Grazing: changed practices

A new grazing regime means that you are changing the species of domestic stock or the manner and rate of grazing. The new grazing regime must not cause permanent degradation of native vegetation.

If you want to clear native vegetation by changing grazing practice, the requirements that must be met are outlined under Schedule 1, Regulation 11, Clause 26 of the Native Vegetation Regulations 2017.

Can I clear native vegetation to allow for changed grazing practices?

You can clear vegetation to allow for a new grazing regime that is not consistent with the last 10 years.

Does this include land under Heritage or Management Agreement?

No, you cannot clear for this purpose on Heritage Agreement or Management Agreement land.

Do I need approval?

Yes, you need to get a Management Plan approved by the Native Vegetation Council (NVC).

What do I have to do?

You must:

• Check our maps to see if your land is in the area where the Regulations apply
• Make sure that your clearing is within the parameters of this activity
• Apply the Mitigation Hierarchy. Are there practical alternatives to clearing, including options that involve no clearing, or clearing vegetation that is less significant or more degraded?
• Prepare a Management Plan that addresses the criteria in the Native Vegetation Council’s Guidelines for Grazing of Domestic Stock. The Native Vegetation Branch can help you prepare your plan, or consider engaging an Accredited Consultant for specialist advice.
• Submit the following to the Native Vegetation Council via email to nvc@sa.gov.au:
  • a Management Plan
  • written permission of the landowner if you are acting on behalf of the landowner.

What if I want to clear vegetation for grazing practices that haven’t changed?

If you have not changed grazing practices over the past 10 years in terms of area grazed, manner, rate and stock species, refer to information on Grazing: ongoing practices.

What if I want to expand the land required for grazing?

A clearance application under the Native Vegetation Act 1991 will be required.

Exclusions

You are not permitted to clear for this activity if you are:

• clearing that will permanently remove or degrade native vegetation (including residual adverse impacts) – if this is the case you will need to submit a clearance application under the Native Vegetation Act 1991.