INS Removal

A tightly controlled process

Pre harvesting

Legislation

INS removal on our scale is regulated by the Land Management (Native Vegetation) Code 2018 Division 2 Moderate impact clearing of Invasive Native Scrub under the Local Land Services Act.

For us to remove INS the landholder either needs a Property Vegetation Plan under the 2013 legislation or a Code Compliant Certificate under 2018 legislation to remove INS.

Land_Management__Native_Vegetation__Code_2018_-_NSW_Legislation

Vegetation mapping

With current technology the simplest is we ride around your property in two stages. The first is to get a general overview for the first stage mapping. After we map out where you want INS removed, future fence lines, PVP boundaries etc we then come back and check specific plots to ascertain density and species in greater detail.

This creates our plan for our INS removal scheduling in the future.

Field ground truthing map

Approvals

If you have a current PVP you are all set to go, skip this step.

If your PVP is running out or you do not have one then you need to apply for a Code Compliant Certificate, This can almost 'renew' an exiting PVP or you can adjust according to future farm plans you have.

This transition to a CCC can be quite convoluted due to wordings and requirements in the PVP carrying over to a CCC. We are happy to help but it is the Local Lands Services that have the ultimate clarity on this.

Source: A Vegetation Management Plan for Areas Invaded by Native trees and Shrubs in the Cobar Peneplain

Harvesting

Scheduling

We schedule your property according to your INS species, volume and distance from the Cobar Biohub. Sorry if the time frame is not as soon as you would like but margins are tight so must be efficient about out inputs and costs.

You will know many months or even years in advance when we can be on your property to get rid of your INS for you.

Prior to commencement

Our Harvesting Manager and probably some of the crew, will come to see you to go over access, roads and tracks, any trailer transfer areas for the road transport, possibly a campsite for the harvesting crews and so on.

They will answer any questions and will set up any special considerations as part of the operating procedures on your property.

Wood Removal

This team comes in with a bulldozer, excavator, a loader a prime mover and trailers. They pick out any wood we would rather see get processed in to greater value products, such a specialty timbers instead of chained and chipped. That team leaves your property.

Clearing the INS

Local clearing contractors (who you probably know already) will push out the INS with dozers and chains and push the biomass in to loose windrows. They then leave you property.

Biomass Removal

Once the wood is removed we send in a humongous mulcher, excavator and loader and they remove the remaining INS.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Will you hijack my Property Vegetation Plan?

You can develop your own PVP and gain your own approvals without any involvement from us if you choose.

We will work around your farm plan and PVP to develop

precise mapping of areas of INS removal, retention areas, fence lines etc.
our operations to conform to all the regulations on the PVP or from any other source
our INS removal plan taking in to account how you want us to have access, no-go zones etc.

We are only interested in the INS you want to get rid of. We have no vested interest in your property, your management or your operations.

What if I don't like what you are doing on my property?

Talk to us straight away, please don't stew on it
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We have a dedicated Harvesting Manager who is there to see everything runs smoothly and you are happy. Call them.
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If the Harvesting Manager is your problem, as a participating landholder, you have priority access to all higher level Management. Call them.
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Our aim is to be responsible, respect your property and landscape, after all, it is your home.
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We outline our process, codes of conduct, environmental protections and INS removal methods in our agreements. If we do not adhere to these then you have a valid reason to end the agreement without penalty.
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We are bound by Government approvals and legislation and frankly, our operation is too big for us to risk everything by behaving badly.

How long does it take?

Who do I talk to?

In the beginning, anyone in the office or on the phone.

Then you will have a dedicated person working with you throughout the process, in both the planning stage or the INS removal stage.

If it is routine information you need you will have a member's access to our system to see what is going on in regards to your property at any time, even where the equipment and trucks are in real time.

Will your crews respect my property?

Our crew's employment is based on how they conform to the standards we set in regards to how they behave on your property and the respect they show you and your family.

Gates, access areas, communication, smoking, behaviour, dress, operations near the homestead will all be regulated.

Before we start INS removal on your property we will put in to place any special requirements particular to your circumstances ( but be reasonable)

We hope our crews will be locals and you may already know them and their families.

Why can't you take all the INS in one go?