Qld: Application of tree clearing rules under fire from farmers

AAP General News (Australia)
12-21-1999
Qld: Application of tree clearing rules under fire from farmers

By Barbara Adam

BRISBANE, Dec 21 AAP - Applications for five-year tree clearing permits for leasehold
land would be processed under tough new guidelines, no matter when they were lodged, the
Queensland government announced today.

The announcement angered the farming lobby, which had asked for applications to be
processed under the laws that were in place when the paperwork was filed.

The revised guidelines of the Vegetation Management Act, passed earlier this month,
will protect 30 per cent of original native vegetation on leasehold land from clearing.

Changes to leasehold land tree clearing laws came into effect last week.

Laws placing the same restrictions over freehold land will come into effect once a
compensation package for farmers is prepared.

Mr Beattie said today: "Those (leasehold tree clearing applications) still in the system
... will be subject to the new regulations - there is nothing unusual about that."

Queensland Farmers Federation (QFF) president Richard Armstrong said the government's
stand on the processing of applications was bad news for farmers.

Some of the applications for leasehold tree clearing permits had been lodged 12 months
ago, Mr Armstrong said.

"We don't believe that is the way a government should do business," he said.

"It's not open and honest and it's retrospective."

Mr Beattie said there had been a sharp increase in the number of applications for leasehold
tree clearing permits last month, covering a total of 120,000 hectares.

"That is an enormous amount of land when compared to the normal monthly average of
around 30,000 hectares," he said.

Opposition leader Rob Borbidge today renewed his pledge to rescind the new tree clearing
regulations if returned to government at the next election.

The Premier has promised to resolve the compensation package for farmers before proclaiming
the freehold tree clearing laws.

Mr Beattie is currently in a standoff with federal environment minister Robert Hill
over a $100 million compensation package for farmers affected by the new tree clearing
guidelines.

AAP bja/sd/bdm

KEYWORD: TREES (CARRIED EARLIER)

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.