Organisations, legislation and major programs
The overall responsibility for vegetation mapping in Australia is shared between the states and territories and the Australian Government.
Non-government organisations and research organisations also generate valuable vegetation information, most often for particular study sites or projects.
Tropical Eucalypt woodlands/grasslands
Photo: S. Edwards NT P&WS
Coordination across government
Each state and territory has legislation for vegetation management that determines the requirements for their vegetation information bases.
The Australian Government draws together available information from the states and territories to collate, maintain and develop the NVIS database in order to provide a national view of the diversity, status and trends of native vegetation. ESCAVI plays a key role in the generation, maintenance and development of the NVIS.
Supporting these arrangements helps the Australian Government meet its reporting needs (including under the EPBC Act), improve NRM and biodiversity policy and planning, and to increase its capacity to report on the effectiveness of policies and programs.
National framework and legislation
National Framework for the Monitoring and Management of Australia's Native Vegetation
Signed in 2001 by all Australian governments, the framework provides a policy basis for ongoing development of native vegetation assessment, monitoring, mapping and reporting capacity.
National organisations
National Land and Water Resources Audit
The Audit provides data, information and national assessments of the condition and trend of Australia's natural resources to support sustainable development. It has been working to develop and trial indicators of natural resource condition and to facilitate development of baselines where possible. See Vegetation
Contact info@nlwra.gov.au for further information.
National projects
2007–08 Survey of Resource Managers
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) will develop and conduct a survey of resource managers in September 2008, commissioned by the Australian Government Natural Resource Management (NRM) Team.
The survey will provide information at the NRM regional level for assessing intermediate outcomes of the Australian Government NRM program and evaluating the impact, appropriateness and effectiveness of NRM programs.
The survey will provide specific vegetation management information on cropping and grazing management practices and the conservation and protection of native vegetation and riparian areas on public lands.
Contact the Australian Government Land and Coasts Team for further information.
State and territory agencies
Australian Capital Territory
Parks, Conservation and Lands, ACT Department of Territory and Municipal Services
The ACT vegetation database is maintained with vegetation survey and monitoring information. The Australian National Herbarium checks the specimens and maintains a checklist of species.
Contact city.management@act.gov.au for further information.
Northern Territory
Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts (DNREA)
Major projects in native vegetation include:
- management and clearing guidelines for native vegetation
- government assessment and control of land clearing
- weed management
- government advice and support to landholders on management of weeds and conducting research into bio control of selected weeds
- Integrated Natural Resource Plan for the Northern Territory - bilateral agreement with Australian Government to work as investment partners in natural resource management (NRM) activities.
- vegetation survey and mapping on the DNREA website
- reporting: seminars and workshops
Queensland
Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water (DNRW)
The Vegetation Management Act 1999 regulates the clearing of native vegetation in Queensland. The Act sets down the rules and regulations that guide what clearing can be done and how it must be done to meet the requirements of the law using regional vegetation management codes to assess applications for clearing of native vegetation.
Contact csc@epa.qld.gov.au for further information.
South Australia
Department for Environment and Heritage
The Native Vegetation Act 1991 regulates the protection and management of native vegetation and ensures that any clearance is subject to a thorough assessment process.
Contact nvc@saugov.sa.gov.au for further information.
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