Permits are issued to protect threatened plant species or those likely to become threatened if seed collection is not regulated. You may need different types of permits depending on the type of plants you wish to collect from and the status of the land from which you wish to collect.
Most public land is managed by the Department of Sustainability and the Environment (DSE). To collect plant material from public land, obtain a permit from DSE. Permit types can vary depending on the plant material and the management status of the land. To collect from:
- crown land reserves, unused roads and water frontages, contact the DSE. To collect from state forests, contact the DSE/DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186;
- land managed by Parks Victoria (national, state, regional, coastal and wilderness parks, reference areas, flora, fauna, bushland reserves, and historic sites), contact DSE. Additional permits may be required.
Commercial seed collection would not be approved within any National Parks, and indeed seed collection in Parks would only be approved if part of an authorised scientific research project, and assessed on a case by case scenario. In fact the Regulations (2003) prohibit the removal of plant material. They state:” A person must not, in a park, cut, fell, pick, remove, take, destroy or damage any flora or other vegetation, whether alive or dead” A fine of 20 penalty units could result for a breach of this regulation.
Seed collection from Road or Rail Reserves or Council Land
- Rail reserves - to obtain permission for entry into these areas contact:
- Roadsides or land controlled by VicRoads, contact the VicRoad Environmental Officer (131171) or the relevant Local Government Authority (Council).
- Council owned land, contact the relevant local council.
If the location where you want to make a collection is a declared critical habitat under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 you will need a permit from DSE. The landowner should be aware of the status of the land. Likewise you will need a permit if you want to take for sale tree-ferns, king-ferns, grass-trees, or sphagnum moss from private land. Contact your local DSE office for further information or to apply for a permit.
Each application is assessed individually regarding species proposed for collection (whether threatened or protected under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988), location proposed, methods, quantities etc.
For further information see the Department of Primary Industries website - www.dpi.vic.gov.au.
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