Clearing rates down but Barrier Reef needs more help

Data from the Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS) reveals a seven per cent decrease in clearing activity between the 2020-21 and 2021-22 periods.

But despite a 64 per cent reduction in regulated vegetation clearing over four years, the report notes the pace of Queensland's downward trend has slowed.

And 44 per cent of the clearing occurred in reef catchment areas despite UNESCO warning that tree clearing is the major threat to the Great Barrier Reef's health as it considers declaring it "in danger".

Nearly 144,000 hectares of land was cleared in reef catchments in 2021-22, just 13 per cent less than the previous 12-month period.

But the committee has warned Australia it should pursue urgent and sustained action on the reef's key threats after its fifth mass bleaching event in five years.

Tree clearing causes soil erosion and increases water pollution with sediment smothering corals and seagrasses, which endangered marine life depend on, Australian Marine Conservation Society campaign manager Lissa Schindler said.

"It's positive there has been some reduction in clearing in reef catchments, but it's not nearly enough ... the Queensland and federal governments need to do more to control tree clearing in reef catchments," she said. 

"Tree clearing also exacerbates climate change ... we need to be keeping trees in the ground if we want to truly tackle climate change and protect the reef's future."

Queensland strengthened laws to curb unsustainable clearing in 2018 with government touting the reduction as evidence they were working.

"The report shows Queensland's strong vegetation management framework continues to protect our native ecosystems, while allowing landholders to manage their properties and grow the food and fibre that is fundamental to our economy and our regional communities," Resources Minister Scott Stewart said.

"Our ongoing challenge is to reduce unlawful clearing and we'll continue to work with landholders to educate and assist them in understanding their obligations."

WWF Australia welcomed the overall reduction, but pointed out more than 187,000 ha of the vegetation cleared was estimated to be older than 15 years.

"The area of native vegetation bulldozed in 2021-22 was 290,000 times the area of the Lang Park ground," a WWF Australia spokesperson told AAP.

"WWF calls for a well-funded transition plan that supports Queensland beef producers and regional communities to become world leaders in restoring native vegetation, generating revenue from high integrity natural capital markets and demonstrating deforestation-free status."

Australian Associated Press