The vegetation management framework is supported by a number of maps which show vegetation categories and the boundaries of these categories on properties. These maps will help you identify what areas you can and can't clear.
We also provide property reports to give you information about what kind of vegetation is located on your property. We recommend landholders access these maps and reports before undertaking any vegetation clearing activities.
This guide explains the different maps, how to access them and how to access a property report.
Request a free vegetation management report or map
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Before undertaking any vegetation clearing activities, you should view a vegetation management report for your property.
You can request a free vegetation management report which includes property information and maps to help you identify the type of vegetation on your property, the requirements of vegetation clearing and other laws that may apply. The report will be emailed to you as a PDF, free of charge.
Regulated vegetation management maps show vegetation categories needed to determine the relevant assessment category. Maps are generally updated monthly to show new property maps of assessable vegetation.
Vegetation management supporting map provides information on regional ecosystems, wetlands, watercourses, and essential habitat and factors.
Koala habitat areas and koala priority areas map is needed to determine if any part of the proposed clearing is within a Koala Priority Area or Koala Habitat Area.
The protected plants flora survey trigger map and the koala habitat areas and koala priority areas map do not form part of the vegetation management framework but are included to assist landholders in understanding other features on their property. For more information on these maps, contact the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation.
View vegetation management data on Queensland Globe
Once you have downloaded your report, you may want to view regulated and supporting vegetation management maps using Queensland Globe.
Queensland Globe makes it easier to identify and plan your vegetation management activities. Within the map’s interface, you can reduce the visibility of the vegetation management layers to see underlying infrastructure, roads and terrain.
Zoom in to the area of interest on the map or use the search function on the left-hand side of the screen to search for a street address or a lot and plan number.
The Vegetation management topic will load the regulated vegetation management layers without selecting the category X layer so you can see the satellite imagery below.
On the left-hand side of the screen, click Layers and you can select the layers you want to display by turning the eye icon on and off.
Refer to this video tutorial on how to use the Vegetation Management Topic in the Queensland Globe.
Use this form to request a free vegetation management report.
Before you begin the form, you will need your property’s lot on plan number. You can find this on your property title, rates notice or by using the Queensland address and geocode checker. If you are requesting a regulated vegetation management map, you can also submit your property’s coordinates.
The map or report will be emailed as a PDF. The average file size for a map is 300KB, but the property report file sizes may be up to 5MB. Maps are also available through the Vegetation Management Globe.
You can select more than one type of map or report, and for each map or report you can request up to 10 properties. Below each map or report there is a description of what the map or report contains to help you request the correct map or report that suits your needs.
Vegetation maps
The vegetation management framework is supported by a number of maps. However, there are 3 main maps that are used to identify vegetation and areas of land that can or cannot be cleared:
Regulated vegetation management map. This map show vegetation categories that determine what can be cleared and how the clearing activity can be undertaken.
Vegetation management supporting map. This is a combined map displaying the regional ecosystem mapping (i.e. plant communities), the location of mapped wetlands, watercourses and drainage features, and essential habitat mapping. This map is also used to determine what can be cleared and how the clearing activity can be undertaken.
Property maps of assessable vegetation (PMAVs). These are property-scale maps that show the boundaries of vegetation categories on a property. These maps are created following an agreement between the landholder and Queensland Government.
The regulated vegetation management map and the vegetation management supporting map are generally updated annually. These updates use the latest high-resolution satellite imagery and scientific data to ensure continuous improvement and accuracy in the vegetation mapping.
Areas that have a PMAV applied are not affected by changes to the regulated vegetation management map.
Vegetation categories
Vegetation management maps show the different vegetation categories on your property. On the map, the categories are shown as different colours.
Categories on the regulated vegetation management maps and PMAVs
Below is an example of a regulated vegetation management map. The table explains what the different colours on the map refer to. Note, these categories will also be present on a property map of assessable vegetation (PMAV).
covering more than 50% of the undisturbed predominant canopy
averaging more than 70% of the vegetation's undisturbed height and
composed of species characteristics of the vegetation's undisturbed predominant canopy
C
Light blue
High-value regrowth vegetation areas. This is vegetation that is located:
on freehold land, indigenous land or land subject of a lease issued under the Land Act 1994 for agriculture or grazing purposes or an occupation licence under that Act
in an area that has not been cleared (other than for relevant clearing activities) for at least 15 years, if the area is:
an endangered regional ecosystem
an of concern regional ecosystem, or
a least concern regional ecosystem
Relevant clearing activities means:
fodder harvesting
managing thickened vegetation
clearing of encroachment
controlling non-native plants or declared pests
necessary environmental clearing, or
managing, felling and removing trees for an ongoing forestry business
Vegetation that is not mapped as a category A area, category B area, category C area or a category R area
Categories shown on the vegetation management supporting map
Below is an example of a vegetation management supporting map. This map provides additional information such as the conservation class of the regional ecosystems, location of wetlands, essential habitat and watercourses on your property.
The table below explains what the different colours on the map refer to.
A or B area containing endangered regional ecosystems
Pink
Endangered status means:
the area of remnant/regrowth vegetation is less than 10% of the pre-clearing extent of the RE or
the area of remnant/regrowth vegetation is 10–30% of the pre-clearing extent of the RE, and less than 10,000 hectares
C or R area containing endangered regional ecosystems
Light pink
A or B area containing ofconcern regional ecosystems
Orange
Of concern class means:
remnant/regrowth vegetation is 10–30% of its pre-clearing extent across the bioregion or
more than 30% of its pre-clearing extent remains and the remnant/regrowth extent is less than 10,000 hectares
C or R area containing ofconcern regional ecosystems
Light orange
A or B area that is a least concern regional ecosystem
Green
Least concern class means remnant/regrowth vegetation is over 30% of its pre-clearing extent across the bioregion, and the remnant/regrowth area is greater than 10,000 hectares
C or R area that is a least concern regional ecosystem
Light green
Wetlands
Green hatching
Wetlands that are shown on the vegetation management wetland map
Essential habitat
Blue hatching
Essential habitat identifies the habitat of endangered, vulnerable or near-threatened wildlife (protected wildlife) prescribed under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. Also defined under section 20AC of the Vegetation Management Act.
Watercourse and drainage features
Blue line
Watercourse and drainage features shown on the vegetation management watercourse and drainage feature map
structure categories and other regional ecosystem information for use under the vegetation management framework.
How to use the lookup tool
You can search by:
regional ecosystem number, if you know it
regional ecosystem details and description.
Or you can download a spreadsheet of all the data and search within it.
Search the database
Access the Queensland Herbarium
Our VM REDD lookup tool searches for vegetation management information. If you're looking for Queensland Herbarium information on regional ecosystems under other legislative frameworks instead, you can use the regional ecosystem description search.
Our VM REDD lookup tool searches for vegetation management information. If you're looking for Queensland Herbarium information on regional ecosystems under other legislative frameworks instead, you can use the regional ecosystem description search.
Vegetation management regional ecosystems lookup result
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Vegetation management regional ecosystem details for {{ref_number}}
Regional ecosystem
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Vegetation Management Act class
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Short description
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Structure category
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Structure code
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Description
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Fire guidelines
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Apply for or correct a PMAV
A property map of assessable vegetation (PMAV) is a property-scale map that shows the boundaries of vegetation categories on a property. A PMAV may already exist over a property or part of a property, but if your property isn't covered by a PMAV you can apply for one.
Once a PMAV is certified, it replaces the regulated vegetation management map for determining the location and extent of the different areas of vegetation.
In these instances, a PMAV is made based on an agreement between you and the Queensland Government.
When the department makes a PMAV
We may place a PMAV over an area of land for other reasons, for example to allow an area to regenerate when it has been unlawfully cleared or to protect an offset area until it has reached remnant status.
Your application must also contain a map showing the proposed vegetation boundaries and categories. However, if you are confirming the vegetation category areas as currently mapped you do not need to include a map.
You will also need to provide information to confirm that any changes to vegetation boundaries and categories are correct. The application form and guidelines provide details of requirements.
If you need to start clearing immediately, you should explain this in your application. We can then prioritise your application.
Next steps
We will check that you have completed the application form correctly and paid the fee. We will then confirm receipt of your application. The time it takes to process your application depends on the type of PMAV requested, its complexity and the level of information you have supplied. If we need extra information, we will contact you.
Applications to confirm categories as mapped—within 20 business days.
Applications to amend mapping—dependent on complexity and information provided.
After we have considered all available information we will send you a draft PMAV or certified PMAV, depending on whether all of the changes requested in your application have been made.
If we have not made your proposed changes, we will provide you with information detailing the reasons behind our decision and offer you the opportunity to supply additional information.
If you believe there is an error in the regulated vegetation management map (RVM map) over your property, or your property map of assessable vegetation (PMAV), you can apply for the map to be corrected.
Property reports and vegetation mapping,
24 Jul 2024,
[https://oss-uat.clients.squiz.net/environment/land/management/vegetation/maps]
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