Source: http://www.edo.org.au/edonsw/site/factsh/fs05_3.php
Timestamp: 2013-05-24 18:08:20
Document Index: 441391712

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 6', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 3', 'art 2']

EDO NSW Fact Sheet 5.3 - Trees and Native Vegetation
5.3 Trees and Native Vegetation 5.3.1 Overview Key to terms used in this Fact Sheet DECCW means the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water Director-General means the Director-General of DECCW. EPA Act means the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) Environment Minister means the NSW Minister for Climate Change and the Environment EPBC Act means the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999	PVP means a property vegetation plan made under the Native Vegetation Act 2003	SEPP 19 means State Environmental Planning Policy No 19 - Bushland in Urban Areas	TPO means a tree preservation order Trees Act means the Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006	TSC Act means the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (NSW) Clearing vegetation of all types is a highly regulated activity in NSW. Native vegetation in particular plays a vital role in supporting biodiversity
and ecosystems. Land clearing is recognised as a key threatening process affecting the survival of threatened species. It is a major factor contributing
to soil erosion, salinity and climate change. This Fact Sheet describes the principal laws governing the clearing of vegetation in NSW. In particular, this Fact Sheet covers: Land clearing in rural areas, which is regulated under the Native Vegetation Act 2003 by requiring most clearing to be authorised under
either a development consent or a property vegetation plan, and Land clearing in urban areas, which is regulated under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, through the use of development
consents and tree preservation orders. Forestry on private and public land is regulated under different legislation, although small scale private forestry may be authorised under the Native
Vegetation Act 2003. For information on forestry, including how landowners can generate carbon credits, see Fact Sheet 5.2. For information on protecting threatened species and their habitat from land clearing, see below and also Fact Sheet 6.1 on Threatened Species (NSW). For information about protecting vegetation in national parks, see Fact Sheet 6.3 on Protected Areas. For information on how to protect vegetation on private land, see Fact Sheet 6.4 on Conservation on Private Land. The Commonwealth's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 will regulate clearing if the clearing affects a matter
of national environmental significance, such as a nationally listed threatened species or a migratory species. For more information, see below and also
Fact Sheet 3.1 on the EPBC Act.
5.3.1.1 Useful web links The Native Vegetation Act 2003 is administered by the NSW
Land clearing which affects a matter of national environmental significance is regulated under the EPBC
Act. 5.3.1.2 Useful legal texts Environmental and Planning Law in NSW, Lyster, et al (2007) The Environmental Law Handbook, Farrier & Stein, eds, 4th ed, Chapter 11 (Biodiversity Conservation), pp 412 - 419. Rural Landholders Guide to Environmental Law in NSW. Environmental Law in Australia, Bates, 6th ed (2006),
Chapter 14 Managing Biodiversity: Habitats & Species.
5.3.2 Land clearing in rural areas Land clearing in rural areas in NSW is regulated under the Native Vegetation Act 2003 and the Native Vegetation Regulation 2005. One
of the main objects of the Act is to end broadscale clearing in NSW.1 The Minister responsible for the Native Vegetation Act 2003 is the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, and the Act is administered
by the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water. 5.3.2.1 Where does the Native Vegetation Act apply? The Act applies to rural land that is privately owned or leased (eg such as land in the Western Division: See Fact
Sheet 2.5 Western Division). 5.3.2.1.1 Land excluded from the Act The NV Act does not apply to:2 Urban land (being land zoned "residential", "village", "township", "industrial" or "business", or other zones with a similar urban character) The Sydney Metropolitan Area State forests National parks and conservation areas Lord Howe Island The Act also does not apply to land which is: Subject to an interim protection order under Part 6A of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974
Subject to interim heritage order under the Heritage Act 1977
Listed on the State Heritage Register under the Heritage Act 1977, or Declared as critical habitat under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995
Schedule 1 of
the NV Act lists areas (including local council areas in the Sydney Metropolitan
Area) that are excluded from the operation of the Act. Clearing on land which is excluded from the Act will continue to be subject
to clearing controls under local environmental plans and tree preservation
orders. 5.3.2.1.2 What sort of vegetation is caught by the Act? The NV Act categorises native vegetation as:
Regrowth - any native vegetation that has regrown since
1 January 1983 in the case of land in the Western Division and 1 January
1990 in the case of other land. Protected regrowth - regrowth that is identified as protected
regrowth in a property vegetation plan, environmental planning instrument
(such as a local environmental plan, natural resource management plan or an
interim protection order.4 Remnant native vegetation - any native vegetation other
than regrowth.5 The NV Act regulates not only the clearing of native trees but also the
clearing of native:6 saplings, shrubs and scrub understorey plants groundcover, and plants occurring in wetlands (marshes, billabongs, swamps,
sedgelands). The Act does not apply to mangroves, seagrasses or any other types of marine
vegetation.7 These are
protected under s. 205 of the Fisheries Management Act 1994 (see
Fact Sheet 6.2). 5.3.2.2 How is clearing controlled under the Native Vegetation Act? 5.3.2.2.1 Offence to clear land The NV Act makes it an offence to clear native vegetation unless: The vegetation is regrowth (unless it is protected regrowth); The clearing is exempt (see 2.3 below); or The clearing is approved under either a development consent
or a property vegetation plan.8 Clearing does not just include cutting down trees. It also includes thinning,
removing native vegetation (eg with a bulldozer), clearing groundcover (eg
by ploughing) poisoning (eg by herbicide spray drift), ring barking, uprooting
or burning native vegetation.9 The Act also contains a range of exemptions under which clearing is permitted
without consent or a property vegetation plan (see para 2.3 below). A person who carries out or authorises (eg by engaging a contractor) clearing
of remnant native vegetation or protected regrowth without development consent
or a property vegetation plan is guilty of an offence. The maximum penalty
$1.1 million, plus a daily penalty of up to $110,000.10 It is not just the landholder who may be charged with an offence; the person
who actually carries out the clearing (eg the bulldozer driver) may also
be charged with an offence.11 Land clearing in NSW is regulated by DECCW. DECCW regularly assesses satellite images and compares them to images taken
in previous years in order to identify recent clearing. DECCW investigates
clearing which is not accounted for under a property vegetation plan or development
consent. It is a defence if the person can point to an exemption under the Act.12 DECCW's
information on clearing native vegetation and exemptions. 5.3.2.2.2 Development consent for clearing A landholder who wishes to clear land may either apply for development consent
or negotiate a PVP with the local Catchment Management Authority (see 'PVPs'
below). The NV Act adopts the same procedure for applying and issuing a development
consent for land clearing as for development under Part 4 of the Environmental
Planning and Assessment Act 1979, with the following differences: A land clearing consent is issued by the Environment Minister,
rather than a local council or the Minister for Planning.13 The Environment Minister does not have to consider the standard
range of matters set out under s 79C of the EPA Act,14 but
must instead consider any relevant catchment action plans of catchment management
authorities15 The Environment Minister has delegated the approval power to Catchment Management
Authorities (CMAs) so, in practice, CMAs issue development consents for clearing.16 The CMA must not grant consent for broadscale clearing unless the clearing
will improve or maintain environmental outcomes.17 Whether
there will be an improved outcome or not is determined using an Assessment
Methodology.18 Conditions of a development consent and are legally binding.19 A
person who clears land in breach of a development consent will commit an
offence.20 This may include
the landholder, the person who authorises the clearing, and the person who
does the clearing.21 An appeal against a development consent may be made in the same way as an
appeal against a development consent under the EPA Act (see Fact
Sheet 2.2.8). A public
register of development consents under the NV Act is published on DECCW's website22 5.3.2.2.3 Property Vegetation Plans If a landholder wishes to clear land they may either apply for development
consent or apply for a property
vegetation plan.
PVPs are voluntary but once made they are binding. They allow the landholder
to lawfully carry out the clearing which is identified in the plan. A PVP will identify which areas of land may be cleared, which vegetation
must be kept as an offset and what sort of farming practices can continue
to be carried out.23 PVPs
are legally enforceable.24 A
landowner who carries out clearing in breach of their PVP will commit an
offence.25 PVPs may be made for up to 15 years and bind future owners of the land.26 The process for making a PVP begins by the landholder submitting a draft
PVP to the Catchment Mangement Authority who will decide whether or not to
approve the PVP.27 The CMA is not to approve a PVP which allows broadscale clearing of native
vegetation unless the clearing will improve or maintain environmental outcomes.28 Whether
the proposed clearing will improve or maintain an environmental outcome is
assessed and determined using an Assessment Methodology.29 A public
register	of property vegetation plans under the Native Vegetation Act is
published on DECCW's website.30 5.3.2.2.4 Private native forestry and PVPs While broadscale clearing is restricted under the NV Act, it is permitted
for the purpose of harvesting timber on private property. The clearing
must be approved by the Environment Minister under a private native forestry
property vegetation plan, and carried out in accordance with the Private
Native Forestry Code of Practice.31 A person who clears land under a PVP for private
native forestry does
not also need to comply with the Threatened Species Conservation Act
1995 (eg by getting a licence to take or kill threatened species or
to damage their habitat). This is because the Environment Minister has conferred
biodiversity certification on private native forestry, effectively exempting
those operations from the TSC Act.32 5.3.2.2.5 No land clearing on vulnerable land The NV Act prohibits clearing
on vulnerable land, which used to be called "state protected land".
Vulnerable land is land that is especially prone to soil erosion, sedimentation
and landslip if appropriate land clearing techniques are not used. Vulnerable land has been mapped and includes: Steep or highly erodible land; Protected riparian land; and Special category land. "Vulnerable land" is classified as protected regrowth33 and
therefore requires approval to clear (or a PVP), unless it is excluded clearing
which is authorised under other legislation: See 2.3.5 below. 5.3.2.3 Exemptions 5.3.2.3.1 Clearing of regrowth and groundcover is permitted The following types of clearing are permitted without the need for development
consent or a property vegetation plan: Clearing of regrowth, but not if it is "protected regrowth";34 Clearing of native vegetation that comprises only groundcover
where not less than 10% of the area is covered with vegetation (whether
dead or alive), and less than 50% of that vegetation is indigenous species.35 "Protected regrowth" is a type of regrowth that does not fall within the
exemption.36 Protected
regrowth is regrowth in those areas which are identified in a property vegetation
plan, an environmental planning instrument, a natural resource management
plan or an interim protection order as "protected regrowth", and includes "vulnerable
land". See para 2.2.5 above. 5.3.2.3.1 Routine agricultural management activities are permitted A landholder is permitted to clear vegetation for routine agricultural management
activities without the need for approval.37 "Routine agricultural management activities" include:38 The construction, operation and maintenance of rural infrastructure,
including farm dams, permanent fences, buildings, windmills, bores,
air strips (in the Western Division), stockyards and farm roads
but not if the rural infrastructure is on land zoned rural-residential
or on a small holding (less than 10 hectares, or less than 40
hectares in the Western Division) and only if within the buffer
distances set
out in the Regulations, eg 20 metres either side of a permanent
fence (in some regions)39 The removal of noxious weeds under the Noxious Weeds Act
The control of noxious animals under the Rural Lands Protection
The collection of firewood (except for commercial purposes) The harvesting or other clearing of native vegetation planted
for commercial purposes The lopping of native vegetation for stock fodder Traditional Aboriginal cultural activities The maintenance of public utilities (such as those associated
with the transmission of electricity, the supply of water, gas and electronic
communication) Any activity necessary to remove or reduce an imminent risk
of serious personal injury or damage to property, and Clearing vegetation planted as part of a garden.40 5.3.2.3.2 Continuation of existing farming activities is permitted Farming activities such as cultivation, grazing or rotational farming practices,
which were being carried out as at 1 December 2005, are permitted without
development consent or a property vegetation plan, but not if it involves
the clearing of:41 Remnant native vegetation (ie vegetation which has not been
cleared since 1 January 1983),42 and Vegetation in the Western Division, or vegetation that is
river red gum, belah or white cypress pine more than 3 metres high. 5.3.2.3.3 Sustainable grazing is permitted Sustainable grazing that is not likely to result in the substantial long-term
decline in the structure and composition of native vegetation is permitted
without development consent or a property vegetation plan.43 5.3.2.3.4 Clearing authorised by other legislation is permitted The Native Vegetation Act is deemed not to apply to land clearing
which is authorised under other legislation. The permitted types of clearing include:44 Clearing authorised under the State Emergency and Rescue
Management Act 1989;
Clearing authorised under the Rural Fires Act 1997;
Clearing carried out under a property management plan or
licence under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995;
Clearing authorised by a development consent under the EPA
Act, if the development is 'designated development. (See Fact
Sheet 2.2); Clearing carried out by a government authority or under
an approval granted under Part 5 of the EPA Act. (See Fact
Sheet 2.2); Clearing authorised under the Mining Act 1992;
Clearing for plantations operations under the Plantations
and Reafforestation Act 1999;
Clearing under the Water Act 1912 or the Water
Management Act 2000. Clearing for single dwellings which have already been granted development
consent under the EPA Act do not also need development consent under the
NV Act.45 5.3.2.4 Land clearing and threatened species Land clearing which is carried out in accordance with a development consent
issued under the NV Act or under a property vegetation plan will
not breach the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. 5.3.2.4.1 Clearing permitted by a Native Vegetation Act exemption will
not breach TSC Act If a person is carrying out clearing which falls within one of the exemptions
under the Native Vegetation Act (see para 2.3 above), then this
will be a defence to any threatened species offence, such as damaging the
habitat of a threatened species or picking a threatened plant. For example, clearing non-protected regrowth under section 19 of the Native
Vegetation Act, continuing an existing farming activity under section
23, or engaging in sustainable grazing under section 24, will be a defence.46 This defence does not apply if the clearing takes place in an urban area.47 5.3.2.4.2 Development consents do not need a species impact statement The usual process in NSW is that development applications for developments
which are likely to have a significant effect on a threatened species need
to be accompanied by a species impact statement. See Fact
Sheet 2.2 for more
information. However, development applications for clearing under the NV Act do
not need to have a species impact statement. This is because the Environment
Minister has granted biodiversity certification on the NV Act, the effect
of which is to deem all development applications under the NV Act not to
have a significant impact on threatened species.48 5.3.2.4.3 Clearing under property vegetation plans will not breach Threatened
Species Conservation Act Similarly, a person who clears native vegetation in accordance with a property
vegetation plan does not need a licence to take or pick threatened species
and will not commit an offence under the Threatened Species Conservation
Act 1995, because of the effect of biodiversity certification on the
NV Act. 5.3.2.4.4 What is biodiversity certification? Under the Threatened Species Conservation Act, the Environment
Minister may confer biodiversity certification on a local environment plan
or state environmental planning policy. The effect of certification is to
exempt developments covered by those plans from the need to comply with the Threatened
Species Conservation Act.49 The Threatened Species Conservation Act also allows the Environment
Minister to confer biodiversity certification on the Native Vegetation
Act and Regulations. The Minister may do this by issuing an order in
the Gazette.50 On 22
November 2005, the Environment Minister issued such an order conferring biodiversity
certification on the native vegetation reform package (the NV Act and Regulations).
The order took effect on and from 1 December 2005.51 5.3.2.5 Enforcement of the Native Vegetation Act Development consents and PVPs issued under the NV Act are legally enforceable.52 5.3.2.5.1 Powers of entry, inspection, to obtain information An authorised officer has the power to enter somebody's land for the purpose
of determining whether there is, or has been, a breach of the Act, but only
if:53 The landholder consents, or The Director-General of DECCW has authorised the entry. The authorised officer must produce his or her identification card, if requested.54 Once on the land, the officer may conduct investigations, take samples (eg
of tree species), take photos and require a landholder to produce records
or documents (eg contracts engaging bulldozers).55 It is an offence to obstruct (delay, threaten, hinder) an authorised officer
or to refuse to comply with a requirement by an authorised officer. The maximum
penalty for doing so is $11,000.56 In order to determine whether the NV Act is being or has been breached,
the Director-General of DECCW may direct a notice to be served on a person
requiring them to give information about a land clearing incident to an authorised
officer (either orally, or by giving them documents).57 It is an offence not to comply with a notice without reasonable excuse.
The maximum penalty is $11,000.58 A
person is not excused from giving information, answering questions or producing
documents on the grounds that they may tend to incriminate themselves.59 5.3.2.5.2 Stop work orders The Director-General of DECCW may issue a stop work order if they think
that a person is breaching, or is about to breach, the NV Act.60 A
stop work order takes effect immediately and may last for up to 2 years.61 The Director-General is not required to notify anybody before making an
order.62 A person who
is unhappy with a stop work order may appeal to the Land and Environment
Court within 30 days of the order being served.63 An
appeal does not suspend the order.64 It is an offence not to comply with a stop work order. The maximum penalty
for a corporation is $220,000, plus a $22,000 daily penalty; for an individual
the maximum penalty is $110,000, plus an $11,000 daily penalty.65 5.3.2.5.3 Directions for remedial work The Director-General may direct a landholder to carry out remedial work
by issuing a written notice to the landholder.66 This
might involve things such as undertaking work to repair any damage caused
by the clearing, rehabilitating and regenerating any land affected by the
clearing, and working to ensure that specified land, rivers or lakes will
not be damaged or detrimentally affected by the clearing.67 If clearing of native vegetation on any land has caused, or is likely to
cause, soil erosion (including offsite soil erosion), land degradation, or
siltation of any river or lake, or any adverse effect on the environment
the Director-General may direct the landholder or the person having the control
or management of the clearing, to carry out specified work in a specified
manner and within a specified time.68 The Director-General is not required to notify anybody before giving a direction.69 A
person who is unhappy with a remediation direction may appeal to the Land
and Environment Court within 30 days of the direction being served.70 An
appeal does not suspend the direction.71 It is an offence not to comply with a remediation direction. The maximum
penalty for a corporation is $220,000, plus a daily penalty of $22,000. For
an individual, it is $110,000, plus a daily penalty of $11,000.72 If a landholder fails to comply with a remediation direction, the Director-General
may authorise someone else to do the work and charge the cost to the landholder.73 5.3.2.5.4 Civil proceedings Any person may bring proceedings in the Land and Environment Court for an
order to remedy or restrain a contravention of the NV Act.74 In civil proceedings, the Court may make such orders as it thinks fit to
remedy or restrain the contravention. An order may take the form of an injunction
(eg to stop work), a declaration (eg that a development consent is invalid),
or a remediation order.75 See
Fact Sheet 2.4, section 3.3.
"Any person" includes DECCW or any member of the public. 5.3.2.5.5 Criminal proceedings Any person may bring criminal proceedings for an offence under the NV Act,
although in practice this will usually be done by DECCW.76 Criminal
matters are heard in a Local Court or in the Land and Environment Court.77 Criminal proceedings must be commenced within 2 years of the date on which
the offence is alleged to have been committed, or from the date that the
alleged offence first came to the attention of an authorised officer.78 Case Study: Illegal land clearing - offender fined $400,000 Director-General
of the Department of Environment and Climate Change v Hudson
[2009] NSWLEC 4 The Director-General of the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change
brought proceedings against the defendant, John Ross Hudson, in the Land
and Environment Court for breaches of the Native Vegetation Act 2003 (the
Act). Mr Hudson had cleared 486 hectares of Eucalyptus coolabah, Casuarina
cristata and Acacia stenophylla in the Gwydir wetlands. Hudson was charged with two offences: The clearing of 486 hectares of native vegetation without having development
consent or a property vegetation plan authorising the clearing, and; Failing to comply with a notice issued under the Act, requiring Mr
Hudson to provide specified information/documents relating to the first
offence to the Special Investigations Unit. Hudson was found guilty of both charges. The judge held that this case was
in the 'upper range of seriousness' and after consideration of the maximum
penalty of $1.1 million, he issued a fine of $400,000 for the first offence. After providing no excuse for failing to provide the information asked for
in the notice, Mr Hudson was fined an additional $8,000 for the second offence. Mr Hudson was also ordered to pay the prosecutor's costs.	5.3.2.5.6 Penalty notices Minor breaches of the NV Act79 can
be enforced by an authorised officer issuing an offender with a penalty notice.80 5.3.3 Clearing in urban areas The clearing of bushland and vegetation in urban areas (including the lopping
of individual trees) is regulated under: Local environment plans, which may specify when development
consent is required for clearing; Tree preservation orders; Development control plans; and State Environmental Planning Policy No 19 - Bushland in
Urban Areas. The NV Act does not apply in urban areas, namely, the Sydney Metropolitan
Area or areas zoned "residential", "village", "township", "industrial" or "business" (or
other zones with a similar urban character).81 If
the area is not one of these types of urban areas, then the NV Act will apply. 5.3.3.1 Development consent and local environmental plans A local environmental plan may contain provisions which control the clearing
of vegetation in urban areas by requiring a person to obtain development
consent before they may lawfully clear land, or even individual trees. Each
local environmental plan, and each zone within it, is different and should
be checked carefully before any clearing is carried out. In some cases, the developer is required to retain certain tree species,
or even individual trees, as a condition of development consent. If the protected
trees are cleared, the developer may be prosecuted for a criminal offence
in a Local Court or in the Land and Environment Court. See Fact
Sheet 2.4. 5.3.3.2 Tree preservation orders Tree preservation orders (TPOs) are used regularly to control clearing in
urban areas. They can apply to both native and non-native species. Local councils may make orders for the protection of trees in their local
government area. TPOs may prohibit the ring barking, cutting down, lopping,
removing, injuring or willful destruction of any tree or trees specified
in the TPO without council consent. The council may impose any conditions
it thinks fit on giving that consent. Although TPOs vary from council to council, a typical tree preservation
order might require permission before lopping any tree of a certain type
or size, such as trees more than 3 metres high, or with a crown of more than
2 metres. The TPO will often contain a list of exemptions for species which
are considered a nuisance, such as camphor laurel, and for emergencies
(eg danger or bushfire). 5.3.3.2.1 Enforcement of TPOs A tree preservation order may be legally enforceable, depending on its specific
provisions. Local councils may prosecute a person for breaching a TPO
in a Local Court or in the Land and Environment Court:82 The
maximum penalty in a Local Court is $110,000. The maximum penalty in the
Land and Environment Court is $1.1 million. Any person may bring civil proceedings in the Land and Environment Court
to prevent the breach of a TPO, for example, to obtain an order to prevent
someone from cutting down a tree.83 Existing tree preservation orders are likely to be progressively replaced
by tree preservation provisions in Development Control Plans (DCPs). Tree
preservation orders vary from council to council. Some councils may not have
one at all. For more information on tree preservation orders and tree control
provisions in DCPs, contact your local council. 5.3.3.3 New standard instrument for tree preservation in DCPs The NSW Government has introduced a new Standard Instrument LEP which is
a template LEP that all councils must adopt by 2011. The purpose of the Standard
Instrument is to encourage the standardisation of LEPs across local council
areas. The Standard Instrument- Principal Local Environmental Plancontains
an optional standard provision on the preservation of trees or vegetation
(5.9). Where it is adopted, the standard clause will replace TPOs in the
local government area. The standard clause allows a council to include the
trees that are covered by the clause in a development control plan (DCP). It is not compulsory for a local council to adopt the standard clause within
their local environment plans. Some councils may therefore continue to use
TPOs to manage trees in the local government area. 5.3.3.4 SEPP No 19 - Bushland in Urban Areas State
Environmental Planning Policy No 19 - Bushland in Urban Areas (SEPP
19) applies
to all bushland within the Sydney Metropolitan Area which is zoned or reserved
as public open space.84 The
aim of the Policy is to preserve remnant vegetation within urban areas.85 5.3.3.4.1 Local environmental plans When a local council proposes to rezone land which is zoned or reserved
as urban bushland (eg for urban subdivision), in its LEP, SEPP 19 requires
local councils to give priority to retaining the bushland, unless the council
is satisfied that significant environmental, economic or social benefits
will outweigh the value of keeping the bushland.86 5.3.3.4.2 Development consent and bushland Under SEPP 19, a person must not disturb bushland which is zoned or reserved
as public open space without development consent from the council.87 Where a local council is considering a development application for land
which adjoins bushland zoned or reserved for public open space,
SEPP 19 also requires the council to consider how to best retain the bushland,
and what impact the clearing of it might have on soil erosion, siltation
of streams and the spread of exotic weeds and plants.88 5.3.4 Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006
The purpose of the Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006 (Trees
Act) is to allow for the resolution of disputes between
neighbours concerning trees by allowing proceedings to be brought in the
Land and Environment Court. 5.3.4.1 Where does the Trees Act apply? The Trees Act only applies to urban land, which is land zoned "residential", "rural-residential", "village", "township", "industrial" or "business".90 The Act applies to all trees, both native and non-native, and also to bamboo
and vines.91 The Act
does not apply to trees situated on land owned or controlled by a local council.92 If the Trees Act applies to a tree, then it prohibits any other action being
brought for nuisance as a result of any damage caused by the tree.93 The Land and Environment Court also has power to decide disputes in relation
to high hedges that obstruct sunlight or views.94 For more information about tree and hedge disputes, read Fact Sheet 5.3a Trees (including Tree Disputes). 5.3.5 Access to Neighbouring Land Act 2000
A person whose property might be affected by a tree, hedge or
shrub may also apply to the Local Court for a neighbouring land access
order under the Access to Neighbouring Land Act 2000 (NSW). For example, a person may apply to a Local Court for an order to access
adjoining land for the purpose of: Checking whether any hedge, tree or shrub is dangerous,
dead, diseased, damaged or insecurely rooted; Replacing any tree, hedge or shrub; or Removing, felling, cutting back or treating any hedge, tree
or shrub. 5.3.6 Clearing vegetation under Commonwealth law The main Commonwealth environmental law, the Environment Protection
and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) contains provisions
which control the clearing of native vegetation. For example, clearing which is likely to have a significant effect on the
following matters of national environmental significance will require assessment
and approval under the EPBC Act: nationally listed threatened species or its habitat; migratory species (eg migratory birds) and their habitat;
or Ramsar wetland (a wetland of international importance). For more information on when assessment and approval is required under the
EPBC Act, see Fact Sheet 3.1 on the EPBC Act. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 3(b), 8, 14(3), 29; Native Vegetation Regulation
Part 5. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 5, Schedule 1. The applicable date
for 'regrowth'
can also be set out in a property vegetation plan. Where this is the
case, it is the earlier date that applies. See Native Vegetation Act
2003,s.
9. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 10. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 9. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 6. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 6(3). Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 12(1). Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 7. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 12(2). Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 44. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 12(3). Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 13. Native Vegetation
Regulations 2005, cl 4. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 14(2). See Native Vegetation
Act 2003,s. 48. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 14(3). Native Vegetation
Regulation 2005, cl 24, 26. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 33. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 12. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 15(1)(e). Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 28; Native Vegetation Regulation 2005,
Part 3, cll 7 - 12B. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 30, 31. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 26; Native Vegetation Regulation 2005,
Act 2003, s 29. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 32 (e). Native Vegetation
Regulation 2005, cl 29A, B. Threatened Species
Conservation Act 1995, s 126B, C, D; the Order took effect on
1 August 2007, NSW Government Gazette, Special Supplement, No 97,
1 August 2007, p 5338. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 10(1)(c). Regrowth is a ny
native vegetation that has regrown since 1 January 1983 in the case
of land in the Western Division and 1 January 1990 in the case of other
land. The relevant date can also be specified in a property vegetation
plan. See: Native
Vegetation Act 2003,s. 9. Native Vegetation Act 2003, s
19. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 20; Native Vegetation Regulations 2005,
cl 42. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 22. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 11; Native Vegetation Regulation 2005,
cl 32, 33. Native Vegetation
Regulation 2005, cl 20 sets out the infrastructure buffer distances
which vary depending on the type of infrastructure and regional
area that the clearing takes place in. Native Vegetation
Regulation 2005, cl 18. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 23. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 24. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, see s 25 for a full list of legislative exclusions. Native Vegetation
Regulation 2005, cl 6. National Parks
and Wildlife Act 1974, s 118G(1). National Parks
and Wildlife Act 1974, s 118G(4). Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 14(4); Threatened Species Conservation Act, s 126E,
126I. Threatened Species
Conservation Act 1995, s 126G-M. Threatened Species
Conservation Act 1995, s 126C. See NSW Government
Gazette No. 142, 25 November 2005, page 9809. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s33. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 35. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 34(4). Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 35(2). Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 35(5). Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 36. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 36(4). Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 36(5). Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 37. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 37(2), (4). Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 40. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 39; LEC Act, s 17(g). Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 39(2). Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 37(5). Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 38. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 38(2). Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 38(1)(b). Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 39; LEC Act, s 17(g).. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 38(4). Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 38(5), (6). Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 41; Land and Environment Court Act, s 20(1)(de). Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 41(5). Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 41. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 42; Land and Environment Court Act 1979,
s 21(i). Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 42(3), (4), (5). listed in Schedule
1 of the Native Vegetation Regulation 2005 Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 43; Native Vegetation Regulation 2005,
cl 43, Sch 1. Native Vegetation
Act 2003, s 5(1). Environmental
Planning and Assessment Act 1979, s 126(1). Environmental
Planning and Assessment Act 1979, s 123. SEPP 19, cl 3(1),
Sch 1. SEPP 19, cl 2(1). SEPP 19, cl 10. SEPP 19, cl 6. SEPP 19, cl 9. See also the Trees
(Disputes Between Neighbours) Regulation 2007. Trees (Disputes
Between Neighbours) Act2006, s 4(1). Trees (Disputes
Between Neighbours) Act2006, s 3(1); Trees (Disputes
Between Neighbours) Regulation 2007, cl 4. Trees (Disputes
Between Neighbours) Act2006, s 4(2). Trees (Disputes
Between Neighbours) Act2006, s 5. New Part 2A inserted into Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006.