Protected plants flora survey trigger map

The flora survey trigger map identifies high-risk areas where endangered, vulnerable 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 an endangered, vulnerable or near threatened plant and/or contain habitat highly likely to have one or more 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.

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 endangered, vulnerable 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.

As the flora survey trigger map is typically updated in June each year, it is recommended you submit your application by February for consideration in the next update.

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.