Land-clearing in NSW rises nearly 60% since laws were relaxed

New South Wales government data shows 73% of clearing was unexplained, with sharp rises in the state's north-west and central west

Land-clearing in New South Wales has risen nearly 60% since the state relaxed its native vegetation laws in 2017, new government data shows.

The report shows 60,800 hectares of woody vegetation was cleared in 2018, up from 58,000 hectares the previous year and an average of 38,800 hectares between 2009 and 2017.