Vehicle track: maintain or establish a track
If you want to maintain or establish a vehicle track, the requirements that must be met are outlined under Schedule 1, Regulation 8, Clause 13 of the Native Vegetation Regulations 2017.
Can I clear native vegetation to maintain or establish a vehicle track?
You can clear native vegetation to maintain or establish a vehicle track to provide access.
What can I clear?
You can clear vegetation to maintain or establish a vehicle track:
that is reasonably required to provide access
that is no more than 5 m wide for vehicles that have at least 4 wheels
that is limited to the extent reasonably required to achieve the purpose for which the track is required
when there is no practical alternative to clearing such as positioning the track where clearing isn't needed or where the vegetation is less significant or more degraded.
Does this include land under Heritage or Management Agreement?
Yes, you can clear for this purpose on Heritage Agreement or Management Agreement land but only to maintain an existing vehicle track (not to establish a track).
Do I need approval?
No formal Native Vegetation Council approval is required, however you do need to notify us prior to establishing a new vehicle track to confirm it meets the Regulation.
What do I have to do?
Self-assess that your clearing is within the parameters of this activity
Apply the Mitigation Hierarchy. Are there practical alternatives to clearing, including positioning a new track so that it involves no clearing, or clearing vegetation that is less significant or more degraded?
Notify the Native Vegetation Council by filling out the online notification prior to clearing with the following details (a formal record of the notification will be provided to you):
applicant/landowner information
property details (section/hundred, allotment/plan)
reason for clearance and how other alternatives for less or no clearance have been considered
map of clearance area/photographs
description of vegetation
written permission of the landowner if you are acting on behalf of the landowner for any clearance activity.
Exclusions
You are not permitted to clear for this activity if you are:
clearing vegetation in connection with residential subdivision
clearing vegetation to make a track for recreational use by the public
clearing vegetation on a roadside, rail corridor or railway crossing
clearing vegetation previously established as a condition of a consent for clearance or under regulation (including a condition in respect of clearance permitted under revoked regulations).
What if my activity doesn't fit this description?
If your proposed clearance does not meet the requirements of this regulation, or another regulation, you can submit a clearance application under Section 28 of the Native Vegetation Act 1991.
