NSW land-clearing law will let farmers clear native vegetation with no approval

Government says change will improve biodiversity but conservation groups say it means 'disaster for nature in NSW' and a return to broadscale clearing

Land clearing regulations are set to be relaxed in NSW, as the government releases draft legislation that would allow farmers to clear native vegetation without approval in many cases, and give others access to "offsets". It has also committed $240m over five years to pay farmers not to clear land, followed by $70m a year thereafter.

The government said the changes would improve biodiversity, even though they will allow protected areas to be cleared.