Homeowners affected by the 2019-2020 bushfire season who are clearing land and rebuilding will not have to produce koala habitat surveys under new rules announced by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Rob Stokes.
Mr Stokes said the changes to the Koala State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) cuts red tape for the homeowners to help them get back on their feet and were shaped by feedback from Councils and fire-affected local communities.
Mr Stokes said the changes were necessary to facilitate the safe and timely rebuilding of homes.
“What those people went through was devastating and while protecting the habitat of our koalas is vital, we must make it easier for those who lost everything in last summer’s traumatic bushfires,” Mr Stokes said.
“What we have done is include a provision in the Koala SEPP to allow homeowners impacted by the bushfires to clear the land around where their home previously stood in order to rebuild more quickly,” he said.
“It’s the role of Government to change things for the better when and where we can and there is a clear need to support these people right now.”
“By allowing them to clear and develop their land without considering these requirements, it will save them much-needed money and time.”
Mr Stokes said the changes were supported by a number of checks and balances to ensure development didn’t impact koalas, including requiring any rebuilding of homes destroyed by fire to occur on the same site.
