Terry
Clare, can you tell me more about Roadside Vegetation Plans?

Clare
Yes, one of the areas that my team in Rural Solutions SA are focusing on is Roadside Vegetation Management Plans for local councils and in particular Management Plans endorsed by the Native Vegetation Council.  Now, in South Australia all of our vegetation is protected under the Native Vegetation Act and if you want to undertake any activity that might impact upon native vegetation you need to consult with the Native Vegetation Group and you may need to put in a formal application to the Native Vegetation Council.  So one of the advantages of having an endorsed Roadside Vegetation Management Plan is that it provides council its delegated authority under the Native Vegetation Act.  Now what this means is that they can undertake or approve activities that might impact upon roadside native vegetation. And this will reduce the amount of consultation they have with the Native Vegetation Group and will prevent delays of works being undertaken. Other advantages of that ensures that meets their legal requirements to both the provision of the state’s road network and the protection of native vegetation on the roadside and can aid in the sustainable management of roadside vegetation as well as protecting biodiversity assets in the area.

Terry
Are you expecting considerable amount more enquiries as a result of this.

Clare
We’re hoping so, we know that there’s only been a few of the regional councils that have a current Roadside Vegetation Management Plan.  Quite a few councils have had them done but they would be out of date.  And it’s something that the Native Vegetation Group and the Native Vegetation Council support and really want to happen.