NSW native vegetation reforms pass parliament

UPDATED 2.50pm: ​

STATE government’s native vegetation reforms have passed both houses of parliament. 

Government says the new laws will remove the cost burden of biodiversity outcomes from landholders which they have borne since then Premier Bob Carr’s overnight introduction of State Environmental Planning Policy 46 in 1995, and work to reverse current biodiversity decline across the state.

Conservation groups, however, have vowed to restore environmental protections.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the laws will allow farmers to care for their land while improving on-farm productivity, while Environment Minister Mark Speakman said the package contained strong environmental safeguards, including sensible limits on clearing, offset requirements and exclusions. 

NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Lands and Water Niall Blair said the reforms marked the start of a new relationship between Government and farmers.

“NSW farmers and landholders can finally celebrate the end of the broken Native Vegetation Act – now our focus will turn to getting implementation right for these critically important reforms,” he said.

The reforms implement the 43 recommendations of the Independent Biodiversity Legislation Review, which the NSW Government commissioned in 2014, and drew on feedback received during an extensive consultation process with key stakeholders and the community. 

NSW Farmers’ President Derek Schoen said the reforms would provide the foundation for a more holistic approach to native vegetation management.

“It's been a huge source of frustration for many farmers across the state for over 21 years who’ve been forced to helplessly watch biodiversity decline and productivity decrease as a direct result of perverse outcomes from the soon to be repealed Native Vegetation Act,” he said. 

Mr Schoen said the association would keep a close eye on the reforms as outstanding elements are finalised and rolled out, including regulations and codes. 

“It’s extremely important that Local Land Services is resourced and ready to carry out its important functions to engage farmers on-the-ground,” he said. 

“We need to start re-building the trust and respect between landholders and government, and this package represents the ideal opportunity to do this.”

Nature Conservation Council chief executive Kate Smolski said the reforms would weaken protections for native animals and bushland. 

“These laws will not deliver a lasting peace for landholders because conservationists are determined to struggle for as long as it takes to ensure that our government enacts and enforces just, effective protections for the wildlife and bushland that is our common heritage,” she said.  

Labor leader Luke Foley has also vowed to overturn the reforms.