Vegetation Management Act 1999

An Act about the management of vegetation

Long title amd 2004 No. 1 s 4

1Short title

This Act may be cited as the Vegetation Management Act 1999.

3Purpose of Act

(1)The purpose of this Act is to regulate the clearing of vegetation in a way that—

(a)conserves remnant vegetation that is—

(i)an endangered regional ecosystem; or

(ii)an of concern regional ecosystem; or

(iii)a least concern regional ecosystem; and

(b)conserves vegetation in declared areas; and

(c)ensures the clearing does not cause land degradation; and

(d)prevents the loss of biodiversity; and

(e)maintains ecological processes; and

(f)manages the environmental effects of the clearing to achieve the matters mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (e); and

(g)reduces greenhouse gas emissions; and

(h)allows for sustainable land use.

(2)The purpose is achieved mainly by providing for—

(a)the following matters—

(i)assessment benchmarks for the Planning Act for the assessment of assessable development that is the clearing of vegetation, other than an assessment carried out by the planning chief executive;

(ii)for the Planning Act, the matters a referral agency other than the planning chief executive—

(A)must or may assess a development application against; or

(B)must or may assess a development application having regard to; and

(b)the enforcement of vegetation clearing provisions; and

(c)declared areas; and

(d)a framework for decision making that, in achieving this Act’s purpose in relation to subsection (1)(a) to (e), applies the precautionary principle that lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing a measure to prevent degradation of the environment if there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage; and

(e)the regulation of particular regrowth vegetation.

(3)In this section—

environment includes—

(a)ecosystems and their constituent parts including people and communities; and

(b)all natural and physical resources; and

(c)those qualities and characteristics of locations, places and areas, however large or small, that contribute to their biological diversity and integrity, intrinsic or attributed scientific value or interest, amenity, harmony and sense of community; and

(d)the social, economic, aesthetic and cultural conditions affecting the matters in paragraphs (a) to (c) or affected by those matters.

s 3 amd 2000 No. 35 s 3; 2003 No. 10 s 76 sch

sub 2004 No. 1 s 6

amd 2009 No. 43 s 4 (retro); 2013 No. 24 s 4; 2016 No. 27 s 611

4Advancing the Act’s purpose

If, under this Act, a function or power is conferred on an entity, the entity must perform the function or exercise the power in a way that advances the purpose of this Act.

s 4 amd 2004 No. 1 s 44 (1) sch 1

5Definitions

The dictionary in the schedule defines particular words used in this Act.

6Act binds all persons

This Act binds all persons, including the State, and, so far as the legislative power of the Parliament permits, the Commonwealth and the other States.

7Application of Act

(1)This Act applies to all clearing of vegetation other than vegetation on—

(a)a forest reserve under the Nature Conservation Act 1992; or

(b)any of the following protected areas under the Nature Conservation Act 1992—

(i)a national park (scientific);

(ii)a national park;

(iii)a national park (Aboriginal land);

(iv)a national park (Torres Strait Islander land);

(v)a national park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land);

(vi)a conservation park;

(vii)a resources reserve;

(viii)a special wildlife reserve; or

(c)an area declared as a State forest or timber reserve under the Forestry Act 1959; or

(d)a forest entitlement area under the Land Act 1994.

(2)This Act does not prevent a local law from imposing requirements on the clearing of vegetation in its local government area.

(3)The requirements mentioned in subsection (2) are unaffected by the Local Government Act 2009, section 27.

(4)The Local Government Act 2009, section 27 is subject to subsection (3).

(5)This Act does not prevent a local planning instrument under the Planning Act from imposing requirements on the clearing of vegetation in its local government area.

s 7 amd 2000 No. 35 s 4; 2003 No. 10 s 76 sch; 2004 No. 1 s 7; 2009 No. 36 s 872 sch 2; 2010 No. 12 s 236; 2009 No. 17 s 331 sch 1; 2013 No. 55 s 163; 2016 No. 22 s 48 sch 1; 2016 No. 27 s 612; 2019 No. 8 s 63

pt 2 div 5A hdg ins 2004 No. 1 s 14

om 2013 No. 24 s 18

8What is vegetation

Vegetation is a native tree or plant other than the following—

(a)grass or non-woody herbage;

(b)a plant within a grassland regional ecosystem identified in the VM REDD as having a grassland structure;

(c)a mangrove.

s 8 sub 2004 No. 1 s 8

amd 2023 No. 2 s 94

9What is vegetation management

(1)Vegetation management is the management of vegetation in a way that achieves the purpose of this Act.

(2)For subsection (1), the management of vegetation may include, for example, the following—

(a)the retention or maintenance of vegetation to—

(i)avoid land degradation; or

(ii)maintain or increase biodiversity; or

(iii)maintain ecological processes;

(b)the retention of riparian vegetation;

(c)the retention of vegetation clumps or corridors.

s 9 amd 2004 No. 1 s 44 (1) sch 1

10State policy for vegetation management

(1)The Minister must prepare a policy for vegetation management for the State.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), the policy must state—

(a)outcomes for vegetation management and actions proposed to achieve the outcomes; and

(b)special considerations for significant community projects.

(3)The Governor in Council, by gazette notice, may approve the policy.

(4)The policy is not subordinate legislation.

(5)In this section—

significant community projects means projects the chief executive considers have an aesthetic, conservation, cultural or economic benefit to a local or regional community or the State, including—

(a)a project that serves an essential need of the community; and

Examples—

essential infrastructure, school

(b)a project that significantly improves the community’s access to services.

Examples—

hospital, State or local government library or museum

s 10 amd 2004 No. 1 s 9; 2009 No. 43 s 5 (retro)

pt 2 div 4 hdg sub 2013 No. 24 s 7

pt 2 div 4 sdiv 1 hdg ins 2007 No. 19 s 219

16Preparing declaration

(1)The Minister may prepare a declaration that a stated area is—

(a)an area of high nature conservation value; or

(b)an area vulnerable to land degradation.

(2)Also, a person may request the Minister to prepare a declaration mentioned in subsection (1).

(3)The proposed declaration must include—

(a)proposed assessment benchmarks for the assessment of development that is the clearing of vegetation in the stated area; and

(b)proposed matters that a referral agency must or may assess a development application against, or having regard to.

(4)The Minister must consult with the following entities in preparing the declaration—

(a)an advisory committee established to advise the Minister about vegetation management;

(b)each local government whose area is affected by the declaration.

(5)The Minister must give each owner of land that is in the stated area a written notice inviting the owner to make a submission about the proposed declaration.

(6)The Minister must also give notice of the proposed declaration.

(7)The notice must—

(a)be published—

(i)on the department’s website; and

(ii)in any other way the Minister considers appropriate, including, for example, in an electronic version of a newspaper; and

(b)state the places where copies of the proposed declaration may be inspected; and

(c)invite submissions on the proposed declaration; and

(d)state a day by which submissions may be made on the proposed declaration.

s 16 amd 2000 No. 35 s 6

sub 2004 No. 1 s 11

amd 2005 No. 42 s 52 sch 1; 2013 No. 24 s 6; 2016 No. 27 s 614; 2023 No. 2 s 95

17Making declaration

(1)The Governor in Council, by gazette notice, may declare—

(a)an area mentioned in section 16(1)(a) to be an area of high nature conservation value; or

(b)an area mentioned in section 16(1)(b) to be an area vulnerable to land degradation.

(2)The declaration must not include the matters proposed under section 16(3)(a) and (b).

(3)The declaration is not subordinate legislation.

s 17 amd 2000 No. 35 s 7; 2004 No. 1 ss 12, 44 (1) sch 1; 2005 No. 42 s 52 sch 1; 2009 No. 43 s 12 (retro); 2010 No. 53 s 178; 2013 No. 24 s 8; 2016 No. 27 s 615

18Interim declaration

(1)The Minister, by gazette notice, may make an interim declaration that a stated area is—

(a)an area of high nature conservation value; or

(b)an area vulnerable to land degradation.

(2)The Minister may make the interim declaration only if the Minister considers that urgent action is needed to protect the area.

(3)The interim declaration must state it is an interim declaration and the date, not more than 3 months after it is made, on which it expires.

(4)The interim declaration is not subordinate legislation.

(5)If an area is declared under subsection (1), a person must not clear vegetation in the area while the declaration has effect.

Maximum penalty—1,665 penalty units.

s 18 amd 2000 No. 35 s 8

19Criteria for declarations

(1)The Minister may make an interim declaration of, or prepare a declaration of, an area to be an area of high nature conservation value only if the Minister considers the area is 1 or more of the following—

(a)a wildlife refugium;

(b)a centre of endemism;

(c)an area containing a vegetation clump or corridor that contributes to the maintenance of biodiversity;

(d)an area that makes a significant contribution to the conservation of biodiversity;

(e)an area that contributes to the conservation value of a wetland, lake or spring stated in the notice.

(2)The Minister may make an interim declaration of, or prepare a declaration of, an area to be an area vulnerable to land degradation only if the Minister considers the area is subject to 1 or more of the following—

(a)soil erosion;

(b)rising water tables;

(c)the expression of salinity, whether inside or outside the area;

(d)mass movement by gravity of soil or rock;

(e)stream bank instability;

(f)a process that results in declining water quality.

(3)An area declared under subsection (1) or (2) may include an area of regrowth vegetation.

s 19 amd 2000 No. 35 s 9; 2004 No. 1 s 13; 2009 No. 43 s 63 sch

pt 2 div 4 sdiv 2 hdg ins 2007 No. 19 s 220

19ERequest for declaration

(1)The owner of land (the proponent) may, by written notice given to the chief executive, ask the chief executive to declare that a stated area of the land is—

(a)an area of high nature conservation value; or

(b)an area vulnerable to land degradation.

(2)The notice must be accompanied by a management plan for the stated area.

(3)The management plan must—

(a)be signed by the proponent; and

(b)include enough information to allow the chief executive to map the boundary of the stated area; and

(c)state the proponent’s management intent, and management outcomes proposed by the proponent, for the conservation of the high nature conservation value of the area or the prevention of land degradation in the area; and

(d)state the activities the proponent intends to carry out, or refrain from carrying out, to achieve the management outcomes mentioned in paragraph (c); and

(e)state the restrictions, if any, to be imposed on the use of, or access to, the area by other persons to achieve the management outcomes mentioned in paragraph (c).

(4)Subsection (3) does not limit the matters the management plan may contain.

s 19E ins 2007 No. 19 s 220

19FMaking declaration

(1)The chief executive may, by written notice given to the proponent, declare that the stated area is—

(a)an area of high nature conservation value; or

(b)an area vulnerable to land degradation.

(2)If a person other than the proponent has a registered interest in the stated area the chief executive must not make the declaration without the person’s written consent.

(3)Without limiting subsection (1), the chief executive may decide not to make a declaration for the stated area if the chief executive considers the making of the declaration is not in the interests of the State, having regard to the public interest.

(4)In this section—

registered means registered under the Land Act 1994 or Land Title Act 1994.

s 19F ins 2007 No. 19 s 220

amd 2016 No. 27 s 617

19GParticular criteria for declaration

(1)The chief executive may declare an area to be an area of high nature conservation value only if the chief executive considers—

(a)implementation of the management plan for the area will help to conserve its high nature conservation value; and

(b)the area is 1 or more of the following—

(i)a wildlife refugium;

(ii)a centre of endemism;

(iii)an area containing a vegetation clump or corridor that contributes to the maintenance of biodiversity;

(iv)an area that makes a significant contribution to the conservation of biodiversity;

(v)an area that contributes to the conservation value of a wetland, lake or spring stated in the notice mentioned in section 19F(1) for the declaration;

(vi)another area that contributes to the conservation of the environment.

(2)The chief executive may declare an area to be an area vulnerable to land degradation only if the chief executive considers—

(a)implementation of the management plan for the area will help to prevent or minimise land degradation in the area; and

(b)the area is subject to 1 or more of the following—

(i)soil erosion;

(ii)rising water tables;

(iii)the expression of salinity, whether inside or outside the area;

(iv)mass movement by gravity of soil or rock;

(v)stream bank instability;

(vi)a process that results in declining water quality.

(3)An area declared under this subdivision may include an area of regrowth vegetation.

s 19G ins 2007 No. 19 s 220

19IAmendment of management plan

The chief executive may, with the agreement of the owner of the land the subject of a management plan, amend the plan.

s 19I ins 2007 No. 19 s 220

19JWhen management plan stops having effect

A management plan for a declared area has effect until the earlier of the following happens—

(a)the plan ends under its terms;

(b)the declaration of the area as a declared area ends under section 19L.

s 19J ins 2007 No. 19 s 220

19KRecording of declared areas and management plans

(1)As soon as practicable after declaring an area to be a declared area, the chief executive must give the registrar of titles written notice of—

(a)the declaration; and

(b)the management plan for the declared area.

(2)The notice must include particulars of the land the subject of the declaration.

(3)The registrar must keep records that—

(a)show the land is a declared area; and

(b)state the places where particulars of the management plan may be inspected.

(4)The registrar must keep the records in a way that a search of the register kept by the registrar under any Act relating to title to the land will show—

(a)the declaration has been made; and

(b)the existence of the management plan.

(5)As soon as practicable after a declaration ends or a management plan for the land the subject of a declaration stops having effect—

(a)the chief executive must give the registrar written notice of the fact; and

(b)the registrar must remove the particulars of the declaration or management plan from the registrar’s records.

(6)While a management plan has effect for the land and is recorded by the registrar under this section, the plan is binding on—

(a)each person who is from time to time the owner of the land, whether or not the person signed the plan or agreed to any amendment of the plan; and

(b)each person who has an interest in the land.

s 19K ins 2007 No. 19 s 220

19LEnding declaration

(1)The chief executive may, by written notice given to the owner of the land the subject of a declaration under this subdivision, end the declaration if the chief executive considers—

(a)the declaration is not in the interests of the State, having regard to the public interest; or

(b)the management outcomes mentioned in section 19E(3)(c) for the management plan relevant to the declaration have been achieved.

(2)Also, the chief executive may, by notice given to the owner of land declared as an area of high conservation value, end the declaration if—

(a)the area is, on or after the commencement of this subsection, a legally secured offset area; and

(b)a prescribed activity is, under an authority under another Act, to be carried out in or on the area; and

(c)the holder of the authority has entered into an agreed delivery arrangement in relation to an environmental offset for impacts to the area.

(3)In this section—

agreed delivery arrangement see the Environmental Offsets Act 2014, schedule 2.

authority, under another Act, see the Environmental Offsets Act 2014, schedule 2.

environmental offset see the Environmental Offsets Act 2014, schedule 2.

legally secured offset area see the Environmental Offsets Act 2014, schedule 2.

prescribed activity see the Environmental Offsets Act 2014, schedule 2.

s 19L ins 2007 No. 19 s 220

amd 2014 No. 33 s 145

pt 2 div 4A hdg ins 2007 No. 48 s 57

amd 2016 No. 27 s 619

19NDraft matters for assessing development application for clearing of vegetation for special indigenous purpose

(1)The Minister may prepare a document stating draft assessment matters for development that—

(a)involves, or relates to, the clearing of vegetation; and

(b)the Minister is satisfied is for a special indigenous purpose under the CYPH Act.

(2)In preparing the document, the Minister—

(a)must consult with—

(i)the relevant landholders; and

(ii)the Cape York Peninsula Regional Advisory Committee; and

(b)may, for example, consider any matter stated in the CYPH Act, section 18 or 19 the Minister considers is relevant to the clearing of vegetation for development.

(3)In preparing assessment matters under the Planning Act, the document may be considered, but otherwise does not affect the preparation or making of assessment matters under that Act.

(4)In this section—

assessment matters means—

(a)assessment benchmarks for assessing development under the Planning Act; and

(b)the matters a referral agency must or may assess a development application against, or having regard to.

Cape York Peninsula Region means the Cape York Peninsula Region under the CYPH Act.

Cape York Peninsula Regional Advisory Committee means the Cape York Peninsula Regional Advisory Committee established under the CYPH Act.

DOGIT land means DOGIT land under the Aboriginal Land Act 1991.

relevant landholders means—

(a)the land trusts for Aboriginal land, under the Aboriginal Land Act 1991, that is in the Cape York Peninsula Region; and

(b)the Aurukun Shire Council; and

(c)the trustees, under the Land Act 1994, of DOGIT land in the Cape York Peninsula Region.

s 19N ins 2007 No. 48 s 57

sub 2016 No. 27 s 620

pt 2 div 4B hdg ins 2009 No. 43 s 15 (retro)

sub 2013 No. 24 s 11; 2016 No. 27 s 621

pt 2 div 4B sdiv 1 hdg ins 2009 No. 43 s 15 (retro)

om 2013 No. 24 s 11

pt 2 div 4B sdiv 2 hdg ins 2009 No. 43 s 15 (retro)

om 2013 No. 24 s 11

19OAccepted development vegetation clearing code

(1)The Minister may make a code (an accepted development vegetation clearing code) for—

(a)clearing of vegetation, including for the following—

(i)an extractive industry;

(ii)relevant infrastructure activities;

(iii)environmental activities, including necessary environmental clearing;

(iv)sustainable land use, including fodder harvesting; or

(b)conducting a native forest practice.

(2)Also, the Minister may make a code (also an accepted development vegetation clearing code) for any other matter about clearing vegetation the Minister considers is necessary or desirable for achieving the purpose of this Act.

(3)An accepted development vegetation clearing code may provide for all or any of the following—

(a)clearing for 1 or more relevant purposes under section 22A;

(b)clearing that is subject to another code under this Act;

(c)clearing a particular area;

(d)clearing a particular type of vegetation;

(e)required outcomes and practices, and voluntary best practices, for clearing vegetation;

(f)restrictions on clearing commercial timber on State land;

(g)the protection of habitat for protected wildlife;

(h)the circumstance in which an exchange area must be provided;

(i)giving notice to the chief executive of the intended clearing or native forest practice to be conducted under the code.

(4)An accepted development vegetation clearing code must not be inconsistent with this Act or the State policy.

s 19O ins 2009 No. 43 s 15 (retro)

sub 2013 No. 24 s 11

amd 2016 No. 27 s 622; 2018 No. 7 s 4

19PWhen accepted development vegetation clearing code takes effect

An accepted development vegetation clearing code does not take effect until it has been approved under a regulation.

s 19P ins 2009 No. 43 s 15 (retro)

sub 2013 No. 24 s 11

amd 2016 No. 27 s 623

19QCode compliant clearing and conduct of native forest practices are accepted development for Planning Act

(1)This section applies if an accepted development vegetation clearing code applies to the clearing of vegetation or the conduct of a native forest practice (the activity).

(2)For the Planning Act, the activity is accepted development only if and to the extent the activity complies with the code.

Note—

Under the Planning Act, the activity to the extent it does not comply with the code may be prohibited development or assessable development. See chapter 5, part 2 of that Act in relation to offences applying to prohibited development and assessable development.

s 19Q ins 2009 No. 43 s 15 (retro)

sub 2013 No. 24 s 11

amd 2016 No. 27 s 624; 2018 No. 7 s 5; 2023 No. 2 s 96

19RRegister of accepted development notices given under code

(1)The chief executive must keep a register of notices required to be given to the chief executive under an accepted development vegetation clearing code.

(2)The register must include details of each notice the chief executive considers appropriate.

(3)The publicly available part of the register must not contain the name of the person giving the notice.

(4)The chief executive must publish the real property description of the land the subject of the notification in the publicly available part of the register on the department’s website.

s 19R ins 2009 No. 43 s 15 (retro)

sub 2013 No. 24 s 11

amd 2016 No. 27 s 625

19SWhen notice given under code ends

(1)This section applies if the Minister revokes or replaces an accepted development vegetation clearing code.

(2)For this Act and the Planning Act—

(a)a notice for the intended clearing of vegetation or the conduct of a native forest practice (the activity) given under the code ceases to have effect when the code is revoked or replaced; and

(b)the activity can not continue to be carried out under that code or, if that code is replaced, the replacement code.

(3)However, if the Minister replaces an accepted development vegetation clearing code, subsection (2) does not apply to the extent the replacement code provides otherwise.

s 19S prev s 19S ins 2009 No. 43 s 15 (retro)

om 2013 No. 24 s 11

pres s 19S ins 2018 No. 7 s 6 (retro)

pt 2 div 5AA hdg ins 2009 No. 43 s 16 (retro)

20AWhat is the regulated vegetation management map

The regulated vegetation management map is the map certified by the chief executive as the regulated vegetation management map for a part of the State and showing the vegetation category areas for the part.

Note—

The chief executive may decide under section 20AH or 20AI to show an area on the map as a category B or a category C area even though the vegetation is not remnant vegetation or high value regrowth vegetation.

s 20A ins 2004 No. 1 s 14

sub 2009 No. 43 s 16 (retro); 2013 No. 24 s 12

20AAWhat is the vegetation management wetlands map

The vegetation management wetlands map is the map certified by the chief executive as the vegetation management wetlands map showing particular wetlands for the State.

s 20AA ins 2009 No. 43 s 16 (retro)

sub 2013 No. 24 s 12

20ABWhat is the vegetation management watercourse and drainage feature map

The vegetation management watercourse and drainage feature map is the map certified by the chief executive as the vegetation management watercourse and drainage feature map showing particular watercourses and drainage features for the State.

Note—

The map consists of the following documents—

•the document called ‘Vegetation management watercourse and drainage feature map (1:25 000)’

•the document called ‘Vegetation management watercourse and drainage feature map (1:100 000 and 1:250 000)’.

s 20AB ins 2009 No. 43 s 16 (retro)

amd 2013 No. 23 s 352 sch 1 pt 2

sub 2013 No. 24 s 12; 2014 No. 64 s 53

20ACWhat is the essential habitat map

(1)The essential habitat map is a map certified by the chief executive as the essential habitat map for the State and showing, for the State, areas the chief executive reasonably believes are areas of essential habitat for protected wildlife.

(2)Essential habitat, for protected wildlife, is a category A area, a category B area or category C area shown on the regulated vegetation management map—

(a)that has at least 3 essential habitat factors for the protected wildlife that must include any essential habitat factors that are stated as mandatory for the protected wildlife in the essential habitat database; or

(b)in which the protected wildlife, at any stage of its life cycle, is located.

(3)Essential habitat database is a database, listing essential habitat factors for protected wildlife, certified by the chief executive as an essential habitat database.

(4)An essential habitat factor, for protected wildlife, is a component of the wildlife’s habitat, including, for example, a landform, pollinator, regional ecosystem, soil and water, that is necessary or desirable for the wildlife at any stage of its lifecycle.

s 20AC ins 2009 No. 43 s 16 (retro)

amd 2013 No. 24 s 13

20AHDeciding to show particular areas as category B areas

In certifying the regulated vegetation management map, the chief executive may decide to show an area on the map as a category B area if—

(a)a development approval for the area has been given for—

(i)fodder harvesting; or

(ii)managing thickened vegetation; or

(iii)clearing of encroachment; or

(iv)control of non-native plants or declared pests; or

(v)necessary environmental clearing; or

(b)the area is a declared area, offset area or exchange area; or

(c)the area has been subject to clearing of vegetation under an accepted development vegetation clearing code on a category B area for 1 or more of the following—

(i)conducting a native forest practice;

(ii)fodder harvesting;

(iii)clearing of encroachment;

(iv)controlling non-native plants or declared pests;

(v)necessary environmental clearing; or

(d)the area contains forest products under the Forestry Act 1959 and—

(i)has been defined by agreement with the FA chief executive as an area in which the State has an interest in commercial timber; or

(ii)is an area in which the State has carried out harvesting of commercial timber; or

(iii)has been cleared under section 70A; or

(e)the chief executive has made a PMAV for the area under section 20B(1)(e), (g) or (h); or

(f)the area has been unlawfully cleared; or

(g)the area has been cleared of native vegetation and in relation to the clearing a person has been found guilty by a court, whether or not a conviction has been recorded, of a clearing offence; or

(h)the area is a regional ecosystem that—

(i)has a predominant canopy not dominated by woody vegetation; and

(ii)has not been cultivated for 15 years; and

(iii)contains native species normally found in the regional ecosystem; and

(iv)is not dominated by non-native perennial species; or

(i)the area has been subject to clearing of vegetation under an area management plan on a category B area for 1 or more of the following—

(i)fodder harvesting;

(ii)managing thickened vegetation;

(iii)clearing of encroachment;

(iv)controlling non-native plants or declared pests;

(v)necessary environmental clearing; or

(j)the area has been subject to a native forest practice on a category B area.

s 20AH ins 2009 No. 43 s 16 (retro)

amd 2010 No. 52 s 45; 2013 No. 24 s 15; 2016 No. 27 s 627; 2018 No. 7 s 7

20AIDeciding to show particular areas as category C areas

In certifying the regulated vegetation management map, the chief executive may decide to show an area on the map as a category C area if—

(a)the area has been subject to clearing of vegetation under an accepted development vegetation clearing code on a category C area for 1 or more of the following—

(i)conducting a native forest practice;

(ii)fodder harvesting;

(iii)clearing of encroachment;

(iv)controlling non-native plants or declared pests;

(v)necessary environmental clearing; or

(b)the area is an exchange area; or

(c)the area contains forest products under the Forestry Act 1959 that are regulated regrowth vegetation and—

(i)has been defined by agreement with the FA chief executive as an area in which the State has an interest in commercial timber; or

(ii)is an area in which the State has carried out harvesting of commercial timber; or

(iii)has been cleared under section 70A; or

(d)the chief executive has made a PMAV for the area under section 20B(1)(e), (g) or (h); or

(e)the area has been unlawfully cleared; or

(f)the area has been cleared of native vegetation and in relation to the clearing a person has been found guilty by a court, whether or not a conviction has been recorded, of a clearing offence; or

(g)the area has been subject to clearing of vegetation under an area management plan on a category C area for 1 or more of the following—

(i)fodder harvesting;

(ii)managing thickened vegetation;

(iii)clearing of encroachment;

(iv)controlling non-native plants or declared pests;

(v)necessary environmental clearing.

s 20AI ins 2009 No. 43 s 16 (retro)

amd 2013 No. 24 s 16; 2016 No. 27 s 628; 2018 No. 7 s 8

20AJApplication to make PMAV before amending regulated vegetation management map

If an owner of land in an area wants the chief executive to amend the regulated vegetation management map, the owner must apply to the chief executive under section 20C to make a PMAV for the area.

Note—

See section 20H for the effect of an inconsistency between a PMAV and the regulated vegetation management map.

s 20AJ ins 2009 No. 43 s 16 (retro)

sub 2013 No. 24 s 17

20AKWhat is a property map of assessable vegetation (or PMAV)

(1)A property map of assessable vegetation (or PMAV) is a map certified by the chief executive as a PMAV for an area and showing the vegetation category area for the area.

(2)The map may also show for the area the location of the boundaries of, and the regional ecosystem number for, each regional ecosystem in the area.

s 20AK ins 2009 No. 43 s 17 (retro)

amd 2013 No. 24 s 19

20AKA What is a vegetation category area

A vegetation category area is a category A area, category B area, category C area, category R area or category X area.

Note—

The effect of sections 20AL to 20AO, 20BA and 20CA is that there is no overlap of the boundaries of the vegetation category areas.

s 20AKA ins 2013 No. 24 s 20

20ALWhat is a category A area

A category A area is an area, other than a category B area, category C area, category R area or category X area, shown on the regulated vegetation management map as a category A area that—

(a)is any of the following—

(i)a declared area;

(ii)an offset area;

(iii)an exchange area; or

(b)has been unlawfully cleared; or

(c)is, or has been, subject to—

(i)a restoration notice; or

(ii)an enforcement notice under the Planning Act containing conditions about restoration of vegetation; or

(d)has been cleared of native vegetation and in relation to the clearing a person has been found guilty by a court, whether or not a conviction has been recorded, of a clearing offence; or

(e)the chief executive decides under section 20BA is a category A area; or

(f)is a category A area by agreement under section 20C(3) if, immediately before the agreement is entered into, the area was a category X area on a PMAV containing remnant vegetation or high value regrowth.

s 20AL ins 2009 No. 43 s 17 (retro)

amd 2013 No. 24 s 21; 2018 No. 7 s 9

20AMWhat is a category B area

A category B area is an area, other than a category A area, category C area, category R area or category X area, shown on the regulated vegetation management map as a category B area that—

(a)contains remnant vegetation; or

(b)the chief executive decides to show on the regulated vegetation management map as a category B area; or

Note—

The chief executive may decide under section 20AH to show an area on the regulated vegetation management map as a category B area even though the vegetation is not remnant vegetation.

(c)if section 20AN does not apply to the area—

(i)is a Land Act tenure to be converted under the Land Act 1994 to another form of tenure; and

(ii)contains—

(A)an endangered regional ecosystem; or

(B)an of concern regional ecosystem; or

(C)a least concern regional ecosystem.

s 20AM ins 2009 No. 43 s 17 (retro)

sub 2013 No. 24 s 22

20ANWhat is a category C area

A category C area is an area, other than a category A area, category B area, category R area or category X area, shown on the regulated vegetation management map as a category C area that—

(a)contains high value regrowth vegetation; or

(b)the chief executive decides to show on the regulated vegetation management map as a category C area.

Note—

The chief executive may decide under section 20AI to show an area on the regulated vegetation management map as a category C area even though the vegetation is not high value regrowth vegetation.

s 20AN ins 2009 No. 43 s 17 (retro)

sub 2013 No. 24 s 23

20ANA What is a category R area

A category R area is an area, other than a category A area, category B area, category C area or category X area, shown on the regulated vegetation management map as a category R area that is a regrowth watercourse and drainage feature area.

s 20ANA ins 2013 No. 24 s 24

amd 2014 No. 64 s 54

20AOWhat is a category X area

(1)A category X area is an area, other than a category A area, category B area, category C area or category R area (in which the clearing of vegetation has happened), shown on the regulated vegetation management map as a category X area.

(2)However, an area is not a category X area if the chief executive decides under section 20CA the area is not a category X area.

s 20AO ins 2009 No. 43 s 17 (retro)

amd 2013 No. 24 s 25; 2018 No. 7 s 10

20BWhen chief executive may make PMAV

(1)The chief executive may make a PMAV for an area if—

(a)the area becomes a declared area; or

(b)the area becomes an offset area; or

(c)the area becomes an exchange area; or

(d)the area has been unlawfully cleared; or

(e)the area is subject to—

(i)a restoration notice; or

(ii)an enforcement notice under the Planning Act containing conditions about restoration of vegetation; or

(f)the area has been cleared of native vegetation and in relation to the clearing a person has been found guilty by a court, whether or not a conviction has been recorded, of a clearing offence; or

(g)the chief executive reasonably believes—

(i)a person has committed a vegetation clearing offence in relation to the area, whether before or after the commencement of this section, or a vegetation clearing offence is being committed in relation to the area; or

(ii)the area was cleared of vegetation in contravention of a tree clearing provision under the Land Act 1994 as in force before the commencement of the Vegetation Management and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2004, section 3; or

(iii)prohibited development under the repealed Moratorium Act, part 5 was carried out in relation to the area; or

(h)the area is a Land Act tenure that is to be converted under the Land Act 1994 to another form of tenure; or

(i)the chief executive reasonably believes there is an error in the part of the regulated vegetation management map for the area.

(2)The chief executive must give each owner of land to be included in the PMAV an information notice about the decision to make the PMAV.

(3)Nothing prevents the chief executive making a PMAV for 2 or more of the circumstances mentioned in subsection (1)(a) to (i) over the same or different areas.

s 20B ins 2004 No. 1 s 14

amd 2007 No. 19 s 221; 2007 No. 48 s 59

sub 2009 No. 43 s 18 (retro)

amd 2013 No. 24 s 26; 2018 No. 7 s 11

20BAChief executive may make decision about category A area

The chief executive may make an area a category A area on a PMAV if the chief executive reasonably believes—

(a)a vegetation clearing offence is being, or has been, committed in relation to the area; or

(b)the area was cleared of vegetation in contravention of a tree clearing provision under the Land Act 1994 as in force before the commencement of the Vegetation Management and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2004, section 3; or

(c)prohibited development under the repealed Moratorium Act, part 5 was carried out in relation to the area.

s 20BA ins 2009 No. 43 s 18 (retro)

20CWhen owner may apply for PMAV

(1)An owner of land may apply to the chief executive for the making of a PMAV for the land or part of the land.

(2)The application must—

(a)be in the approved form; and

(b)state the information prescribed under a regulation; and

(c)be accompanied by the fee prescribed under a regulation.

(3)If the owner of the land and the chief executive agree to the making of the PMAV, the chief executive must make the PMAV.

(4)The chief executive may waive the prescribed fee for the making of a PMAV if it is in the interests of the State and the owner.

(5)If the chief executive refuses to make a PMAV for the area, the chief executive must give the owner an information notice about the decision.

s 20C ins 2004 No. 1 s 14

amd 2009 No. 43 s 19 (retro)

20CAProcess before making PMAV

(1)This section applies if—

(a)an owner of land applies under section 20C for the making of a PMAV for the land or part of the land; and

(b)the owner proposes that the land or part of the land (the relevant area) be a category X area on the PMAV.

(2)The chief executive can not make the relevant area a category X area on the PMAV if any of the circumstances mentioned in section 20AH or 20AI for the area have happened unless the area has later been cleared and—

(a)the clearing was carried out under a moratorium exemption; or

(b)the clearing was carried out under a development approval other than a development approval for—

(i)fodder harvesting; or

(ii)managing thickened vegetation; or

(iii)clearing of encroachment; or

(iv)controlling non-native plants or declared pests; or

(v)necessary environmental clearing; or

(c)the clearing was carried out under an accepted development vegetation clearing code other than for—

(i)conducting a native forest practice; or

(ii)fodder harvesting; or

(iii)clearing of encroachment; or

(iv)controlling non-native plants or declared pests; or

(v)necessary environmental clearing; or

(d)the clearing was carried out under an area management plan other than for—

(i)fodder harvesting; or

(ii)managing thickened vegetation; or

(iii)clearing of encroachment; or

(iv)controlling non-native plants or declared pests; or

(v)necessary environmental clearing; or

(e)the clearing was not carried out under an accepted development vegetation clearing code or an area management plan and, when the clearing was carried out, the clearing did not require a development permit under the Planning Act.

(3)Also, the chief executive can not make the relevant area a category X area on the PMAV if—

(a)the vegetation in the relevant area is not remnant vegetation or high value regrowth vegetation because of clearing that happened because of burning, flooding or natural causes; or

(b)the chief executive is satisfied the clearing of vegetation for the relevant area after 29 November 2013 was not lawfully carried out.

(3A)However, subsection (3) does not prevent the chief executive making the relevant area a category X area on the PMAV if clearing in the area was carried out under subsection (2)(a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) after the clearing mentioned in subsection (3)(a) or (b).

(4)If the chief executive considers the relevant area can not be made a category X area because of subsection (2) or (3), the chief executive must, before making the PMAV, give the owner of the land a notice inviting the owner to show why the relevant area should be a category X area.

(5)The notice must state the following—

(a)the grounds for the proposed decision that the relevant area is not a category X area;

(b)the facts and circumstances forming the basis for the grounds;

(c)the proposed boundaries of the vegetation category areas for the PMAV;

(d)that the owner may make submissions about the proposed decision;

(e)how to make a properly made submission;

(f)where the submission may be made or sent;

(g)a period within which the submission must be made.

(6)The stated period must be at least 15 business days after the notice is given.

(7)If, after considering any properly made submission by the owner, the chief executive still considers the relevant area is not a category X area, the chief executive may make the relevant area other than a category X area on the PMAV.

(8)The chief executive must give the owner an information notice about the decision to make the relevant area other than a category X area.

(9)In this section—

lawfully carried out, for the clearing of vegetation, means the clearing was, at the time of the clearing, authorised or permitted under this Act or under any of the following—

(a)the Planning Act;

(b)the repealed Integrated Planning Act 1997;

(c)the repealed Sustainable Planning Act 2009;

(d)the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971;

(e)the Cape York Peninsula Heritage Act 2007.

properly made submission means a submission that—

(a)is written; and

(b)

is signed by each person (a signatory) who made the submission; and

(c)states the name and address of each signatory; and

(d)states the grounds of the submission and the facts and circumstances relied on in support of the grounds; and

(e)is made to the person stated in the notice inviting the submission; and

(f)is received on or before the last day for the making of the submission.

s 20CA ins 2009 No. 43 s 20 (retro)

amd 2010 No. 52 s 46; 2013 No. 24 s 27; 2016 No. 27 s 629; 2018 No. 7 s 12

20DWhen PMAV may be replaced

(1)The chief executive may replace a PMAV for an area (the previous area) with 1 or more PMAVs (each a new PMAV).

(2)A new PMAV may apply to—

(a)part or all of the previous area; or

(b)part or all of the previous area and another area.

(3)Subsection (1) applies only—

(a)if a matter mentioned in section 20B occurs in relation to an area mentioned in subsection (2); or

(b)to reflect a change to a regional ecosystem, in an area mentioned in subsection (2), under division 7A; or

(c)to change a category A area mentioned in section 20AL(f) to a category B area, category C area or category X area, if each of the affected owners agrees to the replacement; or

(d)for a matter other than a matter mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c), if each of the affected owners agrees to the replacement.

(3A)Despite subsection (3), the chief executive may replace a PMAV for an area if—

(a)for a PMAV made under section 20B(1)(a) for a declared area under division 4, subdivision 2—the declaration for the area ends; or

(b)for a PMAV made under section 20B(1)(b)—the offset in relation to the offset area ends; or

(c)for a PMAV made under section 20B(1)(c)—the exchange area is no longer an exchange area required under an accepted development vegetation clearing code; or

(d)for a PMAV made under section 20B(1)(d), (e), (f) or (g)—

(i)the area contains remnant vegetation; or

(ii)the person the subject of a restoration notice, an enforcement notice under the Planning Act or a court order has complied with the conditions of the restoration notice or enforcement notice or order; or

(e)for a PMAV made under section 20B(1)(h)—the Land Act tenure over the area is not converted to another form of tenure; or

(f)for a PMAV made under section 20B(1)(i)—the regulated vegetation management map is amended to correct the error.

(4)A reference to a PMAV made under section 20B or 20C is taken to include its replacement under this section.

(5)In this section—

affected owner means an owner of land proposed to be included in a new PMAV if any of the following apply—

(a)the owner applied under section 20C for the making of the new PMAV;

(b)there was not a PMAV for the land or part of the land;

(c)the land, or part of the land, will be affected by a change to the boundary of a vegetation category area in the new PMAV.

s 20D ins 2004 No. 1 s 14

amd 2009 No. 43 s 21 (retro); 2013 No. 24 s 28; 2016 No. 27 s 630; 2018 No. 7 s 13; 2023 No. 2 s 98

20FCopies of PMAV given to owners

(1)If a PMAV is made or replaced, a copy must be given, free of charge, to each affected owner of land that is included in the PMAV.

(2)However, if there are 2 or more affected owners who reside at the same address, a copy of the PMAV may be sent to the owners jointly.

(3)In this section—

affected owner, of land included in a PMAV, means an owner of the land if all, or a part of, the land will be affected by a change to the boundary of a vegetation category area in the PMAV.

s 20F ins 2004 No. 1 s 14

amd 2009 No. 43 s 23 (retro); 2010 No. 53 s 179

20GEffect of PMAV

(1)An owner of land included in a PMAV, or any other person, may rely on the PMAV as correctly showing a vegetation category area.

(2)Also, until the regulated vegetation management map is amended under section 20HB to reflect a PMAV that has been made or replaced, a reference in section 20AL, 20AM, 20AN, 20ANA or 20AO to an area of a particular category shown on the regulated vegetation management map is taken to include a reference to an area of that category shown on the PMAV.

s 20G prev s 20G ins 2004 No. 1 s 14

amd 2009 No. 43 s 63 sch (retro)

om 2013 No. 24 s 30

pres s 20G ins 2023 No. 2 s 99

20HPMAV boundaries prevail

(1)This section applies if there is an inconsistency between a boundary of a vegetation category area shown on a PMAV and the boundary of the area shown on the regulated vegetation management map.

(2)The boundary shown on the PMAV prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.

s 20H ins 2009 No. 43 s 24 (retro)

sub 2013 No. 24 s 31

20HACertifying vegetation management map

The chief executive may certify a vegetation management map by certifying—

(a)a hard copy of the map; or

(b)a digital electronic form of the map.

s 20HA ins 2013 No. 24 s 32

20HBAmending vegetation management map

If the chief executive makes or replaces a PMAV, the chief executive must amend the regulated vegetation management map in a way that reflects the PMAV.

s 20HB ins 2013 No. 24 s 32

amd 2023 No. 2 s 100

20HCWhen vegetation management map takes effect

A vegetation management map or a map replacing a vegetation management map does not take effect until the map is certified by the chief executive.

s 20HC ins 2013 No. 24 s 32

pt 2 div 5B hdg ins 2010 No. 52 s 47

sub 2018 No. 7 s 14 (retro)

pt 2 div 5B sdiv 1 hdg ins 2010 No. 52 s 47

sub 2018 No. 7 s 14 (retro)

21Definitions for division

In this division—

area management plan means an area management plan made by the chief executive under subdivision 2.

plan area, for an area management plan, means the area to which the plan relates.

restricted (fodder harvesting) land see section 21A.

s 21 prev s 21 amd 2003 No. 10 s 76 sch; 2004 No. 1 s 44(1) sch 1; 2003 No. 64 s 149; 2009 No. 36 s 872 sch 2

om 2016 No. 27 s 636

pres s 21 ins 2018 No. 7 s 14 (retro)

21AWhat is restricted (fodder harvesting) land

(1)Restricted (fodder harvesting) land is—

(a)a State-controlled road under the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994; or

(b)a road controlled by a local government under the Local Government Act 2009; or

(c)trust land under the Land Act 1994.

(2)However, restricted (fodder harvesting) land does not include indigenous land.

s 21A ins 2018 No. 7 s 14 (retro)

pt 2 div 5B sdiv 2 hdg ins 2010 No. 52 s 47

sub 2018 No. 7 s 14 (retro)

21BChief executive may make area management plans

(1)The chief executive may make an area management plan for an area that provides for any matter about clearing vegetation the chief executive considers necessary or desirable for achieving the purpose of this Act.

(2)An area management plan must—

(a)include enough information to allow the chief executive to map the boundary of—

(i)the plan area; and

(ii)if the conditions for clearing vegetation relate to different zones within the plan area—each of the zones; and

(b)state—

(i)the management intent and management outcomes for vegetation management in the plan area; and

(ii)the conditions for clearing, or restricting clearing of, vegetation in the area to achieve the management intent and management outcomes; and

(c)provide for, or allow, clearing of vegetation for 1 or more of the following—

(i)controlling non-native plants or declared pests;

(ii)ensuring public safety;

(iii)relevant infrastructure activities;

(iv)clearing of encroachment;

(v)managing thickened vegetation;

(vi)fodder harvesting, other than on a part of the area that is restricted (fodder harvesting) land;

(vii)necessary environmental clearing; and

(d)not be inconsistent with the State policy.

(3)An area management plan is not subordinate legislation.

s 21B ins 2018 No. 7 s 14 (retro)

21CPlan period for area management plan

An area management plan must state the period, of no longer than 10 years, for which it will be in force, and remains in force until the end of the period.

s 21C ins 2018 No. 7 s 14 (retro)

21DMandatory conditions for area management plan

(1)An area management plan is subject to the conditions under subsections (2) and (3).

(2)If the plan provides for, or allows, clearing of vegetation for relevant infrastructure activities, the condition is that the clearing can not reasonably be avoided or minimised.

(3)If the plan area includes restricted (fodder harvesting) land, the condition is that vegetation on the land can not be cleared for fodder harvesting.

s 21D ins 2018 No. 7 s 14 (retro)

pt 2 div 5B sdiv 3 hdg ins 2010 No. 52 s 47

sub 2018 No. 7 s 14 (retro)

21ERegister of area management plans

(1)The chief executive must—

(a)give each area management plan a unique identifying number; and

(b)keep a register of area management plans.

(2)The register must include details of each notice the chief executive considers appropriate.

s 21E ins 2018 No. 7 s 14 (retro)

pt 2 div 6 hdg amd 2003 No. 10 s 76 sch

sub 2009 No. 43 s 25 (retro)

pt 2 div 6 sdiv 1 hdg ins 2009 No. 43 s 25 (retro)

sub 2016 No. 27 s 635

om 2018 No. 7 s 15

pt 2 div 6 sdiv 1A hdg ins 2013 No. 24 s 47 (amd 2013 No. 63 s 17)

om 2018 No. 7 s 18

pt 2 div 6 sdiv 2 hdg ins 2009 No. 43 s 28 (retro)

om 2016 No. 27 s 643

22AWhen development is for a relevant purpose

(1)This section provides for when development the subject of a vegetation clearing application is for a relevant purpose.

(2)Development is for a relevant purpose under this section if the chief executive is satisfied the development is—

(a)a project declared to be a coordinated project under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971, section 26; or

(b)necessary to control non-native plants or declared pests; or

(c)to ensure public safety; or

(d)for relevant infrastructure activities and clearing for the development can not reasonably be avoided or minimised; or

(e)a natural and ordinary consequence of other assessable development for which a development approval was given under the repealed Integrated Planning Act 1997, or a development application was made under that Act, before 16 May 2003; or

(f)for fodder harvesting; or

(g)for managing thickened vegetation; or

(h)for clearing of encroachment; or

(i)for an extractive industry; or

(j)for necessary environmental clearing.

(2AA)Also, development the subject of a vegetation clearing application is for a relevant purpose under this section if, under the CYPH Act, the Minister is satisfied the development is for a special indigenous purpose.

(2B)However, development is not for a relevant purpose under this section if the development is—

(a)clearing in a category C area if the land on which the development is carried out is freehold land, indigenous land or the subject of a lease issued under the Land Act 1994 for agriculture or grazing purposes or an occupation licence under that Act; or

(b)clearing in a category R area if the land on which the development is carried out is freehold land, indigenous land or the subject of a lease issued under the Land Act 1994 for agriculture or grazing purposes; or

(c)mentioned in subsection (2)(e), (f) or (i) or (2AA) and the land the subject of the application is an area declared to be a declared area under division 4, subdivision 2.

s 22A ins 2003 No. 10 s 58

sub 2004 No. 1 s 15

amd 2005 No. 42 s 52 sch 1; 2006 No. 59 s 66; 2007 No. 19 s 223; 2007 No. 41 s 250; 2007 No. 48 s 60; 2009 No. 43 s 27 (retro); 2009 No. 36 s 872 sch 2; 2010 No. 53 s 180; 2012 No. 43 s 325 sch 2; 2013 No. 24 s 46; 2016 No. 27 s 637; 2018 No. 7 s 16 (11) (retro); 2018 No. 7 s 16 (1)–(10), (12)

22BRequirements for vegetation clearing application for managing thickened vegetation

(1)This section applies if a vegetation clearing application is for managing thickened vegetation.

(2)The application must demonstrate how the proposed clearing will restore the regional ecosystem subject to the clearing to the floristic composition and densities typical of the regional ecosystem in the bioregion and include the following—

(a)the location and extent of the proposed clearing;

(b)the selective clearing methods proposed to be used;

(c)evidence that the clearing will be limited to the prescribed regional ecosystems and restrictions;

(d)evidence that the regional ecosystem has thickened in comparison to the same regional ecosystem in the bioregion.

(3)In this section—

prescribed regional ecosystems and restrictions means regional ecosystems and restrictions prescribed by regulation under the Planning Act, section 55(2) to be a regional ecosystem or restriction for managing thickened vegetation.

s 22B prev s 22B ins 2004 No. 1 s 15

amd 2009 No. 36 s 872 sch 2

om 2016 No. 27 s 638

pres s 22B ins 2018 No. 7 s 17

pt 2 div 7A hdg ins 2008 No. 8 s 3

sub 2023 No. 2 s 100A

pt 2 div 7A sdiv 1 hdg ins 2023 No. 2 s 101

22IWhat is the Vegetation Management Regional Ecosystem Description Database (or VM REDD)

The Vegetation Management Regional Ecosystem Description Database (or VM REDD) is the database that has effect as the Vegetation Management Regional Ecosystem Description Database under this subdivision.

s 22I prev s 22I ins 2004 No. 1 s 15

amd 2009 No. 36 s 872 sch 2

om 2016 No. 27 s 644

pres s 22I ins 2023 No. 2 s 101

22JCertification of database

(1)The chief executive may certify a database about regional ecosystems as the Vegetation Management Regional Ecosystem Description Database.

(2)The chief executive may certify a database under subsection (1) by certifying—

(a)a hard copy of the database; or

(b)a digital electronic form of the database.

(3)If the chief executive certifies a digital electronic form of a database under subsection (1), a reference in this subdivision to the database is taken to include a reference to a hard copy of the database.

(4)Before certifying a database under subsection (1), the chief executive must ensure—

(a)the regional ecosystem numbers, descriptions and classes for regional ecosystems in the database reflect the relevant numbers, descriptions and classes in the Queensland Herbarium Regional Ecosystem Description Database; and

(b)if certified, the database would comply with sections 22LA(2), 22LB(2) and 22LC(2).

(5)However, a failure to comply with subsection (4), or section 22LA(2), 22LB(2) or 22LC(2), in relation to the certification of a database under subsection (1) does not affect the validity of the certification.

s 22J prev s 22J ins 2004 No. 1 s 15

om 2016 No. 27 s 644

pres s 22J ins 2023 No. 2 s 101

22KWhen database in effect as VM REDD

(1)A database certified under section 22J takes effect as the VM REDD on—

(a)the day the database is tabled in the Legislative Assembly under subsection (2); or

(b)if the database states a later day from which the database takes effect—the day stated in the database.

(2)A database certified under section 22J must be tabled in the Legislative Assembly within 14 sitting days after the certification.

(3)If a database certified under section 22J is not tabled under subsection (2)—

(a)the database has no effect; and

(b)the database that most recently was the VM REDD continues in effect as the VM REDD.

(4)The Statutory Instruments Act 1992, section 50 applies to a database certified under section 22J as if it were subordinate legislation.

(5)If a database certified under section 22J ceases to have effect under subsection (4), the database that most recently was the VM REDD again takes effect as the VM REDD.

(6)The fact that a database certified under section 22J ceases to have effect under subsection (4) does not affect anything done or suffered under this Act before the database ceased to have effect.

s 22K prev s 22K ins 2004 No. 1 s 15

amd 2009 No. 36 s 872 sch 2

om 2016 No. 27 s 644

pres s 22K ins 2023 No. 2 s 101

22LPublication of VM REDD

The chief executive must ensure each database certified under section 22J—

(a)is published on the department’s website; and

(b)states the period for which the database is or was the VM REDD.

s 22L prev s 22L ins 2004 No. 1 s 15

amd 2009 No. 36 s 872 sch 2

om 2016 No. 27 s 644

pres s 22L ins 2023 No. 2 s 101

pt 2 div 7A sdiv 2 hdg ins 2023 No. 2 s 101A

22LAEndangered regional ecosystems

(1)Each regional ecosystem identified in the VM REDD as an endangered regional ecosystem is an endangered regional ecosystem.

(2)The VM REDD may identify a regional ecosystem as an endangered regional ecosystem only if the Minister is satisfied—

(a)the area of remnant vegetation for the regional ecosystem is less than 10% of the pre-clearing extent of the regional ecosystem; or

(b)the area of remnant vegetation for the regional ecosystem is—

(i)10% to 30% of the pre-clearing extent of the regional ecosystem; and

(ii)less than 10,000ha.

s 22LA ins 2008 No. 8 s 3

amd 2023 No. 2 s 102

22LBOf concern regional ecosystems

(1)Each regional ecosystem identified in the VM REDD as an of concern regional ecosystem is an of concern regional ecosystem.

(2)The VM REDD may identify a regional ecosystem as an of concern regional ecosystem only if the Minister is satisfied—

(a)the area of remnant vegetation for the regional ecosystem is 10% to 30% of the pre-clearing extent of the regional ecosystem; or

(b)the area of remnant vegetation for the regional ecosystem is—

(i)more than 30% of the pre-clearing extent of the regional ecosystem; and

(ii)less than 10,000ha.

s 22LB ins 2008 No. 8 s 3

amd 2023 No. 2 s 103

22LCLeast concern regional ecosystems

(1)Each regional ecosystem identified in the VM REDD as a least concern regional ecosystem is a least concern regional ecosystem.

(2)The VM REDD may identify a regional ecosystem as a least concern regional ecosystem only if the Minister is satisfied the area of remnant vegetation for the regional ecosystem is—

(a)more than 30% of the pre-clearing extent of the regional ecosystem; and

(b)more than 10,000ha.

s 22LC ins 2008 No. 8 s 3

amd 2009 No. 43 s 63 sch (retro); 2023 No. 2 s 104

24Appointment and qualifications of authorised officers

(1)The chief executive may appoint a person as an authorised officer.

(2)The chief executive may appoint a person as an authorised officer only if the chief executive is satisfied the person has the necessary expertise or experience to be an authorised officer.

25Functions and powers of authorised officers

(1)An authorised officer has the functions of—

(a)conducting investigations and inspections to monitor and enforce compliance with—

(i)this Act; and

(ii)a vegetation clearing provision; and

(b)giving stop work notices and restoration notices.

(2)An authorised officer has the powers given under this or another Act.

(3)An authorised officer is subject to the directions of the chief executive in exercising the powers.

(4)The powers of an authorised officer may be limited—

(a)under a regulation; or

(b)under a condition of appointment; or

(c)by notice of the chief executive given to the authorised officer.

s 25 amd 2003 No. 10 s 59; 2009 No. 43 s 63 sch (retro)

26Conditions of appointment of authorised officers

(1)An authorised officer holds office on the conditions stated in the officer’s instrument of appointment.

(2)An authorised officer—

(a)if the appointment provides for a term of appointment—ceases to hold office at the end of the term; and

(b)may resign by signed notice of resignation given to the chief executive.

27Authorised officer’s identity card

(1)The chief executive must give each authorised officer an identity card.

(2)The identity card must—

(a)contain a recent photograph of the authorised officer; and

(b)be signed by the authorised officer; and

(c)identify the person as an authorised officer under this Act.

(3)This section does not prevent the giving of a single identity card to a person for this Act and other Acts.

28Failure to return identity card

A person who ceases to be an authorised officer must return the person’s identity card to the chief executive as soon as practicable, but within 15 business days, after ceasing to be an authorised officer, unless the person has a reasonable excuse for not returning it.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.

s 28 amd 2018 No. 7 s 19

29Production or display of identity card

(1)An authorised officer may exercise a power under this Act in relation to someone else only if the authorised officer—

(a)first produces his or her identity card for the person’s inspection; or

(b)has the identity card displayed so it is clearly visible to the person.

(2)If it is not practicable to comply with subsection (1), the authorised officer must produce the identity card for the person’s inspection at the first reasonable opportunity.

30Power to enter places

(1)An authorised officer may enter a place if—

(a)an occupier of the place consents to the entry; or

(b)it is a public place and the entry is made when it is open to the public; or

(c)the place is—

(i)the subject of—

(A)a development approval; or

(B)a lease, licence or permit under the Land Act 1994; or

(C)a stop work notice or restoration notice; or

(D)an enforcement notice under the Planning Act relating to the contravention of a vegetation clearing provision; or

(E)an activity, being carried out at the time of entry, to which an enforceable undertaking relates; or

(F)a notification of an intention to clear vegetation given under an accepted development vegetation clearing code or an area management plan; and

(ii)entered during daylight hours; or

(d)the entry is for the purpose of giving an occupier a stop work notice requiring the occupier to immediately stop committing a vegetation clearing offence; or

(e)the entry is under section 30A or is authorised by a warrant.

(2)For the purpose of asking the occupier of a place for consent to enter, an authorised officer may, without the occupier’s consent or a warrant—

(a)enter land around premises at the place to an extent that is reasonable to contact the occupier; or

(b)enter part of the place the authorised officer reasonably considers members of the public ordinarily are allowed to enter when they wish to contact the occupier.

(3)Subsection (1)(c) does not apply to a part of a place where a person resides.

s 30 amd 2003 No. 10 s 60; 2004 No. 1 ss 16, 44 (1) sch 1; 2009 No. 43 ss 30, 63 sch amdts 9–10 (retro), 63 sch amdt 11; 2010 No. 52 s 48; 2013 No. 24 s 51; 2018 No. 7 s 20

30APower to enter place on reasonable belief of vegetation clearing offence

(1)This section applies if an authorised officer believes on reasonable grounds that a vegetation clearing offence is happening, or has happened, at a place.

(2)The authorised officer may enter and re-enter the place without the occupier’s consent or a warrant to investigate whether a vegetation clearing offence is happening, or has happened, at the place.

(3)The authorised officer may exercise powers under subsection (2), at the time, with the help, and using the force, that is necessary and reasonable in the circumstances.

(4)However, before first entering the place, the authorised officer must give at least 24 hours written notice of the proposed entry to an occupier of the place.

(5)Notice of the proposed entry must include the following information—

(a)that the authorised officer believes on reasonable grounds that a vegetation clearing offence is happening, or has happened, at the place;

(b)the reasons for the authorised officer’s belief;

(c)that the authorised officer intends to enter the place and may re-enter the place;

(d)the purpose of the proposed entry;

(e)the dates and times of entry and re-entry.

(6)In exercising a power under this section, an authorised officer must take all reasonable steps to ensure the officer causes as little inconvenience, and does as little damage, as is practicable in the circumstances.

(7)This section does not apply to a part of a place where a person resides.

s 30A ins 2018 No. 7 s 21

31Entry with consent

(1)This section applies if an authorised officer intends to ask an occupier of a place to consent to the authorised officer or another authorised officer entering the place under section 30(1)(a).

(2)Before asking for the consent, the authorised officer must tell the occupier—

(a)the purpose of the entry; and

(b)that the occupier is not required to consent.

(3)If the consent is given, the authorised officer may ask the occupier to sign an acknowledgement of the consent.

(4)The acknowledgement must state—

(a)the occupier has been told—

(i)the purpose of the entry; and

(ii)that the occupier is not required to consent; and

(b)the purpose of the entry; and

(c)the occupier gives the authorised officer consent to enter the place and exercise powers under this division; and

(d)the time and date the consent was given.

(5)If the occupier signs the acknowledgement, the authorised officer must immediately give a copy to the occupier.

(6)A court must find the occupier of a place did not consent to an authorised officer entering the place under this division if—

(a)an issue arises in a proceeding before the court whether the occupier of the place consented to the entry under section 30(1)(a); and

(b)an acknowledgement mentioned in subsection (4) is not produced in evidence for the entry; and

(c)it is not proved by the person relying on the lawfulness of the entry that the occupier consented to the entry.

32Application for warrant

(1)An authorised officer may apply to a magistrate for a warrant for a place.

(2)The application must be sworn and state the grounds on which the warrant is sought.

(3)The magistrate may refuse to consider the application until the authorised officer gives the magistrate all the information the magistrate requires about the application in the way the magistrate requires.

Example—

The magistrate may require additional information supporting the application to be given by statutory declaration.

33Issue of warrant

(1)The magistrate may issue a warrant only if the magistrate is satisfied there are reasonable grounds for suspecting—

(a)there is a particular thing or activity (the evidence) that may provide evidence of a vegetation clearing offence; and

(b)the evidence is at the place, or, within the next 7 days, may be at the place.

(2)The warrant must state—

(a)that any authorised officer or stated authorised officer may, with necessary and reasonable help and force—

(i)enter the place and any other place necessary for the entry; and

(ii)exercise the authorised officer’s powers under this division; and

(b)the offence for which the warrant is sought; and

(c)the evidence that may be seized under the warrant; and

(d)the hours of the day or night when the place may be entered; and

(e)the date, within 14 days after the warrant’s issue, the warrant ends.

(3)The warrant may, as well as authorising entry of the place, authorise re-entry by stating it on the warrant.

(4)A provision of this part applying to entry authorised under a warrant is taken also to apply to any re-entry authorised under the warrant.

s 33 amd 2004 No. 1 s 17

34Special warrants

(1)An authorised officer may apply for a warrant (a special warrant) by phone, fax, radio or another form of communication if the authorised officer considers it necessary because of—

(a)urgent circumstances; or

(b)other special circumstances, including, for example, the authorised officer’s remote location.

(2)Before applying for the special warrant, the authorised officer must prepare an application stating the grounds on which the warrant is sought.

(3)The authorised officer may apply for the special warrant before the application is sworn.

(4)After issuing the special warrant, the magistrate must promptly fax a copy (a facsimile warrant) to the authorised officer if it is reasonably practicable to fax the copy.

(5)If it is not reasonably practicable to fax a copy to the authorised officer—

(a)the magistrate must tell the authorised officer—

(i)what the terms of the special warrant are; and

(ii)the date and time the special warrant is issued; and

(b)the authorised officer must complete a form of warrant (a warrant form) and write on it—

(i)the magistrate’s name; and

(ii)the date and time the magistrate issued the special warrant; and

(iii)the terms of the special warrant.

(6)The facsimile warrant, or the warrant form properly completed by the authorised officer, authorises the entry and the exercise of the other powers stated in the special warrant issued.

(7)The authorised officer must, at the first reasonable opportunity, send to the magistrate—

(a)the sworn application; and

(b)if the authorised officer completed a warrant form—the completed warrant form.

(8)On receiving the documents, the magistrate must attach them to the special warrant.

(9)A court must find the exercise of the power by an authorised officer was not authorised by a special warrant if—

(a)an issue arises in a proceeding before the court whether the exercise of the power was authorised by a special warrant mentioned in subsection (1); and

(b)the special warrant is not produced in evidence; and

(c)it is not proved by the person relying on the lawfulness of the entry that the authorised officer obtained the special warrant.

35Warrants—procedure before entry

(1)This section applies if an authorised officer is intending to enter a place under a warrant issued under this division.

(2)Before entering the place, the authorised officer must do or make a reasonable attempt to do the following things—

(a)identify himself or herself to a person present at the place who is an occupier of the place by producing the authorised officer’s identity card or a copy of another document evidencing the authorised officer’s appointment;

(b)give the person a copy of the warrant or, if the entry is authorised by a facsimile warrant or warrant form mentioned in section 34(6), a copy of the facsimile warrant or warrant form;

(c)tell the person the authorised officer is permitted by the warrant to enter the place;

(d)give the person an opportunity to allow the authorised officer immediate entry to the place without using force.

(3)However, the authorised officer need not comply with subsection (2) if the authorised officer reasonably believes that immediate entry to the place is required to ensure the effective execution of the warrant is not frustrated.

(4)If there is no person present at the place who is an occupier of the place, or it is vacant land, it is sufficient compliance with subsection (2) for the officer, before entering the place, to do or make a reasonable attempt to do the following things—

(a)contact an owner or occupier of the place;

(b)tell the owner or occupier the authorised officer is permitted by the warrant to enter the place;

(c)give the owner or occupier an opportunity to allow the authorised officer immediate entry to the place without using force.

s 35 amd 2000 No. 35 s 12; 2003 No. 10 s 61; 2004 No. 1 s 18

36General powers after entering places

(1)This section applies to an authorised officer who enters a place.

(2)However, if an authorised officer enters a place to get the occupier’s consent to enter the place, this section applies to the authorised officer only if the consent is given or the entry is otherwise authorised.

(3)For monitoring or enforcing compliance with this Act or a vegetation clearing provision, the authorised officer may, subject to subsection (5)—

(a)search any part of the place; or

(b)inspect, measure, test, photograph or film any part of the place or anything at the place; or

(c)take a thing, or a sample of or from a thing, at the place for analysis or testing; or

(d)copy a document at the place; or

(e)take into or onto the place any person, equipment and materials the authorised officer reasonably requires for the exercise of a power under this division; or

(f)require an occupier of the place, or a person at the place, to give the authorised officer reasonable help to exercise the authorised officer’s powers under paragraphs (a) to (e); or

(g)require an occupier of a place, or a person at the place, to give the authorised officer information to help the authorised officer ascertain whether the Act or a vegetation clearing provision is being complied with.

(4)When making a requirement mentioned in subsection (3)(f) or (g), the authorised officer must warn the person it is an offence to fail to comply with the requirement, unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

(5)If the authorised officer enters the place under section 30(1)(d) for the purpose of giving an occupier a stop work notice, the authorised officer may only—

(a)give the occupier the stop work notice; and

(b)take into or onto the place any person the authorised officer reasonably requires for giving the notice.

s 36 amd 2003 No. 10 s 62; 2004 No. 1 s 44 (1) sch 1; 2009 No. 43 s 63 sch (retro)

37Failure to help authorised officer

(1)A person required to give reasonable help under section 36(3)(f) must comply with the requirement, unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.

(2)If the requirement is to be complied with by an individual giving information, or producing a document, it is a reasonable excuse for the individual not to comply with the requirement that complying with the requirement may tend to incriminate the individual.

s 37 amd 2018 No. 7 s 22

38Failure to give information

(1)A person of whom a requirement is made under section 36(3)(g) must comply with the requirement, unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.

(2)It is a reasonable excuse for an individual not to comply with the requirement that complying with the requirement may tend to incriminate the individual.

s 38 amd 2018 No. 7 s 23

39Seizing evidence

(1)This section applies if, under this division, an authorised officer enters a place after obtaining the consent of an occupier or under section 30A or a warrant.

(2)If the authorised officer enters the place with the occupier’s consent or under section 30A, the authorised officer may seize a thing at the place if—

(a)the authorised officer reasonably believes the thing is evidence of a vegetation clearing offence; and

(b)either—

(i)if the authorised officer entered the place with the occupier’s consent—seizure of the thing is consistent with the purpose of the entry as told to the occupier when asking for the occupier’s consent; or

(ii)if the authorised officer entered the place under section 30A—seizure of the thing is consistent with the purpose of the proposed entry stated in the written notice of entry given to the occupier under that section.

(3)If the authorised officer enters the place with a warrant, the authorised officer may seize the evidence for which the warrant was issued.

(4)The authorised officer may seize anything else at the place if the authorised officer reasonably believes—

(a)the thing is evidence of a vegetation clearing offence; and

(b)the seizure is necessary to prevent the thing being—

(i)hidden, lost or destroyed; or

(ii)used to continue, or repeat, the offence.

(5)Also, the authorised officer may seize a thing at the place if the authorised officer reasonably believes it has just been used in committing a vegetation clearing offence.

s 39 amd 2003 No. 10 s 63; 2004 No. 1 s 44 (1) sch 1; 2018 No. 7 s 24

40Securing seized things

Having seized a thing, an authorised officer may—

(a)move the thing from the place where it was seized (the place of seizure); or

(b)leave the thing at the place of seizure but take reasonable action to restrict access to it; or

Examples of restricting access to a thing—

1sealing a thing and marking it to show access to it is restricted

2sealing the entrance to a place where the thing is situated and marking it to show access to it is restricted

(c)if the thing is equipment—make it inoperable.

Example of making equipment inoperable—

dismantling equipment or removing a component of equipment without which the equipment is not capable of being used

41Tampering with seized things

(1)If an authorised officer restricts access to a seized thing, a person must not tamper, or attempt to tamper, with the thing, or something restricting access to the thing, without an authorised officer’s approval.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(2)If an authorised officer makes seized equipment inoperable, a person must not tamper, or attempt to tamper, with the equipment, without an authorised officer’s approval.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

42Powers to support seizure

(1)To enable a thing to be seized, an authorised officer may require the person in control of it—

(a)to take it to a stated reasonable place by a stated reasonable time; and

(b)if necessary, to remain in control of it at the stated place for a stated reasonable period.

(2)The requirement—

(a)must be made by notice in the approved form; or

(b)if for any reason it is not practicable to give the notice, may be made orally and confirmed by a notice in the approved form as soon as practicable.

(3)A further requirement may be made under this section about the thing if it is necessary and reasonable to make the further requirement.

(4)A person of whom a requirement is made under subsection (1) or (3) must comply with the requirement, unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty for subsection (4)—50 penalty units.

43Receipts for seized things

(1)As soon as practicable after an authorised officer seizes a thing, the authorised officer must give a receipt for it to the person from whom it was seized.

(2)However, if for any reason it is not practicable to comply with subsection (1), the authorised officer must leave the receipt at the place of seizure in a conspicuous position and in a reasonably secure way.

(3)The receipt must describe generally each thing seized and its condition.

(4)This section does not apply to a thing if it is impracticable, or would be unreasonable, to give the receipt, having regard to the thing’s nature, condition and value.

44Forfeiture by authorised officer

(1)A thing that has been seized under this subdivision is forfeited to the State if the authorised officer who seized the thing—

(a)can not find its owner, after making reasonable inquiries; or

(b)can not return it to its owner, after making reasonable efforts.

(2)In applying subsection (1)—

(a)subsection (1)(a) does not require the authorised officer to make inquiries if it would be unreasonable to make inquiries to find the owner; and

(b)subsection (1)(b) does not require the authorised officer to make efforts if it would be unreasonable to make efforts to return the thing to its owner.

Example for paragraph (b)—

the owner of the thing has migrated to another country

(3)Regard must be had to a thing’s nature, condition and value in deciding—

(a)whether it is reasonable to make inquiries or efforts; and

(b)if making inquiries or efforts—what inquiries or efforts, including the period over which they are made, are reasonable.

45Forfeiture on conviction

(1)On conviction of a person for a vegetation clearing offence, the court may order the forfeiture to the State of anything owned by the person and seized under this subdivision.

(2)The court may make any order to enforce the forfeiture it considers appropriate.

(3)This section does not limit the court’s powers under the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 or another law.

46Dealing with forfeited things

(1)On forfeiture of a thing to the State, the thing becomes the State’s property and may be dealt with by the chief executive as the chief executive considers appropriate.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), the chief executive may destroy or dispose of the thing.

47Return of seized things

(1)If a seized thing is not forfeited, the authorised officer must return it to its owner—

(a)at the end of 6 months; or

(b)if a proceeding for a vegetation clearing offence involving the thing is started within 6 months—at the end of the proceeding and any appeal from the proceeding.

(2)Despite subsection (1), unless the thing is forfeited, the authorised officer must immediately return a thing seized to its owner if the authorised officer stops being satisfied—

(a)its continued retention as evidence is necessary; or

(b)its continued retention is necessary to prevent the thing being used to continue, or repeat, the offence.

48Access to seized things

(1)Until a seized thing is forfeited or returned, an authorised officer must allow its owner to inspect it and, if it is a document, to copy it.

(2)Subsection (1) does not apply if it is impracticable, or would be unreasonable, to allow the inspection or copying.

49Power to require name and address

(1)This section applies if an authorised officer—

(a)finds a person committing a vegetation clearing offence; or

(b)finds a person in circumstances that lead the authorised officer reasonably to suspect the person has just committed a vegetation clearing offence; or

(c)has information that leads the authorised officer reasonably to suspect a person has just committed a vegetation clearing offence.

(2)The authorised officer may require the person to state the person’s name and residential address.

(3)When making the requirement, the authorised officer must warn the person it is an offence to fail to state the person’s name or residential address, unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

(4)The authorised officer may require the person to give evidence of the correctness of the stated name or residential address if the authorised officer reasonably suspects the stated name or address to be false.

s 49 amd 2009 No. 43 s 31

50Failure to give name or address

(1)A person of whom a requirement is made under section 49 must comply with the requirement, unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.

(2)A person does not commit an offence against subsection (1) if—

(a)the person was required to state the person’s name and residential address by an authorised officer who suspected the person had committed a vegetation clearing offence; and

(b)the person is not proved to have committed the offence.

51Power to require information

(1)This section applies if an authorised officer reasonably believes—

(a)a vegetation clearing offence has been committed; and

(b)a person may be able to give information about the offence.

(2)The authorised officer may, by notice given to the person, require the person to give information about the offence to the authorised officer at a stated reasonable place and at a stated reasonable time.

(3)The person must comply with a requirement under subsection (2), unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.

(4)It is a reasonable excuse for an individual not to comply if doing so might tend to incriminate the individual or expose the individual to a penalty.

(5)If a person is convicted of an offence against subsection (3), the court may, as well as imposing a penalty for the offence, order the person to comply with the requirement.

s 51 amd 2003 No. 10 s 64; 2013 No. 24 s 52; 2018 No. 7 s 25

52Power to require production of documents

(1)An authorised officer may require a person to make available for inspection by an authorised officer, or produce to the authorised officer for inspection, at a reasonable time and place nominated by the authorised officer, a document relating to the clearing of vegetation.

(2)The authorised officer may keep the document to copy it.

(3)If the authorised officer copies a document mentioned in subsection (1), or an entry in the document, the authorised officer may require the person responsible for keeping the document to certify the copy as a true copy of the document or entry.

(4)The authorised officer must return the document to the person as soon as practicable after copying it.

(5)However, if a requirement (a document certification requirement) is made of a person under subsection (3), the authorised officer may keep the document until the person complies with the requirement.

(6)A requirement under subsection (1) is a document production requirement.

s 52 amd 2003 No. 10 s 76 sch

53Failure to certify copy of document

(1)A person of whom a document certification requirement is made must comply with the requirement, unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.

(2)It is a reasonable excuse for an individual not to comply if doing so might tend to incriminate the individual or expose the individual to a penalty.

s 53 amd 2013 No. 24 s 53; 2018 No. 7 s 26

54Failure to produce document

(1)A person of whom a document production requirement is made must comply with the requirement, unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.

(2)It is a reasonable excuse for an individual not to comply if doing so might tend to incriminate the individual or expose the individual to a penalty.

(3)If a person is convicted of an offence against subsection (1), the court may, as well as imposing a penalty for the offence, order the person to comply with the requirement.

s 54 amd 2003 No. 10 s 65; 2013 No. 24 s 54; 2018 No. 7 s 27

54AStop work notice

(1)This section applies if an official reasonably believes a person is committing, or has committed, a vegetation clearing offence.

(2)The official may give the person a notice (a stop work notice) requiring the person to stop committing the offence or not to commit that type of offence again.

Examples of what a stop work notice may require—

The notice may require a person to do any or all of the following on or before a stated time or within a stated period—

•to stop carrying out development

•to demolish or remove development

•to not remove, burn, dispose of, or otherwise cause to be removed, burnt, or disposed of, any felled vegetation

(3)The stop work notice must state—

(a)that the official believes the person is committing, or has committed, a vegetation clearing offence; and

(b)the vegetation clearing offence the official believes is being, or has been, committed; and

(c)briefly, how it is believed the offence is being, or has been, committed.

(4)The stop work notice must be accompanied by or include an information notice about the decision to give the notice.

(5)The person must comply with the stop work notice unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—4,500 penalty units.

s 54A ins 2009 No. 43 s 32 (retro)

amd 2018 No. 7 s 28

54BRestoration notice

(1)This section applies if an official reasonably believes—

(a)a person has committed a vegetation clearing offence, whether before or after the commencement of this section; and

(b)the matter is capable of being rectified.

(2)The official may give the person a notice (a restoration notice) requiring the person to rectify the matter.

(3)The restoration notice must state—

(a)that the official believes the person has committed a vegetation clearing offence; and

(b)the vegetation clearing offence the official believes has been committed; and

(c)briefly, how it is believed the offence has been committed; and

(d)the matter the official believes is reasonably capable of being rectified; and

(e)the reasonable steps the person must take to rectify the matter; and

(f)the stated reasonable period in which the person must take the steps.

(4)The restoration notice must be accompanied by or include an information notice about the decision to give the notice.

(5)The person must comply with the restoration notice unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—4,500 penalty units.

(6)In this section—

step includes any action or other measure the official believes is necessary to rectify the matter.

Examples—

•giving a proposed restoration plan under section 55AB(1) or making a request under section 55AB(3)

•setting objectives and timeframes for restoring the vegetation

•giving the chief executive a progress report about whether the steps taken within a particular period to rectify the matter have satisfied a stated objective

s 54B ins 2009 No. 43 s 32 (retro)

amd 2018 No. 7 s 29

54CContravention of stop work notices and restoration notices

(1)This section applies to a person who is given a stop work notice or a restoration notice.

(2)If the person does an act, or makes an omission, in contravention of the stop work notice or restoration notice, an official may use reasonable force and take any other reasonable action to stop the contravention.

(3)Any reasonable cost or expense incurred by the official in doing anything under subsection (2) may be recovered as a debt owing to the State by the person.

s 54C ins 2009 No. 43 s 32 (retro)

55Transfer of land the subject of restoration notice

(1)If a person has an interest in land the subject of a restoration notice and all or part of the interest, to the extent it is the subject of the restoration notice, is transferred, in any way, to another person (the transferee), on the transfer—

(a)a reference in the restoration notice to the person is taken to be a reference to the transferee; and

(b)the restoration notice is taken to have been given to the transferee on the transfer of the interest; and

(c)any outstanding liability, other than criminal liability, of the person becomes a liability of the transferee.

(2)If the restoration notice requires a matter to be rectified by a stated day or within a stated period and it is not reasonably practical for the transferee to comply with the notice by the stated day or within the stated period, the transferee may ask the chief executive to extend the time for compliance with the notice.

Example—

A is given a restoration notice on 1 January 2010 requiring A to rectify a matter by 30 June 2010. In May 2010, A transfers the land the subject of the restoration notice to B.

(3)If the chief executive, by written notice given to the transferee, extends the time for compliance with the restoration notice, the restoration notice is taken to require the matter to be rectified within the extended time for compliance stated in the chief executive’s written notice.

(4)To remove any doubt, it is declared that on the transfer of the interest, the person to whom the restoration notice was given is not criminally liable for any contravention of the restoration notice that happens on or after the transfer of the interest.

(5)Subsections (1) to (4) have effect in relation to each successor in title to the transferee’s interest in the same way the subsections had effect in relation to the transferee.

s 55 amd 2003 No. 10 s 66; 2004 No. 1 s 19; 2009 No. 43 s 33 (retro)

55ARecord of restoration notice in land registry

(1)As soon as practicable after a restoration notice is given, the chief executive must give the registrar of titles written notice of the giving of the restoration notice.

(2)The registrar must keep records showing the restoration notice has been given.

(3)The registrar must keep the records in a way that a search of the register kept by the registrar under any Act relating to title to the land the subject of the restoration notice will show the notice has been given.

(4)As soon as practicable after the restoration notice has been complied with, withdrawn or in any other way terminated, the chief executive must give written notice of the fact to the registrar.

(5)As soon as practicable after receiving a notice under subsection (4), the registrar must remove the particulars of the restoration notice from the registrar’s records.

s 55A ins 2003 No. 10 s 67

amd 2009 No. 43 s 34 (retro)

pt 3 div 1 sdiv 8 hdg ins 2009 No. 43 s 35 (retro)

55AAApplication of sdiv 8

This subdivision applies if—

(a)an official gives a person a restoration notice in relation to the committing of a vegetation clearing offence on land; and

(b)the notice requires the person to prepare a plan (a restoration plan) to rectify the matter by restoring vegetation on the land.

s 55AA ins 2009 No. 43 s 35 (retro)

55ABPreparing restoration plan

(1)The person must, within the reasonable period stated in the restoration notice, prepare and give the chief executive a proposed restoration plan for the land.

(2)The restoration plan must include the matters stated for the plan in the restoration notice.

(3)However, the person may, within 20 business days after the restoration notice is given, ask the chief executive to prepare a restoration plan for the land.

(4)The fee payable to the chief executive for preparing the plan must not be more than the fee prescribed under a regulation.

s 55AB ins 2009 No. 43 s 35 (retro)

55ACApproving restoration plan

(1)The chief executive must review a proposed restoration plan given to the chief executive under section 55AB(1) and—

(a)approve the plan; or

(b)if the chief executive considers the plan does not adequately rectify the matter, ask the person—

(i)to consider or further consider any matter; and

(ii)to amend the plan in the light of the person’s consideration or further consideration; and

(iii)to give the amended plan to the chief executive for approval; or

(c)ask the person to make stated changes to the plan and give the amended plan to the chief executive for approval.

(2)The person must give the amended restoration plan to the chief executive within 20 business days after the chief executive makes a request under subsection (1)(b) or (c).

(3)The chief executive must review the amended restoration plan and approve the plan or refuse to approve the plan.

(4)If the chief executive approves the restoration plan under subsection (1)(a) or (3), the chief executive must give the person notice that the plan or amended plan is the approved restoration plan.

(5)If the chief executive refuses to approve the amended restoration plan, the chief executive must give the person—

(a)notice of the refusal; and

(b)an information notice about the decision to refuse to approve the plan.

(6)If the person asks the chief executive to prepare the restoration plan under section 55AB(3), the plan prepared by the chief executive is the approved restoration plan.

s 55AC ins 2009 No. 43 s 35 (retro)

55ADChief executive may amend approved restoration plan

(1)The chief executive may amend the approved restoration plan at any time.

(2)Before amending the approved restoration plan, the chief executive must give the person a written notice inviting the person to show why the plan should not be amended.

(3)The notice must state each of the following—

(a)the grounds for the proposed amendment of the plan;

(b)the facts and circumstances forming the basis for the grounds;

(c)the proposed amendment of the plan;

(d)that the person may make submissions about the proposed amendment;

(e)how to make a properly made submission;

(f)where the submission may be made or sent;

(g)a period within which the submission must be made.

(4)The stated period must be at least 20 business days after the notice is given.

(5)If, after considering any properly made submission by the person, the chief executive still considers the approved restoration plan should be amended, the chief executive may amend the plan.

(6)In this section—

properly made submission means a submission that—

(a)is written; and

(b)

is signed by each person (a signatory) who made the submission; and

(c)states the name and address of each signatory; and

(d)states the grounds of the submission and the facts and circumstances relied on in support of the grounds; and

(e)is made to the person stated in the notice inviting the submission; and

(f)is received on or before the last day for the making of the submission.

s 55AD ins 2009 No. 43 s 35 (retro)

55AESteps after, and taking effect of, decision

(1)If the chief executive decides to amend the approved restoration plan—

(a)the chief executive must give the person an information notice about the decision; and

(b)the amendment does not take effect until the end of the review period for the decision; and

(c)the plan, as amended, becomes the approved restoration plan for the land.

(2)If the chief executive decides not to amend the approved plan, the chief executive must give the person notice of the decision.

(3)In this section—

review period, for a decision, means the period provided for under section 63 for applying for an internal review of the decision.

s 55AE ins 2009 No. 43 s 35 (retro)

55AFFailure to comply with restoration notice

(1)The person is taken not to have complied with the restoration notice if—

(a)the person fails to give the chief executive a proposed restoration plan within the period stated in the restoration notice; or

(b)for a restoration plan not approved under section 55AC(1)(a)—

(i)the person fails to comply with section 55AC(2); or

(ii)the chief executive refuses to approve the restoration plan under section 55AC(5).

(2)Also, the person is taken not to have complied with the restoration notice if the person fails to comply with the approved restoration plan.

Note—

For the effect of a failure to comply with a restoration notice, see section 54B(5).

(3)Subsection (1) does not apply if the person has under section 55AB(3) asked the chief executive to prepare a restoration plan for the land.

s 55AF ins 2009 No. 43 s 35 (retro)

pt 3 div 2 sdiv 1 hdg ins 2003 No. 10 s 68

55BPurpose of sdiv 1

The purpose of this subdivision is to help an authorised officer to decide whether the authorised officer’s unaccompanied entry of a place under division 1 would create an unacceptable level of risk to the authorised officer’s safety.

s 55B ins 2003 No. 10 s 68

55CChief executive’s power to obtain criminal history report

(1)The chief executive may ask the commissioner of the police service for a written report about the criminal history of a person if the authorised officer reasonably suspects the person may be present at the place when the authorised officer enters the place under division 1.

(2)The commissioner must give the report to the chief executive.

(3)However, the report is required to contain only criminal history that is in the commissioner’s possession or to which the commissioner has access.

(4)The chief executive must examine the report and identify, to the extent it is reasonably practicable to do so, offences involving the use of a weapon or violence against a person.

(5)The chief executive may give the authorised officer information in the report about the offences identified under subsection (4).

s 55C ins 2003 No. 10 s 68

55DCriminal history is confidential document

(1)A person must not, directly or indirectly, disclose to anyone else a report about a person’s criminal history, or information contained in the report, given under section 55C.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(2)However, the person does not contravene subsection (1) if—

(a)the disclosure is for the purpose of the other person performing a function under or in relation to this Act; or

(b)the disclosure is otherwise required or permitted by law.

(3)The chief executive or an authorised officer to whom the report or written information in the report is provided must destroy the report or information as soon as practicable after the authorised officer considers the risk mentioned in section 55B.

s 55D ins 2003 No. 10 s 68

pt 3 div 2 sdiv 2 hdg ins 2003 No. 10 s 68

56Notice of damage

(1)This section applies if—

(a)an authorised officer damages property when exercising or purporting to exercise a power; or

(b)a person (the other person) acting under the direction or authority of an authorised officer damages property.

(2)The authorised officer must immediately give notice of particulars of the damage to the person who appears to the authorised officer to be the owner of the property.

(3)If the authorised officer believes the damage was caused by a latent defect in the property or circumstances beyond the authorised officer’s, or other person’s, control, the authorised officer may state the belief in the notice.

(4)If, for any reason, it is impracticable to comply with subsection (2), the authorised officer must leave the notice in a conspicuous position and in a reasonably secure way where the damage happened.

(5)This section does not apply to damage the authorised officer reasonably believes is trivial.

(6)In this section—

owner, of property, includes the person in possession or control of it.

57Compensation

(1)A person may claim compensation from the State if the person incurs loss or expense because of the exercise or purported exercise of a power under division 1, subdivision 2, 4 or 5.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), compensation may be claimed for loss or expense incurred in complying with a requirement made of the person under the subdivision.

(3)Compensation may be claimed and ordered to be paid in a proceeding—

(a)brought in a court with jurisdiction for the recovery of the amount of compensation claimed; or

(b)for a vegetation clearing offence brought against the person claiming compensation.

(4)A court may order compensation to be paid only if it is satisfied it is just to make the order in the circumstances of the particular case.

pt 3 div 3 hdg sub 2009 No. 43 s 63 sch (retro)

58False or misleading statements

(1)A person must not state anything to an authorised officer that the person knows is false or misleading in a material particular.

Maximum penalty—500 penalty units.

(2)In a proceeding for an offence against subsection (1), it is enough to state that the statement made was, without specifying which, false or misleading.

s 58 amd 2018 No. 7 s 30

59False or misleading documents

(1)A person must not give an authorised officer a document containing information that the person knows is false or misleading in a material particular.

Maximum penalty—500 penalty units.

(2)Subsection (1) does not apply to a person if the person, when giving the document—

(a)tells the authorised officer, to the best of the person’s ability, how it is false or misleading; and

(b)if the person has, or can reasonably obtain, the correct information—gives the correct information.

(3)In a proceeding for an offence against subsection (1), it is enough to state that the document was, without specifying which, false or misleading.

s 59 amd 2018 No. 7 s 31

59AImpersonation of authorised officer

A person must not pretend to be an authorised officer.

Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.

s 59A ins 2004 No. 1 s 20

amd 2018 No. 7 s 32

60Obstructing an authorised officer

(1)A person must not obstruct an authorised officer in the exercise of a power, unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—500 penalty units.

(2)If a person has obstructed an authorised officer and the authorised officer decides to proceed with the exercise of the power, the authorised officer must warn the person that—

(a)it is an offence to obstruct the authorised officer, unless the person has a reasonable excuse; and

(b)the authorised officer considers the person’s conduct an obstruction.

(3)In this section—

obstruct includes assault, hinder and threaten, and attempt to obstruct.

s 60 amd 2018 No. 7 s 33

60AExecutive officers must ensure corporation complies with Act

(1)The executive officers of a corporation must ensure the corporation complies with this Act.

(2)If a corporation commits an offence against a provision of this Act, each of the corporation’s executive officers also commits an offence, namely, the offence of failing to ensure the corporation complies with the provision.

Maximum penalty for subsection (2)—the penalty for the contravention of the provision by an individual.

(3)Evidence that the corporation has been convicted of an offence against a provision of this Act is evidence that each of the executive officers committed the offence of failing to ensure the corporation complies with the provision.

(4)However, it is a defence for an executive officer to prove—

(a)if the officer was in a position to influence the conduct of the corporation in relation to the offence—the officer exercised reasonable diligence to ensure the corporation complied with the provision; or

(b)the officer was not in a position to influence the conduct of the corporation in relation to the offence.

(5)In this section—

executive officer, of a corporation, means a person who is concerned with, or takes part in, the corporation’s management, whether or not the person is a director or the person’s position is given the name of executive officer.

s 60A ins 2003 No. 10 s 69

61Ability to prosecute under other Acts

Nothing in this Act prevents a person from being prosecuted for any of the following offences in relation to the clearing of vegetation—

(a)a development offence under the Planning Act or the repealed Sustainable Planning Act 2009;

(b)an offence against a following provision of the Environmental Protection Act 1994—

•section 437(1)

•section 437(2)

•section 438(1)

•section 438(2).

s 61 amd 1994 No. 62 s 616 (2) (amd 2000 No. 64 s 52); 2003 No. 10 s 76 sch; 2016 No. 27 s 646; 2023 No. 2 s 105

pt 4 hdg amd 2009 No. 43 s 37 (retro)

pt 4 div 1 hdg sub 2009 No. 43 s 38 (retro)

62Internal review process before external review

Every review of an original decision must be, in the first instance, by way of an application for an internal review of the decision.

s 62 amd 2004 No. 1 s 21

sub 2009 No. 43 s 38 (retro)

63How to apply for internal review

(1)A person who is given, or is entitled to be given, an information notice about a decision made under this Act may apply for an internal review of the decision.

(2)An application for internal review of a decision must be—

(a)in the approved form; and

(b)made to the chief executive; and

(c)supported by enough information to enable the chief executive to decide the application.

(3)The application must be made within 20 business days after—

(a)the day the person is given the information notice about the decision; or

(b)if paragraph (a) does not apply—the day the person otherwise becomes aware of the decision.

(4)The chief executive may extend the time for applying for the internal review.

(5)The application does not stay the decision.

s 63 sub 2009 No. 43 s 38 (retro)

63AReview decision

(1)The chief executive must, within 30 business days after receiving the application—

(a)review the decision (the original decision); and

(b)make a decision (the review decision) to—

(i)confirm the original decision; or

(ii)amend the original decision; or

(iii)substitute another decision for the original decision; and

(c)give the applicant notice (the review notice) of the review decision.

(2)If the review decision is not the decision sought by the applicant, the review notice must comply with the QCAT Act, section 157(2).

(3)However, subsection (2) does not apply if the review decision relates to an original decision under section 138(1)(b).

s 63A ins 2009 No. 43 s 38 (retro)

amd 2010 No. 52 s 49; 2018 No. 7 s 34

pt 4 div 1A hdg ins 2009 No. 43 s 38 (retro)

63BWho may apply for external review

(1)A person who is dissatisfied with a review decision may apply, as provided under the QCAT Act, to QCAT for a review of the review decision.

(2)However, subsection (1) does not apply if the review decision relates to an original decision mentioned in section 63A(3).

s 63B ins 2009 No. 43 s 38 (retro)

amd 2010 No. 52 s 50

64Application of div 2

This division applies to a proceeding under this Act.

65Appointments and authority

It is not necessary to prove—

(a)the chief executive’s appointment; or

(b)an authorised officer’s appointment; or

(c)the authority of the chief executive or an authorised officer to do anything under this Act.

66Signatures

A signature purporting to be the signature of the chief executive or an authorised officer is evidence of the signature it purports to be.

66AInstruments, equipment and installations

(1)An instrument, equipment or installation prescribed under a regulation that is used in accordance with any conditions prescribed under a regulation is taken, in the absence of evidence to the contrary—

(a)to be accurate and precise; and

(b)to have been used by an appropriately qualified person.

(2)A party to the proceeding intending to challenge a matter mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b) must give each other party notice of the party’s intention to adduce relevant evidence at least 20 business days before the evidence is adduced.

(3)The notice must state the grounds on which the party intends to rely to prove that the instrument, equipment or installation—

(a)was not accurate or precise; or

(b)was not used by an appropriately qualified person.

s 66A ins 2003 No. 10 s 70

amd 2009 No. 43 s 39

66BCertificate or report about remotely sensed image

(1)A signature on a certificate or report purporting to be the signature of an appropriately qualified person who gave the certificate or report is evidence of the signature it purports to be.

(2)A statement of any of the following matters in the certificate or report is evidence of the matters stated in the absence of evidence to the contrary—

(a)the person’s qualifications;

(b)a stated document is a remotely sensed image, or a copy of a remotely sensed image, of a stated area;

(c)the date on which a stated remotely sensed image was produced;

(d)the person’s stated conclusions drawn from a stated remotely sensed image;

(e)the location of a stated area;

(f)whether vegetation in a stated area has been cleared;

(g)whether a stated area is or is likely to be an area of remnant vegetation or regulated regrowth vegetation.

(3)A party to the proceeding intending to challenge the statement must give each other party notice of the party’s intention to adduce relevant evidence at least 20 business days before the evidence is adduced.

(4)The notice must state the grounds on which the party intends to rely to prove that the statement was not correct.

s 66B ins 2003 No. 10 s 70

amd 2009 No. 43 s 40 (1) (retro), (2)–(3)

67Evidentiary aids

(1)A certificate purporting to be signed by the chief executive stating any of the following matters is evidence of the matter—

(a)a stated document is one of the following things made, certified, maintained, given or issued under this Act or the Planning Act—

(i)an appointment, approval or decision;

(ii)a direction, notice or requirement;

(iii)a code, plan or policy;

(iv)a map;

(b)a stated document is another document kept under this Act or the Planning Act;

(c)a stated document is a copy of, or an extract from or part of, a thing mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b);

(d)on a stated day—

(i)a stated person was given a stated decision, direction or notice under this Act; or

(ii)a stated requirement under this Act was made of a stated person.

(2)A statement in a complaint for an offence against this Act that the matter of the complaint came to the knowledge of the complainant on a stated day is evidence of the matter stated.

s 67 amd 2000 No. 35 s 13; 2003 No. 10 s 76 sch; 2004 No. 1 s 22; 2009 No. 43 s 41 (retro)

68Summary proceedings for offences

(1)A proceeding for an offence against this Act, or for a vegetation clearing offence, must be taken in a summary way under the Justices Act 1886.

(2)Subject to subsection (4), a proceeding for an offence against this Act must start—

(a)within 1 year after the commission of the offence; or

(b)within 1 year after the offence comes to the complainant’s knowledge, but within 5 years after the offence is committed.

(3)Despite the Planning Act, and subject to subsection (4), a proceeding for a vegetation clearing offence must start—

(a)within 1 year after the commission of the offence; or

(b)within 1 year after the offence comes to the complainant’s knowledge, but within 5 years after the offence is committed.

(4)If a Magistrates Court considers it just and equitable in the circumstances, the court may, at any time, extend a time set under this section.

(5)Subsection (4)—

(a)applies to an offence regardless of whether it was committed before or after the commencement of the subsection; and

(b)does not apply to an offence if the time for starting a proceeding for the offence had expired before the commencement of the subsection.

(6)A vegetation clearing offence does not come to the complainant’s knowledge merely because the complainant receives a remotely sensed image that may provide evidence of the offence.

s 68 amd 2003 No. 10 ss 73, 76 sch

68AParticulars to be stated for complaint for vegetation clearing offence

(1)This section applies to a complaint for a proceeding for a vegetation clearing offence.

(2)It is enough, for identifying the vegetation cleared and the place where the vegetation was cleared, for the particulars for the complaint to state the following—

(a)the number of hectares of vegetation that have been cleared unlawfully;

(b)the location where the vegetation was cleared;

(c)a description of the vegetation;

Example—

remnant vegetation that is an endangered regional ecosystem and essential habitat for protected wildlife

(d)whether the vegetation was in—

(i)an area of high nature conservation value; or

(ii)an area vulnerable to land degradation.

s 68A ins 2003 No. 10 s 74

amd 2009 No. 43 s 42 (retro)

68BRepresentation of departmental officer in court

(1)Any departmental officer may appear for and represent another departmental officer in a Magistrates Court in a proceeding brought by the other officer under this Act or for a vegetation clearing offence.

(2)In this section—

departmental officer means a public service officer employed in the department.

s 68B ins 2003 No. 10 s 74

68CRecovery of costs of investigation

(1)If a court convicts a person of an offence against this Act or a vegetation clearing offence, the court may order the person to pay the department’s reasonable costs of investigating the offence, including reasonable costs of preparing for the prosecution of the offence.

Examples of reasonable costs—

1obtaining and analysing remotely sensed images

2costs of travelling for departmental officers and experts

(2)Subsection (1) does not limit the orders for costs the court may make.

s 68C ins 2003 No. 10 s 74

pt 4 div 4 hdg ins 2009 No. 43 s 43 (retro)

68CADefinitions for div 4

In this division—

decision means—

(a)a decision by the chief executive to—

(i)certify, amend or replace a regulated vegetation management map; or

(ii)agree to make a PMAV the subject of a relevant PMAV application; or

(b)a failure to make a decision to make a PMAV the subject of a relevant PMAV application; or

(c)a purported decision relating to a matter mentioned in paragraph (a).

PMAV application means an application under section 20C to make a PMAV for an area.

relevant PMAV application means a PMAV application made on or after 8 October 2009 and before 3 November 2009.

s 68CA ins 2009 No. 43 s 43 (retro)

sub 2013 No. 24 s 57

68CBLimitation of review and appeal

(1)This section applies to a decision by the chief executive.

(2)Unless there is a determination by the Supreme Court that the decision is affected by jurisdictional error, the decision—

(a)is final and conclusive; and

(b)can not be challenged, appealed against, reviewed, quashed, set aside or called in question in any other way, under the Judicial Review Act 1991 or otherwise (whether by the Supreme Court, another court, a tribunal or another entity); and

(c)is not subject to any declaratory, injunctive or other order of the Supreme Court, another court, a tribunal or another entity on any ground.

s 68CB ins 2009 No. 43 s 43 (retro)

sub 2013 No. 24 s 58

pt 4 div 5 hdg ins 2018 No. 7 s 35

68CC Chief executive may accept enforceable undertakings

(1)The chief executive may accept a written undertaking (an enforceable undertaking) made by a person in relation to a contravention or alleged contravention by the person of this Act or the Planning Act to the extent that Act relates to the clearing of vegetation.

(2)An enforceable undertaking must be in the approved form.

(3)The chief executive must give the person written notice of—

(a)the chief executive’s decision to accept or reject the enforceable undertaking; and

(b)the reasons for the decision.

(4)The chief executive must not accept the enforceable undertaking unless the chief executive reasonably believes the undertaking will—

(a)secure compliance with this Act or the Planning Act; or

(b)advance the purpose of this Act.

(5)If the chief executive decides to accept the enforceable undertaking, the chief executive must publish the details of the undertaking the chief executive considers appropriate on the department’s website.

(6)The chief executive may accept an enforceable undertaking in relation to a contravention or alleged contravention at any time before any proceedings in relation to the contravention end.

(7)If the chief executive accepts an enforceable undertaking after proceedings in relation to the contravention have started, the chief executive must take all reasonable steps to have the proceedings discontinued as soon as practicable.

s 68CC ins 2018 No. 7 s 35

68CD Effect of enforceable undertaking

(1)An enforceable undertaking takes effect when the chief executive gives the person who made the undertaking notice of the decision to accept the undertaking.

(2) No proceedings for a contravention or alleged contravention of this Act, or the Planning Act to the extent that Act relates to the clearing of vegetation, may be taken against the person in relation to the enforceable undertaking if the person is complying, or has complied, with the undertaking.

(3)The making of an enforceable undertaking does not constitute an admission of guilt by the person making the undertaking.

s 68CD ins 2018 No. 7 s 35

68CE Withdrawal or variation of enforceable undertaking

(1)A person who has made an enforceable undertaking may, at any time, with the written agreement of the chief executive—

(a)withdraw the undertaking; or

(b)vary the undertaking.

(2)However, the undertaking may not be varied to provide for a different contravention or alleged contravention of this Act or the Planning Act.

(3)The chief executive must publish the details of the withdrawal or variation of an enforceable undertaking the chief executive considers appropriate on the department’s website.

s 68CE ins 2018 No. 7 s 35

68CF Amending enforceable undertaking—with agreement

The chief executive may amend an enforceable undertaking with the written agreement of the person who made the undertaking.

s 68CF ins 2018 No. 7 s 35

68CG Amending enforceable undertaking—clerical or formal errors

The chief executive may amend an enforceable undertaking to correct a clerical or formal error if—

(a)the amendment does not adversely affect the interests of the person who made the undertaking or anyone else; and

(b)the person has been given written notice of the amendment.

s 68CG ins 2018 No. 7 s 35

68CH Amending or suspending enforceable undertaking—after show cause process

(1)The chief executive may amend or suspend an enforceable undertaking if the chief executive is satisfied—

(a)the undertaking was accepted relying on a representation or declaration, made either orally or in writing, that was false or misleading in a material particular; or

(b)the undertaking was accepted on the basis of a miscalculation of the impacts of the contravention or alleged contravention; or

(c)the amendment or suspension is necessary or desirable because of an inspection, investigation or other matter under part 3; or

(d)the amendment or suspension is necessary or desirable because of a significant change in the way in which, or the extent to which, an activity is being carried out that affects the likelihood of the undertaking—

(i)securing compliance with this Act or the Planning Act; or

(ii)advancing the purpose of this Act.

(2)The chief executive must give the person who made the enforceable undertaking a notice that states—

(a)the action the chief executive proposes to take; and

(b)if the action is an amendment of the undertaking—the amendment; and

(c)if the action is a suspension of the undertaking—the period of the suspension; and

(d)the grounds for taking the action; and

(e)the facts and circumstances that are the basis for the grounds; and

(f)that the person may make written representations to show why the action should not be taken; and

(g)the period, of at least 20 business days after the person is given the notice, within which the person may make the representations.

(3)If the chief executive proposes to amend the enforceable undertaking, the notice must be accompanied by a copy of the undertaking that shows the amendment.

(4)The chief executive must consider any written representation the person makes within the period stated in the notice.

(5)If the chief executive still believes a ground exists to take the action, the chief executive may decide to take the action.

(6)Within 10 business days after making a decision to take the action, the chief executive must give the person an information notice about the decision.

(7)If the chief executive, at any time, decides not to take the action, the chief executive must promptly give the person written notice of the decision.

(8)In this section—

impacts, of a contravention or alleged contravention, include the following—

(a)loss of vegetation;

(b)loss of biodiversity;

(c)land degradation;

(d)loss of connectivity;

(e)altered ecological processes;

(f)contributions to greenhouse gas emissions.

s 68CH ins 2018 No. 7 s 35

68CI Contravention of enforceable undertaking

(1)A person must not contravene an enforceable undertaking made by the person that is in effect.

Maximum penalty—

(a)if the offence is committed wilfully—6,250 penalty units; or

(b)otherwise—4,500 penalty units.

(2)Regardless of whether the person is prosecuted for an offence against subsection (1), the chief executive may apply to a Magistrates Court for an order if the person contravenes the enforceable undertaking.

(3)If the court is satisfied the person contravened the undertaking, the court, in addition to imposing any penalty, may make either or both of the following orders—

(a)an order directing the person to comply with the undertaking;

(b)an order discharging the undertaking.

(4)Also, the court may make any other order the court considers just and appropriate in the circumstances, including an order directing the person to pay to the chief executive—

(a)the costs of the proceedings; and

(b)the costs associated with the investigation of the contravention of the enforceable undertaking; and

(c)the reasonable costs of the chief executive in monitoring compliance with the enforceable undertaking in the future.

s 68CI ins 2018 No. 7 s 35

68DApproved forms

The chief executive may approve forms for use under this Act.

s 68D ins 2004 No. 1 s 24

69Advisory committees

(1)The Minister may establish advisory committees to advise the Minister about vegetation management.

(2)The Minister may decide—

(a)the functions or terms of reference of a committee; and

(b)the membership of a committee; and

(c)how a committee is to operate.

(3)A committee member is entitled to be paid the fees and allowances decided by the Governor in Council.

70Regional vegetation management committees

(1)The Minister may establish regional vegetation management committees to advise the Minister about vegetation management.

(2)The Minister may decide—

(a)the functions or terms of reference of a committee; and

(b)the membership of a committee; and

(c)how a committee is to operate.

(3)A committee member is entitled to be paid the fees and allowances decided by the Governor in Council.

70AACopies of vegetation management maps to be available for inspection and purchase

(1)This section applies to vegetation management maps.

(2)The chief executive must—

(a)keep the digital electronic form of the map available for inspection, free of charge, by members of the public at particular regional offices; and

(b)publish the digital electronic form of the map on the department’s website.

Editor’s note—

The regional offices where the digital electronic form of a relevant map can be inspected are stated on the department’s website.

(3)The chief executive may publish 2 or more maps as a single map in digital electronic form on the department’s website.

(4)The exact location of the boundary of each of the areas shown on the map is held in digital electronic form by the department.

Note—

The department uses a geographic information system for capturing, managing, analysing and displaying the data for a map for an area.

(5)The information held in digital electronic form can be reduced or enlarged to show the details of the boundaries of the areas shown on the map.

(6)On payment of a fee, a person may buy—

(a)a copy of the map or part of the map; or

(b)information about the boundaries of an area shown on the map.

Note—

The information about the boundaries of an area, taken from the geographic information system, would include the coordinates of the corners and bends of the area.

(7)The fee for the copy of the map, or part of the map, or the information about the boundaries of an area must not be more than the reasonable cost of publishing the copy or giving the information.

s 70AA ins 2009 No. 43 s 44 (retro)

amd 2013 No. 23 s 352 sch 1 pt 2; 2013 No. 24 s 60 (1)–(2); 2013 No. 24 s 60 (3) (amdt could not be given effect)

70ABCopies of documents to be available for inspection and purchase

(1)This section applies to each of the following documents—

(a)the State policy;

(b)an accepted development vegetation clearing code;

(c)a declaration made under section 17;

(d)for each declaration made under section 19F—

(i)the notice given to the proponent under section 19F(1); and

(ii)the management plan relevant to the declaration;

(e)an area management plan.

(2)The chief executive must—

(a)keep a copy of the document available for inspection, free of charge, by members of the public at particular regional offices; and

(b)publish the document, other than a document mentioned in subsection (1)(d), on the department’s website.

Editor’s note—

The regional offices where the document can be inspected are stated on the department’s website.

(3)On payment of a fee, a person may buy a copy of the document.

(4)The fee for the copy of the document must not be more than the reasonable cost of publishing the copy.

s 70AB ins 2009 No. 43 s 44 (retro)

amd 2010 No. 52 s 51; 2013 No. 23 s 352 sch 1 pt 2; 2016 No. 27 s 647

70AApplication of development approvals and exemptions for Forestry Act

(1)If a development approval is given in relation to a forest product on forestry land, the approval is taken to be, for the Forestry Act 1959, section 53, a permit, lease, licence, agreement or contract required under that section.

(2)If a development approval is given in relation to a forest product on forestry land, the approval is taken to be, for the Forestry Act 1959, section 54, the authority of another Act.

(3)If the clearing on forestry land of vegetation shown on the regulated vegetation management map as a category B area does not involve the removal of a species prescribed under a regulation and the clearing is not categorised as assessable development under a regulation made under the Planning Act, the clearing is taken to be authorised under the Forestry Act 1959, section 53 or 54.

(4)If the clearing on forestry land of vegetation shown on the regulated vegetation management map as other than a category B area is not categorised as assessable development under a regulation made under the Planning Act, the clearing is taken to be authorised under the Forestry Act 1959, section 53 or 54.

(5)To remove doubt, it is declared that subsections (3) and (4) only authorise the use of a forest product cleared if the clearing is—

(a)on land subject to a lease issued under the Land Act 1994 for agriculture or grazing purposes; and

(b)to source construction timber to repair existing infrastructure on the land, if—

(i)the infrastructure is in need of immediate repair; and

(ii)the clearing does not cause land degradation; and

(iii)restoration of a similar type, and to the extent of the removed trees, is ensured.

(6)In this section—

forestry land means land to which the Forestry Act 1959, section 53 or 54 applies.

infrastructure includes a building, or other structure, built or used for any purpose.

s 70A ins 2004 No. 1 s 25

amd 2004 No. 1 s 44 (2) sch 2; 2009 No. 43 s 43A (retro); 2009 No. 36 s 872 sch 2; 2013 No. 24 s 61; 2016 No. 27 s 648; 2019 No. 17 s 359B

70BRecord of particular matters in land registry

(1)This section applies if a PMAV is made and contains a category A area.

(2)As soon as practicable after the PMAV is made, the chief executive must give the registrar of titles written notice that the PMAV has been made.

(3)The registrar must keep records showing the PMAV has been made.

(4)The registrar must keep the records in a way that a search of the register kept by the registrar under any Act relating to title to the land the subject of the PMAV will show the PMAV has been made.

(5)If the PMAV is replaced, the chief executive must give written notice of the fact to the registrar.

(5A)Also, the chief executive may, by written notice, ask the registrar to remove the particulars of the PMAV from the registrar’s records if the chief executive considers it is necessary or desirable to remove the particulars—

(a)to achieve the purposes of this Act: or

(b)because the particulars are no longer relevant for the land the subject of the PMAV.

(6)As soon as practicable after receiving a notice under subsection (5) or (5A), the registrar must adjust or remove the particulars of the PMAV from the registrar’s records.

s 70B ins 2004 No. 1 s 25

amd 2009 No. 43 s 45 (retro); 2009 No. 36 s 872 sch 2; 2013 No. 24 s 62; 2016 No. 27 s 649

70CParticular vegetation not natural resource owned by person as improvement on leasehold land

(1)Subsection (2) applies if—

(a)a person—

(i)is given a restoration notice in relation to land; or

(ii)was or is given a trespass notice if the trespass related act under the Land Act 1994 for the notice is the clearing of vegetation on the land; or

(iii)was given before the commencement of this section a compliance notice in relation to land; and

(b)the land is subject to a lease under the Land Act 1994; and

(c)the person is required under the notice to plant vegetation on the land; and

(d)the person complies with the notice.

(2)The vegetation is not a natural resource owned by the person as an improvement.

(3)Subsection (4) applies if vegetation is or was planted on land subject to a lease to comply with a Land Act notice.

(4)To remove any doubt, it is declared that the vegetation is not and never has been a natural resource owned by the lessee of the land as an improvement.

s 70C ins 2009 No. 43 s 46 (retro)

71Protecting officials from civil liability

(1)An official is not civilly liable for an act done, or omission made, honestly and without negligence under this Act.

(2)If subsection (1) prevents civil liability attaching to an official, the liability attaches instead to the State.

(3)In this section—

official means—

(a)the Minister; or

(b)the chief executive; or

(c)an authorised officer; or

(d)a person acting under the direction of an authorised officer.

72Regulation-making power

(1)The Governor in Council may make regulations under this Act.

(2)A regulation may prescribe the fees that are payable under this Act.

s 72 amd 2013 No. 24 s 63; 2016 No. 27 s 650

pt 6 hdg amd 2008 No. 8 s 4; 2019 No. 17 s 359C

pt 6 div 1 hdg ins 2004 No. 1 s 26

73Existing development approvals and applications for development approvals under the repealed Integrated Planning Act 1997

(1)Subsection (2) applies to a development approval under the repealed Integrated Planning Act 1997 involving the clearing of vegetation in force immediately before the commencement of this section.

(2)The approval has effect as if this Act had not been enacted.

(3)Subsection (4) applies to a development application under the repealed Integrated Planning Act 1997 involving the clearing of vegetation made to the assessment manager that—

(a)has not been decided before the commencement of this section; or

(b)has been decided, but is the subject of an appeal under the repealed Integrated Planning Act 1997 and the appeal has not been decided before the commencement of this section.

(4)The application may be decided as if this Act had not been enacted and, if a development approval is given for the application, the approval has effect as if this Act had not been enacted.

s 73 amd 2003 No. 10 s 76 sch; 2004 No. 1 s 44 (1) sch 1; 2009 No. 36 s 872 sch 2

74Existing development control plans and special facilities zones

(1)Nothing in this Act affects the clearing of vegetation—

(a)under a development control plan mentioned in the repealed Integrated Planning Act 1997, section 6.1.45A; or

(b)in an area designated, immediately before the commencement of this section, as a special facilities zone under a planning scheme under the repealed Integrated Planning Act 1997.

(2)Subsection (1)(b) applies to an area only if—

(a)the area continues to be designated as a special facilities zone, or like zone, under the scheme; or

(b)the current planning scheme for the area no longer designates the area as a special facilities zone but there is, for the area and in relation to the zone—

(i)a development permit that—

(A)was given before the designation ceased; and

(B)has not lapsed; and

(C)is for building work or operational work under the Planning Act; or

(ii)an acknowledgement notice mentioned in the repealed Integrated Planning Act 1997, section 3.2.5(1); or

(iii)a request made under the repealed Sustainable Planning Act 2009, section 95(1), or the Planning Act, section 29(4)(b), that has been agreed to, or is taken to have been agreed to, by the local government; or

(iv)a development permit given for a development application (superseded planning scheme) under the repealed Sustainable Planning Act 2009; or

(v)a development permit given for a superseded planning scheme request under the Planning Act.

(3)However, subsection (1)(b) also applies to an area if—

(a)the current planning scheme for the area no longer designates the area as a special facilities zone but the development rights conferred by the earlier designation have been preserved under the scheme; and

(b)the clearing of vegetation is in relation to the development rights.

(4)In this section—

special facilities zone means a zone under the repealed Local Government (Planning and Environment) Act 1990—

(a)for which the permitted use is special facilities, whether or not the zone has been designated under the planning scheme by the name ‘special facilities zone’; and

(b)in which development of a particular type may be carried out without a development approval.

s 74 amd 2003 No. 10 s 76 sch; 2005 No. 41 s 4; 2009 No. 43 s 47; 2009 No. 36 s 872 sch 2; 2016 No. 27 s 651

pt 6 div 2 hdg ins 2004 No. 1 s 27

79When the Land Act 1994 continues to apply

(1)The Land Act 1994, as in force immediately before the commencement of the Vegetation Management and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2004, section 3, continues to apply for tree clearing permits issued under the Land Act 1994 or as a result of an application dealt with under section 77 or 78.

(2)The Land Act 1994, as in force immediately before the commencement of the Vegetation Management and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2004, section 3, continues to apply for monitoring, enforcing compliance with or the prosecution of an offence against a tree clearing provision under the Land Act 1994, as in force immediately before the commencement.

s 79 prev s 79 exp 16 September 2000 (see s 85A)

pres s 79 ins 2004 No. 1 s 27

pt 6 div 3 hdg ins 2005 No. 41 s 5

81Effect on existing riverine protection permits

(1)This section applies to the clearing of vegetation carried out—

(a)after the commencement of this section; and

(b)under the authority of a permit—

(i)issued under the Water Act 2000, section 269; and

(ii)in force immediately before the commencement of this section; and

(c)in a watercourse or lake; and

(d)on land other than freehold land.

(2)The clearing is taken to be lawfully carried out under this Act and the Planning Act even if there is, for the clearing, no development permit given for operational work as defined under that Act that is—

(a)the clearing of vegetation; and

(b)categorised as assessable development under a regulation made under the Planning Act.

s 81 prev s 81 exp 16 September 2000 (see s 85A)

pres s 81 ins 2005 No. 41 s 5

amd 2009 No. 36 s 872 sch 2; 2016 No. 27 s 654

82Validation of particular clearing

(1)This section applies to the clearing of vegetation carried out—

(a)after 20 May 2004 but before the commencement of this section; and

(b)to the extent necessary for an activity approved under another Act; and

(c)in a watercourse or lake; and

(d)on land other than freehold land.

(2)The clearing is taken to have been lawfully carried out under this Act and the repealed Integrated Planning Act 1997 even if there was, for the clearing, no development permit given for operational work under the repealed Integrated Planning Act 1997, schedule 8, part 1, table 4, items 1A to 1G.

(3)In this section—

activity does not include an activity relating to a development approval under the repealed Integrated Planning Act 1997 given for a material change of use of premises or the reconfiguration of a lot.

s 82 prev s 82 exp 16 September 2000 (see s 85A)

pres s 82 ins 2005 No. 41 s 5

amd 2009 No. 36 s 872 sch 2

pt 6 div 4 hdg ins 2007 No. 19 s 226

84Existing appeals under s 22C

(1)Subsection (2) applies if, before the commencement—

(a)a person has appealed to a tribunal under the repealed Integrated Planning Act 1997, section 4.2.9, about an application for which section 22C as in force before the commencement applied; and

(b)the appeal has not been decided.

(2)The tribunal may hear, or continue to hear, and decide the appeal as if the Land and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2007, part 9, had not commenced.

(3)In this section—

commencement means the day this section commences.

s 84 prev s 84 amd 2000 No. 35 s 15

exp 16 September 2000 (see s 85A)

pres s 84 ins 2007 No. 19 s 226

amd 2009 No. 36 s 872 sch 2

pt 6 div 5 hdg ins 2008 No. 8 s 5

85Declaration about types of regional ecosystems

(1)It is declared that—

(a)if, for any period before the commencement day, the regulation stated that a regional ecosystem was an endangered regional ecosystem for the definition endangered regional ecosystem in this Act, the regional ecosystem was an endangered regional ecosystem for the period; and

(b)if, for any period before the commencement day, the regulation stated that a regional ecosystem was a not of concern regional ecosystem for the definition not of concern regional ecosystem in this Act, the regional ecosystem was a not of concern regional ecosystem for the period; and

(c)if, for any period before the commencement day, the regulation stated that a regional ecosystem was an of concern regional ecosystem for the definition of concern regional ecosystem in this Act, the regional ecosystem was an of concern regional ecosystem for the period.

(2)Subsection (1) applies despite any provision of the Act in force before the commencement day including the definitions endangered regional ecosystem, not of concern regional ecosystem and of concern regional ecosystem.

(3)Subsection (1) applies for all purposes, including a civil or criminal proceeding decided before, or started before or after, the commencement day.

(4)In this section—

commencement day means the day this section commences.

regulation means the Vegetation Management Regulation 2000.

s 85 prev s 85 amd 2000 No. 35 s 16

exp 16 September 2000 (see s 85A)

pres s 85 ins 2008 No. 8 s 5

pt 6 div 7 hdg ins 2009 No. 43 s 48 (retro)

pt 6 div 7 sdiv 1 hdg ins 2009 No. 43 s 48 (retro)

88Definitions for div 7

In this division—

amending Act means the Vegetation Management and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2009.

moratorium period see the repealed Moratorium Act, section 7.

retrospective period means the period—

(a)starting on 8 October 2009; and

(b)ending immediately before the date of assent of the amending Act.

unamended Act means this Act as in force immediately before 8 October 2009.

s 88 prev s 88 exp 16 September 2000 (see prev s 97)

pres s 88 ins 2009 No. 43 s 48 (retro)

89References to unamended Act

If this division states that a provision of the unamended Act continues to apply—

(a)the provision applies as if the amending Act had not been enacted; and

(b)any other provision referred to in the provision continues to apply.

s 89 prev s 89 exp 16 September 2000 (see prev s 97)

pres s 89 ins 2009 No. 43 s 48 (retro)

pt 6 div 7 sdiv 2 hdg ins 2009 No. 43 s 48 (retro)

96Existing compliance notices

(1)If an existing compliance notice requires the person given the notice to stop committing the offence, the compliance notice is, from 8 October 2009, taken to be a stop work notice.

(2)If an existing compliance notice requires the person given the notice to stop committing the offence and to rectify the matter the subject of the compliance notice, the person is, from 8 October 2009, taken to have been given a stop work notice and a restoration notice.

(3)If an existing compliance notice requires the person to rectify the matter the subject of the compliance notice, the compliance notice is, from 8 October 2009, taken to be a restoration notice.

(4)This section applies despite section 54A(3) or (4) or 54B(3) or (4).

(5)In this section—

existing compliance notice means—

(a)a compliance notice for a vegetation clearing offence in force immediately before 8 October 2009; or

(b)a Land Act notice.

s 96 prev s 96 amd 2000 No. 35 s 22

exp 16 September 2000 (see prev s 97)

pres s 96 ins 2009 No. 43 s 48 (retro)

97Tree clearing provisions under unamended Land Act

(1)From 8 October 2009, section 79(2) continues to apply in relation to an offence against a tree clearing provision under the unamended Land Act except that—

(a)a reference to a compliance notice under the unamended Land Act to stop committing the offence is, from 8 October 2009, taken to be a reference to a stop work notice; and

(b)a reference to a compliance notice under the unamended Land Act to rectify the matter is, from 8 October 2009, taken to be a restoration notice.

(2)In this section—

unamended Land Act means the Land Act 1994 as in force immediately before the commencement of the Vegetation Management and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2004, section 3.

s 97 prev s 97 ins 2000 No. 35 s 23

exp 16 September 2000 (see prev s 97)

pres s 97 ins 2009 No. 43 s 48 (retro)

98Existing development approvals and development applications

(1)A development approval under the Planning Act that is in force immediately before 8 October 2009 has effect as if the amending Act had not been enacted.

(2)Subsection (3) applies if, immediately before 8 October 2009—

(a)a development application had been made; and

(b)clearing regulated regrowth vegetation is a natural and ordinary consequence of the development the subject of the application; and

(c)the application was a properly made application and had not lapsed under the Planning Act; and

(d)the application had not been decided.

(3)If a development approval under the Planning Act is given for the development, the regulated regrowth vegetation may be cleared under the development approval as if the amending Act had not been enacted.

s 98 prev s 98 ins 2000 No. 35 s 24

exp 16 September 2000 (see prev s 100)

pres s 98 ins 2009 No. 43 s 48 (retro)

99References to not of concern regional ecosystems

From 8 October 2009, a reference in an Act or document to a not of concern regional ecosystem is, if the context permits, taken to be a reference to a least concern regional ecosystem.

s 99 prev s 99 ins 2000 No. 35 s 24

exp 16 September 2000 (see prev s 100)

pres s 99 ins 2009 No. 43 s 48 (retro)

100Clearing of regulated regrowth vegetation in retrospective period not an offence

(1)The repealed Integrated Planning Act 1997, section 4.3.1(1), to the extent the provision relates to unauthorised development, does not apply to a person carrying out unauthorised development.

(2)However, if an official reasonably believes a person has carried out unauthorised development, the official may give the person a restoration notice for the development.

(3)In this section—

unauthorised development means development that is the clearing of regulated regrowth vegetation if—

(a)any of the following apply—

(i)the clearing does not comply with the regrowth vegetation code;

(ii)there is no moratorium exemption in force for the development;

(iii)the clearing is exempt development; and

(b)the clearing was carried out in the retrospective period.

s 100 prev s 100 ins 2000 No. 35 s 24

exp 16 September 2000 (see prev s 100)

pres s 100 ins 2009 No. 43 s 48 (retro)

amd 2016 No. 27 s 658

101Application of s 19Q

Section 19Q does not apply to a person conducting a native forest practice in an area of regulated regrowth vegetation until 1 year after 8 October 2009.

s 101 ins 2009 No. 43 s 48 (retro)

102Not giving notice in retrospective period not an offence

(1)Section 19Q does not apply to a person conducting a native forest practice in an area of remnant vegetation in the retrospective period if—

(a)the person started the native forest practice before the start of the retrospective period; or

(b)otherwise—the person gives the chief executive the notice mentioned in section 19Q within 20 business days after the end of the retrospective period.

(2)Section 19V does not apply to a person clearing regulated regrowth vegetation in the retrospective period if—

(a)the person started the clearing before the start of the retrospective period; or

(b)otherwise—the person gives the chief executive the clearing notification mentioned in section 19V within 20 business days after the end of the retrospective period.

s 102 ins 2009 No. 43 s 48 (retro)

103Delayed applications to QCAT

If a person may apply to QCAT under section 63B before QCAT comes into existence, the person may apply to QCAT within 20 business days after QCAT comes into existence.

s 103 ins 2009 No. 43 s 48 (retro)

pt 6 div 7 sdiv 3 hdg ins 2009 No. 43 s 48 (retro)