![RIGHT: Walgett agronomist Greg Rummery advises farmers in Western NSW and has seen first hand the problems caused by the Native Vegetation Act. RIGHT: Walgett agronomist Greg Rummery advises farmers in Western NSW and has seen first hand the problems caused by the Native Vegetation Act.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-agfeed/2066329.jpg/r0_0_1024_682_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
NATIVE vegetation self assessment codes are a step in the right direction, but still miss the mark.
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Walgett agronomist Greg Rummery works with growers across Western NSW and has lived with the Native Vegetation Act for near on 20 years.
Speaking after the long-awaited self-assessment codes were released last week, Mr Rummery said until the Act could account for land use change in his area, there would be little progress.
The three codes, which cover managing invasive native species, thinning of native vegetation, and clearing of isolated paddock trees, are now on public display.
"To be honest they still miss the mark," said Mr Rummery (pictured right).
"Until we can change land use legally, it's not going to work for us."
While he said there was a long way to go to build trust between the Office of Environment and Heritage and landholders, he accepted some elements of the codes were positive.
"I think the removal of trees in farming country is at least a step in the right direction," Mr Rummery said.
"And the invasive native scrub and thinning changes will make it a bit easier, but that's not the real issue in this part of the State."
NSW Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner said the codes would help strike a balance between conservation and efficient agricultural management, but NSW Farmers described them as "unworkable".
NSW Farmers President Fiona Simson said, although there were some instances where the codes would help, most farmers would find them frustrating and difficult to understand.
"These codes just simply cannot work given the Native Vegetation Act is a completely broken piece of legislation," she said.
"Despite being involved in the consultation on the codes, we are bitterly disappointed our feedback has been ignored."
NSW Farmers native vegetation spokesman and farmer Cameron Rowntree, Walgett, was equally unimpressed.
"Thinning out native vegetation to reduce dominant species and remove invasive species should simply be allowed and not regulated in a code," he said.
"Farmers are being treated like mugs in their management of native vegetation.
"Our productivity is being absolutely crushed as a result of these impractical rules."
Both Mr Rowntree and Mrs Simson agreed urgent action needed to be taken to address the failings of the Native Vegetation Act, however, no further details have been delivered as to when the Act would be reviewed as promised by Mr Stoner last year at the National Party Conference.
Last week's announcement followed the release of the State government's biodiversity offsets policy, which would provide revenue streams to farmers who wished to manage parts of their property for environmental outcomes.
Environment Minister Robyn Parker said the NSW government had already made major changes to lift the regulatory burden on farmers while maintaining environmental protection.
"Last year the new Native Vegetation Regulation allowed for more clearing exemptions and rationalised the rules around clearing for dwellings, fences and sheds and the clearing of planted native vegetation," she said.
"In addition, we've made the commonsense decision to declare yellow mimosa a feral native species so it can be cleared without onerous approvals and we've improved landholders' ability to protect their properties from bushfire.
"The codes have already been subject to testing and consultation but we are seeking input from everyone to ensure they are workable and deliver real change on the ground.
"The codes will be supported by ongoing education and support by the Office of Environment and Heritage, while Local Land Services will continue to provide advice and assistance with native vegetation management."