Native Vegetation

Native vegetation is important to many Victorians and its removal is carefully regulated by the planning system. A planning permit is required to remove native vegetation unless a relevant exemption applies.

The Victorian Government has announced temporary exemptions to help landowners reduce fuel load around their homes as part of their preparations for the 2009/10 bushfire season. This fact sheet explains the temporary exemptions for fire protection and how they will apply this summer.

These exemptions have been introduced to all regional, rural and selected Melbourne metropolitan areas. Check the back of this fact sheet to see if the interim measures apply to your local council area.

If you do not live in one of these areas the existing planning provisions continue to apply. See Fact sheet: Clearing of native vegetation for Bushfire protection available on www.dse.vic.gov.au.

Download DSE Fact Sheets

Native Vegetation Protection Incentive Scheme

Latrobe City has established a small fund to assist landholders in the municipality with the costs of protecting and enhancing native vegetation on their property. The maximum incentive payable for any property in one year is $500. Projects include fencing off remnant native vegetation, installing nest boxes, undertaking weed control within remnant vegetation, and whole farm planning activities. For further information contact Brett McGennisken on 1300 367 700 (direct line: 5128 5420) or email Brett.McGennisken@latrobe.vic.gov.au

Applications close on 30 March 2012

Incentive Scheme Application (pdf, 1.18kb)

Weeds

Weeds pose a serious threat to the environmental, agricultural and community values in Latrobe City. The threats and associated costs of weed invasion are numerous. Weeds lead to reduced farm productivity, the displacement of native flora and fauna and contribute significantly to land degradation.

Agricultural production can be impacted by weed invasions and the cost of controlling weeds is an added burden for agricultural enterprises. Weeds can escape into the natural environment and reduce biodiversity by out competing native species. It is estimated that weeds cost the Australian community over $4 billion per annum in control costs, lost production, and the contamination of produce and loss of biodiversity (Weeds Cooperative Research Centre, 2005).

Weed management represents an essential and integral part of the sustainable management of agricultural and natural resources and the environment. Weed management requires an integrated, multi disciplinary and long term planning approach that is accepted by government, control authorities and the community. The primary responsibility for weed management rests with landholders or land and water managers.

The Department of Primary Industries is responsible for compliance in respect of pest plants under the provisions of Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. The Department in conjunction with the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority are currently drafting a Regional Weed Action Plan.

Policies, Strategies & Related Documents

Weeds Policy (2003) (pdf, 16 kb)
West Gippsland Vegetation Management Plan (pdf, 3.18mb)