How do Queensland's land clearing laws impact farming profits?

The land clearing debate continues in farming communities across Queensland in the wake of the Labor Government's decision to pass laws banning the broad scale clearing of remnant vegetation.

Debate continues among farming communities across
 Queensland about the broadscale clearing of remnant vegations.

Now the focus is on the Far North where the Federal Environment Department has given the green light to the clearing of 2,000 hectares of forest at Kingvale on Cape York.

Conservationists fear bulldozing the vast tract of land will cause dangerous runoff into rivers that eventually flow into the Great Barrier Reef.

But local politicians are looking to money and jobs that increased farming development on the station will produce.

Listen to the Radio National report - “How do Queensland's land clearing laws impact farming profits?”

Consider the environment

John Pettigrew - asking on Earth Day for
people to respect the environment.

For more than a quarter of a century, the Goulburn Valley Environment Group has played a role in maintaining environmental assets in Shepparton.

‘‘Our aim is to protect what vegetation we have left,’’ GVEG president John Pettigrew said.

‘‘Focusing on our rivers, streams and remnant vegetation, we spend our time objecting to projects, commenting on government strategies and playing a proactive role in planning for the future.’’

Mr Pettigrew, a retired fruit grower from Bunbartha, said the group’s biggest concern right now was the burning off of stubble in paddocks in rural areas.

Read Hayden Thompson’s story in The Shepparton News - “Consider the environment.”