SATELLITE images are helping to paint a picture of farming activities in NSW.
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And while the technology is smart in principal NSW Farmers are urging landholders to have a say and visit the state government website to ensure they “agree” with map status and how it affects their property.
Traditionally native vegetation issues have generated more interest and controversy in northern NSW and land clearing has come under the spotlight on several occasions.
NSW Farmers director Mitchell Clapham says making sure the tree break on your property is correctly identified in this new mapping system is imperative. And this was just one example he used.
Mr Clapham said there was some degree of inaccuracy in the mapping system. And it was this inaccuracy that could become problematic for producers down the track. The maps rely on satellite images which provide images on an eight-day basis.
“We are concerned because there are parts of the state that have modified landscapes … or timber has been planted for later harvest,” he said.
“In these instances the mapping may well consider that this should be regulated,” he said.
From September 30 landholders can review the Native Vegetation Regulatory Map online. According to the Local Land Services Amendment Act 2016 (LLSA Act), this map is set to provide a new regulatory framework for the management of native vegetation in NSW.
Landholders will be able to review the categories of vegetation as depicted on the regulatory map for their property.
The new State Environmental Planning Policy (Vegetation) 2017 (Vegetation SEPP) will regulate clearing of native vegetation in urban and to all other land in NSW that is zoned for urban purposes or for environmental conservation/management.
Mr Clapham has urged producers to take a look at the map and provide feedback.