2022 NSW Vegetation Clearing Report: Clearing on Category 2 regulated land

Most vegetation clearing in New South Wales occurs on Category 2 regulated land where authorisation may be required.

The Local Land Services Act 2013 (LLS Act) outlines land exempt under the Act (Category 1), land regulated under the Act (Category 2), and land excluded from regulation under the Act. Category 2 regulated land covers 58% of New South Wales.

Category 1 is exempt land where native vegetation can be cleared without approval from Local Land Services.

Category 2 regulated land consists of either:

  • land that may require authorisations under the Land Management (Native Vegetation) Code 2018 (referred to here as the Land Management Code)
  • land considered sensitive or vulnerable, and therefore, any vegetation clearing is limited.

The draft Native Vegetation Regulatory Map displays land categories under the LLS Act across New South Wales.

Access the draft Native Vegetation Regulatory Map

Native woody vegetation clearing on Category 2 regulated land accounts for 83% of native woody vegetation clearing in 2022, which has decreased by 22% since 2021 (Figure 4).

In 2022, 56% of all confirmed native vegetation clearing on Category 2 regulated land is non woody vegetation. This is a reduction from a peak of 75% in 2020.

A non woody estimated adjustment is included in Figure 4 as an outline. For more information see the 'Notes on the non woody method' section.

Figure 4 Woody and non woody vegetation clearing statewide and on Category 2 regulated land from 2018 to 2022