Native Vegetation Scientific Expert Panel Report and the Queensland Government’s Response
In March 2022, the Queensland Government established the Native Vegetation Scientific Expert Panel to independently review native vegetation management in Queensland.
The panel, chaired by former Queensland Chief Scientist, Hugh Possingham, was established in response to clearing rates detected in the 2018–19 Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS) report.
In February 2023, following a 12-month review, the Panel provided its final report and recommendations to the Queensland Government.
The Queensland Government has provided a response to the Panel Report and has accepted (in full and in principle) all 10 recommendations, noting that some of the recommendations (3, 8 and 10) will require further consideration to implement effectively.
| Panel recommendation | Queensland Government response |
|---|---|
| 1. Maintain regulatory stability | Accepts |
| 2. Improve extension, information and demonstration to landholders | Accepts |
| 3. Launch an environmental stewardship scheme | Accepts in principle |
| 4. Enhance carbon market opportunities | Accepts |
| 5. Clearer reporting and communications of SLATS | Accepts |
| 6. Enable better enforcement | Accepts |
| 7. Better regional planning | Accepts |
| 8. Review exemptions for clearing in threatened ecosystems | Accepts in principle |
| 9. Review forestry in threatened ecosystems | Accepts |
| 10. Establish a standing advisory committee | Accepts in principle |
The Panel Report
The Panel found that, while the Queensland Government’s approach to sustainably managing native vegetation is sound, there are opportunities for improvement.
The recommendations focus on better engagement with land managers on the incentives and rewards available for protecting and restoring native vegetation on their land.
They also identify opportunities to improve the implementation of existing policies and programs through enhanced compliance, better regional planning, and more sustainable native forestry practices.
Read the full Native Vegetation Scientific Expert Panel Report .
The Queensland Government’s Response
The Queensland Government accepts (in full and in principle) all the recommendations put forward by the Native Vegetation Scientific Expert Panel.
The government will:
- maintain regulatory stability and there will be no legislative or regulatory changes to native vegetation management
- adopt a more harmonised approach to land management that better engages, informs, incentivises and rewards landholders for retaining, protecting and restoring native vegetation on their properties
- invest in a suite of educational, financial, and motivational measures for landholders and First Nations people through Queensland Government initiatives like the Queensland Low Emissions Agriculture Roadmap 2022–2032 that aims to reward and build capacity in low emissions practices and technology (for example, emission calculators), in addition to promoting existing opportunities through programs such as:
- $500 million Land Restoration Fund
- Private Protected Area Program and NatureAssist
- Environmental Offsets
- Reef Credit Scheme
Read the full Queensland Government Response .
Timeframe
The Queensland Government has committed to implementing the recommendations in a phased approach over the next two years.
The Panel will be reconvened after this period to review the government’s progress and suggest additional measures, if required.