Managing native groundcover under the Land Management Code

Before you start 

The Land Management Framework helps landholders manage native vegetation. It supports productive, sustainable farming while addressing environmental risks.

If you are not sure if the Land Management Code applies to your property or situation, read the guide to getting started with native vegetation management.

Your options for clearing native groundcover under the Framework are determined by: 

• your land categorisation
• type of groundcover
• the condition (or conservation value) of the groundcover. 

Local Land Services can provide advice and assistance to:   

• help you identify native groundcover and other vegetation species
• assess the condition of native groundcover
• determine if clearing is possible and under what conditions
• step you through the notification or certification process.

What is native groundcover? 

The term native groundcover includes various types of non-woody (herbaceous) vegetation. 

Native groundcover can be found throughout NSW. The species that form the groundcover vegetation community varying based on the region. 

Native groundcover is most often dominated by native grasses.  

Native groundcover occurs in: 

• in open areas with no trees
• under trees and shrubs in lightly or heavily timbered country
• in areas that were originally open grassland, woodland or forest but have been cleared.

Types of native groundcover 

Natural grasslands 

Natural grasslands are naturally occurring native vegetation communities dominated by native grasses. The areas are also naturally treeless or sparsely treed. Many native grasslands have a rich diversity of native grasses and other native plants such as wildflowers, sedges and rushes. 

The defining characteristics of natural grasslands are: 

• large perennial tussock grasses
• a low abundance or absence of woody plants
• the presence of broad-leaved herbs in the grassy matrix
• less than 10% tree and shrub cover. 

Examples of natural grasslands include: 

• natural temperate grasslands of the Southern Eastern Highlands found in the Monaro region
• natural grasslands on basalt and fine-textures alluvial plains of Northern New South Wales found around the Liverpool Plains and Moree areas. 

Derived (or secondary) grasslands 

Derived grasslands are non-natural grasslands created by clearing of native trees and shrubs. The clearing leaves only the native groundcover component of the natural vegetation. They can be difficult to tell apart from natural grasslands if there little evidence of the original tree or shrub cover.  

The defining characteristics of derived (or secondary) grasslands are: 

• they were once above 10% tree cover, and
• where trees have been lost from the original vegetation community (for example, grassy woodlands or forest), and
• now have less than 10% tree and shrub projected foliage cover. 

Grassy woodlands and grassy forests 

These are areas with a native ground layer within woody vegetation. While trees and shrubs are still present, the native groundcover supports grazing by livestock.  

Grassy woodland and grassy forest communities are generally characterised by: 

• a relatively open canopy
• dominated by eucalypts
• sparsely distributed shrubs
• diverse ground cover of grasses and herbs.

Native pastures 

Native pastures are areas that have been created by clearing the woody vegetation. They are often highly modified from their natural vegetation structure and composition. They often bear little resemblance to the original natural vegetation.  

The defining characteristics of native pastures are:  

• trees and shrubs have been largely or completely removed
• different native grass species are now dominant
• they have lost much of their plant diversity. 

Native groundcover you can clear

The condition of your native groundcover determines what and how much you can clear. 

Native groundcover varies widely in condition. This is often as a result of how it has been grazed, fertilised or cleared since European settlement. 

Its condition reflects how modified it is from its original natural state. This is indicated by the: 

• dominant grass species
• plant species diversity
• abundance of weeds. 

The Land Management Framework recognises three condition states: 

• Low Conservation Value
• Moderate Conservation Value
• High Conservation Value.  

Low Conservation Value (LCV) native groundcover 

• Is classified as Category 1 – exempt land.
• Is not regulated and may be cleared without approval.
• In many situations you can self-assess groundcover condition. 

Moderate Conservation Value (MCV) native groundcover 

• Is classified as Category 2 – regulated land.
• May be cleared under certain conditions.
• You will need approval to clear from Local Land Services.
• Requires the establishment of a set-aside area. 

High Conservation Value (HCV) native groundcover  

• Is classified as Category 2 – sensitive regulated land.
• Clearing this type of vegetation will generally not be approved.
• You can still sustainably graze these areas as an allowable activity. 

Read more about land categories and clearing native vegetation.

How to assess the condition of your native groundcover

You can identify low conservation value native groundcover: 

• if it is less than 50% native cover
• if it has not been ‘significantly disturbed or modified’ in the past 6 months, for example by drought, fire or heavy grazing.
• by entering field data into the Interim Grassland and other Groundcover Assessment Method (IGGAM) calculator. 

Both moderate and high conservation value groundcover can only be identified using the IGGAM. This method requires a qualified assessor.  

Local Land Services can give you advice to help you assess groundcover. They can support you to self-assess LCV groundcover or provide expert help to identify LCV, MCV and HCV groundcover.

How to self-assess low conservation groundcover  

If you're planning to submit a notification to clear groundcover on Category 1 – exempt land, you can self-assess.

Groundcover condition must be assessed: 

• in a scientific and objective manner
• at a time of year when the proportion of native vegetation cover is likely to be at its maximum
• with at least 10% of the area covered with vegetation (whether dead or alive)
• when field conditions allow all plant species to be identified. 

It must not be assessed when: 

• recovering from any significant disturbance such as drought, fire or heavy grazing (within the previous 6 months) 

Assessing groundcover using the step-point method

The step-point (or transect) method is a simple and reliable way to measure native and non-native groundcover. This is the simplest and preferred method to use when self-assessing groundcover.

A printable field guide for using the step-point method is available, including a prepared field sheet template.

What assessment records should I keep?

The following record must be kept for at least 5 years from the date of the clearing: 

• a map showing the area where the assessment was made
• a record of the date on which the assessment was made
• a statement of how the assessment and calculation was made
• photographs that clearly show the type of groundcover in the mapped area taken at the time of the assessment.

Read more about your obligations for record-keeping when notifying to clear under the Land Management Code.

Your next steps 

• For low conservation value (LCV) groundcover - Clearing LCV groundcover is not regulated. Local Land Services land management officers can give you advice if needed. Supporting resources and guides are also available.
• For moderate conservation value (MCV) groundcover - Clearing MCV groundcover may require further assessment. Local Land Services land management officers are available to provide advice.

Check if other environmental approvals may apply. Some natural grassland and grassy woodland communities in NSW, and some plant and animal species within them, are protected under the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act).  

In this situation, your application may need to be referred to the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Local Land Services can help you work out whether the EPBC Act applies and guide you through the referral process.

Success stories

On the ground examples of managing native groundcover.