The CEO of AgForce, Michael Guerin, has criticised a decision by the Queensland Court of Appeal which could potentially expose landholders in South-East Queensland to fines of more than $500,000 dollars for clearing trees.
The court this month ruled that the clearing of land marked "Category X" - described as “exempt areas” on state vegetation maps - is subject to local councils’ planning schemes and may require a development permit.
Mr Guerin says the decision could end up costing some landholders their livelihood and argued any assertion that the local requirement was in place to protect wildlife was false.