FARMERS across the State have a nervous wait to see if their submissions on native vegetation and land clearing have been heeded in the draft report for the Biodiversity Legislation Review.
The review, which includes the Native Vegetation Act, attracted about 400 submissions from farmers, environmental groups, local councils and other stakeholders and the draft report, was handed to the NSW government last week.
"We handed a copy of the draft to the Minister (Rob Stokes) on Thursday," said Dr Neil Byron, head of the independent review panel.
Dr Byron said the draft was now in "Cabinet in confidence" and he could not give any details of what the report entails.
Mr Stokes was also tight-lipped about the draft report, unable to confirm whether the public would have a chance to see it or comment on it before the final report's due date of December 18.
"The community has had the chance to comment on the review through the submission process. Nearly 400 submissions are available publicly online. The panel also met with key stakeholder groups," Mr Stokes said.
"The government has been clear that NSW needs a single modern regime that more effectively protects biodiversity while facilitating sustainable development.
"We look forward to the independent panel's report in mid-December."
NSW Farmers Western Division spokesman Wayne Newton (pictured) said all farmers could do now was wait.
"We just hope they (the review panel) have taken notice of farmers' submissions," Mr Newton said.
Shooters and Fishers Party MLC Robert Brown said he hoped the process of the Biodiversity Legislation Review from reports through to legislation was as transparent as possible.
"There's just too much not known about what this government plans to do," he said.
"We'll try and force them to make the whole thing public."
Mr Brown said he did not expect to see any legislation from the review before the Parliament until after the State election in March.
Although Dr Byron could not give any details of what is in the draft report, he did say he and the other members of the review panel were satisfied with what they presented to the Minister.
"I was a bit surprised... for a while I wasn't sure we'd come up with something even one of us was happy with but it was a draft report that all four of us are very pleased with," he said.
To read the submissions, visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au and follow the Biodiversity Legislation Review tab.