Native Vegetation Scientific Expert Panel Report and the Queensland Government’s Response
Overview
In March 2022, the Queensland Government established the Native Vegetation Scientific Expert Panel, chaired by former Queensland Chief Scientist Professor Hugh Possingham. The panel independently reviewed native vegetation management in Queensland in response to clearing rates detected in the 2018–19 Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS) report.
Targets
- Identify the drivers of the clearing of native vegetation in Queensland.
Report outcomes
- The panel’s report was published in 2023, along with the government’s response accepting or accepting in principle the ten recommendations of the panel.
- The panel found that, while the Queensland Government’s approach to sustainably managing native vegetation is sound, there are opportunities for improvement.
- The recommendations focused on better engagement with land managers on the incentives and rewards available for protecting and restoring native vegetation on their land.
- The panel also identified opportunities to improve the implementation of existing policies and programs through enhanced compliance, better regional planning, and more sustainable native forestry practices.
The Queensland Government’s Response
The Queensland Government accepted (in full and in principle) all the recommendations put forward by the Native Vegetation Scientific Expert Panel.
The government committed to:
- maintain regulatory stability, i.e. there will be no legislative or regulatory changes to native vegetation management
- adopt a more harmonised approach to land management that better engages, informs, incentivises and rewards landholders for retaining, protecting and restoring native vegetation on their properties
- invest in a suite of educational, financial, and motivational measures for landholders and First Nations people through Queensland Government initiatives like the Queensland Low Emissions Agriculture Roadmap 2022–2032, which aims to reward and build capacity in low emissions practices and technology (e.g. emission calculators), in addition to promoting existing opportunities through programs such as:
