PUBLIC hearings on proposed changes to land clearing laws will take place in Gympie this afternoon.

The proposed changes are set out in the Queensland Government’s Vegetation Management (Reinstatement) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill introduced in March.

Chair of Parliament’s all-party Agriculture and Environment Committee and State Member for Gladstone, Glenn Butcher, says the hearings will be crucial to the committee’s inquiry into the Bill.

“The Bill has generated hundreds of submissions from across the State.

“Submissions are polarised between strong support for the Bill on environmental grounds, and opposition based on concerns for how it may impact landholders and future economic development.

“Ultimately the committee will have to gauge whether the Bill is good for Queensland, and whether it should be passed by the Parliament to become law.

“Our hearings will give people with views on the Bill the chance to have their say.”

At hearings in Bundaberg and Gympie (June 1), Charleville and Roma (June 2) and Brisbane (June 3), the committee will hear from a cross-section of groups representing conservationists, local government, business, farmers and landholders, lawyers and academics who made submissions to the inquiry. The committee will hear submissions from the floor as well as from invited witnesses.

The Bill seeks to give effect to a promise by the Palaszczuk Government to reduce land clearing rates through restoring vegetation management controls removed by the former Newman Government to encourage high value agriculture.

The committee will report its findings to Parliament by June 30, 2016.

Hearing details:

Bundaberg: Today - 11:30am to 1pm – Bundaberg Civic Centre

Gympie: Today - 4:30pm to 6:30pm – Gympie Civic Centre

Charleville: Thursday, 2 June – 11am to 1pm – Charleville RSL

Roma: Thursday, 2 June – 4:30pm to 6:30pm – Roma Explorers Inn

Brisbane: Friday 3 June – 11am to 4:30pm – Parliamentary Annexe