Queensland landholders are being urged to have their say on the development of self-assessable vegetation management codes at a series of forums around the state.

Natural resources minister Andrew Cripps said the new codes recognised the role farmers play in managing issues such as weeds and encroachment and provide flexibility to clear vegetation for fence lines and to provide fodder for livestock.

“Officers from my Department will visit several regional communities across Queensland to engage landholders, Landcare groups and industry bodies during a series of local forums,” Mr Cripps said.

“These codes will provide opportunities for landholders to manage vegetation without the need for government involvement or assessment, provided they comply with the code’s requirements.

“If the proposed activities comply with the relevant code, landholders only need to notify the Department of Natural Resources and Mines and will not need to apply for a permit.”

Mr Cripps said the forums would enable landholders and industry groups on the ground to work directly with DNRM officers developing the self-assessable codes.

“The forums will enable consultation on the development of a range of self-assessable codes for different practices, depending on regional needs,” he said.

“Codes will be developed for routine rural land management activities such as weed control, fodder harvesting, thinning and managing encroachments.”

The self-assessable vegetation management codes are expected to be completed by the end of 2013.

Forums will be held at:

· Longreach on 24 July with Desert Channels NRM to discuss the development of self-assessable codes for thinning, weeds and encroachment management

· Emerald on 26 July with Central Highlands Regional Resources Use Planning Cooperative (CHRRUP) to discuss the development of self-assessable codes for thinning and weeds

· St George on 1 August with St George Landcare to discuss the development of self-assessable codes on fodder harvesting, weeds and thinning

• Further forums are being planned for other regional communities throughout August. More information on Queensland’s vegetation management regulations and the development of self-assessable codes is available at www.dnrm.qld.gov.au or by phoning 13 QGOV (7468).

Source: QNRM