Native Vegetation
Advisory Council
NSW

Dr Neil Byron
Presiding Commissioner
Native Vegetation Inquiry
Productivity Commission
LB2, Collins Street East
Melbourne VIC 8003

18 July 2003

Dear Dr Byron

Re:	Productivity Commission Inquiry into impacts of native vegetation and biodiversity regulations

The following letter and the attachments represent a submission to the Inquiry from the NSW Native Vegetation Advisory Council (NVAC).

NVAC was established under the NSW Native Vegetation Conservation Act 1997. The Council comprises representatives from a variety of rural, community and government organisations including rural representatives, the Nature Conservation Council of NSW, NSW Aboriginal Land Council, NSW Agriculture, Local Government and Shires Association, Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Royal Botanic Gardens, National Parks Service, and catchment management boards.

The Council's functions include a range of advice to the relevant NSW Minister on matters related to the conservation and management of native vegetation. More specifically, the Council is to advise, monitor and report to the Minister on the status of native vegetation throughout the State; develop, and advise the Minister on, a native vegetation conservation strategy and; advise and report to the Minister on any matter related to native vegetation.

The Council considered many different aspects of native vegetation management in detail while it was developing the draft native vegetation conservation strategy. As a result a series of background papers were published during the development of the strategy, and copies are attached for your consideration. A number of these seem particularly pertinent to your terms of reference.

NVAC recognises that there is a need for reform in the area of native vegetation management, especially to provide clear and easy to interpret definitions and legislative provisions and effective incentive schemes and regulatory arrangements.

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The Council would be happy to discuss the background papers, its experience in native vegetation management and possible future directions with the Commission at a mutually convenient time.

Yours sincerely

Neil Inall
Chairman
NSW Native Vegetation Advisory Council

Attached Native Vegetation Advisory Council (NVAC) background papers:

1.	Setting the Scene the Native Vegetation of NSW
2.	The Ecological Role of Native Vegetation of NSW
3.	Social Value of the Native Vegetation of NSW
4.	Economic Values of the Native Vegetation of NSW
5.	Aboriginal Cultural Values of the Native Vegetation of NSW
6.	Arrangements and Opportunities for Native Vegetation Management in NSW
7.	The Green house Effect, Climate Change and Native Vegetation