MEDIA RELEASE
June 18, 2026
A new report by Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, released this morning, has confirmed what we already know: Habitat clearing in NSW has spiralled since changes to the law in 2017. Nature Conservation Council of NSW (NCC) says the group’s analysis highlights the failure of our current nature laws and the urgent need for reform to protect biodiversity in NSW.
The recent report, Agricultural clearing is eroding the productive future of NSW, found;
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Habitat clearing across the state increased significantly after changes to native vegetation laws were introduced in 2017;
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Annual woody vegetation clearing increased from an average of 17,453 hectares per year before the reforms to more than 30,000 hectares per year after the laws took effect, and;
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Agriculture accounted for most of the increase.
The report warns ongoing loss of native vegetation risks undermining the foundations of regional prosperity: healthy soils, clean water supplies, and the biodiversity that supports productive farming.
CEO of the Wentworth Group Dr Celine Steinfeld says farmers manage about 70% of the landscape in NSW, and “their farmlands rely on healthy functioning ecosystems to remain productive”.
NCC supports Wentworth Group’s call for improved transparency and accountability so that approvals for clearing activities can be readily verified and tracked.
Quotes attributable to Candice Bartlett, NCC’s Conservation Officer (Habitat and Biodiversity).
“We know habitat clearing is one of the biggest threats to our biodiversity in NSW, and most of it is occurring on private land for agriculture.
“Biodiversity is critical for the survival of our threatened species and for healthy, productive farmland.”
NCC is urgently calling on the NSW Government to strengthen the state’s nature laws.
“Unless the Minns Government strengthen Local Land Services’ native vegetation clearing codes that are enabling most tree clearing on private land in NSW, Labor will be unable to deliver their commitment to stop broadscale land clearing.
“It is evident the state’s conservation laws are being undermined by loose clearing controls, that sit separately under the agriculture portfolio.
“We need the NSW Government to strengthen the Biodiversity Conservation Act and fix the clearing codes to rein in out-of-control land clearing across the state — like they promised to do at the last state election.
“Habitat destruction continues at alarming rates, having devastating effects on our threatened species.
“We must preserve what’s left of our native woodlands in New South Wales.”
ENDS
Media contact: Ellie Chamberlain
E: [email protected] PH: (02) 9516 0135
Note: Spokespeople are available for comment on request.
Images available here. Please credit NCC.
Notes:
The analysis follows the Wentworth Group’s Analysis of vegetation clearing in New South Wales 2010 – 2023 released in February 2026, which found substantial clearing in areas identified in legislation as having high biodiversity value, including river corridors and likely threatened species habitats.