Damage land in Reserves, trees, nests and vehicles - Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate - Environment

Damage land in Reserves, trees, nests and vehicles

Licence to Damage Land in a Reserve under the Nature Conservation Act 2014

Damaging land includes the destruction on the land, or removal from the land of any of the following:

  • clay
  • gravel
  • rock
  • sand
  • soil
  • stone

It is an offence under the Nature Conservation Act 2014 to damage land in a reserve without a licence. A fee applies under the Nature Conservation (Fees) Determination.

Licence to Remove a Native Tree from Unleased Land

It is an offence to damage a native tree or take fallen timber on unleased or leased land within the ACT.

You may not require a licence if the removal or damage of a tree is covered by a development approval under the Planning and Development Act 2007 or an approval under the Tree Protection Act 2005.

No fee applies.

Interfere with Nests of Native animals

It is an offence to interfere with a nest or something in the immediate environment of the nest of a native animal anywhere in the ACT without a licence.

No fee applies.

Vehicle in a Reserve under the Nature Conservation Act 2014

In most reserves it is an offence to use a motorised vehicle on a management trail.  If you need to drive a vehicle in a reserve you must apply for a licence. Licences may be issued for activities such as utilities management, approved observational research or to ACT Government Contractors.  Licences will not be issued for private recreational purposes.

How to apply

Apply online:

Please allow up to 28 days for your application to be processed.

More information

Contact Licencing and Compliance on 02 6207 6376 or email pcs.licensingandcompliance@act.gov.au.