_NATIVE VEGETATION AND OFFSETS

The Victorian Government Minister for Environment and Climate Change (Ryan Smith) spoke at the UDIA function of 4 November 2011.

The Minister was brief but to the point in terms of relevance to his audience.  He spoke of principles concerning establishing the longer term provisions for identifying and protecting native vegetation – and then having the Department of Sustainability and Environment keeping out of the structure planning process.

The details are not yet settled but subject to fairness in these (such as ensuring factual correctness in time date stamping of what is considered existing native vegetation to be protected; the pre-determined offset costs and such ), the principles (once over any transition) offer the real possibility of more certainty, less delays on studies / arguments and speedier action with developments.

We await the detail keenly but would almost be prepared to say that anything is better than the present system.

Enquires Mike Collie on 8698 9300 (mjsc@colliepl.com.au)