Latest NSW Native Vegetation Clearing Data Published |
The NSW Government has published the annual Statewide Landcover and Tree Study (SLATS) data on clearing of native vegetation for agriculture, infrastructure and forestry.
The report covers 2023 data and shows a total of 66,498 hectares of vegetation was cleared in that year. This includes 32,847 hectares of native woody vegetation and 33,651 hectares of non-woody vegetation.
Woody vegetation contains wood as the primary matter and includes trees, shrubs and woody vines. This includes forests, woodlands and paddock trees.
Non-woody vegetation includes understorey plants and groundcover plants, or vegetation like grasses and herbs.
Clearing recorded across the three land types included the following figures:
- Total vegetation clearing for agriculture in 2023 increased compared to the previous year to 51,201 hectares, of which 62% (31,838 hectares) was non-woody vegetation and 38% (19,364 hectares) was woody vegetation.
- Total vegetation clearing for infrastructure in 2023 increased compared to the previous year to 10,003 hectares, of which 12% (1,188 hectares) was non-woody vegetation and 88% (8,814 hectares) was woody vegetation.
- Total vegetation clearing for native forestry in 2023 increased compared to the previous year to 5,294 hectares, of which 12% (625 hectares) was non-woody vegetation and 88% (4,669 hectares) was woody vegetation.
The majority (65% or 6,219 hectares) of clearing authorised under the Local Land Services Act in 2023 was for Invasive Native Species management. Invasive native species are native woody plants, that either regenerate thickly following disturbance or encroach on vegetation communities where they previously did not occur.
Unallocated clearing in 2023 was 35,026 hectares of which three-quarters was non-woody vegetation.
To compensate for vegetation loss due to certain types of agricultural clearing on private land under the Land Management Code, areas of vegetation must be set aside on that land. As of 1 January 2024, 96,506 hectares had been set aside for conservation on privately managed land, to be protected in-perpetuity.
Preservation of native vegetation in NSW is vital for the health of our environment. It is intrinsic to our rural landscapes and regional communities, supports native animals and agriculture, and protects soils and water.
Impacts of land clearing highlight the importance of NSW Government commitments under the NSW Plan for Nature, and the value of protecting land through the national park reserve system and through incentivised private land conservation agreements to encourage retention of native vegetation.
https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/news/latest-nsw-native-vegetation-clearing-data-published