CLEARING PERMITS — EXEMPTIONS
906. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the
minister representing the Minister for Environment:
(1) Under the
Environmental Protection Act 1986, what exemption entitles the WA Planning
Commission to clear native vegetation in accordance with a subdivision approval
without a clearing permit?
(2) What
government department reports on the number and area of clearing permits
approved under this exemption?
(3) Can the
minister identify how much native vegetation was cleared for urban development
under this exemption in the last year and in the last five years?
Hon
HELEN MORTON replied:
I thank the member for some notice of this question.
(1) Under
clause 9 of schedule 6 of the Environmental Protection Act, clearing that is in
accordance with a subdivision approval under the Planning and Development Act
2005 is exempt from the requirement for a clearing permit.
(2) As clause 9
provides an exemption from the requirement for a clearing permit, a clearing
permit is not required or granted.
(3) As a
clearing permit or application is not required, the Department of Environment
Regulation cannot advise on the amount of native vegetation cleared for urban
development under this exemption.