Land management (native vegetation) compliance and enforcement

The land that is regulated for land management (native vegetation) activities in New South Wales is shown on the Native Vegetation Regulatory map.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water undertakes its compliance function in accordance with the Biodiversity Conservation and Science Compliance policy. For alleged unlawful clearing under the Native Vegetation Act 2003, read the Policy for resolving investigations under the now repealed Native Vegetation Act 2003. 

We detect potential unlawful native vegetation clearing through public reporting to the Environment Line, through its own investigations and audits, and from remote surveillance including aerial surveys and satellite imagery. See our approach to monitoring for vegetation compliance. 

We take a risk-based approach to identified compliance issues and will help people to comply for low-risk matters, but will take firm but fair enforcement action in relation to more serious matters, such as those that involve intentional unlawful clearing that causes significant harm to the environment. 

We need your help to protect biodiversity from unlawful clearing of native vegetation. Please report suspected unlawful native vegetation clearing to us. You can contact Environment Line on 131 555 or send an email to [email protected].

Reporting suspected unlawful clearing

Any information you provide will be treated confidentially.

Before contacting the Environment Line, try to collect the following information in a safe and lawful manner.

Be sure to keep your notes after contacting the Environment Line in case we need to contact you to clarify the information.

What information should you provide?

• What have you observed precisely?
• Is it native vegetation that has been cleared?
• Do you know what species or type of vegetation has been cleared?
• What is being done with the cleared vegetation? Is it being stockpiled, burnt, chipped, split into logs, et cetera?
• How much land has been cleared?
• Are you aware of any native animals being harmed by the clearing?
• Are you aware if the clearing relates to threatened plant or animal species or their habitat?
• Is it on steep land?
• Are there any rivers or watercourses in the area being cleared?

Where did the incident occur?

• Where is the clearing?
• Do you have an address, GPS coordinates, or lot and DP information?
• Is the land regulated under Part 5A of the Local Land Services Act – see Native Vegetation Regulatory map.

Who was involved?

• Do you know who the owner or occupier of the property is?
• Do you know who is undertaking the clearing? Or whether it is a contractor?
• Can you provide a description of all parties involved in the incident (if possible) – for example, male or female, age, hair colour, olive skin, et cetera?
• What sort of equipment is being used to clear?
• Have you spoken to the person doing the clearing? If so, what did they say?

When did the incident occur?

• When did the clearing happen?
• Is the clearing continuing now?
• How long did the clearing take?