Understanding Queensland's native vegetation clearing laws
Requirements for clearing vegetation
Remnant vegetation and regulated regrowth vegetation can only be cleared under an assessment category.
The table below shows the requirements that may apply to your proposed clearing activity. The assessment category that applies to your situation will depend on the purpose of the clearing, the tenure of the land, and what the vegetation is mapped as.
To determine which assessment category applies to your proposed clearing activity, request a property report and vegetation map to understand the type of vegetation on your property. These are free and can be requested online.
| Assessment category | Description | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Exempt clearing work | A range of routine property management activities. | There is no requirement to notify us or apply for approval. |
| Accepted development vegetation clearing codes | Codes apply to a range of low-risk clearing activities such as fodder harvesting and weed control. | To use a code, you’ll need to notify us before starting to clear then follow the requirements listed in the code. |
| Area management plans (AMPs) | AMPs are generally used to manage issues not addressed by an accepted development vegetation clearing code. They can also provide for a coordinated regional approach to a clearing activity (e.g. weed control) rather than a property by property approach. | To use an AMP, you’ll need to notify us before starting to clear then follow the requirements listed in the AMP. |
| Development approvals | If other assessment categories aren’t suitable, you might be able to apply for a development approval for operational works, material change of use or reconfiguring a lot. A development approval is a regulatory approval that must be obtained prior to commencing a development. | The framework only allows development applications to be made for certain purposes. You can seek a development approval by lodging a development application. |
Contact us
If you have any doubt or wish to discuss options, contact us.
In this guide
- About vegetation clearing
- Requirements for clearing vegetation
- How we monitor clearing and ensure people comply with the laws
- What other laws apply to clearing
Review of clearing codes
Our accepted development clearing codes for low-risk clearing activities have been reviewed to incorporate best practice and the latest science.
Read about the review process and outcomes of consultation and associated reports from our library catalogue.
Be prepared for bushfire season
Download Clearing for bushfire management and start preparing your property.
Vegetation management framework updates
We made improvements to the vegetation management framework that came into effect on 22 November 2023. This included updates to vegetation management maps and the release of the first vegetation management regional ecosystem description database (VM REDD).
Independent panel report
View the Native Vegetation Scientific Expert Panel Report and recommendations on native vegetation management and the Queensland Government’s Response.