SEPP 44 to be replaced by koala SEPP

The latest is the proposed changes to the State Environment Planning Policy 44, which will be replaced by the new Koala Habitat Protection SEPP.

The communication around the changed policy has been poor, with information on the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment's own website even saying it came into effect from March 1.

However, as The Land understands, the policy is still open for feedback, with submissions being taken by the Department of Planning, Industry and Envirnment for a week beyond the initial cut-off date of March 30, making April 6 the new cut-off for feedback.

Public hearings, though, have been stymied due to the limitations around gatherings under coronavirus restrictions.

There is an over supply of this sort of green tape policy, which also includes the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and E-zones - none of which do much to increase the perceived value of biodiversity and native vegetation.

After the fires we have just been through, it is deeply concerning that more of the same sort of land management policy is already about to be rolled out.

Of equal concern is the questionable accuracy of the algorithmic mapping that will be used to determine whether your land is core koala habitat.

NSW Farmers is pushing to have the new SEPP de-coupled from rural use land and Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis - who agreed it is a flawed policy - said he would push to get it de-coupled from the private native forestry codes.

Further detail is also needed on how it will affect new and existing property vegetation plans, including as existing plans expire.

New thinking is desperately needed around biodiversity and environmental management and many landholders will therefore be keenly watching the outcomes of the federal government's Australian Farm Biodiversity Scheme, which is part of the Agriculture Stewardship Package.

The Australian Farm Institute is conducting three NSW webinar forums for this iniative, including a northern session on Tuesday, March 31, a Central West forum, on Tuesday, April 7, and a Riverina forum, on Thursday, April 30.