Rural productivity in the Upper Hunter region will benefit following the decision by both Houses of the NSW Parliament to pass the legislation to repeal the current Native Vegetation Act and replace it with an evidence-based and modern system.
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Member for Upper Hunter, Michael Johnsen said the new reform package will improve biodiversity and agricultural productivity in NSW, while letting farmers get on with the job to manage their properties in a more productive and sustainable way.
“The new legislation rids NSW of the inequitable and unworkable Native Vegetation Act 2003, allowing farmers to be productive, profitable and work to improve the environment,” Mr Johnsen said.
“These reforms include strong environmental safeguards and facilitate sustainable development across Upper Hunter and NSW. We are restoring trust in our farmers and rewarding them for the role they play as true on-ground conservationists.
“The Government is supporting the new legislation with a record investment of $240 million over five years, plus $70 million per year after that in private land conservation. This is in addition to $100 million for the Saving Our Species Program.
“This delivers upon an election commitment to reform biodiversity legislation, and repeal the Native Vegetation Act 2003.
“The Nationals make no apology for ensuring that our farming communities in rural and regional NSW are respected, and that the law rightly recognizes the important role they play in maintaining our Upper Hunter environment,” Mr Johnsen concluded.
The reforms implement the recommendations of the Independent Biodiversity Legislation Review, which the NSW Government commissioned in 2014, followed by an extensive public consultation period earlier this year.
The Biodiversity Conservation Bill 2016 and Local Land Services Amendment Bill 2016 are intended to commence in 2017. For more information, visit landmanagement.nsw.gov.au.