Environmental Protection Works are an allowable activity under The Land Management Framework. This gives rural landholders flexibility to clear native vegetation to restore land to its natural state.
You don’t need approval under the Local Land Services Act 2013 for these works. You may need approval from your local council or another authority under different legislation.
Only you as the landholder, or someone with your consent, can carry out these works.
Local Land Services can advise and support you with managing native vegetation.
Before you start
Find out if this allowable activity applies to your property.
Read the guide to getting started with native vegetation management to check:
- your land zoning
- your land categorisation
- whether other approvals may apply.
Some routine agriculture and rural practices are also permitted as general allowable activities.
Where you can carry out environmental protection works
You can do Environmental Protection Works on:
- Category 2 – regulated land
- Category 2 – vulnerable regulated land or sensitive regulated land, with restrictions (for non-native vegetation only).
You can’t carry out these works on land covered by a Private Native Forestry Plan.
These works don’t include coastal protection works under the Coastal Protection Act 1979.
Check your land categorisation using the native vegetation regulatory map viewer or Check My Land app.
What vegetation you can remove
All allowable activities must only be carried out to the minimum extent necessary. This means you are only allowed to remove what is necessary for the environmental works to be undertaken.
Native vegetation includes all naturally occurring plants in NSW, such as:
- trees, shrubs and scrub
- understorey plants
- groundcover
- wetland plants.
Types of environmental protection works
You can clear native vegetation:
- for works associated with the rehabilitation of land towards its natural state
- to protect land from environmental degradation.
The following activities are included as environmental works.
These works aim to help the recovery and restoration of a degraded ecosystem. For example, bushland regeneration techniques, and revegetation of land with local native plants.
A key focus of ecological restoration is to return structure, composition and function to native vegetation areas. This leads to improved viability, species richness and habitat resources.
If you need to remove any native vegetation to do this work, it must be to the minimum extent necessary.
These works aim to rehabilitate and improve the condition of wetlands within fresh water or tidal systems.
Wetlands are mapped as Category 2 - Vulnerable land. There are restrictions on removal of any type of vegetation (native and exotic). Removal of vegetation should only occur in a way that does not disturb the soil or groundcover and you may need to stage the works to manage risk.
You need council approval before you use this allowable activity within coastal wetlands.
You should get professional advice from qualified experts before undertaking wetland protection works. Local Land Services and the Soil Conservation Service can assist.
These works may involve:
- removing vegetation to install erosion control structures, or
- deep ripping to reduce compaction and improve water infiltration and promote native groundcover.
Before removing any large debris, such as large trees, you should seek professional advice from qualified experts. Local Land Services and the Soil Conservation Service can assist.
Works within stream buffer zones may require a controlled activity permit.
This is only allowed in coastal areas and requires council approval under the Coastal Management SEPP. No consent is required from Local Land Services.
Ecological or prescribed burning is one method used to maintain healthy native vegetation. These burns can reduce invasive species, support natural regeneration, and help preserve biodiversity.
To be effective, burns must be well planned and carefully implemented.
To undertake ecological burning, you will need:
- a strategic burn plan, which sets out the long-term goals and ecological rationale for the burn.
- an operational burn plan, which sets out how you will safely and effectively conduct the burn.
- ecological advice to help you identify native vegetation, wildlife or habitat that the burn could affect. This is especially important if threatened species are present in the area.
You should seek advice and approvals from relevant organisations such as the Rural Fire Service prior to an ecological burn.
An ecological burn may need development consent under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and other approvals.
For confirmation and advice, contact your local council.
Managing weeds is part of your general biosecurity duty under the Biosecurity Act 2015. An environmental protection work plan can be used to manage an ongoing program of works.
Weeds have the same status as native vegetation on Category 2 - vulnerable land and within buffer distances from water bodies.
The control of weeds in these areas must be undertaken with nil ground disturbance. This doesn't contradict the Biosecurity Act, it simply means that soil is managed to prevent erosion and/or disturbance.
You should seek professional advice from suitably qualified experts prior to undertaking works. Your local council’s weed officer, Local Land Services and the Soil Conservation Service can help.
Ecological thinning removes selected trees or shrubs to improve ecosystem health. This method supports the natural regeneration of understorey plants and helps maintain structural diversity in vegetation communities.
Ecological thinning is not suitable for all sites and circumstances. Specific criteria must be met for works to qualify.
What you must not do
- Do not remove all individuals of a single species. Always retain at least some of each species.
- Do not remove large or significant habitat trees. These are important for native wildlife.
- Do not remove trees or shrubs that meet or exceed the specified stem diameter for their vegetation type.
- Do not allow the spread or introduction of persistent exotic species.
What you must do
- Retain a mix of trees and shrubs of different ages and sizes.
- Leave at least 20% of the thinning area untouched to maintain a natural mosaic.
- Keep vegetation across all structural layers. For example, do not remove the entire shrub layer.
- Ensure retained trees and shrubs are at least 2 metres tall and evenly spaced.
- Avoid strip or alley thinning that creates narrow or linear gaps in vegetation.
- Take care not to damage plants that are not intended for removal.
- Only remove woody debris if there is a valid reason. Leave some woody debris scattered across the site. This helps:
- retain soil nutrients
- prevent erosion
- support groundcover regeneration
- provide habitat for native species.
- Meet the minimum stem density requirements for the vegetation type. Make sure the number of stems in each size class is correct for each hectare.
- Retain any threatened species found in the area.
More detail is available in the guide to ecological thinning.
Planning for environmental protection works
Local Land Services recommends preparing a clear plan before starting.
You should plan ahead and keep relevant approvals and documentation when using the environmental works allowable activity.
You are responsible for ensuring all approvals are obtained and records are maintained.
Your plan of works should include the following.
Description of the proposed activity
Describe the activity you plan to carry out and the environmental outcome you aim to achieve. Consider any factors driving degradation in the area.
Location of the proposed activity
Provide the location of the planned works. Include a map showing the area if possible.
Staging of works
Complex projects may require several stages to complete. Consideration of each stage is recommended. For example:
- Stage 1 - remove environmental weeds
- Stage 2 - construct temporary erosion and sediment control works
- Stage 3 - Revegetation with local native species.
- Stage 4 - Establish and maintain.
- Stage 5 - Monitoring and evaluation
Best practice methods and guidelines
List the best practice methods, tools or guidelines you will follow during the project.
Other required approvals and checks
Include a record of all checks and consultations made in the decision making process.
Timing of the works
Outline when you plan to begin work. Include details like, the time of year works will start and how long each stage will take.
Who will carry out the works
List who will undertake the work. Confirm that all technical advisors, contractors and workers have the necessary qualifications, accreditation and experience.
Monitoring and evaluation
Monitor your project over time to determine what worked and didn’t work. Does anything need to change?
Your next steps
If your proposed works does not meet the criteria for an approved activity, there may be options to clear vegetation under the Land Management Code.
Read the guide to ecological thinning.
Contact Local Land Services NSW
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