UPDATED 8.05am: FRESH concerns about changes to native vegetation laws surfaced in State Parliament yesterday, following probing during Question Time.
Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg has queried statements contained in the Portfolio Priorities Statement sent to Minister for State Development, Natural Resources and Mines, Anthony Lynham.
He said requirements contained in the letter were a far cry from Dr Lynham's comments earlier in the year that the Labor government would be consultative.
In the letter, Dr Lynham has been instructed to: "Re-instate the vegetation protection laws repealed by the previous government to reduce the clearing of native vegetation."
In May 2013, many producers lauded the passing of the Vegetation Management Framework Amendment Bill 2013, which was aimed at striking a balance between agricultural production and environmental protection.
The matter was raised in parliament on Wednesday by Member for Warrego Ann Leahy.
Ms Leahy asked the Minister to confirm if would still be "business as usual" and that no changes were planned for the Vegetation Management Act 1999.
In response, Dr Lynham said the Vegetation Management Act was very important to the state and for climate change.
"The previous government will not act rationally on this issue - they introduced their vegetation management without consulting widely - there were many groups disenfranchised when they introduced their vegetation management schemes," he said.
"We understand, to give them credit, there are some elements of their vegetation management that are loved by the rural sector; we have no plans to change those specific portions such as the self-assessment criteria.
"But, Mr Speaker, we will be watching very closely. We are taking the rural sector on good faith but also, Mr Speaker, the rural sector must realise that if one steps over these boundaries that are presently in place we will act very strongly against those people."
Mr Springborg also questioned why it had taken more than three months for the Portfolio Priorities Statements to be sent.
"It is normal practice after a government is elected for a Premier to send letters of expectations and goals to their ministers," he said.
"This government has spent a long time getting their charter letters out and they only came out on Tuesday, after an enquiry from another media organisation."
"Tree police" target landholders
ROMA based lawyer, Tom Marland, Ferrier and Co, has confirmed an increase in activity from the so called “tree police” in recent weeks.
“We have had several inquiries in the past few weeks in relation to requests for inspections to properties by the DNRM Investigations Unit,” he said.
“We are aware of at least six formal inspections in the past month.
“DNRM are approaching landholders to request consent to enter their land and to inspect ‘irregularities’ in satellite and vegetation mapping.
“The clients we act for we have requested a copy of the relevant satellite imagery and vegetation mapping which forms the ‘reasonable belief’ under the act that an offence has occurred.”
Mr Marland said it was clear from the imagery and mapping that DNRM were not inspecting irregularities but were inspecting properties to support prosecutions.
“The Department is also requesting informal meetings with landholders to confirm details of their land, the clearing conducted and whether approvals are sought,” he said.
“DNRM have sufficient information to determine whether charges should be laid. The purpose to inspect and speak with landholders is to falsely obtain a confession or some form of omission of guilt.”
Mr Marland said it was vital that landholders knew their rights when approached by staff.
“Our advice to all landholders is that if they are contact by DNRM for an inspection, obtain immediate legal advice.”