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3 December 2024. 

In a time where the vegetation management rules are quite complex and producers may be reluctant to clear, AgForce would like to draw members’ awareness to the Fast Track 5 (FT5) Development Application pathway that provides an alternative process to a full Development Application (DA). 

The FT5 is designed to allow producers to manage thickening and threatening processes without having to go through a full DA and commenced on 16 November 2018. The FT5 Application process is for areas under 400Ha where no prior thinning/clearing has been performed. The process is meant to provide producers with a shorter turn-around timeframe to have their application assessed, however, the process is still intensive and only a few FT5s have been approved. The intention of the FT5 is to restore the floristic integrity of the ecosystem from threatening thickening processes. Tree stem counts are a key driver whether you will be approved or otherwise. 

Please see the below table for a brief summary of differences between a FT5 and a full Development Application. 

 

Fast Track Five (FT5) Application

Development Application (DA)

•    Costs approx. $900
•    For areas less than 400 Ha where no prior clearing/thinning has been performed.
•    If answer ‘no’ to any criteria on the FT5 checklist will need to do a normal DA. 
•    First stage = Relevant Purpose Determination by Department of Resources (DoR) (vegetation@resources.qld.gov.au)
•    Once approved by DoR application goes to State Assessment Referral Agency (SARA), where there is a 5 day assessment period before an answer is provided (either approved or not approved). 
•    Once permit given by SARA have 2 years / whatever is stipulated in the permit to commence clearing. 

•    Costs approx. $3,000
•    First stage = Relevant Purpose Determination by DoR (vegetation@resources.qld.gov.au)
•    Relevant Purpose Determination (RPD) from DoR expires in 2 years, once lodge RPD with SARA have acted upon the approval, so the RPD is now redundant. 
•    Application form reviewed by State Assessment Referral Agency (SARA) who have 35 days to provide a response.  
•    Once permit given by SARA have 2 years / whatever is stipulated in the permit to commence clearing.  

 

Further information can be found here. 

If you are interested in attending an online discussion regarding this process please contact Anna Fiskbek, Policy Officer Vegetation Management on 0407 813 470.