Information current as of 1 May 2020. Download this page as a PDF.
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On 7 February 2020, the Queensland Government introduced additional regulations to conserve koala habitat in south-east Queensland.
Koalas are listed as vulnerable in Queensland under state and federal legislation. Since 7 February 2020, the Department of Environment and Science introduced special regulations for koala habitat areas in SEQ. These areas are assessed separately to other regulations, including vegetation management and essential habitat. These new koala regulations have amended certain vegetation clearing codes in SEQ.
In the SEQ Koala Habitat Areas, exemptions are no longer provided for:
In SEQ Koala Habitat Areas, changes to ADVCCs for exempted development include:
Different protection requirements for impacts on koala habitat apply to these areas. Maps and more details are
available from environment.des.qld.gov.au and this PDF.
You can request a property map of koala habitat areas to be emailed to you, and koala habitat mapping is also available via the Queensland Globe. Landholders can request to amend or revoke the koala map.
Landowners should first refer to the revised list of ‘exempt clearing works’ listed in Schedule 21 of the Planning Act 2007. Certain clearing activities are exempt without the need to notify or seek approval under the vegetation management framework.
For low-risk clearing that is not authorised by exempt clearing works in Schedule 21, (i.e. larger infrastructure, or ongoing vegetation management activities like weed management) a notification can be submitted under the ADVCC. Clearing activity must comply with practices in the relevant code. ADVCCs include clearing for infrastructure, native forest practice, weed control, necessary environmental clearing, extractive industries, and managing regrowth.
For larger scale clearing activities, development approval under the Planning Act 2017 is required. A
development application must demonstrate how essential habitat for koalas will be maintained. The ‘State
Development Code 16 for Native Vegetation Clearing’ provides a range of ‘acceptable solutions’ which can be
used to ensure clearing will maintain the current extent of essential habitat and minimise the impact on koala
habitat.
Koalas are listed as a vulnerable species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
1999 (EPBC). New clearing activities that are likely to have a significant effect on koalas may need to be self-referred
to the Australian Government for EPBC assessment.
For example, a significant effect may be the loss of 2 to 20ha of high-quality koala habitat critical for their survival, depending on proposed actions and mitigation measures.
EPBC referral guidelines are available from environment.gov.au or phone 1800 803 772.
Queensland Department of Environment and Science.
Phone 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or email: SEQKoalaStrategy@des.qld.gov.au.
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