Managing native vegetation

The Hawkesbury Nepean CMA (along with 12 other CMAs in NSW) assists landowners in managing native vegetation on their properties. 

CMAs are responsible for implementing the Native Vegetation Act and its regulation.  The Act is designed to prevent broadscale clearing unless it improves or maintains environmental outcomes. It aims to protect native vegetation of high conservation value, protect water quality and biodiversity, and to prevent land degradation. 

In general, any clearing approved under the Act must be offset by improving the condition of  another area of native vegetation of the same or similar type.    

The process of assessing the values of native vegetation and the impacts of clearing on the environment are done through the development of a Property Vegetation Plan (PVPs).  This is a voluntary, binding agreement between the landholder and CMA.

There are some clearing activities that do not require consent under the Act.  Rural landholders can carry out certain clearing activities if these are defined as Routine Agricultural Management Activities (RAMAs). 

Some examples of permitted clearing activities (RAMAs) include clearing for boundary and internal fences, clearing around farm infrastructure like stock yards, machinery sheds and dams, and clearing of vegetation that has regrown after the 1^st January 1990 following a legal clearing event. 

Please consult your local CMA office for advice on permitted clearing distances, or to discuss whether your clearing is defined as a RAMA.