Queensland Consolidated Acts Queensland Consolidated Acts(1) The purpose of this Act is to regulate the clearing of vegetation in a way that—
(a) conserves remnant vegetation that is—
(i) an endangered regional ecosystem; or
(ii) an of concern regional ecosystem; or
(iii) a least concern regional ecosystem; and
(b) conserves vegetation in declared areas; and
(c) ensures the clearing does not cause land degradation; and
(d) prevents the loss of biodiversity; and
(e) maintains ecological processes; and
(f) manages the environmental effects of the clearing to achieve the matters mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (e); and
(g) reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
(2) The purpose is achieved mainly by providing for—
(a) codes for the Planning Act relating to the clearing of vegetation that are applicable codes for the assessment of vegetation clearing applications under IDAS; and
(b) the enforcement of vegetation clearing provisions; and
(c) declared areas; and
(d) a framework for decision making that, in achieving this Act's purpose in relation to subsection (1)(a) to (e), applies the precautionary principle that lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing a measure to prevent degradation of the environment if there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage; and
(e) the phasing out of broadscale clearing of remnant vegetation by 31 December 2006; and
(f) the regulation of particular regrowth vegetation.
(3) In this section—
environment includes—
(a) ecosystems and their constituent parts including people and communities; and
(b) all natural and physical resources; and
(c) those qualities and characteristics of locations, places and areas, however large or small, that contribute to their biological diversity and integrity, intrinsic or attributed scientific value or interest, amenity, harmony and sense of community; and
(d) the social, economic, aesthetic and cultural conditions affecting the matters in paragraphs (a) to (c) or affected by those matters.