About the sustainable grazing allowable activity
The sustainable grazing allowable activity may be suitable for landholders who want to graze livestock on:
- native pastures
- grasslands
- other native vegetation.
This activity does not place additional limits on sustainable grazing beyond those outlined in this guide. These include timing, selectivity, intensity, stock numbers, grazing duration or pasture improvement activities.
Local Land Services can support landholders to:
- develop a sustainable grazing plan
- set up a monitoring program
- identify and avoid long-term decline in natural grasslands.
Before you start
Some routine farming and land management activities on rural zoned land do not need approval under the Local Land Services Act 2013.
To see if the sustainable grazing allowable activity is right for you, read the guide to getting started with native vegetation management.
You must meet the minimum standards for clearing or removing native vegetation for allowable activities. Learn more about allowable activities.
What is sustainable grazing?
Sustainable grazing is a way of managing grasslands used for grazing livestock. The goal is to avoid long-term decline in the structure and composition of native vegetation.
Grassland management may involve clearing native vegetation, over-sowing or fertilising pastures.
Why the sustainable grazing is important
Much of NSW's native grasslands have been cleared or heavily altered by pasture improvement, including:
- cultivation
- chemical fertilisers
- introduced species.
These changes, combined with moderate to heavy grazing, can:
- reduce native plant diversity
- change grassland structure and composition
- affect ecological functions, soil biodiversity and soil carbon.
These impacts can also reduce long-term agricultural productivity.
Using the sustainable grazing allowable activity
The sustainable grazing allowable activity applies to:
- clearing of native vegetation during the course of sustainable grazing
- management of native grasslands used for grazing by livestock.
Provided the activity is not likely to result in the long-term decline in the structure and composition of native vegetation, you may:
- clear native vegetation for the sustainable grazing of livestock
- allow livestock to graze or impact upon native vegetation, such as grasses or other groundcover within grasslands.
The sustainable grazing allowable activity does not allow:
- grazing native vegetation in areas where grazing has not previously occurred or is not currently happening
- management of native grasslands where the primary outcome is to change the use of the land. This includes:
- changing from grazing to cropping
- changing a native grassland to an exotic grassland by planting non-native perennial pastures or through the application of fertilisers that is likely to result in the substantial long-term decline in the structure and composition of native vegetation.
- clearing native vegetation that does not meet the definition of grasslands.
Definitions of grasslands
There are two main types of grasslands in NSW; natural grasslands and derived grasslands.
Natural grasslands
Natural grasslands are areas that are naturally treeless or have few trees. They include:
- large perennial tussock grasses
- a low abundance or absence of woody plants
- the presence of broad-leaved herbs in the grassy matrix
- areas with less than 10% tree and shrub projected foliage cover within a defined management unit.
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 native grasslands
Derived native grasslands (sometimes called secondary grasslands)are areas that:
- 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.
The sustainable grazing allowable activity is not able to be applied outside of the definition of grasslands above. For example, it does not apply to:
- intact grassy woodland
- arid shrubland
- grassy dry sclerophyll forest
- an area that consists of a groundcover that is not defined as a grassland (Lomandra or Black Roly Poly).
Clearing under the sustainable grazing allowable activity
Grazing native vegetation is not usually treated as clearing under the Local Land Services Act 2013. This includes grassy woodlands, arid shrublands and dry sclerophyll forests.
If grazing involves:
- cutting down or felling vegetation
- uprooting or thinning
- killing, destroying or poisoning plants
- ringbarking or burning vegetation
- any other activity that removes native vegetation.
These actions go beyond grazing and are regulated under the Act.
Grassland management under the sustainable grazing allowable activity
You may undertake pasture fertilisation and over-sowing activities to improve grassland pasture productivity.
You must ensure that there is no substantial, long-term decline in the structure or mix of native vegetation. This includes protecting native herbs and forbs within the grasslands.
Category 2 - sensitive regulated land
In areas mapped as Category 2 sensitive regulated land, grazing must be undertaken in a way that minimises soil erosion risks.
These areas support sensitive biodiversity, including critically endangered communities.
Local Land Services recommends not over-sowing or fertilising in high conservation value grasslands. This includes areas that support threatened ecological communities.
| Ecological community | Bioregions | Conservation status |
|---|---|---|
| Porcupine Grass, Red Mallee, Gum Coolabah hummock grassland / low sparse woodland | Broken Hill Complex | Critically Endangered |
| Themeda grassland on sea cliffs and coastal headlands | NSW North Coast, Sydney Basin, South East Corner | Endangered |
| White Box, Yellow Box, Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland | NSW North Coast, New England Tableland, Nandewar, Brigalow Belt South, Sydney Basin, South Eastern Highlands, NSW South Western Slopes, South East Corner, Riverina | Critically Endangered |
| Monaro Tableland Cool Temperate Grassy Woodland | South Eastern Highlands | Critically Endangered |
| Werriwa Tablelands Cool Temperate Grassy Woodland | South Eastern Highlands, South East Corner | Critically Endangered |
What substantial and long-term decline means
Substantial
A change that significantly alters native grasslands. This could include:
- changing the dominant plant species
- shifting the species mix
- reducing the number of native species (species richness)
For example, native grasslands becoming dominated by exotic plant species.
Long-term
A change that causes permanent or irreversible impacts to native grasslands, regardless of how long it takes to occur. This may include:
- permanent loss of native species
- major changes to vegetation structure
- a lasting shift in species richness or composition.
Decline
A measurable reduction in the health or diversity of native vegetation, such as:
- fewer native species overall
- loss of species that are sensitive to grazing
- breakdown of the original structure of native grasslands.
For example, a 20% reduction in native species compared to the starting condition.
What structure and composition means
Structure
Structure refers to the height, total cover and vertical arrangement of plants.
A decline in structure means a native vegetation layer has been lost or significantly changed. For example, the loss of native forbs (non-grass groundcover). This layer must have been present before sustainable grazing began
Decline in structure can also include the spread of new exotic structural species, such as African Boxthorn or Lovegrass.
Composition
Composition refers to the variety of plant species, including grasses, herbs, legumes and forbs. Most native grasslands also contain some introduced species.
A substantial, long-term change in composition includes:
- loss of native seasonal species
- shift from high to medium or low conservation value grasslands.
Whether an activity meets the sustainable grazing allowable activity depends on the facts of each case.
How to decide if grazing may cause a decline
This table shows how to decide if grazing is maintaining healthy native vegetation or contributing to long-term decline.
| Condition | Thresholds | Other Indicators | Landholder Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| The structure and composition of native grassy vegetation is not substantially declining in the long term. Grazing is not likely to result in the substantial long-term decline in the structure and composition of native vegetation. | Percentage groundcover is maintained at or above the minimum threshold as identified in the relevant region, where seasonal conditions allow. Average sward height of dominant native grass species is maintained at or above the minimum threshold. | During spring and summer, a wide range of native wildflowers should be visible and native grasses have successfully flowered and set seed. Soils should be intact – the bare areas are usually covered by lichen, moss and algal crust or leaf litter. Little or no cover of weed species and those present are being actively suppressed. Open space between the taller grass tussocks should be maintained for a diversity of native plants and fauna habitat. Where waterways or wetter areas are present: Little or no evidence of soil pugging or bank erosion. Little or no evidence of water contamination and turbidity caused by livestock. | Regular monitoring to ensure condition is maintained or improved. Stock movement and numbers based on monitoring results. |
| The structure and composition of native grassy vegetation is substantially declining in the long term. Grazing may be likely to result in the substantial long-term decline in the structure and composition of native vegetation. | Percentage of groundcover falls below the minimum threshold for the region.- Average sward height of dominant native grass species falls below the minimum threshold. | Bare areas and soil crust may not be intact, with signs of potential soil erosion. Increased browsing by livestock of plants that are normally less preferred. Erosion, soil pugging and water contamination in watercourses and wetter areas. | Livestock removed from the paddock and the paddock rested for an extended period. Livestock should not be reintroduced until the vegetation meets or exceeds the recommended thresholds. If a paddock becomes degraded, the landholder should consult Local Land Services for advice. |
When planning grazing, think about what could affect native vegetation. Think about:
- timing
- stock numbers
- grazing intensity and duration
- pasture treatments like fertiliser use.
On regulated rural land, Local Land Services recommends limiting grazing to native grasslands. You should avoid grazing in wet areas or places that haven’t been grazed for a long time. These areas are especially vulnerable to soil and vegetation disturbance.
To avoid long-term decline in native vegetation:
- Maintain groundcover above these thresholds (when seasonal conditions allow):
- Western Division of NSW – at least 50 to 60%
- All other areas of NSW – at least 80%
- Maintain the average bulk sward height for the relevant native grass type.
These guidelines do not prescribe specific stocking rates. You can get professional advice to help you choose the right grazing approach.
Only use fertiliser on grasslands when it is necessary, and always in ways that protect native vegetation.
Fertilisation is common in native grasslands, often combined with exotic legumes. But this practice can raise soil fertility and upset the balance of native plant communities. Higher nutrient levels reduce native plant diversity and encourage weed invasion. Grasslands and woodlands can decline from direct fertiliser use. They can also be affected indirectly by runoff, wind, or livestock movement.
The long-term effects on species and vegetation structure depend on more than just how much fertiliser is applied. Timing, frequency, and grazing management also play a role.
To reduce long-term decline in native grasslands, Local Land Services recommends:
- only applying fertiliser if a deficiency is confirmed through visual checks, soil tests, or plant tissue tests
- using broadcast ground spreading to address known nutrient issues
- applying liquid organic fertilisers in small, controlled amounts.
When carrying out these activities, you must:
- apply fertiliser only when necessary
- follow recommended rates, intervals, and seasonal timing
- avoid long-term impacts on native grassland condition.
Testing and assessment can help you find the right balance.
Over-sowing involves adding non-native pasture species to existing native groundcover. This is usually to boost feed during cooler months.
Over-sowing, especially with legumes, can harm native grasslands. These introduced species often:
- outcompete native plants
- change soil nutrients and habitat structure
- become hard to remove once established.
Over-sowing is often combined with fertiliser use. This can speed up the decline of high conservation value grasslands. Later attempts to remove introduced species may also damage native vegetation.
Over-sowing activities not supported under the allowable activity
Local Land Services does not support the following practices, due to their risk of long-term damage:
- introducing long-lasting non-native species, like perennial legumes and clovers
- using cultivation methods like minimum tillage is not supported, unless you're using low-impact approaches (such as, direct drilling or zero-till methods that reduce soil disturbance)
- replacing or fully re-sowing pastures - this may need approval under the Land Management (Native Vegetation) Code 2018.
- aerial sowing after broadscale herbicide use to remove native vegetation
- introducing native groundcover species that are not local to the area
- planting pasture crops that shift land use from grazing to cropping.
You cannot use the sustainable grazing activity to replace native ground with exotic pasture. You may need approval from the Native Vegetation Panel under Division 6 of the Local Land Services Act 2013.
Regular monitoring is an important part of sustainable grazing. It helps landholders detect early signs of decline in native grasslands.
Local Land Services recommends monitoring every 5 years. This includes the establishment of baseline monitoring and reference sites. This monitoring should assess fertiliser use, grazing patterns and any over-sowing activities.
It can take up to 5 years to see if grazing or pasture activities are causing long-term harm to native vegetation.
To spot changes early, monitor regularly, especially when native grasses and forbs are flowering.
Groundcover assessment tools can help track any impacts from sustainable grazing.
Monitoring data should:
- inform future grazing decisions;
- support adaptive management; and
- ensure long-term protection of native vegetation.
Short-term changes in structure and composition (within 0 to 5 years) may not reflect longer-term trends. Distinguishing between seasonal variability and real long-term impacts is essential.
For help with groundcover monitoring, contact your Local Land Services agronomist.
Your next steps
Read more about:
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.
Contact Local Land Services NSW
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