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Objective
Recommendation
Key issues
Actions taken
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Objective To prevent further land degradation and loss of biodiversity Recommendation It is recommended that the Tasmanian Government directs the Departments of Primary Industry and Fisheries and Environment and Land Management to prepare a draft State Policy on the Protection of Remnant Native Vegetation. Key issues This information is available from Volume 2 of the last SoE Report (SDAC 1997), which can be downloaded. The final objective, final recommendation, and a summary of key management actions are detailed below. Actions taken There has been some progress made in addressing this recommendation since the previous SoE Report (1997). Remnant vegetation in Tasmania is now being managed and protected through a package rather than as a policy. This package includes the following. - the existing permanent forest estate policy, which sets minimum thresholds of forest communities to be retained (the current vegetation retention thresholds in this policy are under review);
- under the Vegetation Management Framework (announced by the State Government in July 2001) amendments have been made to the Forest Practices Act 1985, which require approval of forest clearance irrespective of the purpose;
- for non-forests, an ongoing commitment to maintaining TASVEG and to use this mapping in assessing non-forest vegetation priorities;
- the assessment of forest and non-forest vegetation priorities has been undertaken by Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment (DPIWE) and the Scientific Advisory Group for the Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative Reserve Program (CARSAG) as part of an ongoing program; and
- a program of consultation is underway with the key stakeholders to develop mechanisms for managing native non-forest vegetation on private land. It is expected that the mechanisms will focus on a key role for local government planning schemes, the preparation and accreditation of property-based plans, and the reservation of some areas under voluntary conservation programs.
Other actions that have taken place that address the objective of this recommendation include the following. - With the support of the Natural Heritage Trust and the Regional Forest Agreement, DPIWE established a Private Forest Reserves Program in July 1998 to extend the system of comprehensive, adequate and representative forest reserves on private land in Tasmania.
- In April 2001, land clearance was listed as a threatening process nationally under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
- lThe Forest Practices Board introduced a moratorium on the clearing of Rare and Endangered forest communities in 2002. The State Government announced in May 2003 that all Rare, Endangered and Vulnerable forest communities would now be protected using the Forest Practices System.
- The State Government also announced in May 2003 that the clearing of Endangered, Rare and Vulnerable non-forest communities would also be stopped. This includes grasslands, heath and scrub. Councils would play an important role through their planning schemes by taking account of at risk non-forest vegetation communities when considering developments.
- Tasmania has, with Natural Heritage Trust assistance, developed a Protected Areas on Private Land Program. With landholder approval, areas of non-forest conservation significance as well as forested areas that do not meet the priorities of the Private Forest Reserve Program are covenanted. Land Tax relief and rate rebates are available in some municipalities as incentives.
- Incentive programs funded by the Natural Heritage Trust to fence off and manage riparian areas have been introduced. Funds for riparian vegetation management have been available under Rivercare, Bushcare and Regional Natural Resource Management strategies, primarily through devolved grant schemes.
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