Lock in your property maps now

That’s why it’s now more important than ever to take stock of your property mapping.

For more than a decade, landholders have been able to obtain a Property Map of Assessable Vegetation, or a PMAV, through the Department of Natural Resources.

A PMAV shows the boundaries of vegetation categories and allows landholders to “lock in” the status of vegetation on their property, including areas that have been developed.

If you don’t already have a PMAV, my advice is to get one now.

Don’t rely on the State Government’s regulated vegetation mapping as it is not certified, often has errors and isn’t locked in for the future.

The proposed new vegetation management laws are likely to include the regulation of high value regrowth, which was first regulated in 2009 but then removed off freehold properties in 2013.

When the original high value regrowth layer took effect in 2009, the then State Government agreed not to place the new layer over properties which had a PMAV.

So high value regrowth was only an issue for landholders without a PMAV locked in.

Locking in a PMAV is the best way to prevent a regrowth layer being re-introduced on your property in 2018.

While not a guarantee, it ensures a degree of protection against any future mapping changes relating to your property, and without it, you risk losing productive land.

Over the past week, AgForce has written to our members providing an information pack with details of the various vegetation mapping relevant to their individual properties.

As the representative organisation for broadacre primary producers, AgForce will continue to fight against what we believe is bad policy for the bush, but we also need landholders to take steps to protect themselves and their property rights.

I know paperwork can be a pain in the backside, but this is one piece of paper that can save you money in the long run and give you a little peace of mind.