Selective harvesting of fodder shrubs to protect groundcover

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Case study
EPBC Act
Agriculture
Photograph of vegetation in central Australia

Scenario

A mixed‑enterprise producer in Western Downs uses selective lopping of fodder shrubs during a dry period.

Site details

  • Bioregion: Darling Downs
  • Sandy soils susceptible to erosion
  • Scattered shrub patches

Activity

The producer plans to:

  • use hand‑tools for selective lopping
  • maintain shrub structure and regeneration.

EPBC considerations

  • The shrubs may form part of a listed ecological community.
  • Selective removal could reduce habitat for listed ground-dwelling species.
  • Erosion controls help protect riparian Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES).

Outcome

If the activity doesn’t impact shrubs that form part of a listed threatened ecological community or occurs directly inside habitat of a listed species (e.g., a vulnerable ground‑dwelling species) it is unlikely that a referral is required.

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