Guideline: Native vegetation clearing referrals

The referral process allows prospective applicants to refer their proposed native vegetation clearing activities to the department so we can decide if they need a permit.
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If you are a prospective applicant, this process is suitable when either:

  • your clearing activities would have a very low environmental impact
  • you are uncertain about whether your proposed clearing qualifies for an exemption.

The Guideline: Native vegetation clearing referrals explains what criteria we and the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety use to determine whether clearing activities are very low environmental impact. The guideline also tells you what criteria the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety use for clearing related to mineral or petroleum activities. 

You will need a permit if your clearing activities do not meet all the referral assessment criteria (and are not exempt).

Access the clearing permit forms to submit a new clearing referral or apply for a permit.

You can find a copy of the finalised guideline below: Guideline: Native vegetation clearing referrals (October 2021).

For more information on how the clearing referrals process fits into the broader permit application and assessment process, see the Procedure: Native vegetation clearing permits.

Consultation

A draft of this guideline was released for a one-month public consultation period in July 2021.

See a summary of the feedback we received and our responses in the Consultation summary report – Guideline: Native vegetation clearing referrals (October 2021).