Qld: Govt boasts improvements since tree clearing ban

AAP General News (Australia)
02-18-2009
Qld: Govt boasts improvements since tree clearing ban

By Gabrielle Dunlevy

BRISBANE, Feb 18 AAP - Queensland's historic land clearing ban has produced some good
results, but the government is concerned over the rate of regrowth land being cleared.

The Statewide Landcover and Trees Study for 2006-07 released on Wednesday outlined
the first six months of data on broadscale tree clearing since the December 2006 ban.

It showed overall clearing was down 37 per cent from 375,000 hectares in 2005-06 to
235,000 hectares in 2006-07.

Greenhouse emissions were down from 41.24 megatonnes to 31.55 megatonnes, putting the
government on track to make its 20 megatonne reduction by 2008.

Because the data is retrospective, the government won't the latest figures until their
2008 data is released

Premier Anna Bligh said the data showed the landmark laws were working.

"This proves that we were right to support these laws," Ms Bligh told reporters in Brisbane.

But Ms Bligh said the amount of regrowth clearing - more than 100,000 hectares over
the year - was disturbing.

The government would consult rural producers, scientists and conservationists on how
to improve the issue, she said.

"While this clearing is legal, some of the types of vegetation that are being cleared
as regrowth do constitute both endangered and `of concern' areas of vegetation," she said.

Conservation group WWF said the data was nothing to be proud of, as the 235,000 hectares
accounted for about 60 per cent of the estimated national figure.

Spokesman Nick Heath said new restrictions were needed to close loopholes that allowed
land owners to clear regrowth, which was important habitat for native species.

"It is astonishing the Queensland government would celebrate the release of these figures
when it shows how far behind the state is in protecting our habitat for 551 threatened
species," Mr Heath said.

With speculation of an early election rife, Ms Bligh admitted she hoped the Greens,
whose preferences will be important for Labor, and Greens supporters, would take notice
of the data.

"I certainly hope that people who care about the environment remember the battle that
was waged to get these laws into place," she said.

Mr Heath said they needed to take up the fight again.

"The single largest environmental win of the Beattie era is being eroded," he said.

"Given what we now know about climate change, is 31 million tonnes of climate pollution
acceptable?"

The government estimates about 5,000 hectares of land was cleared illegally and the
Department of Natural Resources is investigating.

AAP gd/pjo/jfm

KEYWORD: CLEARING

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