Australian Conservation Foundation alleges illegal land clearing in NSWBy Timu KingABC Mildura-Swan HillTopic:Environmental Impact5h ago5 hours agoSat 3 May 2025 at 8:31pmExperts are concerned about the rate of land clearing. (Supplied: Australian Conservation Foundation)In short: The Australian Conservation Foundation is alleging thousands of hectares of endangered species habitat has been illegally cleared in south-west New South Wales between 2021 and 2025.The federal government has confirmed it has received a report of the allegations, but cannot comment due to "ongoing enquiries".What's next?Experts say land clearing rates are unlikely to be reduced without education and effective enforcement.abc.net.au/news/mallee-land-clearing-conservation-foundation-endangered-species/105098584Link copiedShareShare articleThe Australian Conservation Foundation is accusing farmers and landholders of illegally clearing thousands of hectares of land in south-west New South Wales.The foundation said that based on satellite images, about 5,500 hectares of land — roughly the size of 550 football ovals — was cleared on seven properties without permits between 2021 and 2025.National nature campaigner Jess Abrahams said the clearing was concerning due to vulnerable species in the area."These are habitats for some of our most endangered bird species such as the malleefowl, the pink cockatoo and the southern white face," Mr Abrahams said. "This bushland is critical for their survival."Before: A NSW property in 2021.. . After: The same property in 2024.. .Instructions: Use left and right arrow keys to control image transition Before and after imagesSLIDE A NSW property in 2021. / The same property in 2024.Mr Abrahams said the south-eastern long-eared bat also relied on the habitat."This land clearing, fragmentation and degradation is the greatest threat to this bushland scientists have identified," he said."It's a death by a thousand cuts."A spokesperson for the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water said it was aware of the allegations but could not comment due to "ongoing enquiries".The malleefowl is under threat from habitat clearing. (Supplied: Australian Conservation Foundation)Laws 'not very effective'University of Queensland's professor of environmental management Martine Maron said current laws were not strong enough to curb illegal land clearing."We do know the laws are not very effective in terms of reducing land clearing to an acceptable level but we're still accumulating really large deficits," Dr Maron said. "A lot more land is being cleared than grown back or restored which is unusual for a wealthy, developed country like ours."It is actually very unclear for a lot of people what the laws are meant to apply to and often there are multiple different laws which might apply to a particular piece of land." Bushland is critical to the survival of pink cockatoos. (Supplied: Australian Conservation Foundation)According to the most recent data from the federal government's National Greenhouse Gas Accounts, 164,500 hectares of land was cleared nationally in 2022–23.Under national environment law, land clearing without a permit where it can affect a "matter of national environmental significance", such as an endangered species, can lead to maximum penalties of $16.5 million or imprisonment of up to seven years.In NSW, the maximum penalty for intentional land clearing is $5 million for a corporation and $1 million for an individual. Will a new environmental regulator do the trick to stop illegal land clearing?Photo shows An aerial view showing black cattle grazing in a bare paddock near a fallen treeEnvironmental powerhouse, or toothless tiger? Michael Slezak looks at the impact of a proposed federal regulator, in light of how land clearing is managed in Australia.According to the Environmental Defenders Office, proving an offence beyond reasonable doubt can be "difficult to do, so it is more common for regulators to issue Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for less serious offences". The maximum penalty for a PIN is $15,000 for a corporation or $5,000 for an individual.Dr Maron said education and effective enforcement were needed to reduce clearing rates. "A lack of awareness and appropriate penalties are all missing pieces of the puzzle," she said. "Achieving a shift really involves working with the people who are managing the land." ABC Mildura Swan Hill — local news in your inboxGet our local newsletter, delivered free each WednesdayYour information is being handled in accordance with the ABC Privacy Collection Statement.Email addressSubscribePosted 5h ago5 hours agoSat 3 May 2025 at 8:31pmShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesLabor victory a 'win for the ages'Topic:ElectionsPhoto shows Smiling Albanese with a coffee at a table with trees behindLiberals begin dissection after ruinous lossTopic:Federal GovernmentPhoto shows Liberal Party launch in SydneyYour 4-minute guide to the federal election resultsTopic:ExplainerPhoto shows Anthony Albanese holds up his hands to calm the crowd.Labor gains seats across Queensland, picks up extra Senate seatTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows A woman in a felt hat smirks. What was the result in your seat? Look up the map of your regionTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows An illustration of the map of Australia with multicoloured lines behind itRelated storiesFirst-of-its-kind NT land clearing prosecution ends in settlementTopic:Land ClearingPhoto shows Cleared land with two lone trees in the middle.Melbourne developer, business cop $170k fine over native vegetationTopic:Land ClearingPhoto shows A creek flows through the middle of the area where soil covers grasslandsSuccessive Australian governments have done little to stop illegal land clearing. Will a new environmental regulator do the trick?MAnalysis by Michael SlezakPhoto shows An aerial view showing black cattle grazing in a bare paddock near a fallen treeRelated topicsAgricultureEndangered and Protected SpeciesEnvironmentEnvironmental ImpactFarmersLand ClearingLand ManagementMilduraPooncarieTop StoriesLabor victory a 'win for the ages'Topic:ElectionsPhoto shows Smiling Albanese with a coffee at a table with trees behindLiberals begin dissection after ruinous lossTopic:Federal GovernmentYour 4-minute guide to the federal election resultsTopic:ExplainerLabor gains seats across Queensland, picks up extra Senate seatTopic:ElectionsWhat was the result in your seat? Look up the map of your regionTopic:ElectionsJust InBroncos insist there are 'no demons' playing Penrith despite poor recent recordLIVE20m ago20 minutes agoSun 4 May 2025 at 2:01amWhy some hotels in China don't accept foreign tourists Topic:Travel and Tourism51m ago51 minutes agoSun 4 May 2025 at 1:30amJustice hangs in the balance a year after Perth brothers killed in MexicoTopic:Law, Crime and Justice54m ago54 minutes agoSun 4 May 2025 at 1:27amVietnam War photographer reflects on fall of SaigonTopic:Unrest, Conflict and War1h ago1 hours agoSun 4 May 2025 at 12:51amMore Just InBack to top