to look at their current RE and regrowth maps.

Download the FREE RE map of your property here

From our office, AXM can access the most recent RE data (the basis of the PMAV) and overlay it on satellite imagery of your property. In a preliminary discussion with you, we can determine the scope of your PMAV requirements. For cases where vegetation areas are being disputed, a field inspection may be required to gather detailed vegetation data and information on clearing history to support the argument. Unlike other consultancies, AXM will continue to provide their services after the application is submitted to DERM, right up until you have received the certified PMAV personally.

Environmental Risk Management Plans (ERMP)

The Great Barrier Reef Protection Amendment Bill 2009 came into effect on 1 January 2010. The new regulations will be targeting sugar cane growers and graziers in the Burdekin Dry Tropics, Mackay-Whitsunday and Far North Wet Tropics catchments.

The legislation will mean graziers with properties over 2000 ha with more than 100 cattle units (defined in the Act) will be required to undertake an Environmental Risk Management Plan (ERMP). These plans will be regulated by DERM and will outline management strategies for minimising chemical and sediment loss from properties.

Leasehold Land Renewals

Since the introduction of the Delbessie Agreement in December 2007, the requirements of renewing a rural lease have changed. The Delbessie Agreement now applies to all agricultural, grazing or pastoral leases that have a term of 20 years or more, with an area of 100 hectares or greater. However, it does not apply to existing perpetual or freeholding leases.

The lease renewal process will involve a Land Condition Assessment (LCA) of the property by DERM officers, as well as the negotiation of a Land Management Agreement (LMA). A lease renewal will not be offered until the LMA has been signed by the land owner and the State Government.

The AXM team have the knowledge and skills necessary to assist you through each stage, from preparing the application to the negotiation of the LMA.

Property Management Plan

A Property Management Plan (PMP) examines your existing natural resources, infrastructure and management strategies. These are mapped and analysed to establish current performance. The PMP is then used to outline how you will meet your vision of what you would like to see happen over the next 5,10, or 20 years with priorities based on:

Benefits
Budget
People

AXM can provide the mapping tools to determine size of paddocks, distance to water, land and vegetation types and the expertise to help establish the historic productivity of different pastures/paddocks.

Our experience can then bring reality to your vision by costing infrastructure, setting timeframes and accessing valuable knowledge on:

Grazing systems
Water systems
Fencing systems
Land improvement
Government grants

The final Property Management Plan will be a document that enables you to optimise your current business and capitalise on the many opportunities that lie ahead.

Environmental Management Systems

An EMS is a systematic approach to continuously improving your environmental management. Although the EMS Manual is the central reference point, implementing an EMS means implementing a system of procedures, training, record keeping, planning and monitoring.

An EMS aims for continuous improvement through a cycle of Plan-Do-Monitor-Review. Every year, objectives and targets are set and then performance is monitored against those targets.

Many benefits can be gained from implementing an EMS, whether you are a major mining company or a small family owned farming enterprise. An EMS is based on ISO 14001, which is an internationally recognised standard. A business can become ISO 14001 certified and commit to annual audits of their EMS. Alternatively, an EMS can be used as a personal management tool.

Because an EMS is system, not just a document, it will include your property plan, your PMAV map and a blueprint of your water system, your grazing system and your infrastructure. Roles and responsibilities are documented, training requirements mapped out and necessary skills identified.

AXM can develop and help implement an EMS for your business. We can also help access financial assistance that is currently available for the costs involved in establishing an EMS. << Click here to find out more

Due Diligence (Purchasing Property)

Purchasing rural property is a major investment. AXM can assist purchasers by providing advice on vegetation management options on a potential property. This is particularly important for buyers of leasehold land. We can source the Category 4 areas to ensure that areas currently mapped as non-remnant can be cleared in the future. We can also confirm whether a PMAV has been processed over a property, calculate the area of non-remnant country and explain further options if the new owner has development plans.

Clearing Permits

AXM is able to offer advice on which permits are applicable, what information is required by the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM), the likelihood of it being approved and how you might best integrate these permits into your vegetation management plan.

A property owner is able to apply for a clearing permit to:

Thin vegetation that has thickened over time
Stop encroachment onto grasslands
Control weeds
Establish necessary infrastructure
Carry out other projects on farm as defined in the vegetation act.

Like the PMAV process, AXM will continue to provide their services after the application has been submitted to DERM to ensure the best outcome is achieved. If you don't own a GPS, AXM will even lend you one to assist you with the clearing of the permit.