Land clearing in Queensland

Environmental and Planning Law Journal

Volumn 23, Issue 2, 2006, Pages 148-157

  Kehoe, Jo ^a  

^a CENTRAL QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY   (Australia)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

EID: 79961228144     PISSN: 0813300X     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: None     Document Type: Article

References (110)

1. Bates G, Environmental Law in Australia (5th edition, Butterworths 2002) p 362.
2. Gunningham N and Grabosky P (eds) Smart Regulation: Designing Environmental Policy (Clarendon Press, 1998) Ch 5.
3. Australian Conservation Foundation, "Land Clearing in Queensland: The Problem and the Solution", available online at http://www.acfonline.org.au/ (viewed 13 July 2005).
4. Krockenberger AK, Kitching RL, and Turton SM, "Environmental Crisis: Climate Change and Terrestrial Biodiversity in Queensland", Rainforest Cooperative Research Centre, available online at http://www.rainforest-crc.jcu.edu.au/publications/research%20reports/climateChangeRR.htm (viewed 13 July 2005).
5. The Australia Institute, "Land-use Change and Australia's Kyoto Target", Submission to Senate Environment References Committee Inquiry into Australia's response to global warming (1999). Available online at http://www.tai.org.au/ (viewed 13 July 2005).
6. Beattie P, "Queensland to Continue Negotiating for Best Tree Clearing Deal for Farmers: Beattie" (Media release, 6 March 2003), available online at http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=18498 (viewed 17 March 2006).
7. Queensland, Legislative Assembly, Ministerial Statement, Tree Clearing, p 2035, 27 May 2003, per the Hon P Beattie, available online at http://parlinfo.parliament.qld.gov.au (viewed 24 July 2005).
8. Beattie P, "Tree Clearing Applications on Hold Pending Major Commonwealth-State Package" (Media release, 16 March 2003), available online at http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=19712 (viewed 17 July 2005).
9. "The Prime Minister Visits Queensland", Stateline, ABC TV, 23 May 2003. Transcript available online at http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/qld/content/2003/s862499.htm (viewed 24 June 2005).
10. This Act repealed the VACA.
11. Integrated Planning Act 1997 (Qld), s 4.3.1.
12. Integrated Planning Act 1997 (Qld), s 4.3.3.
13. Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld), s 3(1)(a)(i)-(iii).
14. Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld), s 3(1)(b). Declared areas are defined in ss 16 and 17 of the Act to be areas of high nature conservation value or vulnerable to land degradation.
15. Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld), s 3(1)(c).
16. Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld), s 3(1)(d). Biodiversity is defined in the Schedule as: the variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part, and include - a) diversity within species and between species; and b) diversity of ecosystems.
17. Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld), s 3(1)(e).
18. Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld), s 3(1)(g).
19. Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld), s 3(2)(a).
20. Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld), s 3(2)(b).
21. Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld), s 3(2)(e).
22. Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld), s 3(2)(d). The precautionary principle is further explained in this section by stating that the 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.
23. Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld), s 3(3)(a).
24. Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld), s 3(3)(b).
25. Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld), s 3(3)(c).
26. Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld), s 3(3)(d).
27. Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld), s 7(1)(a)(b).
28. Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld), s 7(1)(c).
29. Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld), s 7(1)(d).
30. Defined in the Schedule of the Vegetation Management Act.
31. Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld), s 8.
32. Queensland, Legislative Assembly, Vegetation Management and Other Legislation Amendment Bill, Second Reading, p 63-66, 18 March 2004, per the Hon S Robertson, available online at http://parlinfo.parliament.qld.gov.au (viewed 21 March 2006).
33. Queensland, Legislative Assembly, n 29, p 66 per the Hon S Robertson.
34. Bates, n 1, p 36.
35. Australia, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, "Queensland Land clearing Proposal: Socio-economic Impact" (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, 2003). The report was written on the basis that the financial package would be a joint one between both governments but the amount remains the same. Available online at http://www.affa.gov.au/corporate_docs/publications/pdf/rural_science/aboutbrs/landclearing_prop.pdf (viewed 17 March 2006).
36. Australia, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, n 32.
37. Queensland, Legislative Assembly, Debates (7 June 2005) p 1832. Available online at http://parlinfo.parliament.qld.gov.au/ (viewed 29 March 2006).
38. Queensland, Rural Adjustment Authority, "Vegetation Management" available online at http://www.qraa.qld.gov.au/productitem.jsp?product=306 (viewed 15 July 2005).
39. Queensland, Rural Adjustment Authority, n 35.
40. A copy of the form is available online at http://www.qraa.qld.gov.au/_content/20050224095740Area%20Confirmed%20final.pdf (viewed 15 July 2005).
41. A copy of the form is available online at http://www.qraa.qld.gov.au/_content/20041105095520Veg%20Mgt%20Application%20Form%205_11_04.pdf (viewed 15 July 2005).
42. The guide is available online at http://www.qraa.qld.gov.au/_content/20050608174949EMP.pdf (viewed 15 July 2005).
43. Available online at http://www.qraa.qld.gov.au/_content/200411221247589-1%20Vegetation%20Management%20%20Enterprise%20Assistance.pdf (viewed 17 March 2006).
44. Queensland, Rural Adjustment Authority, "Vegetation Clearing Laws Have You Been Affected?", available online at http://www.qraa.qld.gov.au/_content/20051107160124Burnett%20Veg%20Seminar%20Flyer%20-%20Nov%2005.pdf (viewed 12 December 2005).
45. Queensland, Estimates Committee E - Natural Resources and Mines (12 July 2005) p 34
46. Hon JW Seeney. Available online at http://parlinfo.parliament.qld.gov.au (viewed 7 June 2005).
47. Jeff Seeney, on behalf of the opposition, is a vociferous and frequent reminder to the government of the unpopularity of the legislation amongst landholders.
48. Queensland, Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Water, "$10 million Provided in Vegetation Management Assistance" (Media release, 8 March 2006). Available online at: http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=44903 (viewed 22 March 2006). The $9.4 million is in respect of the current financial year.
49. Department of Natural Resources and Mines now have vegetation client liaison officers operating in the regions to assist landholders in making applications for this part of the funding.
50. Beattie P, "Eligibility Criteria for $130 million Tree Clearing Assistance Broadened", (Media release, 18 July 2005), available online at http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=41874 (viewed 18 July 2005).
51. Agforward: An initiative of Agforce Queensland.(2005). Pamphlet produced by Agforce, Queensland.
52. Agforward, n 46.
53. Bredhauer J, "Can't See the Scrub for the Trees" (2004) 21 EPLJ 44.
54. Kenny P, "Enforcement of Vegetation Management Legislation" (Paper presented to the Queensland Environmental Law Association, March 2005).
55. Beattie, n 45.
56. Emma Comerford, Project Officer and Jim Binney, Director of Catchment Economics, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Brisbane, kindly provided information on the vegetation incentive program.
57. Comerford E and Binney J, "Lessons Learned to Date From the Queensland Vegetation Incentives Program in Moving From a Conceptual Ideal to Practical Reality" (Paper presented to the Resource Economics Workshop, Sustainable Agriculture State Level Investment Program, Rockhampton, 28 October 2005). In Victoria the innovative BushTender trial has had much success. Details are available online at http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/ (viewed 23 March 2006).
58. Stoneham G, Chaudhri V, Ha A, Strappazzon L, "Auctions for Conservation Contracts: An Empirical Examination of Victoria's BushTender Trial" (2003) 47(4) Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics 477.
59. Department of Natural Resources and Mines, utilised standard forms of the covenant in Form 31 and 20 (Document No 1058908) and the management plan (Document No 1058949).
60. Department of Natural Resources and Mines, n 53.
61. Comerford and Binney, n 52.
62. Comerford and Binney, n 52.
63. Comerford and Binney, n 52.
64. Comerford and Binney, n 52.
65. Robertson S, "Vegetation Ballot Clearing Allocation Nears 150,000 hectare Mark" (Media release, 12 July 2005), available online at http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=41782 (viewed 17 July 2005).
66. Available online at http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/slats/index.html (viewed 16 July 2005).
67. Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Land Cover Change in Queensland 2001-2003 (Department of Natural Resources and Mines, 2005), available online at http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/slats/pdf/slats2001_2003highres.pdf (viewed 16 July 2005).
68. Department of Natural Resources and Mines, n 61.
69. Bredhauer, n 48.
70. Sullivan G, "Enforcing Queensland's Vegetation Clearing Laws: Legislation, Policy and Procedure" (Paper presented to the Queensland Environmental Law Association, March 2005).
71. Sullivan, n 64.
72. Robertson S, "Government Strengthens NRM Compliance Capabilities" (Media release 23 May 2005), available online at http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=40926 (viewed 17 July 2005).
73. Department of Natural Resources and Mines, n 61.
74. Kenny, n 49.
75. Phelps M, "Mulga Harvest Showdown" Queensland Country Life (16 June 2005) p 9.
76. Queensland, Estimates Committee E - Natural Resources and Mines (12 July 2005) p 37, Available online at http://parlinfo.parliament.qld.gov.au (viewed 17 July 2005)
77. Hon S Robertson. Productivity Commission, Report No 29, Impacts of Native Vegetation and Biodiversity Regulations (Melbourne, 2004), available online at http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiry/nativevegetation/finalreport/nativevegetation.pdf (viewed 15 December 2005).
78. Davidson A, Elliston L, Kokic P and Lawson K, "Native Vegetation: Cost of Preservation in Australia" (2005) 12(3) Australian Commodities 543. This study looks in particular at New South Wales and is available online at http://abareonlineshop.com/product.asp?prodid=13267 (viewed 20 March 2005).
79. Robertson S, "$10 million to Strengthen NRM Compliance Capabilities" (Media release 7 June 2005), available at http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=41193 (viewed 17 July 2005).
80. Robertson, n 73.
81. Robertson, n 73.
82. Bryce Hertslet, Principal Advisor - Compliance Coordination Unit, Department of Natural Resources and Mining, Brisbane, kindly supplied a breakdown of prosecutions (22 June 2005).
83. Hertslet, n 76.Unfortunately from the data supplied, it is not possible to see, in all cases, if those accused had legal representation or what their initial plea was; and, accordingly, if the matter was dealt with by a full trial.
84. The defendant's solicitor, Roger Baker, kindly supplied information on the case of R v Acton (unreported, Rockhampton Magistrates Court, 15 July 2005).
85. For example, a similar case but involving a lesser area of clearance, was R v McKay, (unreported, Charleville Magistrates Court, 6 February 2004) this case attracted the maximum fine of $125,000 recorded a conviction and ordered costs of $65,587.
86. The inherent difficulties in defences available under the Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld) are discussed in Bredhauer, n 48.
87. "Farmers Criticise Native Vegetation Laws", Landline ABC TV, 22 May 2005. Available online at http://www.abc.net.au/landline/content/2005/s1371225.htm. (viewed 28 June 2005).
88. Queensland, Legislative Assembly, Debates (24 May 2005) p 1531ff. The Bill is available online at http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/Bills/51PDF/2005/VegManOLAB05.pdf (viewed 28 June 2005).
89. Queensland, Legislative Assembly, Debates (24 May 2005) pp 1521-1522,
90. Hon JW Seeney. Property Rights Australia, available online at http://www.propertyrightsaustralia.org (viewed 13 June 2005).
91. Schwarten E, "City March Organised as Queensland Parliament Sits: 350 Protest Tree Clearing Laws", The Morning Bulletin (Queensland) (7 October 2005).
92. Gunningham and Grabosky, n 1, p 274.
93. Queensland, Legislative Assembly, Debates (7 June 2005) p 1782, Ministerial Statement, Council of Australian Government, per the Hon P Beattie. Available online at http://parlinfo.parliament.qld.gov.au/ (viewed 25 June 2005).
94. National Farmers' Federation, Land and Vegetation Policy - Resource Security (National Farmers' Federation, 2004) available online at http://www.nff.org.au/pages/policies_printfiles/NFF_policy_resource_security.pdf (viewed 1 July 2005).
95. National Farmers' Federation and Australian Banker's Association, "Farmers and Bankers Call on Governments to Develop a National Framework for Native Vegetation and Biodiversity Management" (Media Release, 1 June 2005), available online at http://nff.com.au/pages/nr05/067.pdf (viewed 20 March 2006).
96. "National Farmers' Federation", Country Hour ABC Radio (Queensland) (16 June 2005), synopsis available online at http://www.abc.net.au/rural/vic/stories/s1393715.htm (viewed 1 July 2005).
97. This report refers to the annual dinner of the National Farmers' Federation during which the Prime Minister urged farmers to continue to push for an inter-governmental agreement on vegetation clearing laws.
98. Peter McGauran has replaced Warren Truss the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
99. Queensland, Legislative Assembly, Debates (24 May 2005) p 1531-1532.
100. Kenny, n 49.
101. Robertson S, "Rural Rent Freeze to Ease Financial Burden on Farmers" (Media release 11 July 2005), available online at http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=41740 (viewed 11 July 2005).
102. Kenny, n 49.
103. Kenny, n 49.
104. Bates, n 1, p 362.
105. Bates, n 1, p 35 cites a collection of commentary in support of this.
106. Bates, n 1, p 35.
107. Bonyhady T, "Property Rights" in Bonyhady T (ed), Environmental Protection and Legal Change (Federation Press, 1992) pp 66-67.
108. Bonyhady, n 99, p 76-78.
109. Bonyhady, n 99, p 78.
110. Bates, n 1, p 36.