Taking into account non-woody vegetation,the clearing on so-called regulated rural land reached 75,636 hectares in 2019,with 74 per cent of it declared to be “unexplained”. That means it may have been done on land that did not need an approval but also properties where it was illegal.
Of the clearing in 2019,2192 hectares of it was on rural land deemed “sensitive” and “vulnerable”,or double the pace of such developments during 2017,the first full year of operation of the new laws.
The state’s north-west and central-west regions were among the clearing hot spots,with 91 per cent and 74 per cent of the work done “unexplained”,respectively,the data showed.
Of the clearing of woody vegetation,agriculture accounted for 23,400 hectares,forestry 23,500 hectares and infrastructure 7600 hectares. Clearing for farming was down from 29,400 hectares in 2018.
“I made a commitment to release this data annually to boost transparency for the community,” Environment Minister Matt Kean said. “It is important that we monitor compliance with our land management frameworks and I welcome the public debate on this issue.”
TheHerald also approached Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall for comment.