Home > Vegetation > Monitoring and enforcing the Native Vegetation Act 2003

Monitoring and enforcing the Native Vegetation Act 2003

DNR monitors land clearing across NSW. As the regulatory agency for the Native Vegetation Act 2003, DNR is charged with ensuring that native vegetation laws are enforced, and that illegal land clearing is addressed.

The department administers a comprehensive monitoring program, using high-resolution satellite imagery to detect any changes to native vegetation cover. This information is then cross-checked with existing clearing consents and other data to determine if illegal clearing has taken place. Compliance officers then conduct site visits and on-the-ground inspections as part of their investigative process.

If a breach of the Act occurs there are a range of compliance actions available, including fines, stop work orders, remediation orders, penalty notices and prosecution. The priority for the department is achieving the best possible result for the environment.

DNR supports farmers and farming, now and in the long-term. At times this means preventing a small minority of farmers and developers from breaking the law, and from taking advantage of the vast majority of people who rely on the land and do the right thing.

Compliance under the Native Vegetation Act (pdf).

More about compliance