Protected plants flora survey trigger map
The flora survey trigger map identifies high-risk areas where threatened or near threatened native plants are present or are likely to be present.
If you are considering clearing native plants that are ‘in the wild’ (e.g. bushland) and no other exemptions apply in your circumstance, you should obtain a copy of the trigger map.
You can obtain a copy of the flora survey trigger map for a specific area by entering the details below.
Visit the clearing of protected plants page for more information on what requirements you need to consider before clearing native plants.
Request a copy of the flora survey trigger map for an area
Note: Copies of the flora survey trigger map will be sent as PDF files to the email address you nominate in the request form. The scale of a map will vary according to the size of the property or area requested. For the best print resolution the map should be printed at A4 size. If you have any problems using this service, please email palm@des.qld.gov.au.
Why is there a high risk area mapped over my land?
Areas that are within a 2km radius of a validated record of a threatened or near threatened plant and/or contain habitat highly likely to have one or more critically endangered or endangered plant species, are included as high-risk areas on the flora survey trigger map. High-risk areas are limited to natural areas, such as those mapped as remnant vegetation, regrowth vegetation, wetlands and category ‘A’ areas under the Vegetation Management Act 1994 (e.g. an offset area or areas subject to a restoration notice).
Can the department tell me what plant species are the reason for the high risk area?
While copies of the flora survey trigger map do not identify the specific plant species associated with high-risk areas, you can obtain information on the plant species in an area using Biomaps and the Queensland Globe (e.g. under the ‘Wildnet’ layer). The Queensland Spatial Catalogue also includes information under the ‘Wildnet’, ‘Herbarium specimen data – Herbrecs – Queensland’ and ‘modelled potential habitat for selected threatened species – Queensland’ layers. A geographic information system, such as Arc GIS, is needed to view the files from the Queensland Spatial Catalogue.
The department is unable to provide additional information about plant species on your land. It should also be noted that some records of particularly rare plants must be kept confidential in order to prevent poaching.
The department is unable to provide additional information about plant species on your land. It should also be noted that some records of particularly rare plants must be kept confidential in order to prevent poaching.
How regularly is the flora survey trigger map updated?
The flora survey trigger map must be reviewed, and if necessary updated, at least once every 12 months.
Can I get a high-risk area removed off the map?
You can request to have a high-risk area on the flora survey trigger map removed for a period of 10 years. This can occur if a suitably qualified person has undertaken flora survey recently (e.g. within the past 12 months), in accordance with the flora survey guidelines, and certified that they found no threatened or near threatened plants in the area – nor within 100m of the area.
You will need to submit the flora survey report to the department with a completed Request form (DOCX, 112KB) to palm@des.qld.gov.au.
Will a fee be required to submit a request?
There are currently no fees associated with making a request to remove a high risk area from the flora survey trigger map.
What happens after a request is submitted?
Once you have submitted your request, you will receive an email acknowledging your request has been received.
The department will assess the request using the information you have supplied as well as any imagery and any other relevant information available to the department.
The department may contact you to seek further information if your application is incomplete or if additional information is required to assess your request.
You will be informed of the outcome of your request and the reason for the decision when the flora survey trigger map is next updated.
Visit the clearing of protected plants page for more information on flora surveys.
