Clearing inquiry

Greg Roberts, Brisbane, The Age (article), 19/4/2001

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Tree-clearing levels in Queensland are unsustainable, the Federal Government has said in response to new figures showing the Beattie Government issued permits to fell 23,000 hectares of threatened native vegetation and 19,000 hectares of bushland in river catchments adjoining the Great Barrier Reef.

Environment Minister Robert Hill said yesterday he would investigate new clearing permits to determine if they breached federal legislation. Queensland Premier Peter Beattie has rejected renewed calls from Senator Hill to cap clearing levels in return for federal financial assistance to compensate farmers.

Between last September - when Queensland introduced limited controls on clearing freehold land - and February, 115 permits were issued to clear 71,000 hectares of virgin bushland. The new permits include 23,000 hectares of vegetation deemed "of concern" but after rural protests, the state dropped plans to protect this type of bush.

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